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.
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Calculating the Maximum
Loaded Trailer Weight for Your
Vehicle
1. Start with the gross combined
weight rating for your vehicle
model and axle ratio. See the
previous charts.
2. Subtract all of the following
that apply to your vehicle:
• Vehicle curb weight
• Hitch hardware weight, such as
a draw bar, ball, locks or weight
distributing hardware
• Driver weight
• Passenger(s) weight
• Payload, cargo and luggage
weight
• Aftermarket equipment weight.
This equals the maximum loaded
trailer weight for this combination.
Note: The trailer tongue load is
considered part of the payload for
your vehicle. Reduce the total
payload by the final trailer tongue
weight.
Note: Consult an authorized dealer
to determine the maximum trailer
weight allowed for your vehicle if
you are not sure. ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle
has covered at least 1000 mi
(1,600 km). See Breaking-In (page
173).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the correct
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See
Scheduled
Maintenance (page 433).
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
For load specification terms found on the
tire label, Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
maximum load. See
Load Limit (page
153).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector
(If Equipped) Your vehicle is fitted with both a 7 pin and
4 pin trailer wiring connector.
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The controller shows gain setting, output bar graph and the trailer connectivity
status in the information display as follows:
Action and Description
Message
Displays the current gain setting during a given ignition cycle
and when adjusting the gain setting. This also displays if you
use the manual control lever or make gain adjustments with
no trailer connected.
Trailer Brake
Gain:
No Trailer
Displays when you press your vehicle's brake pedal, or upon
use of the manual control lever. Bar indicators illuminate in
the information display to indicate the amount of power going
to the trailer brakes relative to the brake pedal or manual
control input. One bar indicates the least amount of output;
six bars indicate maximum output.
Trailer Brake
Gain:
Output:
Displays when the system senses a correct trailer wiring
connection during a given ignition cycle. For example a trailer
with electric trailer brakes.
Trailer Connected
Displays when the system senses a trailer connection and
then a disconnection, either intentional or unintentional,
during a given ignition cycle, this is accompanied by a single
audible tone. It also displays if a vehicle or trailer-wiring fault
occurs causing the trailer to appear disconnected. This
message can also display if you use the manual control lever
without a trailer connected.
Trailer Disconnected
Procedure for Adjusting the Gain Setting
The gain setting sets the trailer brake
controller for the specific towing condition.
You should change the setting as towing
conditions change. Changes to towing
conditions include trailer load, vehicle load,
road conditions and weather.
The gain should be set to provide the
maximum trailer braking assistance while
making sure the trailer wheels do not lock
when using the brakes. Locked trailer
wheels may lead to trailer instability.
Note: Only carry out this procedure in a
traffic-free environment at speeds of
approximately 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h). 1.
Make sure the trailer brakes are in good
working condition, functioning normally
and correctly adjusted. See a trailer
dealer if necessary.
2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connections according to the
trailer manufacturer's instructions.
3. Use the gain adjustment + and - buttons to increase or decrease the
gain setting to the desired starting
point. A gain setting of six is a good
starting point for heavier loads.
4. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry, level surface at a speed
of 20-25 mph (30-40 km/h) and slide
the manual control lever completely.
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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 two-wheel
drive vehicle towed with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the
rear wheels off the ground.
We recommend towing a four-wheel drive
vehicle with all wheels off the ground, such
as using a wheel lift and dollies or flatbed
equipment. However, it is acceptable to
use a wheel lift to raise the rear of your
vehicle so long as, depending on vehicle
configuration, you perform the following
before towing.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle is disabled and you have no
access to a tow dolly, car-hauling trailer or
a flatbed transport vehicle, it can only be
flat-towed with all wheels on the ground
under the following conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward so that
it is towed in a forward direction.
• The transmission selector lever is
placed in position N. If the transmission
gear shift lever cannot be moved to
position N, it may need to be
overridden. See Automatic
Transmission (page 133).
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is 50 miles (80
kilometers).
Drive off slowly and smoothly without
jerking the vehicle that is being towed.
Tow ropes or rigid towing bars must be
placed on the same side. For example; right
hand rear towing point to right hand front
towing point.
You must use a tow rope or rigid towing
bar that is of the correct strength for the
weight of the towing vehicle and the
vehicle that is being towed.
Note: Using a rigid towing bar is the safest
way to tow a vehicle.
The weight of the vehicle that is being
towed must not exceed the weight of the
towing vehicle.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Follow these guidelines to prevent damage
to your vehicle ’s transmission if you have
a need for recreational vehicle towing. For
example; towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
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Press Add to program an entry. Once you
make a selection, the system tries to avoid
the area(s) if possible for all routes. To
delete a selection, choose the listing on
the screen. When the screen changes to
Avoid Areas Edit
, you can press Delete
at the bottom right of the screen.
Map Mode
Press the green bar in the upper right area
of the touchscreen to view map mode. Map
mode shows advanced viewing comprised
of both 2D city maps as well as 3D
landmarks (when available).
