
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Hill descent control cannot control
descent in all surface conditions and
circumstances, such as ice or
extremely steep grades. Hill descent
control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver.
Failure to do so may result in loss of vehicle
control, crash or serious injury. Hill descent control does not provide
hill hold at zero miles per hour (0
kilometers per hour). When stopped,
the parking brake must be applied or the
vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it
may roll away. Hill descent control allows the driver to set
and maintain vehicle speed while
descending steep grades in various surface
conditions.
Hill descent control can maintain vehicle
speeds on downhill grades between 2 mph
(3 km/h) and 12 mph (20 km/h). Above 20
mph (32 km/h), the system remains
armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.
Hill descent control requires a cooling
down interval after a period of sustained
use. The amount of time that the feature
can remain active before cooling varies
with conditions. The system will provide a
warning in the message center and a chime
will sound when the system is about to
disengage for cooling. At this time,
manually apply the brakes as needed to
maintain descent speed. USING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL Press and release the hill
descent button located on the
instrument panel. A light in the
cluster will illuminate and a
chime will sound when this feature is
activated.
To increase descent speed, press the
accelerator pedal until the desired speed
is reached. To decrease descent speed,
press the brake pedal until the desired
speed is reached.
Whether accelerating or decelerating, once
the desired descent speed is reached,
remove your feet from the pedals and the
chosen vehicle speed will be maintained.
Note: Noise from the ABS pump motor may
be observed during hill descent control
operation. This is a normal characteristic of
the ABS and should be no reason for
concern.
Hill descent modes
• At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h):
When the Hill Descent Control switch
is pressed and Hill Descent Control is
active, the Hill Descent Control telltale
will flash.
• At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h):
When the Hill Descent Control switch
is pressed and conditions are not
correct for hill descent activation, the
Hill Descent Control system will be
enabled, the Hill Descent Control
telltale will be solid and a message will
display in the information display.
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•
At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h):
When the Hill Descent Control switch
is pressed, the Hill Descent Control
system will be enabled, the telltale in
the cluster will not be illuminated and
a message will be displayed in the
information display.
Refer to the Information Displays for
additional Hill Descent Control messages.
See Information Messages (page 92).
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Super Duty (TFA) Terrain Response
(If Equipped)

PARKING AID (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNINGS
To help avoid personal injury, please
read and understand the limitations
of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some
(generally large and fixed) objects when
moving in reverse on a flat surface at
parking speeds. Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, and external
motors and fans may also affect the
function of the sensing system; this may
include reduced performance or a false
activation. To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in R (Reverse) and
when using the sensing system.
This system is not designed to
prevent contact with small or moving
objects. The system is designed to
provide a warning to assist the driver in
detecting large stationary objects to avoid
damaging the vehicle. The system may not
detect smaller objects, particularly those
close to the ground. Certain add-on devices such as large
trailer hitches, bike or surfboard racks
and any device that may block the
normal detection zone of the system, may
create false beeps. Note:
Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors
are covered, the system ’s accuracy can be
affected. Do not clean the sensors with
sharp objects.
Note: If your vehicle sustains damage to
the bumper or fascia, leaving it misaligned
or bent, the sensing zone may be altered
causing inaccurate measurement of
obstacles or false alarms. Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with
MyKey ™, it is possible to prevent turning
the sensing system off. See MyKey ™
(page
50).
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with a fully
integrated electronic trailer brake controller
(TBC) and a trailer with electric trailer
brakes is connected to your vehicle, the RSS
will be disabled. When the vehicle is shifted
into reverse, the information display will
remain in the Rear Park Aid Off selection.
For more information on the TBC, See
Trailer Sway Control
(page 188).
The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of the
bumper area. The system turns on
automatically whenever the ignition is
switched on.
When receiving a detection warning, the
radio volume is reduced to a
predetermined level. After the warning
goes away, the radio volume returns to the
previous level.
Rear Sensing System
The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in R (Reverse). As the
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is fewer than 12 inches
(30 centimeters) away, the warning
sounds continuously. If a stationary or
receding object is detected farther than 12
inches (30 centimeters) from the side of
the vehicle, the tone sounds for only three
seconds. Once the system detects an
object approaching, the warning sounds
again.
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Super Duty (TFA) Parking Aids

