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.
140Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Traction ControlE138639
SPEED LIMITER
Engine Speed Limiter
Engine speed is limited to protect the
engine.
Vehicle Speed Limiter - Fixed
The system prevents you from driving
faster than a programmed speed.
DRIVER ALERT
Principle of Operation
WARNINGS
The system does not relieve you of
your responsibility to drive with due
care and attention.
At all times you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening if
required. If the sensor becomes blocked the
system may not function.
Take regular rest breaks as required
and do not wait for the system to
warn you if you feel tired.
Take rest breaks only where it is safe
to do so.
Certain driving styles and behavior
may result in the system issuing a
warning even if you are not feeling
tired. In cold and severe weather
conditions the system may not
function. Rain, snow, spray and large
contrasts in lighting can all influence the
sensor. The system will not operate if the
sensor cannot track the road lane
markings. WARNINGS
The system may not operate in areas
during roadwork construction.
The system may not operate on
roads with sharp bends or narrow
lanes.
Do not carry out windshield repairs
in the immediate area surrounding
the sensor.
If your vehicle has a suspension kit
not approved by us, the system may
not function correctly.
Note:
Keep the windshield free from
obstructions such as bird droppings, insects
and snow or ice.
Note: The system assists you when driving
on fast main roads and freeways.
Note: The system calculates an alertness
level at vehicle speeds above approximately
40 mph (65 km/h).
The system automatically monitors your
driving behavior.
The system is designed to alert you if it
detects that you are becoming drowsy or
if your driving deteriorates.
Using Driver Alert
Switching the System On and Off
Note: The system will remain on or off
depending on how it was last set.
Switch the system on using the information
display. See Information Displays (page
79).
T
he system will calculate your alertness
level based upon your driving behavior in
relation to the lane markings and other
factors.
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WARNING
Exceeding the Safety
Compliance Certification
Label vehicle weight rating limits
could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance,
engine, transmission and/or
structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of
control and personal injury. GCW (Gross Combined Weight)
- is the Gross Vehicle Weight plus
the weight of the fully loaded
trailer. GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating) - is the maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle
and the loaded trailer, including
all cargo and passengers, that the
vehicle can handle without risking
damage. (Important: The towing
vehicle
’s braking system is rated
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GVW
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
specified on the certification label. Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the
limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage,
transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover and personal
injury. Your vehicle may have electrical
items, for example fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses
(page 187).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading your vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a tow bar with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
correct trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
Owner's Manual. See Load Limit
(page 153). You can also find the
information in the RV & Trailer
Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.
161 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Towing
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.
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•
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.
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