2013 FORD F150 brakes

Using a Step Bumper (If Equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a ball
with a one inch (25.4 millimeter) shank diameter. The bumper has a
5000 pound (2268 kilogram) trailer weight and 500 pound (227 kilogram)
tongue weight capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of the
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles
(800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place
gearshift in positionPto aid engine and transmission cooling and to
help A/C performance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with a Grade Assist or Tow/Haul
feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking
and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTrac™ with RSC, you may
experience AdvanceTrac™ with RSC activations during typical
cornering maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer; this is normal.
Cornering at a slower speed while towing reduces the tendency of the
AdvanceTrac™ stability enhancement system to activate.
272Towing
2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] 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 Hints279
2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contains contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer
product to the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage
periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label.
The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the
additive throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
348Vehicle Care
2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

911 Assist™ ......................442, 515
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................227
Accessing and using your
USB port ....................................494
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............432
Accessing your calendar ..........514
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................454
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................433
Accessory belt ...........................385
Accessory delay ..........................97
Active call menu options .........432
Adding (pairing) a phone ........502
Advanced menu options ...440, 461
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................440
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................51
and child safety seats ..............52
description ................................51
disposal ......................................62
driver airbag ..............................51
passenger airbag .......................51
side airbag ...........................51, 58
Air cleaner filter .......328, 330, 392
Air conditioning ................149, 151
manual heating and air
conditioning system .......149, 151
Air filter .....................................330All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................212
Ambient mood/lighting .............521
Ambulance packages ..................15
AM/FM .......................................481
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................316
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................227
Anti-theft system ..................80, 82
arming the system ..............80, 82
disarming a triggered
system .......................................82
AppLink™ .................................449
Armrests ....................................173
Audio system
CD-MP3 ...................................135
Single CD ................134, 139, 143
Audio system
(see Radio) ........134–135, 139, 143
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................203
fluid, adding ............................322
fluid, checking ........................322
fluid, refill capacities ..............386
fluid, specification ..................386
Selectshift (SST) ....................205
Auxiliary Input Jack .................491
Auxiliary input jack
(Line in) ....................................144
Auxiliary powerpoint ................184
A/V inputs ..........................145, 499
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........386
refill capacities ........................386
Index563
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Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

B
Battery .......................................324
acid, treating emergencies .....324
jumping a disabled battery ....287
maintenance-free ....................324
replacement, specifications ...392
servicing ..................................324
Bed extender ............................255
Belt-Minder
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder.............................46
Booster seats ...............................22
Brakes ........................................226
anti-lock ...................................227
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................227
brake warning light ................227
fluid, checking and adding ....323
fluid, refill capacities ..............386
fluid, specifications .................386
lubricant specifications ..........386
parking ....................................227
shift interlock ..................207, 209
trailer ...............................267–268
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....386
Car2UHome Automation
System .......................................174
CD ......................134–135, 139, 143
CD player ..........................132, 493
CD voice commands .................494
Cell phone use ............................16
Changing a tire .........................375
Changing the air filter ..............330Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ....32
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................41
in front seat ..............................27
in rear seat ................................27
LATCH .......................................30
Child safety seats -
booster seats ...............................22
Cleaning the touchscreen ........471
Cleaning your vehicle ...............339
engine compartment ..............341
exterior ....................................339
instrument panel ............343–344
interior .....................................342
plastic parts ............................341
washing ....................................339
waxing .....................................341
wheels ......................................346
wiper blades ............................342
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..149, 151
Climate voice commands .........532
Clock ..................134–135, 139, 519
Console ......................................187
Controls
power seat ...............................164
Coolant ......................................316
checking and adding ..............316
refill capacities ........................386
specifications ..........................386
Customer Assistance ................285
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................398, 400
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............294
Getting roadside assistance ...285
Getting the service you
need .........................................290
564Index
2013 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)