•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
WARNING:Drive through water in an emergency only, and not
as part of normal driving.
WARNING:Engine damage can occur if water enters the air
filter.
Note:Driving through deep water may allow water into the transmission
or air intake and can cause internal vehicle damage or cause it to stall.
Note:Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
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.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle
as quickly as dry brakes.
Driving Hints263
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Safety Practices
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, or sand, do not
rapidly spin the tires. Spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause
an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there is always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you are driving, the wheels may
be out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel
alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension may require alignment of all four wheels.
342Wheels and Tires
2014 MKT(mkt)
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USA(fus)
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as
a spare tire or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from
the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel
assembly, it is intended for temporary use only and should not be used
in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in your
scheduled maintenance information) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Front-wheel drive /All-wheel
drive vehicles (front tires at left
of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING:Snow tires must be the same size, load index, speed
rating as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and performance
of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Additionally, the use
of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause steering, suspension,
axle, transfer case or power transfer unit failure.
Wheels and Tires343
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USA(fus)
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .......135, 440
Text messaging .........................413
Third-row power fold seat .......159
Tilt steering wheel ......................89
Tires ...........................328–329, 349
alignment ................................342
care ..........................................328
changing ..........................349, 351
checking the pressure ............338
inflating ...................................336
label .........................................335
replacing ..................................340
rotating ....................................343
safety practices .......................342
sidewall information ...............330
snow tires and chains ............343
spare tire .................................349
terminology .............................329
tire grades ...............................329
treadwear ........................328, 338
Touchscreen features
(climate) ....................................440
Towing .......................252, 259–260
recreational towing .................260
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............256
trailer towing ..........................252
wrecker ....................................259
Traction control ........................202
Traffic preferences ...................447
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................256
Trailer sway control ..................253Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............360
lubricant specifications ..........360
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....191
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................301
Turn signal ................................102
U
USB port ............................376, 403
V
Vehicle health report ................427
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................364
Vehicle loading ..........................244
Ventilating your vehicle ...........177
Voice recognition ......................385
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .....113
Washer fluid ......................306–307
Water, Driving through .............263
Windows
power .......................................105
rear wiper/washer .....................95
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................94
checking and adding
fluid ..................................306–307
replacing wiper blades ...309–310
Wrecker towing .........................259
Index497
2014 MKT(mkt)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, April 2013
USA(fus)