This system is designed to alert the
driver of certain collision risks. A radar
detects if your vehicle is rapidly
approaching another vehicle traveling
in the same direction as yours.
If it is, a red warning light illuminates
and an audible warning chime sounds.
The brake support system assists the
driver in reducing the collision speed
by charging the brakes. If the risk of
collision further increases after the
warning light illuminates, the brake
support prepares the brake system
for rapid braking. This may be
apparent to the driver. The system
does not automatically activate the
brakes but, if the brake pedal is
pressed, full force braking is applied
even if the brake pedal is lightly
pressed.
Using the Collision Warning
System
WARNING
The collision warning system
’s
brake support can only help
reduce the speed at which a collision
occurs if the driver applies the
vehicle ’s brakes. The brake pedal
must be pressed just like any typical
braking situation. The warning system and chime can
be turned on and off separately; the
warning system sensitivity can be
adjusted to one of three possible
settings by using the information
display control. See General
Information (page 100).
Note: If the system cannot be turned
off in a vehicle equipped with MyKey®,
See Principle of Operation (page 58).
Note: If collision warnings are
perceived as being too frequent or
disturbing then the warning sensitivity
can be reduced, though the
manufacturer recommends using the
highest sensitivity setting where
possible. Setting lower sensitivity
would lead to fewer and later system
warnings. See
General Information
(page 100).
Blocked Sensors 205
Driving AidsE156131 E145632
System Limitations
WARNING
The collision warning system
’s
brake support can only help
reduce the speed at which a collision
occurs if the driver applies the
vehicle ’s brakes. The brake pedal
must be pressed just like any typical
braking situation. Due to the nature of radar technology,
there may be certain instances where
vehicles do not provide a collision
warning. These include:
•
Stationary vehicles or vehicles
moving below 6 mph (10 km/h).
• Pedestrians or objects in the
roadway.
• Oncoming vehicles in the same
lane.
• Severe weather conditions (see
blocked sensor section).
• Debris build-up on the grille near
the headlamps (see blocked
sensor section).
• Small distance to vehicle ahead.
• Steering wheel and pedal
movements are large (very active
driving style).
•
Certain conditions may reduce the
visibility of the warning lamp;
therefore, it is recommended to keep
the audible warning on. If the front end of the vehicle is hit or
damaged, the radar sensing zone may
be altered causing missed or false
collision warnings. See your
authorized dealer to have your
collision warning radar checked for
proper coverage and operation.
LINCOLN DRIVE CONTROL
The Lincoln driving experience is
delivered through a suite of
sophisticated electronic vehicle
systems that continuously monitor
both your inputs and the road
conditions to optimize ride comfort,
steering, handling, and powertrain
response and sound.
These systems include:
•
Continuously Controlled Damping
which dynamically adjusts the
shock absorbers in real time to
match the road surface and your
inputs.
• Electronically Power-Assisted
Steering which adjusts steering
effort and feel based on vehicle
speed and your inputs.
• Active Noise Control which utilizes
vehicle electronics to enhance the
acoustic experience.
• Electronic Stability Control and
Traction Control which maintain
vehicle control in adverse
conditions or high performance
driving.
• Electronic Throttle Control which
enhances the powertrain response
to your inputs.
207
Driving Aids
rated for operation at GVWR, not
at GCWR.) Separate functional
brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for
trailers where the GCW of the
towing vehicle plus the trailer
exceed the GVWR of the towing
vehicle.
The GCW must never
exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight - is the highest possible
weight of a fully loaded trailer the
vehicle can tow. It assumes a
vehicle with only mandatory
options, no cargo (internal or
external), a tongue load of
10– 15% (conventional trailer) or
king pin weight of 15– 25% (fifth
wheel trailer), and driver only (150
lb. [68 kg]). Consult your
authorized dealer (or the RV
and Trailer Towing Guide
provided by your authorized
dealer) for more detailed
information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel
King Pin Weight -
refers to the
amount of the weight that a trailer
pushes down on a trailer hitch. Examples:
For a 5000 lb. (2268
kg) conventional trailer, multiply
5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a
proper tongue load range of 500
to 750 lb. (227 to 340 kg). For an
11500 lb. (5216 kg) fifth wheel
trailer, multiply by 0.15 and 0.25
to obtain a proper king pin load
range of 1725 to 2875 lb. (782 to
1304 kg). WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carrying
capacities than the original tires
because they may lower the vehicle ’s
GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Replacement tires with a higher limit
than the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations. Exceeding any vehicle weight
rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle and/or
personal injury. Steps for determining the
correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement "The
combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lb." on your
vehicle
’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
224
Load Carrying
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR specified on the
certification label. 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:
There may be electrical items
such as fuses or relays that can affect
trailer towing operation. See Fuses
(page 251).
Weight, not volume designates your
vehicle's load capacity. 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 in the
center of 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 located in another chapter
of this manual. See Load Limit (page
219). You can also find the information
in the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide,
available at your authorized dealer.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight
for your vehicle configuration listed in
the chart below.
Note: Be sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area. Do
not exceed 20 feet 2
(1.86 meters 2
).
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.
227
Towing
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. Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight
is less than or equal to the maximum
trailer weight listed for your vehicle
configuration on the following charts. Maximum Trailer Weight - lb (kg)
*
Powertrain
1000 (454)
2.0L GTDI
1000 (454)
3.7L TiVCT
* Calculated with SAE J2807 method.
228
Towing
ESSENTIAL TOWING
CHECKS
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe
towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive
your vehicle at least 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle
laws for towing a trailer.
• Refer to the instructions included
with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer
to your scheduled maintenance
information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label as
well as instructions on calculating
your vehicle's load in another chapter
of this manual. See Load Limit (page
219).
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 trailer tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to
the bumper.
Always connect the trailer ’s safety
chains to the 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,
when installed properly and adjusted
to the manufacturer's specifications,
are safe to use. The trailer brakes
must meet local and federal
regulations.
229
Towing
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.
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.
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 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 the gearshift in position P to
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.
• Allow more distance for stopping
with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
230
Towing
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:
Driving through deep water
above the recommended levels can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Once through the water, always
dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on
the brake pedal. Wet brakes do not
stop the vehicle as quickly as dry
brakes. If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that
is higher than the bottom of the wheel
rims (for cars) or the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction
or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine
’s
air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall. FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well 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.
236
Driving HintsE142667 E142666