Coverage area of up to 6 feet
(1.8 meters) from the rear
bumper. There is decreased
coverage area at the outer
corners of the bumper.
A
The system detects certain objects while
the transmission is in R (Reverse):
• and moving toward a stationary object
at a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less
• but not moving, and a moving object is
approaching the rear of the vehicle at
a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less
The system can be switched off through
the information display. If a fault is present
in the system, a warning message appears
in the information display and does not
allow the driver to switch the faulted
system on.
REAR VIEW CAMERA (IF EQUIPPED) WARNINGS
The rear view camera system is a
reverse aid supplement device that
still requires the driver to use it in
conjunction with the interior and exterior
mirrors for maximum coverage. Objects that are close to either
corner of the bumper or under the
bumper, might not be seen on the
screen due to the limited coverage of the
camera system. WARNINGS
Back up as slow as possible since
higher speeds might limit your
reaction time to stop the vehicle.
Use caution when using the rear
video camera and the liftgate is ajar.
If the liftgate is ajar, the camera will
be out of position and the video image may
be incorrect. All guidelines (if enabled)
have been removed when the liftgate is
ajar. Use caution when turning camera
features on or off while in Reverse
(R). Make sure the vehicle is not
moving. The rear view camera system provides a
video image of the area behind your
vehicle.
During operation, lines appear in the
display that represent your vehicle
’s path
and proximity to objects behind your
vehicle. The camera is located on the tailgate.
Using the Rear View Camera
System
The rear view camera system displays
what is behind your vehicle when you place
the transmission in Reverse (R).
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Super Duty (TFA) Parking AidsE130178
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The system uses red, yellow and green
highlights which appear on top of the video
image when an object is detected by the
reverse sensing system. The alert highlights
the closest object detected. The reverse
sensing alert can be disabled and if visual
park aid alert is enabled, highlighted areas
are still displayed.
Selectable settings for this feature are ON
and OFF.
Rear Camera Delay
When shifting the transmission out of
Reverse (R) and into any gear other than
Park (P), the camera image remains in the
display until your vehicle speed reaches 6
mph (10 km/h) or 10 seconds elapses. This
occurs when the rear camera delay feature
is on.
Selectable settings for this feature are ON
and OFF. The default setting for the rear
camera delay is OFF.
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Super Duty (TFA) Parking Aids

TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING
Turning off trailer sway control
increases the risk of loss of vehicle
control, serious injury or death. Ford
does not recommend disabling this feature
except in situations where speed reduction
may be detrimental (such as hill climbing),
the driver has significant trailer towing
experience, and can control trailer sway
and maintain safe operation. Note:
This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if vehicle speed is too
high, the system may activate multiple
times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the stability control light flashes and the
message
TRAILER SWAY REDUCE
SPEED appears in the information display.
The first thing to do is slow your vehicle
down, then pull safely to the side of the
road and check for proper tongue load and
trailer load distribution. See
Load
Carrying (page 176).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed a trailer
weight of 5000 pounds (2268
kilograms) when towing with, or
by, bumper only. Note:
Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Do not exceed 60 feet 2
(5.6
meters 2
) trailer frontal area.
Note: Exceeding this limitation
may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing
vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a
low aerodynamic drag and rounded
front design helps optimize
performance and fuel economy.
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.
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 your
vehicle's electrical system may not
include the wiring connector
needed to use electric trailer
brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II,
III and IV trailer or fifth-wheel
trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal
to the maximum trailer weight
listed for your vehicle
configuration on the following
chart.
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Super Duty (TFA) Towing

