PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Hill descent control cannot controldescent in all surface conditions andcircumstances, such as ice orextremely steep grades. Hill descentcontrol is a driver assist system and cannotsubstitute for good judgment by the driver.Failure to do so may result in loss of vehiclecontrol, crash or serious injury.
Hill descent control does not providehill hold at zero miles per hour (0kilometers per hour). When stopped,the parking brake must be applied or thevehicle must be placed in P (Park) or itmay roll away.
Hill descent control allows the driver to setand maintain vehicle speed whiledescending steep grades in various surfaceconditions.
Hill descent control can maintain vehiclespeeds on downhill grades between 2 mph(3 km/h) and 12 mph (20 km/h). Above 20mph (32 km/h), the system remainsarmed, but descent speed cannot be setor maintained.
Hill descent control requires a coolingdown interval after a period of sustaineduse. The amount of time that the featurecan remain active before cooling varieswith conditions. The system will provide awarning in the message center and a chimewill sound when the system is about todisengage for cooling. At this time,manually apply the brakes as needed tomaintain descent speed.
USING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL
Press and release the hilldescent button located on theinstrument panel. A light in thecluster will illuminate and achime will sound when this feature isactivated.
To increase descent speed, press theaccelerator pedal until the desired speedis reached. To decrease descent speed,press the brake pedal until the desiredspeed is reached.
Whether accelerating or decelerating, oncethe desired descent speed is reached,remove your feet from the pedals and thechosen vehicle speed will be maintained.
Note:Noise from the ABS pump motor maybe observed during hill descent controloperation. This is a normal characteristic ofthe ABS and should be no reason forconcern.
Hill descent modes
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h):When the Hill Descent Control switchis pressed and Hill Descent Control isactive, the Hill Descent Control telltalewill flash.
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h):When the Hill Descent Control switchis pressed and conditions are notcorrect for hill descent activation, theHill Descent Control system will beenabled, the Hill Descent Controltelltale will be solid and a message willdisplay in the information display.
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Fixed guideline: Yellow zoneD
Fixed guideline: Red zoneE
Rear bumperF
Fixed guidelines are always shown in thedisplay, but the active guidelines onlydisplay when the steering wheel is turned.To use active guidelines, turn the steeringwheel to point the guidelines toward anintended path. If the steering wheelposition is changed while reversing, thevehicle might deviate from the originalintended path.
The active guidelines fade in and outdepending on the steering wheel position.The active guidelines are not shown whenthe steering wheel position is straight.
Always use caution while reversing.Objects in the red zone are closest to yourvehicle and objects in the green zone arefarther away. Objects are getting closer toyour vehicle as they move from the greenzone to the yellow or red zones. Use theside view mirrors and rear view mirror toget better coverage on both sides and rearof your vehicle.
Enhanced Park Aids
Note:Enhanced park aids is only availablewhen the transmission is in reverse (R).
Note:The reverse sensing system is noteffective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h)and may not detect certain angular ormoving objects.
The system uses red, yellow and greenhighlights which appear on top of the videoimage when an object is detected by thereverse sensing system. The alert highlightsthe closest object detected. The reversesensing alert can be disabled and if visualpark aid alert is enabled, highlighted areasare still displayed.
Selectable settings for this feature are ONand OFF.
Manual Zoom
WARNING
When manual zoom is on, the fullarea behind your vehicle is notshown. Be aware of yoursurroundings when using the manual zoomfeature.
Note:Manual zoom is only available whenthe transmission is in reverse (R).
Note:When manual zoom is enabled, onlythe centerline is shown.
This feature allows you to get a closer viewof an object behind your vehicle (forexample, a trailer). The zoomed imagekeeps the bumper in the image to providea reference. The zoom is only active whilethe transmission is in reverse (R). Whenthe transmission is shifted out of reverse(R), the feature automatically turns offand must be reset when it is used again.
Selectable settings for this feature is OFF,Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The selectedlevel will appear between the buttons (forexample, Level 1) The default setting forthe manual zoom is OFF.