2D city maps show detailed outlines of
buildings, visible land use and land
elements and detailed railway
infrastructure for the most essential cities
around the globe. These maps also contain
features, such as town blocks, building
footprints and railways.
3D landmarks appear as clear, visible
objects that are typically recognizable and
have a certain tourist value. The 3D
landmarks appear in 3D map mode only.
Coverage varies and improves with
updated map releases. Change the appearance of the map display
by repeatedly pressing the arrow button in
the upper left corner of the screen. It
toggles between three different map
modes: Heading up, North up and 3D. Heading up (2D map)
always
shows the direction of forward
travel to be upward on the screen.
This view is available for map
scales up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers). The
system remembers this setting for larger
map scales, but shows the map in North
up only. If the scale returns below this level,
the system restores Heading up. North up (2D map) always shows
the northern direction to be
upward on the screen.
3D map mode
provides an
elevated perspective of the map.
This viewing angle can be adjusted
and the map can be rotated 180
degrees by touching the map twice, and
then dragging your finger along the shaded
bar with arrows at the bottom of the map.
View
switches between full map, street
list and exit view in route guidance.
Menu
displays a pop-up box that allows
direct access to navigation settings,
View/Edit Route, SIRIUS Travel Link,
Guidance Mute and Cancel Route. Press the speaker button on the
map to mute route guidance.
When the light on the button
illuminates, the feature is on. The speaker
button appears on the map only when
route guidance is active. Re-center the map by pressing
this icon whenever you scroll the
map away from your vehicle
’s
current location.
Auto Zoom
Press the green bar to access map mode,
then select the + or - zoom button to bring
up the zoom level and Auto buttons on the
touchscreen. When you press Auto, Auto
Zoom turns on and Auto displays in the
bottom left corner of the screen in the map
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Phone...............................................................387
Making C alls........................................................ 389
Pairing Subsequent Cell Phones.................389
Pairing Your Cell Phone for the First Time.................................................................. 388
Phone Menu Options....................................... 390
Phone Settings................................................... 393
Phone Voice Commands................................ 394
Receiving Calls................................................... 390
Text Messaging.................................................... 391
Post-Crash Alert System
...........................180
Power Door Locks See: Locking and Unlocking............................. 54
Power Seats.....................................................98 P
ower Lumbar...................................................... 99
Power Steering Fluid Check.....................210 Adding Power Steering Fluid.......................... 210
Power Windows..............................................70 Accessory Delay.................................................... 70
Bounce-Back......................................................... 70
Driver Side One-Touch Down.......................... 70
Driver Side One-Touch Up................................ 70
R
Rear Passenger Climate Controls............93
Rear Quarter Windows
.................................72
Closing the Rear Windows................................ 72
Opening the Rear Windows.............................. 72
Rear Seats........................................................
99
Installing the Seats............................................. 101
Recline Adjustment........................................... 100
Removing Seats, 12 & 15 Passenger Vehicles............................................................. 100
Rear View Camera.......................................
144
Switching the Rear View Camera Off.........146
Switching the Rear View Camera On..........145
Using the Display................................................ 145
Vehicles with Parking Aid................................ 146
Rear View Camera See: Rear View Camera.................................... 144
Recommended Towing Weights............162 Calculating the Maximum Loaded Trailer
Weight for Your Vehicle............................... 164
Reduced Engine Performance.................173
Refueling..........................................................120 Remote Control..............................................44
C
ar Finder................................................................ 45
Integrated Key head Transmitter...................44
Programming a New Remote Control..........45
Replacing the Battery......................................... 45
Sounding a Panic Alarm.................................... 46
Removing a Headlamp...............................216
Repairing Minor Paint Damage..............230
Replacement Parts Recommendation........................................10
Collision Repairs..................................................... 11
Scheduled Maintenance and Mechanical Repairs................................................................... 11
Warranty on Replacement Parts...................... 11
Replacing a Lost Key or Remote Control............................................................46
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)..............................................................186
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)...............................................................185
Roadside Assistance...................................
176
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Getting Roadside
Assistance.........................................................176
Vehicles Sold in Canada: Using Roadside Assistance.........................................................176
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Getting Roadside Assistance.................................... 176
Vehicles Sold in the United States: Using Roadside Assistance.................................... 176
Roadside Emergencies...............................176
Running-In See: Breaking-In................................................... 173
Running Out of Fuel......................................115 Adding Fuel From a Portable Fuel
Container........................................................... 115
Filling a Portable Fuel Container................... 115
S
Safety Belt Height Adjustment................30
Safety Belt Minder..........................................31 Belt-Minder®.......................................................... 31
Safety Belts.......................................................27 Principle of Operation......................................... 27
Safety Belt Warning Lamp and Indicator Chime..............................................................30
Conditions of operation...................................... 31
Safety Canopy ™.............................................
41
455 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 03/2014 Index