PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
In certain situations, for example stuck in
snow or mud, it may be beneficial for you
to switch the traction control system off.
This allows the wheels to spin with full
engine power.
Note:
A MyKey can be set up to prevent the
MyKey user from switching the traction
control system off. See MyKey ™ (page
47). Press the traction control button located
on the instrument panel. It illuminates
when you switch the system off.
AdvanceTrac with RSC Features
Traction
control system
Electronic
stabilitycontrol
Roll stability
control
Electronic
stability
control off
warning lamp
Button func-
tions
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Illuminated
during bulb
check
Default at
engine start-up
Disabled1
Enabled
Enabled
Illuminated
Button pressed
momentarily
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Not illuminated
Button pressed
again after
deactivation
1 Engine traction control and two-wheel spin brake traction control functions are disabled.
Single-wheel spin traction control is always enabled.
139Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Traction ControlE179110
WARNING
If a malfunction occurs within the
AdvanceTrac system, the traction
control off lamp will illuminate. Make
sure the traction control system was not
manually switched off using the traction
control button. If the traction control lamp
stays on, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer immediately. Operating
your vehicle with traction control disabled
could lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. The traction control lamp
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and flashes
when a driving condition turns the traction
control system on. The traction control off lamp
temporarily illuminates on
engine start-up and stays on
when you switch the traction control
system off, or if a malfunction occurs in
the traction control system.
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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If
Equipped) WARNING
Switching off trailer sway control
increases the risk of loss of vehicle
control, serious injury or death. We
do not recommend disabling this feature
except in situations where speed reduction
may be detrimental, for example
ascending a grade, and the driver has
significant trailer towing experience and
can control trailer sway to maintain safe
operation. This feature applies your vehicle's brakes
at individual wheels and, if necessary,
reduces engine power. If the trailer begins
to sway, the stability control light flashes
and a message appears in the information
display.
Action
Message
Slow your vehicle down,
then pull safely to the side
of the road and check for
correct tongue load and
trailer load distribution. See
Load Carrying
(page 153).
Trailer
sway
Reduce
speed
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 turn on multiple times
to gradually reduce vehicle speed. RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:
Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Vehicles equipped with the Trailer
Tow Package or the Heavy Duty
Payload Package should not
exceed 55 ft² (5.1 m²) 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 ft (300 m) starting
at the
1000 ft (300 m) 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 trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for
your vehicle configuration on the
following charts.
162 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Towing
•
The trailer brake controller is fitted with
a feature that reduces output at vehicle
speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h) so
trailer and vehicle braking is not jerky
or harsh. This feature is only available
when applying the brakes using your
vehicle's brake pedal, not the
controller.
• The controller interacts with the brake
control system and powertrain control
system of your vehicle to provide the
best performance on different road
conditions.
• Your vehicle's brake system and the
trailer brake system work
independently of each other. Changing
the gain setting on the controller does
not affect the operation of your
vehicle's brake system whether you
attach a trailer or not.
• When you switch the engine off, the
controller output is disabled and the
display and module shut down. The
controller module and display turn on
when you switch the ignition on.
• The trailer brake controller is only a
factory-installed or dealer-installed
item. Ford is not responsible for
warranty or performance of the
controller due to misuse or customer
installation.
Trailer Lamps WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact an authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in correct trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lamps,
brake lamps, turn signals and hazard
warning lamps are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph
(113 km/h) until you drive your vehicle
at least 495 mi (800 km). See
Breaking-In
(page 173).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check the tow hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled
50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position park (P
) to aid
engine and transmission cooling and
to help A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or on hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If the transmission is fitted with a
Grade Assist, Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
169 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Towing
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 miles (480
kilometers). During this time, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics. The engine also needs to
break in. Avoid hard accelerations and
driving too fast for the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers). If possible, avoid
carrying heavy loads up steep grades
during the break-in period.
REDUCED ENGINE
PERFORMANCE
WARNING
Continued operation will increase the
engine temperature and cause the
engine to shut down completely.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
needle moves to the upper limit position,
the engine is overheating. See Gauges
(page 73).
You must only drive your vehicle for a short
distance if the engine overheats. The
distance you can travel depends on
ambient temperature, vehicle load and
terrain. The engine will continue to operate
with limited power for a short time.
