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If excessive radio frequency
interference is present in the area,
or if the battery in your IA key is
low, it may be necessary to start
your car by inserting the IA key in
the back-up slot, located at the front
of the center console storage
compartment. Insert the IA key into
the slot with buttons facing down
and with key ring out .
After inserting the IA key into the back-up slot, use the START/STOP
button and brake pedal to start your vehicle as usual. The vehicle should
respond normally as long as the IA key is in the back-up slot. Once the
vehicle is started, the IA key can be removed from the back-up slot, if
desired.
Fast restart feature:The fast restart feature allows you to re-start
your vehicle within 20 seconds of switching the vehicle off, if a valid IA
key is not present when the vehicle is switched off. When you switch
your vehicle off without an IA key in the passenger compartment or
trunk, the message RESTART NOW OR KEY IS NEEDED will be
displayed in the message center. You can re-start the vehicle (by
applying the brake pedal and pressing the START/STOP button) for up
to 20 seconds, even though the IA key is not present. After 20 seconds
have expired, you can no longer start your vehicle without the IA key
present inside the vehicle.
Switching the vehicle off when not in P (Park):It is recommended
that you shift into the P (Park) position before switching your vehicle
off. If you switch your vehicle off with the shifter in any position other
than P (Park), the message SHIFT TO PARK will be displayed in the
message center. If the vehicle is left in this state, your key in ignition
chime will activate when the driver door is opened, and you may drain
your vehicle’s battery. In order to avoid draining your battery, it is
recommended that you always shift to P (Park) before or immediately
after switching your vehicle off.
Absence of the intelligent access key:Once the vehicle has started,
the vehicle will remain running until being turned off by the
START/STOP button, even if the IA key is no longer found in the vehicle.
Whenever a door is opened and then closed while the vehicle is running,
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the system will search for an IA key inside the vehicle and the message
center will display NO KEY DETECTED if the IA key is no longer
present. This message is a reminder that someone else in the vehicle
may have taken the IA key when exiting the vehicle. If the IA key is no
longer present in the vehicle, you will not be able to re-start your vehicle
outside of the Fast Restart time (seeFast Restart Featureabove).
Note:It is important to be aware of where your IA key is located in the
vehicle, to avoid becoming stranded without an IA key.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating or
air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged
(cheater) adapters.
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt A/C electrical
source. The block heater system is most effective when outdoor
temperatures reach below 0°F (-18°C).
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To turn off traction control in the AdvanceTracsystem, select traction
control off in the message center. Full features of the AdvanceTrac
system can be restored by selecting it on again or by turning off and
restarting the engine.
If you switch off traction control in
the AdvanceTracwith RSC
system, the stability control off light
will illuminate steadily. Selecting
traction control on again will turn
off the stability control off light.
Note:If the system cannot be turned off, refer toMyKeyin theLocks
and Securitychapter for more information.
Note:In R (Reverse), ABS and the engine traction control and brake
traction control features will continue to function; however, ESC, RSC
and Curve Control are disabled.
Note:Curve Control can be disabled with the terrain management
control (if equipped). SeeTerrain Managementlater in this chapter.
AdvanceTracFeatures
Operation ModeStability
control
light
(
)Message
center displayTCS
Default at
start-upSystem
initializationTurns on
at
start-upNone Enabled
Selected onceTraction
control offOnTRACTION
CONTROL OFFDisabled
Selected again
after deactivationAdvanceTrac
fully enabledOffTRACTION
CONTROL ONEnabled
Note:The ESC/RSC/Curve Control systems cannot be turned on or
off through the message center.
Trailer sway control
When properly equipped, trailer sway control will use the vehicle’s
AdvanceTracwith RSCsystem to detect and help reduce trailer sway
by applying brake force at individual wheels and, if necessary, by
reducing engine power. Trailer sway control is only enabled above
40 mph (64 km/h).
OFF
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WARNING:Trailer sway control does not prevent a trailer from
swaying, it mitigates the sway from increasing once it has
occurred. If you are experiencing trailer sway it is likely that the trailer
is improperly loaded for the correct tongue weight or the speed of the
vehicle and trailer is too high. Pull the vehicle-trailer over to a safe
location to check the trailer weight distribution and tongue load and
reduce speed to a safe level while towing. If trailer sway is
experienced, SLOW DOWN.
During trailer sway control events, the stability control light in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily. The message center will also
displayTRAILER SWAY REDUCE SPEED.In some cases when trailer
sway is detected, the vehicle speed is too high and may be at or above a
speed at which trailer sway will grow continuously. This may cause the
system to activate multiple times, and you may experience a slight
deceleration of the vehicle.
