Parking brake
Apply the parking brake whenever
the vehicle is parked. To set the
parking brake, press the parking
brake pedal down until the pedal
stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned on) until the
parking brake is released.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). With the push
button start system, remove the IA key whenever you leave the
vehicle.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
Press the parking brake pedal
downward again to release the
parking brake. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the
brakes to wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
Note:If the vehicle is driven with
the parking brake applied, a chime
will sound.
P!
BRAKE
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AdvanceTracFeatures
Control
switch
functionsModeStability
control off
light
Message
center dis-
play (if
equipped)ESC TCS
Default at
start-upSystem Ini-
tializationTurns on
during bulb
checkNothing dis-
playedEn-
abledEn-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
once mo-
mentarilyTraction
control OFFOnTRACTION
CONTROL
OFFEn-
abledDis-
abled
Control
switch
pressed
again after
deactivationAdvance-
Tr a cfully
enabledOffADVANCE-
TRAC ONEn-
abledEn-
abled
STEERING
3.5L EcoBoost™ engine (if equipped):Your vehicle is equipped with
an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. There is no fluid reservoir to
check or fill.
If your vehicle loses electrical power while you are driving (or if the
ignition is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes
more effort. Extreme continuous steering may increase the effort it takes
for you to steer. This occurs to prevent internal overheating and
permanent damage to your steering system. If this should occur, you will
neither lose the ability to steer the vehicle manually nor will it cause
permanent damage. Typical steering and driving maneuvers will allow the
system to cool and steering assist will return to normal.
The EPS system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the
EPS system to ensure proper operation. When a system error is
detected, the following message SERVICE POWER STEERING, SERVICE
POWER STEERING NOW or POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT may
display in the message center, refer to theMessage centerin the
Instrument Clusterchapter for more information.
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•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper vehicle alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the on position unless the brake pedal is applied. If you cannot move
the gearshift lever out of P (Park) when the ignition is on and the brake
pedal applied, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brake
lamps are not operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside Emergencieschapter.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, you
will need to have your vehicle towed to an authorized dealer.
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Switch the ignition to off,
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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 6–speed automatic
transmission
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage while coasting or decelerating. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down, the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
engine while decelerating. This fuel economy benefit may be perceived
as a light to medium braking sensation when removing your foot from
the accelerator pedal.
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P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
1. Press the brake pedal
2. Move the gearshift lever into the
desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
1. Come to a complete stop
2. Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Switch the ignition off and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
D (Drive)
The normal driving position for the best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through six.
M (Manual)
With the gearshift lever in M
(manual), the driver can change
gears up or down as desired. This is
called SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) mode. By
moving the gearshift lever from
drive position D (Drive) to M
(Manual) you now have control of
selecting the gear you desire using
the paddle shifters on the steering
wheel.
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WARNING:This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a
warning to assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to
avoid damaging the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller
objects, particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING:Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the forward and reverse sensing system may
create false beeps.
The system will sound a tone to warn the driver of obstacles near either
bumper in the following manner:
•The front sensors will sound a high pitched tone which will appear to
come from the dashboard
•The rear sensors will sound a lower pitched tone which will appear to
come from the rear interior of the vehicle
•The sensing system will report the obstacle which is closest to the
front or rear of the vehicle. For example, if an obstacle is 12 inches
(30 cm) from the front of the vehicle and, at the same time, an
obstacle is only six inches (15 cm) from the rear of the vehicle, the
lower pitched tone will sound.
The reverse sensing portion of the system will assist the driver in
detecting certain objects while:
•the vehicle is in R (Reverse) and moving toward a stationary object at
a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
•the vehicle is in R (Reverse) but not moving, and a moving object is
approaching the front or rear of the vehicle at a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.
•the vehicle is in R (Reverse) and moving at a speed of less than
3 mph (5 km/h) and a moving object is approaching the rear of the
vehicle at a speed of less than 3 mph (5 km/h).
The system is automatically enabled when the gearshift lever is placed in
D (Drive) or R (Reverse) and the ignition is on. A control in the message
center allows the driver to disable the forward (if equipped) and/or
reverse system. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for more information. The message center will indicate a failure
in the forward or reverse system and will not allow the driver to switch
the faulted system on.
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Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKey™in theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
The system defaults toenabledevery time the ignition is switched on.
Press the control to disable or enable the system
Keep the sensors (located on the front and rear bumper/fascia)
free from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean
the sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the sensing system.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the front or rear
bumper/fascia, leaving it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may
be altered causing inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false
alarms.
REARVIEW CAMERA SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The rearview camera system,
located on the trunk just above the
license plate, provides a video image
which appears on the navigation
screen of the area behind the
vehicle. It adds assistance to the
driver while reversing or reverse
parking the vehicle.
To use the camera system, place the transmission in R (Reverse); an
image will display on the navigation system screen. The area displayed
on the screen may vary according to the vehicle orientation and/or road
condition.
•(1) Rear bumper
•(2) Red zone
•(3) Yellow zone
•(4) Green zone
Always use caution while backing.
Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the
green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as
they move from the green zone to the yellow or red zones.
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•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
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.
Your vehicle is equipped with traction control. It may be beneficial to
disengage the traction control system while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
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). Switch the ignition off 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.
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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 wheel rims (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 AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine, transmission, AWD system components or axles are
submerged in water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if
necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
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