Locks and Security 92
Keys 92
Locks 98
Anti-theft system 108
Seating and Safety Restraints 112
Seating 112
Personal Safety System™ 124
Safety belt system 128
Airbags 138
Child restraints 154
Tires, Wheels and Loading 172
Tire information 174
Tire inflation 177
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 189
Vehicle loading 194
Trailer towing 201
Recreational towing 204
Driving 206
Starting 206
Brakes 212
AdvanceTrac215
Transmission operation 224
Reverse sensing system 228
Rear-view camera system 230
Roadside Emergencies 245
Getting roadside assistance 245
Hazard flasher control 246
Fuel pump shut-off switch 247
Fuses and relays 247
Changing tires 254
Wheel lug nut torque 264
Jump starting 265
Wrecker towing 268
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DATA RECORDING
Service Data Recording
Service data recorders in your vehicle are capable of collecting and
storing diagnostic information about your vehicle. This potentially
includes information about the performance or status of various systems
and modules in the vehicle, such as engine, throttle, steering or brake
systems. In order to properly diagnose and service your vehicle, Ford
Motor Company, Ford of Canada, and service and repair facilities may
access or share among them vehicle diagnostic information received
through a direct connection to your vehicle when diagnosing or servicing
your vehicle. For U.S. only (if equipped), if you choose to use the SYNC
Vehicle Health Report, you consent that certain diagnostic information
may also be accessed electronically by Ford Motor Company and Ford
authorized service facilities, and that the diagnostic information may be
used for any purpose. See yourSYNCsupplement for more information.
Event Data Recording
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle; this data will assist in understanding how a
vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
•Whether or not the driver and passenger seatbelts were
buckled/fastened;
•How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or the brake pedal; and
•How fast the vehicle was travelling; and
•Where the driver was positioning the steering wheel.
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
Note: EDR data is recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial
crash situation occurs; no data is recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data or information
(e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) is recorded (see
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These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
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Service engine soon:Theservice
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
inspection/maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the service engine soon
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the service engine
soon light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for
I/M testing. See theReadiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testingin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Check fuel cap fill inlet (if
equipped):Illuminates when the
fuel fill inlet may not be properly
closed. Continued driving with this
light on may cause the Service
engine soon warning light to come
on, refer toEasy Fuel “no cap” fuel systemin theMaintenance and
Specificationchapter.
If CHECK FUEL FILL INLET is displayed in the message center, refer to
Message centerin theInstrument clusterchapter for more information.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
P!
BRAKE
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position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a
brake system malfunction and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to on, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will sound
when there is a malfunction in the indicator light.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
If it stays on while the engine is
running, there may be a malfunction
with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
ABS
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Overdrive cancel and grade
assist:Illuminates when the
overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off
and the grade assist function has
been turned on, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Anti-theft system:Flashes when
the SecuriLockPassive Anti-theft
System has been activated.
Throttle control/Powertrain:
Illuminates when a powertrain fault
has been detected. Contact your
authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the on position and any
door is not completely closed.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake on chime:Sounds when the parking brake is left on and
the vehicle is driven. If the warning stays on after the park brake is off,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Message center activation chime (if equipped):Sounds when a
warning message (except PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED while parked)
appears in the message center display for the first time.
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PRESS RESET FOR ENGLISH (if in another language)
When entering the setup menu and a non-English language has been
selected, this message will be displayed to change back to English.
Press the RESET button to change back to English.
RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK
When this message appears, press the RESET button and the message
center will begin to cycle through the following systems and provide a
status of the item if needed.
1. OIL LIFE
2. LIFTGATE AND GLASS
3. BRAKE SYSTEM
4. DTE/FUEL LEVEL
5. REAR PARK AID (if equipped)
6. MYKEY DISTANCE (if a MyKeyis programmed)
7. MYKEY(S) PROGRAMMED
8. ADMIN KEYS PROGRAMMED
Note:Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.
OIL LIFE
This displays the remaining oil life.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change,
perform the following:
1. Press and release the SETUP button to display “OIL LIFE XXX%
HOLD RESET = NEW”.
2. Press and hold the RESET button for two seconds and release to reset
the oil life to 100%.
UNITS
Displays the current units in English or Metric.
Press RESET to change between English and Metric.
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System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages.
Types of messages and warnings:
•Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
•Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
•Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
•Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing RESET.
This allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing
the message.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger side door
is not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is set,
the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km/h). If the warning stays on after the parking brake is released,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early
reminder of a low fuel condition.
LIFTGATE / GLASS AJAR— Displayed when the liftgate or liftgate
glass is not completely closed. Press RESET to reset display.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when the braking system is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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