If the engine temperature continues to rise,
the fuel supply to the engine will reduce.
The air conditioning will switch off and the
engine cooling fan will operate continually.
1. Reduce your speed gradually and stop
your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
2. Switch the engine off immediately to prevent severe engine damage.
3. Wait for the engine to cool down.
4. Check the coolant level. See Engine Coolant Check
(page 206). 5. Have your vehicle checked by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that
may improve your fuel economy:
• Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
•When running errands, go to the
furthest destination first and then
work your way back home.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds. (Traveling
at 65 mph/105 kph uses about 15%
less fuel than traveling at 75 mph/121
kph).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
There are also some things you may want
to avoid doing because they reduce your
fuel economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning
off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
173 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Driving Hints
•
Reduce the use of air conditioning and
heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly
terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4
kilometers/liter] is lost for every 400
lbs [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
• Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of some
components and systems can be affected
at temperatures below -13°F (-25°C).
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNINGS
Drive through water in an emergency
only and not as part of normal
driving.
Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
In an emergency, you can drive your vehicle
through water to a maximum depth of 8
inches (200 millimeters) and at a
maximum speed of 6 mph (10 km/h). You
must take extra care when driving through
flowing water. When driving in water, maintain a low
speed and do not stop your vehicle. After
driving through water and as soon as it is
safe to do so:
•
Depress the brake pedal lightly to
check that the brakes are functioning
correctly.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that your vehicle's lamps are
fully operational.
• Check the power assistance
of the steering system.
FLOOR MATS WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that are
designed to fit the foot well of your
vehicle. Only use floor mats that
leave the pedal area unobstructed. Only
use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out
of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in
other ways. Pedals that cannot move freely can
cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal
injury. Always make sure that the floor
mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are
supplied with your vehicle. Floor mats must
be properly secured to both retention posts
to make sure mats do not shift out of
position. Never place floor mats or any other
covering in the vehicle foot well that
cannot be properly secured to
prevent them from moving and interfering
with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
174 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Driving Hints
GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to help
maintain its roadworthiness and resale
value. There is a large network of Ford
authorized dealers that are there to help
you with their professional servicing
expertise. We believe that their specially
trained technicians are best qualified to
service your vehicle properly and expertly.
They are supported by a wide range of
highly specialized tools developed
specifically for servicing your vehicle.
To help you service your vehicle, we
provide scheduled maintenance
information which makes tracking routine
service easy. See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 433).
If your vehicle requires professional service,
your authorized dealer can provide the
necessary parts and service. Check your
warranty information to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,
fluids and service parts conforming to
specifications. Motorcraft® parts are
designed and built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
Precautions
• Do not work on a hot engine.
• Make sure that nothing gets caught in
moving parts.
• Do not work on a vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed space,
unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
• Keep all open flames and other burning
material (such as cigarettes) away
from the battery and all fuel related
parts. Working with the Engine Off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to
P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key
(if equipped).
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage
and/or personal burn injuries, do not
start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running. 1. Set the parking brake and shift to
P
(Park).
2. Block the wheels
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood 1. Pull the hood release lever.
2. Slightly lift the hood.
200 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 MaintenanceE175221
Air cleaner. See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 223).
A
Engine oil dipstick *
. See
Engine Oil Dipstick (page 204).
B
Brake fluid reservoir *
. See
Brake Fluid Check (page 210).
C
Engine coolant reservoir *
. See
Engine Coolant Check (page 206).
D
Engine compartment fuse box. See
Fuses (page 187).
E
Engine oil filler cap *
. See
Engine Oil Check (page 204).
F
Power steering fluid reservoir *
. See
Power Steering Fluid Check (page 210).
G
Washer fluid reservoir *
. See
Washer Fluid Check (page 210).
H
* The filler caps and the engine oil dipstick are colored for easy identification.
UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW - 3.7L Air cleaner. See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 224
).
A
Engine oil dipstick *
. See
Engine Oil Dipstick (page 204).
B
Brake fluid reservoir *
. See Brake Fluid Check
(page 210).
C
Engine coolant reservoir *
. See
Engine Oil Check (page 204).
D
Engine compartment fuse box. See Fuses
(page 187).
E
Engine oil filler cap *
. See
Engine Oil Check (page 204).
F
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ACD
EGH
B
F