Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
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Driving
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Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a window sticker containing EPA fuel
economy estimates. Contact your authorized dealer if the window sticker
is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates
should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons with other
vehicles. Your fuel economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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recommendations ...................374
refill capacities ........................405
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................278
F
Fail safe cooling ........................382
Family entertainment system ....51
Fluid capacities .........................405
Fog lamps ....................................89
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......296
description ..............................301
driving off road .......................303
electronic shift ................297, 301
indicator light .........................298
lever operated shift ................299
manual locking hubs ..............297
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................284
Fuel ............................................383
calculating fuel
economy ..........................139, 388
cap ...........................................386
capacity ...................................405
choosing the right fuel ...........387
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................391
detergent in fuel .....................388
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................383, 386, 388
filter, specifications ........383, 404
fuel pump shut-off switch .....317
improving fuel economy ........388
octane rating ...................387, 409
quality ......................................387
running out of fuel .................388
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................383Fuel pump shut-off switch .......317
Fuses ..................................318–319
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............386
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................388
Gauges .........................................21
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................26
H
Hazard flashers .........................316
Head restraints .................172, 178
Headlamps ...................................89
aiming ..................................91, 93
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running lights .............90
flash to pass ..............................90
high beam .................................90
replacing bulbs ...................97–99
turning on and off ....................89
Heating
heater only system ...................80
heating and air conditioning
system .................................81, 84
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................123
Hood ..........................................368
I
Ignition ...............................275, 409
Illuminated visor mirror ...........105
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................206
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Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................115
Power adjustable foot pedals ...115
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................322
Power door locks ......................155
Power mirrors ...........................111
Power point ...............................107
Power steering ..........................283
fluid, checking and adding ....395
fluid, refill capacity ................405
Power Windows .........................108
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................284
R
Radio ................................26, 28, 35
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Relays ........................................318
Remote entry system ...............159
illuminated entry ............164–165
locking/unlocking doors ........155,
160–161
replacing the batteries ...........162
Reverse camera .........................294
Reverse sensing system ...........292
Roadside assistance ..................315
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....181–186
Safety defects, reporting ..........356
Safety restraints ................181–186
Belt-Minder...........................189extension assembly ................192
for adults .........................182–186
for children .............................202
lap belt ....................................187
warning light and
chime ...............................188–189
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................215
Safety seats for children ..........206
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................410
Satellite Radio Information ........48
Seats ..........................................172
child safety seats ....................206
cleaning ...................................364
heated ........................................84
memory seat ...................161, 177
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................166
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............168–169
Servicing your vehicle ..............367
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................30
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................37
Snowplowing ...............10, 312–313
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................404, 409
Special notice ..............................11
ambulance conversions ............10
diesel-powered vehicles .............9
four-wheel drive vehicles .......314
utility-type vehicles ..................10
Speed control ............................116
Starting your vehicle ........275–277
jump starting ..........................343
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Index
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