2. To reinstall the cover, insert the
four plastic tabs on top of the cover
into the corresponding slots, as
shown in the illustration and push
the cover up into the bumper trim.
3. Hold the cover against the bumper trim and reinstall the two
1 4-turn
fasteners by turning them clockwise.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle bumper. Use a load
carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10%–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
WARNING:The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part of the
vehicle rear crash safety structure. Do not remove the trailer
hitch. Failure to follow this warning could compromise vehicle crash
structure and increase the risk of injury in a rear end collision.
Weight distributing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition in the
ON position and all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand (without
passengers) for several minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to off.
3. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within a
1 2” (13 mm) of the reference point.
After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in
Step 3.
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5. Turn the air suspension (if equipped) control to on.
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of
the weight distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling,
and could result in serious personal injury.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Keep your speed no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first
500 miles (800 km) of towing a trailer, and don’t make full throttle
starts.
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To help prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
Variable assist steering
Your vehicle is equipped with variable assist power steering. At low
engine RPM, steering assist will adjust to reduce efforts and improve low
speed maneuverability. At high engine RPM, the assist will adjust to
improve steering feel at high speeds.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant engine RPM, have the power steering system
checked by your authorized dealer.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
•Certain road conditions
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•Steering maneuvers
•Braking
•Acceleration
This system keeps the rear of your vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs. If you exceed
the load limit, the rear air suspension may not operate. The air
suspension system will stay active for 40 minutes after the ignition is
turned off to accommodate any load changes. (The air compressor may
run when the vehicle is off; this is normal.)
The air suspension system can be enabled or disabled through the
message center. Refer toMessage centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
If the system is off, the rear air suspension will not operate and will not
raise (pump) or lower (vent) while the vehicle is not moving. However, if
the system determines that the vehicle is low or high and needs to make
a height adjustment while driving at speeds above 15 mph (24 km/h), the
system will pump or vent as required. Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn the
air suspension and the ignition switch off prior to jacking,
hoisting or towing your vehicle.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility vehicles and trucks handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility vehicles and trucks arenotdesigned for
cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more than low-slung
sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed or abrupt maneuvers in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death.
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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.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
5 — Fuel pump relay
6 — Trailer tow park lamp relay
7 — Heated backlite/Mirror relay
8 — Not used
9 — Run/Start relay
10 — Rear air suspension (RAS) relay
11 40A** Power running board motors
12 40A** Run/Start relay
13 30A ** Starter relay
14 — Not used
15 20A** Right hand HID relay
16 20A** Not used
17 20A** Left hand HID relay
18 30A** Trailer brake
19 60A** Rear air suspension relay feed
20 20A** Not used
21 30A** Trailer tow battery charge
22 30A** Passenger power seat
23 — A/C clutch relay
24 — Not used
25 — Right hand HID relay
26 15A* TCM power
27 20A* 4x4 HAT1
28 25A* Trailer tow park lamp relay feed
29 20A* Back up lamps, IWD solenoid
30 10A* A/C clutch
31 — Not used
32 40A** Blower motor relay feed
33 — Not used
34 30A** Auxiliary blower motor
35 30A** PCM relay
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
36 30A** Power liftgate
37 — Trailer tow left hand stop/turn
relay
38 — Trailer tow right hand stop/turn
relay
39 — Back up lamps
40 — Blower motor relay
41 10A* TCM PCM KAPWR
42 — Not used
43 15A* Brake on/off switch
44 20A* Fuel pump relay
45 25A* Trailer tow stop turn relay feed
46 — Not used
47 — Not used
48 30A** Rear air suspension module
49 — Not used
50 30A** Front wiper motor
51 40A** Heated backlite/mirror relay
52 10A* ABS R/S feed
53 10A* Rear air suspension module R/S
feed
54 5A* TCM R/S power
55 5A* Fuel pump relay R/S feed
56 30A* SPJB R/S feed
57 10A* Blower motor R/S feed
58 15A* Trailer tow backup lamps
59 15A* Heated mirrors
60 — One-touch Start diode
61 — Fuel pump diode
62 — LT HID lamp relay
63 — Not used
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Removing the spare tire
1. Remove the jack handle and
winch extension from the tray and
assemble them.
2. Open the spare tire winch access
plug in the bottom of the
compartment for the jack and tools
tray.
3. Insert the winch extension tool
assembly through the access hole in
the floor and engage the winch.
4. To remove the spare tire, turn the
handle counterclockwise until the
tire is lowered to the ground and
the cable is slightly slack.
5. Slide the retainer through the center of the spare tire wheel.
Tire change procedure
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block the
wheels (both front or both rear) on the opposite end of the vehicle
from the wheel being changed. If on a grade, block both opposite
wheels on the downward side of the hill.
WARNING:If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
WARNING:On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn off
the air suspension system prior to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
WARNING:Turn off the running boards (if equipped) before
jacking or placing any object under the vehicle. Never place your
hand between the extended running board and the vehicle. A moving
running board may cause injury.
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