Rear Camera Delay
When shifting the transmission out ofreverse (R) and into any gear other thanpark (P), the camera image remains in thedisplay until your vehicle speed reaches 5mph (8 km/h). This occurs when the rearcamera delay feature is on or until a radiobutton is selected.
Selectable settings for this feature are ONand OFF. The default setting for the rearcamera delay is ON.
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Tailgate Removal
WARNING
Always properly secure cargo toprevent shifting cargo or cargo fallingfrom vehicle, which could result incompromised vehicle stability and seriouspersonal injury to vehicle occupants orothers.
You can remove the tailgate for moreloading room.
Note:Skip to Step 4 if your vehicle doesnot have a rearview camera.
1.Locate and disconnect the rearviewcamera in-line connector. It is underthe pickup box on the right-hand sideof the vehicle near the spare tire.
2.There is a tethered cap on the wireassembly. Install it on the in-lineconnector that remains under thepickup box.
3.Partially lower the tailgate. Carefullyfeed the tailgate harness up throughthe gap between the pickup box andthe bumper and place it out of the wayunder the pickup box.
4.Lower the tailgate.
5.Use a screwdriver to gently pry thespring clip on each connector past thehead of the support screw. Disconnectthe cable.
6.Disconnect the other cable.
7.Lift the tailgate to a 45-degree anglefrom horizontal.
8.Lift the right side off its hinge.
9.Lift the tailgate to an 80-degree anglefrom horizontal.
10.Remove the tailgate from the left sidehinge by sliding it to the right.
Reverse the steps to reinstall the tailgate.
Tailgate Step (If Equipped)
Use the step to make entering the truckbed easier.
To reduce the risk of falling:
•Only operate the step when yourvehicle is on a level surface.
•Only operate the step in areas withsufficient lighting.
•Always open the step panel to widenthe step.
•Always use the grab handle whenclimbing on the step.
•Do not use the step with bare feet.
•Make sure the step is clean before use.
•Keep the step load, you plus the load,below 350 pounds (159 kilograms).
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of the vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing. See the Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page178). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide, available at anauthorized dealer.
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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF
EQUIPPED)
WARNING
Turning off trailer sway controlincreases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Forddoes not recommend disabling this featureexcept in situations where speed reductionmay be detrimental (such as hill climbing),the driver has significant trailer towingexperience, and can control trailer swayand maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is toohigh, the system may activate multipletimes, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
This feature applies your vehicle brakes atindividual wheels and, if necessary, reducesengine power. If the trailer begins to sway,the stability control light flashes and themessage TRAILER SWAY REDUCESPEED appears in the information display.The first thing to do is slow your vehicledown, then pull safely to the side of theroad and check for proper tongue load andtrailer load distribution. See LoadCarrying (page 178).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:Do not exceed a trailerweight of 5000 pounds (2268kilograms) when towing with, orby, bumper only.
Note:Make sure to take intoconsideration trailer frontal area.Do not exceed 60 feet2 (5.6
meters2) trailer frontal area.
Note:Exceeding this limitationmay significantly reduce theperformance of your towingvehicle. Selecting a trailer with alow aerodynamic drag and roundedfront design helps optimizeperformance and fuel economy.
Note:For high altitude operation,reduce the gross combined weightby 2% per 1000 feet (300 meters)starting at the 1000 foot (300meter) elevation point.
Note:Certain states requireelectric trailer brakes for trailersover a specified weight. Be sure tocheck state regulations for thisspecified weight. The maximumtrailer weights listed may be limitedto this specified weight, as yourvehicle's electrical system may notinclude the wiring connectorneeded to use electric trailerbrakes.
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II,III and IV trailer or fifth-wheeltrailer provided the maximumtrailer weight is less than or equalto the maximum trailer weightlisted for your vehicleconfiguration on the followingchart.
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Do not use a hitch that eitherclamps onto the bumper orattaches to the axle. You mustdistribute the load in your trailerso that 10-15% for conventionaltowing or 15-25% for fifth wheeltowing of the total weight of thetrailer is on the tongue.
Weight-distributing Hitches
WARNING
Do not adjust aweight-distributing hitch toany position where the rearbumper of the vehicle is higherthan it was before attaching thetrailer. Doing so will defeat thefunction of the weight-distributinghitch, which may causeunpredictable handling, and could
result in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using aweight-distributing hitch, alwaysuse the following procedure:
1.Park the loaded vehicle,without the trailer, on a levelsurface.
