If your vehicle loses electrical power while
you are driving, electric power steering
assistance is lost. The steering system still
operates and you can steer your vehicle
manually. Manually steering your vehicle
requires more effort.
Extreme continuous steering may increase
the effort required for you to steer your
vehicle. This increased effort prevents
overheating and permanent damage to the
steering system. You do not lose the ability
to steer your vehicle manually. Typical
steering and driving maneuvers allow the
system to cool and return to normal
operation.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•
Correct tire pressures.
• Uneven tire wear.
• Loose or worn suspension components.
• Loose or worn steering components.
• Improper vehicle alignment. Note:
A high crown in the road or high
crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander or pull.
Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning helps correct road
irregularities and improves overall handling
and steering feel. It communicates with the
brake system to help operate advanced
stability control and accident avoidance
systems. Additionally, whenever the battery
is disconnected or a new battery installed,
you must drive your vehicle a short distance
before the system relearns the strategy and
reactivates all systems. COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM (If
Equipped)
Principle Of Operation
(If Equipped) WARNINGS
This system is an extra driving aid. It
does not replace your attention and
judgment, or the need to apply the brakes.
This system does NOT automatically brake
your vehicle. If you fail to press the brake
pedal when necessary, you may collide with
another vehicle. The collision warning system with
brake support cannot help prevent all
collisions. Do not rely on this system to
replace your judgment and the need to
maintain correct distance and speed. Note:
The system does not detect, warn or
respond to potential collisions with vehicles
to the rear or sides of your vehicle.
Note: The collision warning system is active
at speeds above approximately
5 mph
(8 km/h).
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The system alerts you of certain collision
risks. The system's sensor detects your
vehicle's rapid approach to other vehicles
traveling in the same direction as your
vehicle.
When your vehicle rapidly approaches
another vehicle, a red warning light flashes
and a tone sounds. The brake support system assists you in
reducing any collision speed by pre-charging
the brakes. If the risk of collision continues
to increases after the audio-visual warning,
the brake support prepares the brake system
for rapid braking. The system does not
automatically activate the brakes, but if the
brake pedal is pressed even lightly, the
brakes apply full stopping power.
Using the Collision Warning System
WARNING
The collision warning system
’s brake
support reduces collision speed only
if you brake your vehicle before any collision.
As in any typical braking situation, you must
press your brake pedal. You can use your information display control
to adjust the warning system's sensitivity to
any one of three possible settings. See
General Information (page 109). Note:
When possible, the manufacturer
recommends using the highest sensitivity
setting. If warnings are too frequent, you can
reduce your system's sensitivity. Reduced
sensitivity causes fewer and later system
warnings.
See General Information (page
109).
Blocked Sensors If a blocked sensor message appears in the
information display, dirt, water, or an object
is blocking the sensor. The sensor is located
behind a cover near the driver side of the
lower grille. If anything blocks the sensor,
your vehicle cannot see through the sensor,
and the collision warning system will not
work. Possible causes for the blocked sensor
message and corrective actions are listed
below.
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Action
Cause
Clean the radar sensor cover or remove the obstruction
The radar sensor cover in the grille is dirty or obstructed
Wait a short time. The radar may take several minutes to reset afteryou remove the obstruction
The surface of the radar sensor cover is clean but the message
remains in the display
The collision warning system is temporarily disabled. Shortly after
weather conditions improve, the collision warning system automatically reactivates
Heavy rain, spray, snow or fog in the air interferes with the radar
signals
The collision warning system is temporarily disabled. Shortly after
weather conditions improve, the collision warning system automatically reactivates
Swirling water, snow or ice on the road surface interferes with the
radar signals
System Limitations WARNING
The collision warning system
’s brake
support only reduces collision speed
if you first apply your brakes. You must brake
as you would in any typical braking situation. Due to the nature of radar technology, there
may be certain instances where vehicles do
not provide a collision warning. These
include: •
Stationary vehicles or vehicles moving
below 6 mph (10 km/h).
• Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.
• Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.
• Severe weather conditions (see blocked
sensor section).
• Debris build-up on the grille near the
headlamps (see blocked sensor section).
• Small distance to vehicle ahead.
• Large steering wheel and pedal
movements (very active driving style). Damage to the front end of the vehicle may
alter the radar sensor's coverage area. This
may result in missed or false collision
warnings. Have an authorized dealer check
your radar sensor for proper coverage and
operation.
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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
for operation at Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating, not at Gross Combined Weight
Rating.) Separate functional brakes
should be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the Gross Combined Weight of the towing vehicle
plus the trailer exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating of the towing vehicle. The
Gross Combined Weight must never
exceed the Gross Combined Weight
Rating.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight -
is
the highest possible weight of a fully
loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It
assumes a vehicle with mandatory
options, driver and front passenger
weight (150 pounds [68 kilograms] each),
no cargo weight (internal or external)
and a tongue load of 10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight
of 15–25% (fifth wheel trailer). Consult
an authorized dealer (or the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide available at an
authorized dealer) for more detailed
information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin
Weight - refers to the amount of the
weight that a trailer pushes down on a
trailer hitch.
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GVW
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR 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,
such as fuses or relays, related to
towing. See the Fuses chapter. Your vehicle's load capacity designation
is by weight, not by volume, so you
cannot necessarily use all available
space when loading a vehicle or trailer.
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
proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing is located in
another chapter of this manual. See
Load Limit (page 232).
You can also find information in the
RV
& Trailer Towing Guide available at your
authorized dealer, or online.
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RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (If Equipped) WARNING
Turning off trailer sway control
increases the risk of loss of vehicle
control, serious injury or death. Ford does
not recommend disabling this feature except
in situations where speed reduction may be
detrimental (such as hill climbing), the driver
has significant trailer towing experience, and
can control trailer sway and maintain safe
operation. Note:
This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it when it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying. Note:
In some cases, if your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed.
The system applies the brakes to the
individual wheels and reduces engine torque
to aid vehicle stability. If the trailer begins
to sway, the stability control warning lamp
flashes and a message appears in the
information display. See Information
Messages (page 115). Slow your vehicle
down, pull safely to the side of the road and
check for correct load distribution.
You can switch this feature off in the
information display. When you switch the
ignition on, the system automatically turns
on. RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note:
Do not exceed the trailer weight for
your vehicle configuration listed in the chart
below.
Note: Be sure to take into consideration
trailer frontal area. Do not exceed 20 feet 2
(1.86 meters 2
) if your vehicle is not equipped
with a towing package or 30 feet 2
(2.79
meters 2
) if your vehicle is equipped with a
towing package.
Note: For high altitude operation, reduce the
gross combined weight by 2% per
1,000 ft
(300 m) starting at the 1,000 ft (300 m)
elevation point.
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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 the vehicle ’s electrical system
may not include the wiring connector needed
to activate 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 chart. Maximum trailer weight
1
Maximum GCWR
Powertrain
2000 lb (907 kg)
6220 lb (2821 kg)
2.0L GTDI FWD 2
2000 lb (907 kg)
6400 lb (2903 kg)
2.0L GTDI AWD 2
2000 lb (907 kg)
6420 lb (2912 kg)
2.3L GTDI AWD 2
3000 lb (1361 kg)
7220 lb (3275 kg)
2.0L GTDI FWD 3
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Safety Chains
Note:
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’ s safety chains, cross
them under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning tight corners. Do
not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your vehicle's
brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of
having a collision greatly increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install
them properly and adjust them to the
manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and federal
regulations. The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1500
pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.
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 your authorized dealer as
soon as possible for assistance in proper
trailer tow wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required. Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights 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) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after
you have traveled 50 miles (80
kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position P to aid engine and
transmission cooling and to help A/C
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control
may turn off automatically when you are
towing on long, steep grades.
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