STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(If the fluid level is below the MIN line mark on the dipstick).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX line
mark, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
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.
Driving Aids151
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Rev the engine before turning it off.
•Idle for periods longer than one minute.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a trailer.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
and engine causing internal damage. Have the fluid checked and, if water
is found, replace the fluid.
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Driving Hints175
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Safety Practices
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc., do
not rapidly spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and
cause an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there is always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
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 are 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 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.
Wheels and Tires259
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tire Rotation
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.
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 and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire or
wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires
and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly, 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.
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)
260Wheels and Tires
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
E
Electronic message center .........82
Electronic stability control ......141
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................181
running out of fuel .................122
Emergency Flashers .................180
Emission control system ..........125
End user license agreement ....398
Engine ................................278–279
cleaning ...................................235
coolant .....................................205
fail-safe cooling .......................208
lubrication specifications .......280
refill capacities ........................280
service points ..........................204
Engine block heater .................117
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............204
dipstick ....................................204
filter, specifications ................285
refill capacities ........................280
specifications ..........................280
Event data recording ..................11
Exhaust fumes ..........................117
F
Fail safe cooling ........................208
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....119
Floor mats .................................176
Fluid capacities .........................280
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................172Fuel
cap ...........................................123
capacity ...................................280
choosing the right fuel ...........121
filler funnel .............................122
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................................123
filter, specifications ................217
fuel pump shut-off ..................180
octane rating ...........122, 278–279
quality ......................................121
running out of fuel .................122
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................119
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................119, 121
Fuses ..........................192–193, 197
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............123
Gauges .........................................76
H
Hazard flashers .........................180
HD Radio™ ...............................369
Headlamps ...................................68
aiming ..............................223–224
bulb specifications ..................232
checking alignment ........223–224
daytime running lights .............69
flash to pass ..............................68
high beam .................................68
replacing bulbs .......................226
turning on and off ....................68
Head restraints .........................104
Heating ................................99–100
Hood ..........................................202
412Index
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Safety restraints -
LATCH anchors ...........................27
Safety seats for children ......19, 24
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................287
Satellite Radio ...........................376
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............299
SD card ......................................389
Seats
child safety seats ................19, 24
front seats .......................104, 106
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................63
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........341
Setting a destination ................389
Setting the clock ...................91–92
SIRIUSsatellite radio .....373, 389
SIRIUS satellite radio
voice commands .......................375
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................385
SOS Post Crash Alert .................45
Spark plugs,
specifications .............278–279, 285
Special notice
ambulance conversions ............14
utility-type vehicles ..................14
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................280
Stability system .........................141
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......116
Starting your vehicle ........115–116
jump starting ..........................181Status bars ................................359
Steering wheel ............................66
tilting .........................................66
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................46
SYNCAppLink™ ....................336
SYNCcustomer support .........311
SYNCServices .........................334
System overview .......................356
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .........99–100
Text messaging .........................322
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....322, 324
Tilt steering wheel ......................66
Tires ...........................244–245, 269
alignment ................................259
care ..........................................244
changing ..........................269, 271
checking the pressure ............254
inflating ...................................252
label .........................................251
replacing ..........................257, 274
rotating ....................................260
safety practices .......................259
sidewall information ...............247
snow tires and chains ............261
spare tire .................................269
terminology .............................245
tire grades ...............................245
treadwear ........................244, 256
Towing ...............................159, 170
recreational towing .................171
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............164
Index415
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)