WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles 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 and 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.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the
LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
2009 Navigator(nav)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
279
Normal characteristics
On some four–wheel drive models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to
four–wheel drive while the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary
clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and engaging the front wheels, and is not cause for concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Note:If air is released from your tires, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) indicator light may illuminate.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTracwith RSC, press the
AdvanceTracwith RSC button (refer toAdvanceTracwith Roll
Stability Control (RSC) Stability Enhancement Systemin this
chapter) while driving in deep sand if you experience excessive engine
power reduction.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even four–wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator
2009 Navigator(nav)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
281
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Four–wheel drive vehicles have advantages over two–wheel drive
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a four–wheel drive vehicle may
accelerate better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t
stop any faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four
wheels. Do not become overconfident as to road conditions.
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, apply the brake forcefully and
steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this
chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake
system.
2009 Navigator(nav)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
283
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.
2009 Navigator(nav)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
284
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper
fluid type.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
2009 Navigator(nav)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
357
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................257
Accessory delay ..........................96
AdvanceTrac ..............................259
Air cleaner filter ...............358, 361
Air suspension ...........................264
description ..............................264
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................184, 188, 190
and child safety seats ............186
description ..............184, 188, 190
disposal ....................................194
driver airbag ............186, 189, 191
indicator light .................188, 193
operation .................186, 189, 191
passenger airbag .....186, 189, 191
side airbag ...............................188
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................338
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................257
Anti-theft system ..............146, 149
arming the system ..................149
disarming a triggered
system .....................................150
Audio system (see Radio) .........20
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................267
fluid, adding ............................358
fluid, checking ........................358
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
fluid, specification ..................362
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....26
Auxiliary power point .................92
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........362refill capacities ........................362
B
Battery .......................................336
acid, treating emergencies .....336
jumping a disabled battery ....305
maintenance-free ....................336
replacement, specifications ...361
servicing ..................................336
Belt-Minder.............................180
Booster seats .............................208
Brakes ........................................256
anti-lock ...................................257
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................257
fluid, checking and adding ....357
fluid, refill capacities ..............362
fluid, specifications .................362
lubricant specifications ..........362
parking ....................................258
shift interlock ..........................266
Bulbs ............................................82
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....362
Cargo cover ...............................128
Cargo management system ......128
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................295
Child safety seats ......................198
in front seat ............................198
in rear seat ..............................198
LATCH .....................................201
recommendations ...................196
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................208
Index
370
positioning ...............................295
storage .....................................295
Jump-starting your vehicle ......305
K
Keyless entry system ...............144
autolock ...................................133
keypad .....................................144
locking and unlocking doors ..145
programming entry code .......144
Keys ...................................131, 147
positions of the ignition .........250
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................76
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................82
daytime running light ...............77
fog lamps ...................................77
headlamps .................................76
headlamps, flash to pass ..........77
interior lamps .....................80, 83
replacing bulbs .........................86
LATCH anchors .........................201
Liftgate ......................123, 127, 139
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........257
Load limits .................................235
Loading instructions .................241
Locks
autolock ...................................133
childproof ................................137
doors ........................................133
Lubricant specifications ...........362
Lug nuts ....................................304
Luggage rack .............................129Lumbar support, seats .............155
M
Message center .........................110
english/metric button .............116
system check button ..............119
warning messages ...................119
Mirrors ...................................96, 98
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................96
fold away ...................................98
heated ........................................99
programmable memory ..........140
signal .........................................99
Moon roof ..................................105
Motorcraft parts ........327, 344, 361
N
Navigation system .......................68
O
Octane rating ............................348
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................333
P
Park Assist ................................270
Parking brake ............................258
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....361
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................100
Power adjustable foot pedals ...100
Power deployable running
boards ........................................100
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................289, 292
Index
373