2013 FORD F150 ECU

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops
by keeping the brakes from locking.
The ABS lamp momentarily illuminates when the ignition is
turned on. If the light does not illuminate during start-up,
remains on or flashes, the ABS may be disabled and may need
to be serviced.
If the ABS is disabled, normal braking is still effective. If the
brake warning lamp illuminates with the parking brake released,
have your brake system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
When the system is operating, the brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise
from the system. This is normal.
The ABS will not eliminate the dangers inherent when:
•you drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
•your vehicle is hydroplaning.
•you take corners too fast.
•the road surface is poor.
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
that the transmission selector lever is securely latched in
positionP.
To set the parking brake, press the parking brake pedal down until the
pedal stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp will illuminate and will remain illuminated
until the parking brake is released.
To release, pull the brake release lever located at the lower left side of
the instrument panel.
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TAILGATE
Tailgate Lock (If Equipped)
The tailgate lock is designed to help
prevent theft of the tailgate.
Insert the ignition key into the
tailgate lock. Turn it to the right to
lock or to the left to unlock the
tailgate.
Tailgate Removal
WARNING:Always properly secure cargo to prevent shifting
cargo or cargo falling from vehicle, which could result in
compromised vehicle stability and serious personal injury to vehicle
occupants or others.
Your tailgate is removable to allow more room for loading.
Note:If equipped with a rearview camera system, do Steps 1 through 3
before removing the tailgate.
1. Before removing the tailgate,
locate and disconnect the tailgate
in-line connector. It is located under
the pickup box on the passenger
side of the vehicle near the spare
tire.
2. Install a protective cap (located
in the glove box) onto the in-line
rearview camera system connector
that remains under the pickup box.
3. Partially lower the tailgate and carefully feed the tailgate harness up
through the gap between the pickup box and the bumper. Place the
tailgate harness out of the way under the pickup box.
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BED EXTENDER (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:This feature is not intended for off-road usage.
Note:Make sure the locking pins and knobs are fully engaged when the
vehicle is in motion.
Note:Make sure all cargo is secured.
Note:The tailgate load must not exceed 150 pounds (68 kilograms)
when the vehicle is in motion.
Note:The bed extender should always be kept in the grocery mode or
stowed position with the tailgate closed when not being used for the
purpose of restraining cargo in the tailgate mode.
To open the bed extender into tailgate mode:
1. Pull the locking pin toward the
center of the vehicle.
2. Open the latches to release the
panels.
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3. Rotate the panels toward the
tailgate.
Repeat Steps 1–3 for the other side of the bed extender.
4. Connect the two panels, then
rotate both knobs a quarter-turn
clockwise to secure the panels.
5. Make sure the latch rod is
inserted into the tailgate hole and
the locking pins on both sides are
engaged into their holes in the
pick-up box.
6. Reverse steps for storage of the
bed extender.
To open the bed extender into
grocery mode, follow Steps 1–4 by
rotating the panels away from the
tailgate. Close the tailgate.
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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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TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
In the event your vehicle becomes disabled (without access to wheel
dollies, car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport vehicle), it can be
flat-towed (all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain/transmission configuration) under the following conditions:
•The vehicle is facing forward so that it is towed in a forward
direction.
•The transmission is placed in positionN.SeeAutomatic
transmissionin theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the
transmission intoN.
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 kilometers).
Recreational Towing
Note:Put your climate control system in recirculated air mode to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle. Refer to theClimate
Controlschapter.
Follow these guidelines if you need to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The guidelines are designed to prevent
damage to your vehicle and its transmission after it is hooked-up to the
tow vehicle or tow dolly.
2WD vehiclescannot be towed with any wheels on the ground as
vehicle or transmission damage may occur. The vehicle must be towed
with all four wheels off the ground (i.e. with a car-hauling trailer).
4WD vehiclescan only be towed with all wheels on the ground by
placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the
four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform the steps outlined in the
Four-wheel-down towingsection after positioning your vehicle behind
the tow vehicle and properly securing them together
Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Turn the ignition to the on position. Do not start the engine.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the 4WD switch to 2H.
4. Shift the transmission to positionN.
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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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To exit four-wheel-down towing and return the transfer case to its 2H
position:
1. With the vehicle still properly secured to the tow vehicle, press and
hold the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to the on position; do not start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission out ofNand into any gear.
4. Release the brake pedal.
•If completed successfully, the instrument cluster displays4X2,
andNEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.
•If the indicator light and message do not display, the procedure
must be performed again from the beginning.
•An audible noise may be heard as the transfer case shifts out of
its neutral position; this is normal.
5. Apply the parking brake, then disconnect the vehicle from the tow
vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake, start the engine, and shift the
transmission to positionDto make sure the transfer case is out of N
(Neutral).
7. If the transfer case will not successfully shift out of positionN,set
the parking brake until the vehicle can be serviced.
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