Make sure the front passenger sensing system is operating
properly. SeeCrash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in this
chapter.
If the airbag readiness light is lit, do the following:
The driver and adult passengers should check for objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat, or cargo interfering with the seat.
If there are lodged objects or cargo is interfering with the seat, take the
following steps to remove the obstruction:
• Pull the vehicle over.
• Turn the vehicle off.
• Driver and adult passengers should check for any objects lodged
underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
• Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
• Restart the vehicle.
• Wait at least two minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light in
the instrument cluster is no longer illuminated.
• If the airbag readiness light in the instrument cluster remains
illuminated, this may or may not be a problem due to the front
passenger sensing system.
Do not attempt to repair or service the system. Take your vehicle
immediately to an authorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to
accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer
Relationship Center at the phone number shown in the Customer
Assistance section of this owner’s manual.
SIDE AIRBAGS
WARNING: Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near
the airbag cover, on the side of the seatbacks (of the front seats),
or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying
airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a crash.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of
accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side
airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.
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WARNING:Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag
could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the
airbag, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag,
as you could be seriously injured or killed. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING: If the side airbag has deployed, the airbag will not
function again. The side airbag system (including the seat) must
be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer. If the airbag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The side airbags are located on the outboard side of the seat backs of
the front seats. In certain sideways crashes, the airbag on the side
affected by the crash will be inflated. The airbag was designed to inflate
between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection
provided occupants in side impact crashes. The system consists of the
following:
•A tag on the seatback indicating
that side airbags are found on
your vehicle.
• Side airbags located inside the
seatback of the driver and front
passenger seats.
• Front passenger sensing system.
• Crash sensors and monitoring system with readiness
indicator. See Crash Sensors and Airbag Indicator later in
this chapter.
Note: The passenger sensing system will deactivate the passenger
seat-mounted side airbag if it detects an empty passenger seat.
The design and development of the side airbag system included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags.
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CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of
your vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure
and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of your
vehicle.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which
provide information to the restraints control module. The restraints
control module deploys (activates) the front safety belt pretensioners,
driver airbag, passenger airbag, seat mounted side airbags, and the
Safety Canopy. Based on the type of accident (frontal impact, side
impact or rollover) the restraints control module will deploy the
appropriate safety devices.
The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash sensors. The readiness of the safety system
is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument cluster or by a
backup tone if the warning light is not working. See the Instrument
Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: •The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
• The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless
serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a crash.
The safety belt pretensioners and the airbag supplemental restraint
system are designed to activate when the vehicle sustains frontal or
sideways deceleration sufficient to cause the restraints control module to
deploy a safety device or when a certain likelihood of a rollover event is
detected by the rollover sensor.
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Safety beltReminds you to fasten your safety belt. A Belt-Minder® chime
will also sound to remind you to fasten your safety belt.
Service engine soon Theservice engine soon indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and
to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the “service engine soon”
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the “service
engine soon” light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See the Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing in theFuel and Refueling chapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II) in theFuel and Refueling chapter. If
the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Speed control (if equipped) (RTT) The speed control system indicator light changes color to
indicate what mode the system is in:
• On (gray light-type 1, white light-type 2): Illuminates when the speed
control system is turned on. Turns off when the speed control system
is turned off.
• Engaged (white light-type 1, green light-type 2): Illuminates when the
speed control system is engaged. Turns off when the speed control
system is disengaged.
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Stability Control SystemDisplays when the AdvanceTrac®/Traction control is active. If
the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off Illuminates when AdvanceTrac®/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Turn signal Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
Key In Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the off or accessory
position and the driver’s door is opened.
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds the horn twice when you exit your vehicle with the intelligent
access key, after the last door is closed and your keyless vehicle is in
RUN, indicating your vehicle is still on.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(the key is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking brake on and drive your vehicle.
If the warning chime remains on after you have released the parking
brake, have the system checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
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INFORMATION MESSAGES
Note:Depending on the vehicle options equipped with your vehicle, not
all of the messages will display or be available. Certain messages may be
abbreviated or shortened depending upon which cluster type you have.
Press the OK button to
acknowledge and remove some
messages from the information
display. Other messages will be
removed automatically after a short
time. Certain messages need to be
confirmed before you can access
the menus.
Message indicators: Some messages will be supplemented by a system
specific symbol.
Adaptive Cruise
Control Messages Action / Description
Adaptive Cruise
Malfunction Displayed when a radar malfunction is
preventing the ACC from engaging.
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Displayed when conditions exist such that the
adaptive cruise cannot function properly.
Adaptive Cruise Not
Available Sensor
Blocked Displayed when the radar is blocked because
of poor radar visibility due to bad weather or
ice/mud/water in front of radar. Driver can
typically clean the sensor to resolve.
AdvanceTrac® /
Traction Control Messages Action / Description
Service AdvanceTrac Displayed when the AdvanceTrac® system has detected a condition that requires service.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Traction control off Displayed when the traction control has been disabled by the driver.
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RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, crank time will be a few seconds longer
than normal. With keyless ignition, just start the engine. Crank time
will be longer than usual.
• Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8 liters) may be required.
• The service engine soon indicator may come on. For more information
on the service engine soon indicator, see Warning Lamps and
Indicators in theInstrument Cluster chapter.
Refilling with a Portable Fuel Container
WARNING: Do not insert the nozzle of a portable fuel container
or aftermarket funnel into the capless fuel system. This could
damage the fuel system and its seal, and may cause fuel to run onto the
ground instead of filling the tank, which could result in serious personal
injury.
WARNING: Do not try to pry open or push open the capless fuel
system with foreign objects. This could damage the fuel system
and its seal and cause injury to you or others.
Note: Do not use aftermarket funnels; they will not work with the
capless fuel system and can damage it. The included funnel has been
specially designed to work safely with your vehicle.
When filling the vehicle’s fuel tank from a portable fuel container, use the
funnel included with the vehicle.
1. Locate the white plastic funnel in the spare tire compartment.
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING: Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment. If you
smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic converter and
other emission control components continue to work properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
• Have the items listed in Scheduled Maintenance Information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in Scheduled Maintenance
Information are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft® or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Illumination of the service engine soon indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
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