Disabling trailer sway control
Trailer sway control can be disabled during any key cycle. Refer to
Message centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for more information.
Note that even if it was disabled before turning off the vehicle, trailer
sway control will be re-enabled at each new key cycle.
WARNING:Turning off trailer sway control increases the risk of
loss of vehicle control, serious injury, or death. Ford does not
recommend disabling this feature except in situations where speed
reduction may be detrimental (e.g., hill climbing), the driver has
significant trailer towing experience, and can control trailer sway and
maintain safe operation.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
Hill descent control allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed
while descending steep grades in various surface conditions.
WARNING:Hill descent control cannot control descent in all
surface conditions and circumstances, such as ice or extremely
steep grades. Hill descent control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver. Failure to do so may result
in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious injury.
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Hill descent control can maintain vehicle speeds on downhill grades
between 3 mph (5 km/h) and 20 mph (32 km/h). Above 20 mph
(32 km/h), the system remains armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.
WARNING:Hill descent control does not provide hill hold at
zero mph (0 km/h). When stopped, the parking brake must be
applied and/or the vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it may roll
away.
Hill descent control requires a cooling down interval after a period of
sustained use. The amount of time that the feature can remain active
before cooling varies with conditions. The system will provide a warning
in the message center and a chime will sound when the system is about
to disengage for cooling. At this time, manually apply the brakes as
needed to maintain descent speed.
Enabling hill descent control and setting the descent speed
1. Press and release the hill descent
button located in the center of the
terrain management control. A light
in the control will illuminate and
chime will sound when this feature
is activated.
2. To increase descent speed, press the accelerator pedal until the
desired speed is reached. To decrease descent speed, press the brake
pedal until the desired speed is reached.
Whether accelerating or decelerating, once the desired descent speed is
reached, remove your feet from the pedals and the chosen vehicle speed
will be maintained.
Note:Noise from the ABS pump motor may be observed during hill
descent control operation. This is a normal characteristic of the ABS and
should be no reason for concern.
Hill descent modes
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed
and HDC is active, HILL DESCENT CONTROL ACTIVE will appear in
the message center for several seconds.
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed
and conditions are not correct for hill descent activation, the HDC
system will be enabled, the light on the button will be on solid and
HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY will be displayed in the message
center for several seconds.
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•At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC button is pressed,
the HDC system will be enabled, the light on the button will be
illuminated, and FOR HILL CNTRL, 20 MPH OR LESS will be
displayed in the message center for several seconds.
•For HDC to enable, the vehicle must be in a drive gear or (R)
Reverse. If the vehicle is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) and the HDC
button is pressed, FOR HILL CNTRL, SELECT GEAR will be displayed
in the message center for several seconds.
Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for hill
descent control messages.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)
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 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.
WARNING:The EPS system has diagnostics checks that
continuously monitor the EPS system to ensure proper operation
of the electronic system. When an electronic error is detected, the
message POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT will be displayed in the
message center. If this happens, stop the vehicle in a safe place, and
turn off the engine. After at least 10 seconds, reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the message center for POWER
STEERING ASSIST FAULT. If the message returns, or returns while
driving, take the vehicle to your dealer to have it checked. With the
message displayed, the steering assist is turned off, making the vehicle
harder to steer.
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WARNING:If the message SERVICE POWER STEERING is
displayed in the message center, the EPS system has detected a
problem with the system function. On the next ignition cycle, the
message SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW will be displayed and
steering assist will be removed until the steering system is serviced.
Have your vehicle taken to the nearest dealer as soon as possible.
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.
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.
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M (Manual)
This vehicle may be equipped with a SelectShift Automatic™
transmission (SST) gearshift lever. SST is an automatic transmission with
the ability for the driver to change gears up or down. By moving the
gearshift lever from D (Drive) to M (Manual), you now have control of
selecting the gear you desire using the toggle switch on the gearshift
lever.
Understanding your SelectShift Automatic™ Transmission (SST)
•To manually downshift the
transmission with the gearshift
lever in M (Manual), press – on
the gearshift lever.
•To manually upshift the
transmission with the gearshift
lever in M (Manual), press + on
the gearshift lever.
Recommended shift speeds
Upshift according to the following chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 - 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 - 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 - 5 45 mph (72 km/h)
5 - 6 50 mph (80 km/h)
The message center display in the instrument cluster will show the
current selected gear you are in.
In order to prevent the engine from running at too low an RPM, which
may cause it to stall, the SST will automatically make some downshifts
even if it has determined that you have not downshifted in time. It will
still allow you to downshift at any time as long as the SST determines
that the engine will not be damaged from over-revving.
Engine damage may occur if excessive engine revving is held
without shifting.
PRNDM
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