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•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from
traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in positionP.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels.
(Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbeforebacking the trailer into
the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafterremoving the trailer from
the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters)
above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to the components.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the rear axle submerges in
water. Water may have contaminated the rear axle lubricant, which does
not normally require checking or changing unless it is leaking or other
axle repair is required.
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TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
We recommend the use of a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment
to tow your vehicle. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company
has not approved a slingbelt towing procedure. Vehicle damage may
occur if towed incorrectly, or by any other means.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
It is acceptable to have your front-wheel drive vehicle towed from the
front if using proper wheel lift equipment to raise the front wheels off
the ground. When towing in this manner, the rear wheels can remain on
the ground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles must have the front wheels placed on a tow
dolly when towing your vehicle from the rear using wheel lift equipment.
This prevents damage to the transmission.
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Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle requires that all wheels be off the
ground, such as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment. This
prevents damage to the transmission, all-wheel drive system and vehicle.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (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 and transmission
configuration) under the following conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward for towing in a forward direction.
•Place the transmission in positionN.SeeAutomatic transmissionin
theTransmissionchapter if you cannot move the transmission into
N.
•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 your vehicle. See theClimate
Controlchapter.
Follow these guidelines if you need to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motorhome. We designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your vehicle and its transmission after it is hooked-up to the
recreational vehicle or tow dolly.
You can tow your front-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground or with the front wheels off the ground by using a tow dolly. If
you are using a tow dolly, follow the instructions specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
see the following instructions.
You can tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground or with all four wheels off the ground using a vehicle transport
trailer. Do not tow your all-wheel drive vehicle with the front wheels off
the ground (by using a tow dolly) and the rear wheels on the ground.
This causes damage to your all-wheel drive system. If you are using a
vehicle transport trailer, follow the instruction specified by the
equipment provider. If you are towing with all four wheels on the ground,
see the following instructions.
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If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
•Tow only in the forward direction.
•Release the parking brake.
•Place the transmission in positionN.
•Place the ignition in the accessory mode. SeeIgnitionin the
Starting and Stopping the Enginechapter.
•Do not exceed 65 mph (105 km/h).
•Start the engine and allow it to run for five minutes at the beginning
of each day and every six hours thereafter. With the engine running
and your foot on the brake, shift into positionDand then into
positionRbefore shifting back into positionN.
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•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.
226Driving Hints
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Should your vehicle shut off after a collision, you may restart your
vehicle. For vehicles equipped with a key system:
1. Switch off the ignition.
2. Switch on the ignition.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to re-enable fuel pump.
For vehicles equipped with a push button start system:
1. Press theSTART/STOPbutton to switch off the ignition.
2. Press the brake pedal and press theSTART/STOPbutton to start the
vehicle.
3. Remove your foot from the brake pedal and press theSTART/STOP
button to switch off the ignition.
4. You can either attempt to start the engine by pressing the brake pedal
and theSTART/STOPbutton, or switch on the ignition only by pressing
theSTART/STOPbutton without pressing the brake pedal. Both ways
re-enable the fuel system.
Note:When you try to restart your vehicle after a fuel shutoff, the
vehicle makes sure that various systems are safe to restart. Once your
vehicle determines that the systems are safe, then the vehicle will allow
you to restart.
Note:In the event that your vehicle does not restart after your third
attempt, contact an authorized dealer.
JUMP-STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNING:The gases around the battery can explode if exposed
to flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING:Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin,
eyes and clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have push-start capability. Attempting to
push-start a vehicle with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
230Roadside Emergencies
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When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may exhibit a combination of firm and 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.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note:Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
1. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehicles do not touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
2. Check all battery terminals. Remove the positive terminal cover (if
equipped) and any excessive corrosion before you attach the battery
cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
3. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING:Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
Note:Do not attach the negative (-) cable to fuel lines, engine rocker
covers, the intake manifold or electrical components as grounding points.
Note:In the illustration, the vehicle on the bottom is used to designate
the assisting (boosting) battery.
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UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW
A. Engine coolant reservoir
B. Power steering fluid reservoir
C. Brake fluid reservoir
D. Battery
E. Power distribution box
F. Air filter assembly
G. Transmission fluid dipstick
H. Engine oil dipstick
I. Engine oil filler cap
J. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
JIHGF
EDCBA
254Maintenance
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USA(fus)