
Customer Assistance 357
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 364
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 364
Cleaning 365
Maintenance and Specifications 374
Engine compartment 376
Engine oil 379
Battery 381
Engine coolant 383
Fuel information 390
Air filter(s) 408
Part numbers 413
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 414
Engine data 418
Accessories 422
Ford Extended Service Plan 424
Scheduled Maintenance 428
Normal scheduled maintenance and log 433
Index 448
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Table of Contents
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Yellow areaThe transmission fluid is higher than normal operating
temperature. This can be caused by special operation conditions (i.e.
snowplowing, towing or off road use). Refer toSpecial operating
conditionsin thescheduled maintenance informationfor instructions.
Operating the transmission for extended periods of time with the gauge
in the yellow area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red areaThe transmission fluid is overheating. Stop the vehicle to allow
the temperature to return to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow or red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your authorized dealer.
4.Fuel gauge:Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel
tank (when the ignition is in the on position). The fuel gauge may vary
slightly when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and
arrow indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
5.Speedometer:Indicates the current vehicle speed.
6.Tachometer:Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer pointer continuously at the top of the scale
may damage the engine.
Odometer and trip odometer:The odometer is displayed on the lower
line in the message center and registers the total accumulated distance
the vehicle has traveled. For trip odometer, refer toStandard message
centerorOptional message centerin this chapter.
STANDARD MESSAGE CENTER
Your vehicle’s message center is capable of monitoring many vehicle
systems and will alert you to potential vehicle problems and various
conditions with an informational message followed by a long indicator
chime.
The message center display is located in the instrument cluster and the
controls are located on the steering wheel.
Instrument Cluster
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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.
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%.
Note:To change oil life 100% value (if equipped with this feature) to
another value, proceed to Step 3.
3. Once “OIL LIFE SET TO XXX%” is displayed, release and press the
RESET button to change the oil life start value. Each release and press
will reduce the value by 10%.
UNITS
Displays the current units English or Metric.
Press the RESET button to change from English to Metric.
AUTOLAMP (SEC)
This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
Press the RESET control to select the new autolamp delay values of 0,
10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 or 180 seconds.
AUTOLOCK
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
Press the RESET control to turn autolock on or off.
AUTOUNLOCK
This feature automatically unlocks all vehicle doors when the driver’s
door is opened within 10 minutes of the ignition being turned off.
Press RESET to turn it off or on.
COURTESY WIPE
One extra wipe will occur a few seconds after washing the front window
to clear any excess washer fluid remaining on the windshield.
Press RESET to turn this feature on or off.
Instrument Cluster
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ENGINE IDLED SEE MANUAL EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM FAULT
(diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR system detects a
fault. The engine will enter into an idle only mode. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information. Contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
ENGINE OIL DILUTED (diesel engine only)— Displays once the
engine oil has become diluted and needs to be changed. Refer to your
diesel supplement for more information.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE SOON— Displayed when the engine oil life
remaining is 5% to 1%. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED— Displayed when the oil life left reaches
0%. Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor more
information.
LOW FUEL PRESSURE SEE MANUAL (diesel engine only)—If
this message appears during a cold start or during cold operation 32°F
(0°C) up to 10 minutes after the initial cold start; monitor the message
center and if it disappears and does not re-appear after the engine has
fully warmed up, the low fuel pressure message is most likely caused by
waxed or gelled fuel. To prevent this, use an anti-gel additive. Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information. The customer warranty
may be void from using additives that do not meet or exceed Ford
specifications. If the low fuel pressure message persistently appears after
re-fueling during the cold start and cold operation conditions defined
previously and then disappear when the engine has fully warmed up,
consider different fuel sources.
•Low Fuel Operation: If the message appears when the vehicle is warm
and during low fuel tank level operation, i.e. the tank level is at or
very near empty, refuel the vehicle and operate the vehicle. If the
message reappears after fueling, see below. If the message does not
come back, the low fuel pressure condition was due to low fuel levels
in the fuel tank.
•Normal Operation: If the message appears during normal operation
when the vehicle / engine is fully warm, and fuel level is not low, the
fuel filters must be changed regardless of the maintenance schedule
interval. If replacement of the fuel filter does not remedy the low fuel
pressure message during normal operation as defined above, please
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer.
