NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
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.
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study your owner’s guide and any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
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Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as
necessary. Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD
and AWD vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may
accelerate better than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction
situations, it won’t stop any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.
Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUVs and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
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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.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidechapter) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four-wheel drive (4WD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
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Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 in (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to the components.
•Affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An
example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter for more information.
2WD and 4WD vehicles:Do not tow your vehicle with any wheels on
the ground, as vehicle or transmission damage may occur. It is
recommended to tow your vehicle with all four (4) wheels off the ground
such as when using a car-hauling trailer. Otherwise, no recreational
towing is permitted. See your authorized dealer if you must flat-tow a
vehicle equipped with the Control Trac4WD system.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle, seeWrecker
towingin theRoadside Emergencieschapter.
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4WD indicator lights
The indicator lights illuminate in the message center in the
reconfigurable telltale (RTT) location under the following conditions.
Refer toWarning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
•4X2- Momentarily illuminates
when 2H is selected.
•4X4 AUTO– Illuminates when
4X4 AUTO is selected.
•4X4– Illuminates when 4X4 is
selected.
Modes of the Control Tracsystem
The Control Trac system functions
in three modes:
•4X2 (2WD)delivers power to
the rear wheels only. The
message center will momentarily
display “4x2” when this mode is
selected. This is appropriate for
normal on-road driving on dry
pavement and provides best fuel economy.
•4X4 AUTOprovides electronic control four-wheel drive with power
delivered to all four wheels, as required, for increased traction. The
message center will display “4X4 AUTO” when this position is
selected. This mode is acceptable for all on-road driving but
recommended when wet pavement, snow, or loose gravel conditions
are expected.
•4X4provides electronically locked four-wheel drive power to front and
rear wheels. The message center will display “4X4” when this position
is selected. This position is not recommended for use on dry
pavement. This position is only intended for severe winter or off-road
conditions, such as deep snow, ice or shallow sand.
4x2
4x4
AUTO
4x4
4X24X4
AUTO4X4
Driving
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Miles (x 1,000)* 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60 67.5 75
Kilometers (x 1,000)* 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Months* 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60
Change engine oil and filter• •••••••••
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth.
Vehicles with dual rear wheels should only rotate if
unusual wear is observed.• •••••••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag• •••••••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)• •••••••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped
with dipstick); consult dealer for requirements.•••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings,
hoses and parking brake•••••
Inspect engine cooling system concentration and hoses•••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields•••••
Inspect front axle and U-joints; lubricate if equipped
with grease fittings (4WD vehicles)•••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)•••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod
ends, driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with
grease fittings•••••
Torque rear U-bolts (Transit Connect)•••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)•••••
* Whichever comes first
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Miles (x 1,000)* 82.5 90 97.5 105 112.5 120 127.5 135 142.5 150
Kilometers (x 1,000)* 132 144 156 168 180 192 204 216 228 240
Months* 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120
Change engine oil and filter• •••••••••
Rotate tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth.
Vehicles with dual rear wheels should only rotate if
unusual wear is observed.• •••••••••
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag• •••••••••
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended)• •••••••••
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level (if equipped
with dipstick); consult dealer for requirements.•••••
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings,
hoses and parking brake•••••
Inspect engine cooling system concentration and hoses•••••
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields•••••
Inspect front axle and U-joints; lubricate if equipped
with grease fittings (4WD vehicles)•••••
Inspect half-shaft boots (if equipped)•••••
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod
ends, driveshaft and U-joints; lubricate if equipped with
grease fittings•••••
Torque rear U-bolts (Transit Connect)•••••
Inspect cabin air filter (if equipped)•••••
* Whichever comes first
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Every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km)Replace cabin air filter (if equipped)
Every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km)Replace climate-controlled seat filter (if equipped)
Replace engine air filter
Replace fuel filter (Ranger)
Every 37,500 miles
(60,000 km)Inspect valve clearances; adjust as necessary
(Transit Connect CNG vehicles)
Every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter on
5–speed TorqShifttransmission; consult dealer for
requirements.
Replace front wheel bearing grease/grease seal if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
Every 105,000 miles
(168,000 km)Change engine coolant
1
Change manual transmission fluid (except Escape)
Change rear axle fluid (Dana axles)
Replace spark plugs
Inspect accessory drive belt(s)
2
Every 150,000 miles
(240,000 km)Change automatic transmission fluid and filter
(except 5–speed TorqShifttransmission) (filter
not required on 6F35, 6F50, DPS6 and AWF-21
transmissions); consult dealer for requirements.
Change front axle fluid (4WD vehicles)
Change manual transmission fluid (Escape)
Change rear axle fluid (RWD vehicles)
Change transfer case fluid (4WD vehicles)
Replace accessory drive belt(s) if not replaced
within the last 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
Replace front wheel bearings and seals if
non-sealed bearings are used (2WD vehicles)
1Initial replacement at 105,000 miles (160,000 km) or 72 months; every
45,000 miles (72,000 km) or 36 months thereafter
2Perform a follow-up inspection at 120,000 miles (192,000 km)
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