
Transmission
Automatic Transmission................................139
All-Wheel Drive
Using All-Wheel Drive
......................................142
Brakes
General Information.........................................147
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes................................................................147
Parking Brake......................................................148
Hill Start Assist
..................................................148
Traction Control
Principle of Operation.....................................150
Using Traction Control....................................150
Stability Control
Principle of Operation.......................................151
Using Stability Control....................................152
Parking Aids
Parking Aid
...........................................................153
Active Park Assist..............................................155
Rear View Camera
............................................160 Cruise Control
Principle of Operation
.....................................163
Using Cruise Control........................................163
Using Adaptive Cruise Control
.....................164
Driving Aids
Driver Alert.............................................................171
Lane Keeping System.......................................172
Blind Spot Information System
...................176
Steering..................................................................181
Collision Warning System..............................182
Drive Control
.......................................................185
Load Carrying
Load Limit
............................................................187
Towing
Towing a Trailer..................................................198
Recommended Towing Weights.................199
Essential Towing Checks..............................200
Transporting the Vehicle...............................202
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels..........202
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.........................................................204
Economical Driving
.........................................204 Driving Through Water...................................204
Floor Mats...........................................................205
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance
.......................................207
Hazard Warning Flashers..............................208
Fuel Shutoff.......................................................208
Jump Starting the Vehicle............................209
Post-Crash Alert System.................................211
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need.....................212
In California (U.S. Only)..................................213
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only)
...........................214
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only)
................................................215
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada..............................................................215
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature..........................................................216
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only)........217
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only)...................................................................217
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart
................................218
3
MKS (), enUSA Table of Contents 

Pregnant women should always wear their
safety belt. The lap belt portion of a
combination lap and shoulder belt should be
positioned low across the hips below the
belly and worn as tight as comfort will allow.
The shoulder belt should be positioned to
cross the middle of the shoulder and the
center of the chest.
Safety Belt Locking Modes
WARNINGS
After any vehicle crash, the safety belt
system at all passenger seating
positions must be checked by an
authorized dealer to verify that the automatic
locking retractor feature for child seats is still
functioning properly. In addition, all safety
belts should be checked for proper function. WARNINGS
The belt and retractor assembly must
be replaced if the safety belt assembly
automatic locking retractor feature or
any other safety belt function is not operating
properly when checked by an authorized
dealer. Failure to replace the belt and
retractor assembly could increase the risk of
injury in crashes. All safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The
driver safety belt has the first type of locking
mode, and the front outboard passenger and
rear seat safety belts have both types of
locking modes described as follows:
Vehicle Sensitive Mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which
allows free shoulder belt length adjustment
to your movements and locking in response
to vehicle movement. For example, if the
driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
about 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the
combination safety belts will lock to help
reduce forward movement of the driver and
passengers.In addition, the retractor is designed to lock
if the webbing is pulled out too quickly. If this
occurs, let the belt retract slightly and pull
webbing out again in a slow and controlled
manner.
Automatic Locking Mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically pre-locked. The belt will still
retract to remove any slack in the shoulder
belt. The automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver safety belt.
When to Use the Automatic Locking Mode
This mode should be used any time a child
safety seat, except a booster, is installed in
passenger front or rear seating positions.
Children 12 years old and under should be
properly restrained in a rear seating position
whenever possible.  See Child Safety (page
14).
29
MKS (), enUSA Safety BeltsE142590  

Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Moving
WARNING
Switching off the engine when the
vehicle is still moving will result in a loss
of brake and steering assistance. The
steering will not lock, but higher effort will be
required. When the ignition is switched off,
some electrical circuits, including air bags,
warning lamps and indicators may also be
off. If the ignition was turned off accidentally,
you can shift into neutral (N) and re-start the
engine. 1.
Press and hold the button for one second,
or press it three times within two seconds.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to neutral (N) and use the brakes to bring
your vehicle to a safe stop. When your
vehicle has stopped, move the
transmission selector lever to park (P)
and switch the ignition off.
3. Apply the parking brake. Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your vehicle checked by
your authorized dealer immediately. Do
not drive your vehicle if you smell exhaust
fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid its
dangerous effects. Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and then leave the
engine idling for long periods, we recommend
that you do one of the following:
•
Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5
centimeters).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (If Equipped) WARNINGS
Failure to follow engine block heater
instructions could result in property
damage or serious personal injury. WARNINGS
Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk
of electrical shock. Note:
The heater is most effective when
outdoor temperatures are below 0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warming
the engine coolant. This allows the climate
control system to respond quickly. The
equipment includes a heater element
(installed in the engine block) and a wire
harness. You can connect the system to a
grounded 120-volt AC electrical source.
We recommend that you do the following for
a safe and correct operation:
• Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord
that is product certified by Underwriter ’s
Laboratory (UL) or Canadian Standards
Association (CSA). This extension cord
must be suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly marked
Suitable for Use with Outdoor Appliances.
Do not use an indoor extension cord
outdoors. This could result in an electric
shock or become a fire hazard.
• Use as short an extension cord as
possible.
129
MKS (), enUSA Starting and Stopping the Engine 

With your vehicle in Drive (D), the paddle
shifters provide temporary manual control.
They allow you the ability to shift gears
quickly, without taking your hands off the
steering wheel.
You can achieve extensive manual control
by moving the gearshift lever to the Sport (S)
position.
•
Pull the right paddle (+) to upshift.
• Pull the left paddle (–) to downshift. The system determines when temporary
manual control is no longer in use and returns
to automatic control.
Upshift to the recommended shift speeds
according to the following chart: Upshifts when accelerating (recommended
for best fuel economy)
Shift from: 15 mph (24 km/h)
1 - 2
25 mph (40 km/h)
2 - 3
40 mph (64 km/h)
3 - 4
45 mph (72 km/h)
4 - 5
50 mph (80 km/h)
5 - 6
The instrument cluster will display your
currently selected gear.
The transmission will automatically upshift
if your engine speed is too high or downshift
if your engine speed is too low.
Note: The system will stay in manual control
until you move the gearshift lever to another
position. For example, Drive (D).
Note: Engine damage may occur if excessive
engine revving is held without shifting. Brake-Shift Interlock WARNINGS
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brake lamps are working.
When doing this procedure, you will be
taking the vehicle out of park which
means your vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always
fully set the parking brake prior to doing this
procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate. If the parking brake is fully released, but
the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer. Note:
See an authorized dealer as soon as
possible if this procedure is used.
Note: For some markets this feature will be
disabled.
Use the brake shift interlock lever to move
the gearshift lever from the park position in
the event of an electrical malfunction or if
your vehicle has a dead battery.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
off before performing this procedure.
140
MKS (), enUSA TransmissionE144821  

If Your Vehicle Goes Off the Edge of the
Pavement
•
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the
pavement, slow down, but avoid severe
brake application. Ease the vehicle back
onto the pavement only after reducing
your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the
road surface.
• It may be safer to stay on the apron or
shoulder of the road and slow down
gradually before returning to the
pavement. You may lose control if you do
not slow down or if you turn the steering
wheel too sharply or abruptly.
• It often may be less risky to strike small
objects, such as highway reflectors, with
minor damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the pavement
which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover.
Remember, your safety and the safety of
others should be your primary concern. If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully and
make sure the transmission is in park
(P). Turn the ignition to the lock
position or turn the vehicle off using the
start/stop button and remove the key
whenever you leave your vehicle. If you release the parking brake and the
brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer. Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph
(56 km/h). The tires may fail and injure
a passenger or bystander. Note:
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is
not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock the vehicle for more than a
few minutes or damage to the transmission
and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow you
can rock it out by shifting between forward
and reverse gears, stopping between shifts,
in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the
accelerator in each gear. If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control
™,
it may be beneficial to disengage the
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control ™
system while attempting to rock the vehicle.
Emergency Maneuvers
• In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be
made, remember to avoid "over-driving"
your vehicle (i.e., turn the steering wheel
only as rapidly and as far as required to
avoid the emergency). Excessive steering
results in less vehicle control, not more.
Additionally, if changes in vehicle speed
are necessary, use smooth variations of
accelerator and/or brake pedal pressure
to adjust vehicle speed. Avoid abrupt
143
MKS (), enUSA All-Wheel Drive
 (If Equipped) 