2.Measure the height to the topof your vehicle's front wheelopening on the fender. This isH1.
3.Attach the loaded trailer toyour vehicle without theweight-distributing barsconnected.
4.Measure the height to the topof your vehicle's front wheelopening on the fender a secondtime. This is H2.
5.Install and adjust the tensionin the weight-distributing barsso that the height of yourvehicle's front wheel openingon the fender is approximatelyhalfway between H1 and H2.
6.Check that the trailer is level orslightly nose down toward yourvehicle. If not, adjust the ballheight accordingly and repeatSteps 2-6.
Once the trailer is level or slightlynose down toward the vehicle:
•Lock the bar tension adjusterin place.
•Check that the trailer tonguesecurely attaches and locksonto the hitch.
•Install safety chains, lighting,and trailer brake controls asrequired by law or the trailermanufacturer.
Fifth-wheel Trailer Hitch (IfEquipped)
WARNINGS
The mounting pads in the bedare specifically designed forcertain fifth-wheel trailer hitchesand gooseneck ball hitches. Donot use these mounting pads forother purposes. Doing so couldresult in vehicle structural
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gain setting is at a point justbelow trailer wheel lock-up. Iftowing a heavier trailer, trailerwheel lock-up may not beattainable even with themaximum gain setting of 10.
Initial Output Setting
The trailer brake controller letsyou customize how aggressivelythe trailer brakes engage. Thedefault value is set to “Light”. Werecommend this setting for themajority of trailers. If you are usingan EOH trailer with a high settingvoltage, or if you prefer to feelmore brake feedback from thetrailer, then select “Medium” or“Heavy”.
Trailer Brake Effort Setting
The trailer brake controller allowsthe user to customize howaggressively the trailer brakesengage. The default value is "Low"and is the recommended settingfor most trailers. If your trailer'sbrakes require more initial voltage,or if you prefer more aggressivetrailer braking, then select eitherthe "Medium" or the "High"setting.
Information Display WarningMessages
Note:An authorized dealer candiagnose the trailer brake controllerto determine exactly which trailerfault has occurred. However, yourFord warranty does not cover thisdiagnosis if the fault is with thetrailer.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULEFAULT
Displays in response to faultssensed by the trailer brakecontroller, accompanied by asingle tone. If this messageappears, contact an authorizeddealer as soon as possible fordiagnosis and repair. Thecontroller may still function, but
with degraded performance.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER
Displays when there is a shortcircuit on the electric brake outputwire.
If this message displays,accompanied by a single tone,with no trailer connected, theproblem is with your vehicle wiringbetween the trailer brakecontroller and the 7-pin connectorat the bumper.
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•When you switch the engineoff, the controller output isdisabled and the display andmodule shut down. Thecontroller module and displayturn on when you switch theignition on.
•The trailer brake controller isonly a factory-installed ordealer-installed item. Ford isnot responsible for warranty orperformance of the controllerdue to misuse or customerinstallation.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailerlamp wiring to the vehicle'stail lamp wiring; this may damagethe electrical system resulting infire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible forassistance in proper trailer towwiring installation. Additionalelectrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on mosttowed vehicles. Make sure allrunning lights, brake lights, turnsignals and hazard lights areworking.
Using a Step Bumper (IfEquipped)
The rear bumper is equipped withan integral hitch and only requiresa ball with a one-inch (25.4millimeter) shank diameter. Thebumper has a 5000-pound (2268kilogram) trailer weight and a500-pound (227 kilogram) tongueweight capacity
If it is necessary to relocate thehitch ball position, you must installa frame-mounted trailer hitch.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping andbacking up to get the feel of yourvehicle-trailer combination beforestarting on a trip. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailerwheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70mph (113 km/h) during the first500 miles (800 kilometers).
•Do not make full-throttlestarts.
•Check your hitch, electricalconnections and trailer wheel
lug nuts thoroughly after youhave traveled 50 miles (80kilometers).
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