2011 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT run flat

Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do
notrapidly spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and
cause an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five
seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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During an event that activates the Roll Stability Control™ (RSC), the
stability control light in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Roll Stability Control
system, which include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low 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:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
If the steering wheel vibrates check for:
•improper wheel balance
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 racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
•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.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Safety restraints ..............87, 92–95
Belt-Minder.............................96
extension assembly ..................95
for adults .............................92–93
for children .............................111
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................88
warning light and chime ..........96
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................120
Safety seats for children ..........116
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................260
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............274
Seats ............................................77
child safety seats ....................116
cleaning ...................................222
front seats .................................80
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................74
Servicing your vehicle ..............225
Setting the clock .........................22
Spark plugs,
specifications .............256, 259–260
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................257
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle ........163–165
jump starting ..........................203
Steering wheel
controls ......................................63
tilting .........................................57T
Tilt steering wheel ......................57
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....148
Tires ...........................133–134, 195
alignment ................................141
care ..........................................137
changing ..........................195, 199
checking the pressure ............137
inflating ...................................135
label .........................................147
replacing ..................................139
rotating
....................................142
safety practices
.......................141
sidewall information
...............142
snow tires and chains
............155
spare tire
.................................196
terminology
.............................134
tire grades
...............................134
treadwear
........................133, 138
Towing
.......................................162
recreational towing
.................162
trailer towing
..........................162
wrecker
....................................207
Transaxle
lubricant specifications
..........257
Transmission
.............................177
brake-shift interlock (BSI)
....176
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)
.............................251
fluid, refill capacities
..............257
Trunk
remote release
..........................71
Turn signal
..................................46
Index
294
2011 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)