2012 FORD EXPEDITION transmission

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km). Additionally, during the first 500 miles (800 km)
that you tow a trailer, do not drive over 70 mph (113 km/h) and do
not make starts at full throttle.
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be
removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to
Special operating conditionsin your scheduled maintenance.
Trailer towing (standard equipment):
Your vehicle is equipped with an integrated trailer hitch and a Class I
(4-pin) trailer electrical connector. The 4-pin connector supplies power
to tail lamps, stop lamps, and turn lamps.
Trailer towing (optionally equipped trailer tow package):
The optional trailer tow package includes heavy duty trailer tow wiring.
Both a Class I (4-pin) and IV (7-pin) trailer electrical connector are
provided. Under the instrument panel an electrical connector is provided
for a customer supplied aftermarket electronic brake controller. For
installing a customer supplied electronic brake controller, an electrical
jumper harness and trailer tow electrical instructions are included.
The kit containing the electrical jumper and trailer tow electrical
instructions may be purchased from any authorized dealer (part number
4L1Z-14A348-AA).
Tires, Wheels and Loading
229
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Note:Before towing a trailer, make sure the trailer brakes (if equipped)
and lamps are properly connected and functional. If equipped with
electronic trailer brakes, refer to the instructions provided by the
aftermarket electronic brake controller manufacturer for determining
trailer brake functionality.
For load specification terms found on the label, refer toVehicle loading
- with and without a trailerin this chapter. Remember to figure in the
tongue load of your loaded trailer when figuring the total weight.
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Engine/Tow Package Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)
4x2
5.4L/Standard 11800 (5352) 6000 (2721)
5.4L/Optional 15000 (6804) 9200 (4172)
4x2 EL (U.S. only)/4x2 Max (Canada only)
5.4L/Standard 12100 (5488) 6000 (2721)
5.4L/Optional 15000 (6804) 8900 (4037)
4x4
5.4L/Standard 12100 (5488) 6000 (2721)
5.4L/Optional 15000 (6804) 9000 (4082)
4x4 EL (U.S. only)/4x2 Max (Canada only)
5.4L/Standard 12300 (5579) 6000 (2721)
5.4L/Optional 15000 (6804) 8700 (3946)
Note:For vehicles with the standard trailer tow package, the
maximum frontal area of trailer should not exceed 36.5 ft
2(3.4 m2).
For vehicles equipped with the optional trailer tow package, the
maximum frontal area of trailer should not exceed 60 ft
2(5.6 m2).
Tires, Wheels and Loading
230
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that clamps onto the vehicle’s bumper; use a
load-carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
WARNING:The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part of the
vehicle rear crash safety structure. Do not remove the trailer
hitch. Failure to follow this warning could compromise vehicle crash
structure and increase the risk of injury in a rear end collision.
Integrated hitch rating
The standard integrated hitch has two ratings depending on mode of
operation:
•Weight-carrying- requires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
•Weight-distributing- requires an aftermarket weight-distributing
system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. The vertical tongue load of the trailer is distributed between
the truck and the trailer by this system.
Mode Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)Maximum Tongue
Weight - lb (kg)
Weight-carrying 6000 (2721) 600 (272)
Weight-distributing 9200 (4173) 920 (417)
These are hitch ratings only; actual vehicle ratings are dependent on
engine, transmission and axle combinations.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight
exceeds the limit of the towing system and could result in
vehicle structural damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
231
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 km) of trailer towing and don’t make full-throttle starts.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Activate the tow/haul feature to eliminate excessive transmission
shifting and assist in transmission cooling. For additional information,
refer toAutomatic transmission operationin theDrivingchapter.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached; anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTracwith RSC, you may
experience AdvanceTracwith RSC activations during typical cornering
maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer; this is normal. Cornering at a
slower speed while towing will reduce the tendency of the AdvanceTrac
stability enhancement system to activate.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing-up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle-trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
234
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
235
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. Off— locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
Note:In order to switch off the
engine while the vehicle is in
motion, shift to neutral and use the
brakes to bring the vehicle to a safe
stop. After the vehicle has stopped,
turn the engine off and shift into
park. Then, turn the key to the
accessory or off position.
2. Accessory— allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not running.
3. On— all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. Start— cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts.
Note:Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
Preparing to start your vehicle
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more instructions.
Driving
236
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility vehicles and trucks handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility vehicles and trucks 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 or 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.
WARNING:Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity,
may handle differently than unloaded vehicles. Do not overload
your vehicle and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower
speeds, avoiding abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased
stopping distance, when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading
or loading the vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability
and contribute to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK – COLUMN-SHIFT TRANSMISSION
This vehicle is equipped with a park/brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the
ignition is in the on position unless brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, or when the ignition is in
the off position, 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.
Driving
253
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to the off position.
3. Remove the access plug on top of
the steering column.
4. Using a flat-head screwdriver or
similar tool, move the brake-shift
interlock actuator spindle toward
the left, apply the brake, place the
key in the on position and shift the
transmission into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
6. Reinstall the access plug.
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING:When doing this procedure you will be taking the
vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement always fully set parking brake prior
to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
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.
Driving
254
2012 Expedition(exd)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)