The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)
when loaded.
Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If
Equipped)
WARNING
The Ford trailer brake controller has
been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated
drum brakes (one to four axles) and some
electric-over-hydraulic brakes. It will not
activate hydraulic surge-style trailer
brakes. It is the responsibility of the
customer to ensure that the trailer brakes
are adjusted appropriately, functioning
normally and all electric connections are
properly made. Failure to do so may result
in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious
injury. When used properly, the trailer brake
controller assists in smooth and effective
trailer braking by powering the trailer
’s
electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes
with a proportional output based on the
towing vehicle ’s brake pressure. Ford has tested the trailer brake controller
to be compatible with several major
brands of electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brakes. Contact an authorized dealer for
information on which brands you can use.
The controller user interface consists of
the following:
A: + and - (Gain adjustment buttons):
Pressing these buttons adjusts the
controller's power output to the trailer
brakes in 0.5 increments. You can increase
the gain setting to 10.0 (maximum trailer
braking) or decrease it to 0 (no trailer
braking). Pressing and holding a button
raises or lowers the setting continuously.
The gain setting displays in the message
center as follows:
TBC GAIN = XX.X.
The controller shows gain setting, output
bar graph, and trailer connectivity status
in the information display. They appear in
the information display as follows:
• TBC GAIN = XX.X NO TRAILER:
Shows the current gain setting during
a given ignition cycle and when
adjusting the gain. This also displays if
you use the manual control lever or
make gain adjustments with no trailer
connected.
• TBC GAIN = XX.X OUTPUT=/ / / /
/ /
: Displays when you push your
vehicle's brake pedal, or upon use of
the manual control. Bar indicators
illuminate in the information display to
indicate the amount of power going to
the trailer brakes relative to the brake
pedal or manual control input. One bar
indicates the least amount of output;
six bars indicate maximum output.
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Super Duty (TFA) TowingB
A
E163166

•
TRAILER CONNECTED: Displays
when the system senses a correct
trailer wiring connection (a trailer with
electric trailer brakes) during a given
ignition cycle.
• TRAILER DISCONNECTED:
Displays,
accompanied by a single audible time,
when the system senses a trailer
connection and then a disconnection,
either intentional or unintentional,
during a given ignition cycle. It also
displays if a truck or trailer-wiring fault
occurs causing the trailer to appear
disconnected. This message can also
display if you use the manual control
lever without a trailer connected.
B:
Manual control lever: Slide the control
lever to the left to turn on the trailer's
electric brakes independent of the tow
vehicle's See the following Procedure for
adjusting gain section for instructions on
proper use of this feature. If you use the
manual control while the brake is also
applied, the greater of the two inputs
determines the power sent to the trailer
brakes.
• Stop lamps: Using the manual control
lever illuminates both the trailer brake
lamps and your vehicle brake lamps
except the center high-mount stop
lamp, if you make the proper electrical
connection to the trailer. Pressing your
vehicle brake pedal also illuminates
both trailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Procedure for Adjusting Gain
Note: Only perform this procedure in a
traffic-free environment at speeds of
approximately 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h).
The gain setting sets the trailer brake
controller for the specific towing condition.
You should change the setting as towing
conditions change. Changes to towing
conditions include trailer load, vehicle load,
road conditions and weather. The gain should be set to provide the
maximum trailer braking assistance while
making sure the trailer wheels do not lock
when using the brakes. Locked trailer
wheels may lead to trailer instability.
1.
Make sure the trailer brakes are in good
working condition, functioning normally
and properly adjusted. See your trailer
dealer if necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to the
trailer manufacturer's instructions.
3. When you plug in a trailer with electric or electric-over-hydraulic brakes,
TRAILER CONNECTED
appears in
the information display.
4. Use the gain adjustment (+ and -) buttons to increase or decrease the
gain setting to the desired starting
point. A gain setting of 6.0 is a good
starting point for heavier loads.
5. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at a speed
of 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h) and
squeeze the manual control lever
completely.
6. If the trailer wheels lock up, indicated by squealing tires, reduce the gain
setting. If the trailer wheels turn freely,
increase the gain setting. Repeat Steps
5 and 6 until the gain setting is at a
point just below trailer wheel lock-up.
If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel
lock-up may not be attainable even
with the maximum gain setting of 10.
Explanation of Information Display
Warning Messages
Note: An authorized dealer can diagnose
the trailer brake controller to determine
exactly which trailer fault has occurred.
However, your Ford warranty does not cover
this diagnosis if the fault is with the trailer.
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Super Duty (TFA) Towing