Instrument Cluster
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ENGINE IDLED SOON EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY (diesel engine
only)— Displayed when the SCR system detects low exhaust fluid. The
engine will eventually enter into an idle only mode. The diesel exhaust
fluid must be replenished to resume normal operation of the vehicle.
Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
ENGINE IDLED - SEE OWNER’S MANUAL EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY (diesel engine only)— Displayed when a problem exists with
the SCR system. The vehicle will enter into an idle-only mode. If the
exhaust fluid is empty, it must be replenished to resume normal
operation of the vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
IN XX MILES, SPEED LIMITED TO 50 MPH EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM FAULT (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR
system detects a fault. The vehicle’s top speed will become limited in the
displayed distance starting at 50 miles (80 km) and count down from
this point. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SPEED LIMITED TO 50 MPH UPON RESTART EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM FAULT (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR
system detects a fault. The vehicle’s top speed will become limited upon
restarting. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
SPEED LIMITED TO 50 MPH EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM FAULT
(diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR system detects a
fault. The vehicle’s top speed is limited. Refer to your diesel supplement
for more information. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ENGINE IDLED SOON EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM FAULT SEE
MANUAL (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR system
detects a fault. The engine will enter into an idle only mode. Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
ENGINE IDLED - SEE OWNER’S MANUAL EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM FAULT (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the SCR
system detects a fault. The engine will eventually enter into an idle-only
mode. Press OK to override the idle mode. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information. Contact your authorized dealer as soon
as possible.
FUEL FILTER CHANGE REQUIRED (diesel engine only)—
Displayed when a fuel filter change is required. Refer to thescheduled
maintenance information.
Instrument Cluster
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LOW FUEL PRESSURE (diesel engine only)— If this message
appears during a cold start or during cold operation 32°F (0°C) up to
10 minutes after the initial cold start; monitor the message center and if
it disappears and does not re-appear after the engine has fully warmed
up, the low fuel pressure message is most likely caused by waxed or
gelled fuel. To prevent this, use an anti-gel additive. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information. The customer warranty may be void
from using additives that do not meet or exceed Ford specifications. If
the low fuel pressure message persistently appears after re-fueling during
the cold start and cold operation conditions defined previously and then
disappear when the engine has fully warmed up, consider different fuel
sources.
•Low Fuel Operation: If the message appears when the vehicle is warm
and during low fuel tank level operation, i.e. the tank level is at or
very near empty, refuel the vehicle and operate the vehicle. If the
message reappears after fueling, see below. If the message does not
come back, the low fuel pressure condition was due to low fuel levels
in the fuel tank.
•Normal Operation: If the message appears during normal operation
when the vehicle / engine is fully warm, and fuel level is not low, the
fuel filters must be changed regardless of the maintenance schedule
interval. If replacement of the fuel filter does not remedy the low fuel
pressure message during normal operation as defined above, please
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER (diesel engine only)— Displayed
approximately two hours after the DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST
SYSTEM message has displayed and the vehicle operator has not driven
the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) for at least 20 minutes to clean the
DPF. At this point the vehicle must be serviced by an authorized dealer.
This message is normal. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
WATER IN FUEL DRAIN FILTER SEE MANUAL (if equipped)—
Displayed when the water separator has reached a predetermined
capacity and needs to be drained. Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE— Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT— Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
Instrument Cluster
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Climate controlled seats air filter replacement (if equipped)
The heated and cooled seat system includes air filters that must be
replaced periodically. Refer toScheduled maintenance information.
•There is a filter located under
each front seat.
•The filter can be accessed from the 2nd row foot-well area. Move the
front seats all the way to the full front and full up positions to ease
access.
To remove an air filter:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Push up on the outside rigid edge
of the filter until the tabs are
released, then rotate the air filter
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Remove filter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
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Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled Maintenancechapter) 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.
WARNING:If the tire label shows different tire pressures for
the front and rear tires and the vehicle is equipped with TPMS
(tire pressure monitoring system), then the settings for the TPMS
sensors need to be updated. Always perform the TPMS reset procedure
after tire rotation. If the system is not reset, it may not provide a low
tire pressure warning when necessary. See the TPMS reset procedure
in this chapter.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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