
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission
and prevents the front wheels from
turning. Always come to a complete
stop before putting your vehicle into
and out of P (Park). An audible chime
will sound when P (Park) is manually
selected.
The vehicle will automatically shift
into P (Park) when the ignition is
turned off. If the ignition is turned off
while the vehicle is moving, it will first
shift into
N (Neutral) until a slow
enough speed is reached. The vehicle
will then shift into
P (Park)
automatically.
Automatic Return to Park
Note: This feature will not operate
when the vehicle is in Stay in Neutral
mode or neutral tow.
The vehicle has a safety feature that
will automatically shift your vehicle
into
P (Park) when any of the
following circumstances are met: •
Turn the ignition off.
• Open the driver's door with your
seat belt unlatched.
• Unlatching your seatbelt while the
driver's door is open.
R (Reverse)
With the transmission in
R (Reverse),
the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop
before shifting into and out of
R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
Press the
N button to put the vehicle
in N (Neutral). In neutral the vehicle
can be started and is free to roll. Hold
the brake pedal down while in this
position.
Stay in Neutral mode
Stay in Neutral mode allows the
vehicle to stay in
N (Neutral) when
you exit the vehicle.
The vehicle must be stationary to
enter this mode.
To enter Stay in Neutral mode:
1. Press the
N (Neutral) button on
the shifter assembly.
2. The message
Press N to enter
Stay in Neutral mode will appear
in the information displays screen.
3. Press the N (Neutral) button again
to enter Stay in Neutral mode.
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Upshift to the recommended shift
speeds according to the following
chart:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:15 mph (24 km/h)
1 - 2
25 mph (40 km/h)
2 - 3
40 mph (64 km/h)
3 - 4
45 mph (72 km/h)
4 - 5
50 mph (80 km/h)
5 - 6
The instrument cluster will display the
selected gear that you are currently
in. SelectShift will automatically make
some shifts for you in the event that
your engine speed is running at too
high, or to low an RPM. Note:
Engine damage may occur if
excessive engine revving is held without
shifting.
Brake-Shift Interlock Override WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until
you verify that the brake lamps
are working. When doing this procedure, you
will be taking the vehicle out of
park which means the vehicle can roll
freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always fully set the
parking brake prior to doing this
procedure. Use wheel chocks if
appropriate.
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WARNINGS
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. Note:
See your authorized dealer as
soon as possible if this procedure is
used.
Note: For some markets this feature
will be disabled.
Note: This feature will only function if
your 12-volt battery has power.
Use the brake-shift interlock override
procedure to put the vehicle in gear in
the event of an electrical malfunction
or if your vehicle has a dead battery.
The brake shift interlock override
button is located inside of the center
console, below the media inputs. You
will need a tool (i.e. a screwdriver or
similar tool) to access the button.
1. Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition off before performing
this procedure. 2. Locate the brake shifter interlock
access slot. The slot is located
below the media hub, in the front
of the center console storage bin
and it is not labeled
Note: Make sure that you correctly
identify the access hole as not to
damage the media hub.
3. Using a tool, press and hold the brake shift interlock switch. When
the center stack buttons flash, the
vehicle is in override mode.
4. With the override switch still held, press the N (Neutral button) to
shift from park.
5. Release the override button.
6. The vehicle will remain in Stay in
Neutral mode for wrecker towing
purposes or can be shifted to the
desired gear and driven (if the
vehicle can be driven).
7. Release the parking brake.
Automatic Transmission
Adaptive Learning
This feature is designed to increase
durability and provide consistent shift
feel over the life of the vehicle. A new
vehicle or transmission may have firm
or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect
function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive
learning process will fully update
transmission operation. Additionally,
whenever the battery is disconnected
or a new battery installed, the strategy
must be relearned.
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Driving In Special Conditions
With All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving
on sand, snow, mud and rough roads
and have operating characteristics
that are somewhat different from
conventional vehicles, both on and off
the highway.
Under severe operating conditions,
the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Basic operating principles in
special conditions
•
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
rollover. Remember, your safety
and the safety of others should be
your primary concern.
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake
fully and make sure the gearshift
is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition
to the lock position and remove the
key whenever you leave your vehicle. 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.
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Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:
Avoid driving crosswise or
turning on steep slopes or hills. A
danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possibly rolling over.
Whenever driving on a hill, determine
beforehand the route you will use. Do
not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other
side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill
without the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make
it necessary to travel diagonally up or
down a hill or steep incline, you should
always try to drive straight up or
straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turnaround because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin
or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control. Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to avoid
excessive brake application and brake
overheating. Do not descend in
neutral; instead, disengage overdrive
or manually shift to a lower gear.
When descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could lose
control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
therefore apply the brakes steadily.
Do not
“pump” the brakes.
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. 175
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Note:
Excessive tire slippage can
cause driveline damage.
AWD 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 an AWD 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. Since your vehicle is
equipped with a four wheel (ABS), do
not “pump ” the brakes. See Hints on
Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page
178). for more information on
the operation of the anti-lock brake
system (ABS). 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
lowering 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 rollover 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 or luggage racks).
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 off-highway
usage.
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All-Wheel Drive
(If Equipped)

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is
normal. If a metal-to-metal,
continuous grinding or continuous
squeal sound is present, the brake
linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by an authorized dealer. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while
braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on
the wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as
the brakes wear and does not
contribute to brake noise. See
Warning Lamps and Indicators (page
95). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 95).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake
pedal a few times when driving from
a car wash or standing water to dry
the brakes. Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply
steady and firm pressure to the brake
pedal to slow the vehicle and reduce
engine power. If you experience this
condition, apply the brakes and bring
your vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the
engine off, shift to position
P and
apply the parking brake, and then
inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interferences. If none are found and
the condition persists, have your
vehicle towed to the nearest
authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake
rapidly by measuring the rate at which
you press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long
as you press the pedal, and can
reduce stopping distances in critical
situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain
steering control during emergency
stops by keeping the brakes from
locking. This lamp momentarily
illuminates when the ignition
is turned on. If the light does
not illuminate during start up, remains
on or flashes, the anti-lock braking
system may be disabled and may
need to be serviced.
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If the system 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
Note: 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 risks
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.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake replaces
the conventional handbrake. The
operating switch is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel. WARNING
Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission selector lever in position
P. Note:
When you apply the electric
parking brake in certain conditions e.g.
on a steep hill, the electric parking
brake may reapply the brakes within
three to ten minutes.
Note: You may notice various noises
when you apply and release the electric
parking brake. This is normal and no
cause for concern.
Applying the electric parking
brake WARNING
If the brake system warning lamp
does not illuminate or flashes,
there could be a problem with your
electric parking brake. Have the
system checked by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible. Note:
The brake system warning lamp
will illuminate for ten seconds, if the
ignition is turned off after the electric
parking brake has been applied, or the
electric parking brake has been applied
after the ignition has been turned off.
Note: The electric parking brake will
not automatically apply. You must
apply the electric parking brake using
the electric parking brake switch.
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