steering, acceleration or braking which
could result in an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or
personal injury. Use all available road
surface to return the vehicle to a safe
direction of travel.
• In the event of an emergency stop, avoid
skidding the tires and do not attempt any
sharp steering wheel movements.
• If the vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (i.e., from concrete to
gravel) the way the vehicle responds to
a maneuver changes (steering,
acceleration or braking). Again, avoid
these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to
a lower gear and drive steadily through the
terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and
avoid excessive wheel slip.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for an
extended period of time. This could cause
the AWD system to overheat and default to
front-wheel drive. If this occurs AWD Off
displays in the Information Display. To
resume normal AWD function as soon as
possible, stop the vehicle in a safe location and stop the engine for at least 10 minutes.
After the engine restarts and the AWD
system has adequately cooled, the AWD Off
message turns off and normal AWD function
returns. In the event you do not stop the
engine, the AWD Off message turns off when
the system cools and normal AWD function
returns.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use a low
gear when possible. Low gear operation
maximizes the engine and transmission
cooling capability. Under severe operating
conditions, the A/C may cycle on and off to
protect overheating of the engine.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle
momentum can work against you and cause
the vehicle to become stuck to the point that
assistance may be required from another
vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with
caution.
Mud and Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may be
limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth; avoid water higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the bottom of
the hubs (for trucks) (if possible) and
proceed slowly. If the ignition system gets
wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying improves
when you move your vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
144
MKS (), enUSA All-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)E142667  

Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not 
“pump” the
brakes.
Driving on Snow and Ice WARNING
If you are driving in slippery conditions
that require tire chains or cables, then
it is critical that you drive cautiously.
Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping
distances and avoid aggressive steering to
reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle
control which can lead to serious injury or
death. If the rear end of the vehicle slides
while cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of the vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
transmission damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like any
other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control. Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and ice.
Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily
when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than a
two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it
does not stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for stopping.
Drive slower than usual and consider using
one of the lower gears. In emergency
stopping situations, apply the brake steadily.
Since your vehicle is equipped with a four
wheel (ABS), do not 
“pump” the brakes.  See
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page 147). Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your
vehicle provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, Ford
Motor Company strongly recommends that
you do not make modifications such as
adding or removing parts (such as lowering
kits or stabilizer bars) or by using
replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the
center of gravity can make it more likely the
vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of
control. Ford Motor Company recommends
you use caution with any vehicle equipped
with a high load or device (such as ladder or
luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may
void the warranty, increase your repair cost,
reduce vehicle performance and operational
capabilities and adversely affect driver and
passenger safety. If the vehicle experiences
off-highway use, check the vehicle chassis
components more frequently.
146
MKS (), enUSA All-Wheel Drive
 (If Equipped) 

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a
metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the brake
linings may be worn-out. Have the system
checked by an authorized dealer. If your vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the
steering wheel while braking, have it checked
by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving conditions.
Some dust is inevitable as the brakes wear
and does not contribute to brake noise.  See
Cleaning the Alloy Wheels (page 261). See 
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 84).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a few
times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes
stuck or entrapped, apply steady and firm
pressure to the brake pedal to slow the
vehicle and reduce engine power. If you
experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Move the transmission to park (P), switch the
engine off and apply the parking brake.
Inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake rapidly
by measuring the rate at which you press the
brake pedal. It provides maximum braking
efficiency as long as you press the pedal, and
can reduce stopping distances in critical
situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking.
This lamp momentarily illuminates
when you turn the ignition on. If the
light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the system
may be disabled. Have the system checked
by an authorized dealer. If the anti-lock brake
system is disabled, normal braking is still
effective. If the brake warning lamp
illuminates when you release the
parking brake, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-
LOCK BRAKES
Note: When the system is operating, the brake
pedal will pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may
also hear a noise from the system. This is
normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
147
MKS (), enUSA BrakesE144522  E144522