2013 FORD F150 4WD

For vehicles equipped with a 3.5L Ecoboost™ engine:
Your vehicle is equipped with an underbody transmission shield and
brackets that may become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance)
when taking your vehicle off-road. Remove the shield by disengaging the
fasteners at each corner of the shield. Then, remove the shield rear
brackets by removing the bracket to frame bolts, or have your authorized
dealer perform the work for you.
Basic Operating Principles In Special Conditions
•Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose
surfaces.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
220Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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Mud and water
Note:Driving through deep water may damage the vehicle.
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through 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.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
Tread Lightly is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other public and private lands by
treading lightly.
222Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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Driving on snow and ice
WARNING:If you are driving in slippery conditions that require
tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid
aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of the vehicle
slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Do not
pump the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter for
additional information on the operation of the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS).
Parking
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
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On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
Maintenance and modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
Snow plow restriction
WARNING:Ford does not recommend the use of any F-150
model to be upfitted and equipped with snow plow hardware for
use as a snow plow vehicle.
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)225
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AdvanceTracwith RSCFeatures
Button
functionsStability
control
OFF lightRSCESC TCS
Button pressed
and held for
more than
5 seconds at
vehicle speed
under 35 mph
(56 km/h)Flashes then
illuminated
solid
2Disabled Disabled Disabled4
Vehicle speed
exceeds
35 mph
(56 km/h)
after button is
pressed and
held for more
than 5 secondsIlluminated
solidEnabled Enabled
1Disabled1
Button pressed
again after
deactivationNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled Enabled
Transfer case
switched to
4WD Low
Locked
3
Illuminated Disabled Disabled Disabled4
1
TCS could be enabled but with higher entry thresholds compared to full
system. ESC entry thresholds are higher compared to full system.
2Lamp light starts blinking for three seconds after entering press and
hold state.
3Control switch is not pressed. Stability control light turned on when
4WD low locked transfer case mode selected.
4Engine traction control and two-wheel spin brake traction control
functions are disabled. Single wheel spin traction control is always
enabled.
Stability Control231
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Your vehicle may tow a class I, II, III or IV trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
To calculate the maximum loaded trailer weight for your vehicle:
1. Start with GCWR for your vehicle model and axle ratio (see the
following charts).
2. Subtract all of the following that apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight
•Hitch hardware weight (e.g. draw bar, ball, locks, weight
distributing, etc.)
•Driver weight
•Passenger(s) weight
•Payload, cargo and luggage weight
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
3. The equals the maximum loaded trailer weight (for this
combination).
Note:The trailer tongue load is considered part of the payload for your
vehicle so the total payload should be reduced by the final trailer tongue
weight.
Consult your authorized dealer to determine the maximum trailer weight
allowed for your vehicle if you are not sure.
Further trailer/hitch restrictions exist depending on the type of trailer
and hitch listed. This information follows the table listing the maximum
GCWRs.
Regular Cab
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
2WD 126” wheelbase
3.7L 3.55 10400 (4717)
3.73 10900 (4944)
5.0L 3.31 12900 (5851)
3.55 13300 (6033)
4WD 126” wheelbase
3.7L 3.73 10900 (4944)
5.0L 3.55 12900 (5851)
3.73 13300 (6033)
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Regular Cab
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350)
3.55 15000 (6804)
3.5L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 16600 (7530)
3.7L 3.55 10600 (4808)
3.73 11100 (5035)
5.0L 3.31 13500 (6123)
3.55 14900 (6759)
5.0L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.31 14000 (6350)
3.55/3.73 15200 (6895)
3.5L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 16900 (7666)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035)
5.0L 3.55 13500 (6123)
3.73 15100 (6849)
5.0L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940)
SuperCab
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
4WD 133” wheelbase
6.2L (SVT Raptor) 4.10 12500 (5670)
2WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350)
3.55 15200 (6895)
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SuperCab
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum GCWR - lb
(kg)
3.5L (MAX Trailer Tow
Package)3.73 16900 (7666)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (5035)
5.0L 3.31 13500 (6123)
3.55 14900 (6759)
6.2L 3.55 15500 (7031)
3.73 17000 (7711)
4WD 145” wheelbase
3.5L 3.31 14000 (6350)
3.55/3.73 15400 (6985)
3.5L (MAX Trailer Tow
Package)3.73/4.10 17100 (7756)
3.7L 3.73 11100 (50335)
5.0L 3.55 13500 (6123)
3.73 15100 (6849)
6.2L 3.55 15600 (7076)
3.73 17100 (7756)
2WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L 3.15 14000 (6350)
3.55 15200 (6895)
3.5L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 17100 (7756)
3.5L (MAX Trailer Tow
Package)3.73 17100 (7756)
5.0L 3.31 13500 (6123)
3.55 14900 (6759)
5.0L (Heavy Duty
Payload Package)3.73 15300 (6940)
4WD 163” wheelbase
3.5L 3.31 14000 (6350)
3.55/3.73 15400 (6985)
Towing263
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