2013 FORD F150 light

HILL DESCENT CONTROL™ (if equipped)
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.
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 allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed
while descending steep grades in various surface conditions.
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.
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.
To enable hill descent control and set the descent speed, do the
following:
1. Press and release the hill descent button located on the
instrument panel. 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.
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Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

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 hill decent control
button is pressed and hill decent control 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 hill decent control
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.
•At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h): When the hill decent control
button is pressed, the hill decent control 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 hill decent control 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
hill decent control button is pressed, FOR HILL CNTRL, SELECT
GEAR will be displayed in the message center for several seconds.
Refer toWarning lamps and indicatorsin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for hill descent control messages.
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Guidelines and the Centerline
Note:Fixed guidelines are only available when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note:The centerline is only available if fixed guidelines are on.
A. Rear bumper
B. Fixed guideline: Red zone
C. Fixed guideline: Yellow zone
D. Fixed guideline: Green zone
E. Centerline
The fixed guidelines fade in and out depending on the steering wheel
position.
Always use caution while reversing. Objects in the red zone are closest
to your vehicle and objects in the green zone are further away. Objects
are getting closer to your vehicle as they move from the green zone to
the yellow or red zones. Use the side view mirrors and rear view mirror
to get better coverage on both sides and rear of the vehicle.
Selectable settings for this feature are FIXED and OFF.
Visual Park Aid Alert
Note:Visual park alert is only available when the transmission is in R
(Reverse).
Note:The reverse sensing system is not effective at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angular or moving objects.
The visual park aid alert allows the driver to view the area that is being
detected by the reverse sensing system. The system uses red, yellow and
green highlights which appear on top of the video image when an object
is detected by the reverse sensing system. The alert highlights the
closest object detected. The reverse sensing alert can be disabled and if
visual park aid alert is enabled, highlighted areas are still displayed.
Refer toAdjusting the Rear View Camera Settingsabove on how to
enable or disable the visual park alert feature.
A
E
D
C
B
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Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

4. Lower the tailgate.
5. Using a screwdriver, gently pry
the spring clip (on each connector)
past the head of the support screw.
Disconnect the cable.
6. Disconnect the other cable.
7. Lift tailgate to a 45-degree angle
from horizontal.
8. Lift the right side off of its hinge.
9. Lift the tailgate to an 80-degree angle from horizontal.
10. Remove the tailgate from the left side hinge by sliding the tailgate to
the right.
To install, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
Tailgate Step (If Equipped)
This feature allows easier entry into the truck bed.
Note:To reduce risk of falling:
•Operate the step only when the vehicle is on a level surface.
•Operate the step only in areas with sufficient lighting.
•Always open the flip panel to widen step.
•Always use the grab handle when stepping up and down.
•Do not use the step with bare feet.
•Keep the step clean from contamination before use (e.g. snow, mud).
•Keep the step load (you plus the load) below 350 pounds
(159 kilograms).
•Never drive with the step deployed.
252Load Carrying
2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

TOWING A TRAILER
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 vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items so they are centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down toward the vehicle, when viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional
information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up
for towing is noted underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter and
in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available at your authorized dealer.
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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it
begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may
activate multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies the vehicle brakes at individual wheels and, if
necessary, reduces engine power. If the trailer begins to sway, the
stability control light flashes and the messageTRAILER SWAY
REDUCE SPEEDappears in the information display. The first thing to
do is slow the vehicle down, then pull safely to the side of the road and
check for proper tongue load and trailer load distribution. See theLoad
Carryingchapter for specific loading information.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed a trailer weight of 5000 pounds (2268 kilograms)
when towing with, or by, bumper only.
Note:Do not exceed a trailer weight of 5000 pounds (2268 kilograms) if
your vehicle is not equipped with a Heavy-duty Trailer Towing Package.
Note:Trailer frontal area is the total area in square feet (meters) that a
moving vehicle and trailer are exposed to air resistance. The following
trailer frontal area limitations should be considered in selecting a trailer
based on your vehicle configuration:
•Equal to the base vehicle frontal area on vehicles without the Trailer
Tow Package or the Heavy Duty Payload Package.
•60 feet
2(5.57 meters2) on vehicles with the Trailer Tow Package or
the Heavy Duty Payload Package.
Note:Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a low
aerodynamic drag and rounded front design will help optimize
performance and fuel economy.
Note:For high altitude operation, reduce the gross combined weight by
2% per 1000 feet (300 meters) starting at the 1000 foot (300 meter)
elevation point.
Note:Certain states require electric trailer brakes for trailers over a
specified weight. Be sure to check state regulations for this specified
weight. The maximum trailer weights listed may be limited to this
specified weight, as the vehicle’s electrical system may not include the
wiring connector needed to activate electric trailer brakes.
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When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the loaded vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height to the top of the vehicle front wheel opening on
the fender, this is H1.
3. Securely attach the loaded trailer to the vehicle without the
weight-distributing bars connected.
4. Measure the height to the top of the vehicle front wheel opening on
the fender a second time, this is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight-distributing bars so that
the height of the vehicle’s front wheel opening on the fender is
approximately halfway between H1 and H2.
6.
Check that the trailer is level or slightly nose down toward the vehicle.
If not, adjust the ball height accordingly and repeat Steps 1–6.
7. Lock bar tension adjuster in place.
8. Check that the trailer tongue is securely attached and locked to the
hitch.
9. Install safety chains, lighting, and trailer brake controls as required by
law or the trailer manufacturer.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at
the GVWR not GCWR.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
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Points to Remember
Note:Do not attempt removal of the TBC without consulting the
Workshop Manual.Damage to the unit may result.
•Adjust GAIN setting before using the TBC for the first time.
•Adjust GAIN setting (according to procedure above) whenever road,
weather and trailer or vehicle loading conditions change from when
the GAIN was initially set.
•The manual control lever should only be used for proper adjustment
of the GAIN during trailer setup. Misuse, such as application during
trailer sway, could cause instability of trailer or tow vehicle.
•Avoid towing in adverse weather conditions. The TBC does not
provide anti-lock control of the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can lock
up on slippery surfaces, resulting in reduced stability of trailer and
tow vehicle.
•The TBC is equipped with a feature which reduces output at vehicle
speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h) so trailer and vehicle braking is not
jerky or harsh. This feature is only available when applying the brakes
using the vehicle’s brake pedal, not the TBC.
•The controller interacts with the brake control system and powertrain
control system of the vehicle to provide the best performance on
different road conditions.
•Your vehicle’s brake system and the trailer brake system work
independently of each other. Changing the GAIN setting on the TBC
does not affect the operation of your vehicle’s brakes whether a
trailer is attached or not.
•When the vehicle is turned off, the TBC output is disabled and the
display and module are shut down. The TBC module and display turn
on when the ignition is turned from the off position to the on
position.
•The TBC is only a factory-installed or dealer-installed item. Ford is
not responsible for warranty or performance of the TBC due to
misuse or customer installation.
Trailer Lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. Contact
your authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions
and equipment for hooking up the lamps.
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