2013 FORD F150 warning

POWER DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARDS (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:In extreme climates, excessive ice buildup may
occur, causing the running boards not to deploy. Be sure that the
running boards have deployed, and have finished moving before
attempting to step on them. The running boards will resume normal
function once the blockage is cleared.
WARNING:Turn off the running boards before jacking or placing
any object under the vehicle. Never place your hand between the
extended running board and the vehicle. A moving running board may
cause injury.
Note:Do not use the running boards, front and rear hinge assemblies,
running board motors, or the running board under body mounts to lift
the vehicle when jacking. Always use proper jacking points.
Note:The running boards may operate slower in cooler temperatures.
Debris such as mud, dirt and salt may become trapped in the running
board mechanism, possibly leading to unwanted noise. If this occurs,
manually set the running boards to the deployed position and flush the
system (in particular the front and rear hinge arms) with a high-pressure
car wash wand.
The running boards automatically
move when the doors are opened to
assist entering and exiting the
vehicle.
Automatic Power Deploy
The running boards will extend down and out when the doors are
opened.
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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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SuperCrew
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
5.0L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940)
6.2L 3.55 15600 (7076)
6.2L (MAX Trailer Tow
Package)3.73 17100 (7756)
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
•Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included with towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment specifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your
scheduled maintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions the rental agency
gives you.
For load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety
Compliance label and for instructions on calculating your vehicle’s load,
refer toLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of the vehicle
load when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the
axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the
tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitches
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
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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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Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped)
WARNING:The Ford TBC has only been verified to be
compatible with trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes
(one to four axles) and some electic-over-hydrualic (EOH) brakes. It
will not activate hydraulic surge-style trailer brakes. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric connections
are properly made. Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle
control, crash or serious injury.
When used properly, the TBC assists in smooth and effective trailer
braking by powering the trailer’s electric or EOH brakes with a
proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake pressure.
The TBC user interface consists of the following:
A.+/- (GAIN adjustment buttons):Pressing these buttons adjusts the
TBC’s power output to the trailer brakes (in 0.5 increments). The GAIN
setting can be increased to a maximum of 10.0 or decreased to a
minimum of 0 (no trailer braking). Pressing and holding a button raises
or lowers the setting continuously. The GAIN setting displays in the
message center as follows: TBC GAIN = XX.X.
The controller is designed to display three items of information in the
information display. These are: GAIN setting, output bar graph, and
trailer connectivity status. They appear in the information display as
follows:
•TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER:Shows the current GAIN setting
during a given ignition cycle and when adjusting the GAIN. This also
displays during manual activation without a trailer connected or when
GAIN adjustments are made with no trailer connected.
TRAILER BRAKE
AB
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2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to
the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
3. When a trailer with electric or EOH brakes is plugged in, TRAILER
CONNECTED appears in the information display.
4. Use the GAIN adjustment (+/-) buttons to increase or decrease the
GAIN setting to the desired starting point. A GAIN setting of 6.0 is a
good starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at
a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h) and squeeze the manual control
lever completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lock up (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting. If the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN
setting. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just
below trailer wheel lock-up. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel
lock-up may not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting
of 10.
Explanation of Information Display Warning Messages
Note:Your TBC can be diagnosed by your authorized dealer to
determine exactly which trailer fault has occurred. However, if the fault
is with the trailer this diagnosis isnotcovered under your Ford
warranty.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT:Displays in response to faults
sensed by the TBC (accompanied by a single chime). If this message is
displayed, please contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for
diagnosis and repair. The TBC may still function, but performance may
be degraded.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER:Displays when a short circuit on the
electric brake output wire has occurred. If theWIRING FAULT ON
TRAILERmessage is displayed and accompanied by a single chime,
with no trailer connected, the problem is with the vehicle wiring between
the TBC to the 7–pin connector at the bumper. If the message is only
displayed with a trailer connected, the problem is related to the trailer
wiring. Consult your trailer dealer for assistance. This can be a short to
ground (i.e., chaffed wire), short to voltage (i.e., pulled pin on trailer
emergency break-away battery) or the trailer brakes may be drawing too
much current.
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5. Rotate the 4WD switch from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five times
within seven seconds.
•If completed successfully, the information display shows
NEUTRAL TOW LEAVE IN NorNEUTRAL TOW ENABLED
LEAVE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, indicating that the
vehicle is safe to tow with all wheels on the ground.
•If the message is not shown in the display, the procedure must be
performed again from the beginning.
•An audible noise may be heard as the transfer case shifts into its
neutral position. This is normal.
6. Leave the transmission in positionNand turn the ignition as far as it
will go toward the off position (it will not turn fully off when the
transmission is in positionN.. The key must be left in the ignition
while towing. To lock and unlock your vehicle, use the keyless entry
keypad or extra set of keys.
7. Release the brake pedal.
WARNING:Do not disconnect the battery during recreational
towing. Doing so will prevent the transfer case from shifting
properly and may cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park).
WARNING:Shifting the transfer case to its neutral position for
recreational towing may cause the vehicle to be able to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or others could be injured.
Make sure the foot brake is depressed and the vehicle is in a secure
and safe position while the transfer case is being shifted to its neutral
position.
WARNING:Failing to put the transfer case in its neutral position
will damage vehicle components.
Note:Four-wheel-down towing status can be checked at any time by
opening the driver’s door or turning the ignition to the accessory or on
position and verifying the NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED message is
displayed in the cluster.
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USA(fus)

FLOOR MATS
WARNING:Always use floor mats that are designed to fit the
footwell of your vehicle. Only use floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed. Only use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
•Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal injury.
•Always make sure that the floor mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are supplied with your vehicle.
Floor mats must be properly secured to both retention posts to
ensure mats do not shift out of position.
•Never place floor mats or any other covering in the vehicle footwell
that cannot be properly secured to prevent them from moving and
interfering with the pedals or the ability to control the vehicle.
•Never place floor mats or any other covering on top of already
installed floor mats. Floor mats should always rest on top of the
vehicle carpeting surface and not another floor mat or other
covering. Additional floor mats or any other covering will reduce the
pedal clearance and potentially interfere with pedal operation.
•Check attachment of floor mats on a regular basis. Always properly
reinstall and secure floor mats that have been removed for cleaning
or replacement.
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the driver footwell
while the vehicle is moving. Objects that are loose can become
trapped under the pedals causing a loss of vehicle control.
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2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
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