
Operating AWD Vehicles With
Mismatched Tires
WARNING
Only use replacement tires and wheels
that are the same size, load index,
speed rating and type (such as
P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season
versus all-terrain) as those originally provided
by Ford. The recommended tire and wheel
size may be found on either the Safety
Compliance Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post,
or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver ’s seating position), or
the Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar
or edge of the driver ’s door. If this information
is not found on these labels, then you should
contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. Use of any tire or wheel not
recommended by Ford can affect the safety
and performance of your vehicle, which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. Additionally the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case or power transfer unit failure. If you have
questions regarding tire replacement, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes between the front
and rear axles (for example, 17 inch low
profile tires on the front axle and 22 inch high
profile tires on the rear axle) could cause the
AWD system to stop functioning and default
to front-wheel drive or damage the AWD
system. However, the AWD system is capable
of tolerating any combination of new and
worn tires of the same original tire size. For
example, using 3 worn tread tires and 1 new
tread tire all of the same original tire size, can
be tolerated by the AWD system.
Driving In Special Conditions With
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD vehicles are equipped for driving on
sand, snow, mud and rough roads and have
operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on
and off the highway.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use a low
gear when possible. Lower gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission
cooling capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the A/C
may cycle on and off to protect overheating
of the engine.
Basic operating principles in special
conditions
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• Be extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice.
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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 P
(Park). 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 the parking brake is fully released, but
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 it
may be rocked 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 (that is, turn the steering
wheel only as rapidly and as far as
required to avoid the emergency).
Excessive steering will result in less
vehicle control, not more. Additionally,
smooth variations of the accelerator
and/or brake pedal pressure should be
utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering,
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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 (that is, from concrete
to gravel) there will be a change in the
way the vehicle responds to a maneuver
(steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
Most of the time traction control improves
tire traction by managing wheel slip through
Brake, Engine, and AWD calibrations.
However, during low speed driving, disabling
traction control in deep sand can help keep
the wheels moving to maintain vehicle
momentum.
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 spinning the wheels. 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, an AWD OFF
message 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 has been restarted and the
AWD system has adequately cooled, the
AWD OFF message turns off and normal
AWD function returns. In the event the engine
is not stopped, 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 L (Low)
gear when possible. L (Low) gear operation
will maximize 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 can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in
slick mud. As when you are driving over sand,
apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide,
steer in the direction of the slide until you
regain control of the vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires. Excess
mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage
drive components.
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(If Equipped)

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
driveline 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
won
’t 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 150).
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your
vehicle have been designed and tested to
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
that caution be used 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. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended
if the vehicle is subjected to off-highway
usage.
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(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 268).
Note: Depending on applicable laws and
regulations in the country for which your
vehicle was originally built, your brake lamps
may flash during heavy braking. Following this,
your hazard lights may also flash when your
vehicle comes to a stop. See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 85).
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 may 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.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involving braking
system, aftermarket roof racks,
suspension, steering system, tire
construction and wheel and tire size may
change the handling characteristics of your
vehicle and may adversely affect the
performance of the electronic stability
control system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and
adversely affect the electronic stability
control system. Install any aftermarket stereo
loudspeaker as far as possible from the front
center console, the tunnel, and the front
seats in order to minimize the risk of
interfering with the electronic stability control
sensors. Reducing the effectiveness of the
electronic stability control system could lead
to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Remember that even advanced
technology cannot defy the laws of
physics. It’
s always possible to lose
control of a vehicle due to inappropriate
driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you
to lose control of your vehicle increasing the
risk of personal injury or property damage. WARNINGS
Activation of the electronic stability control
system is an indication that at least some of
the tires have exceeded their ability to grip
the road; this could reduce the operator ’s
ability to control the vehicle potentially
resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death. If your
electronic stability control system activates,
SLOW DOWN. The system automatically turns on each time
you switch the ignition on.
If a driving condition activates either the
stability control or the traction control system
you may experience the following conditions:
•
The stability and traction control light
flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
• A vibration in the brake pedal. •
The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
• If the driving condition is severe and your
foot is not on the brake, the brake pedal
may move as the system applies higher
brake forces.
The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle ’s ability
to prevent skids or lateral slides by applying
brakes to one or more of the wheels
individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power.
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If the transmission is in drive (D) or any other
forward gear (for example, low (L), sport (S)
or any forward gear in a manual
transmission), the front sensing system
provides audio warnings when your vehicle
is moving below a speed of 7 mph (12 km/h)
and an obstacle is located inside the
detection area.
ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (If Equipped)
WARNINGS
Designed to be a supplementary park
aid, this system may not work in all
conditions. This system cannot replace
the driver ’s attention and judgment. The
driver is responsible for avoiding hazards and
maintaining a safe distance and speed, even
when the system is in use. Active Park Assist does not apply the
brakes under any circumstances.
Note:
The driver is always responsible for
controlling the vehicle, supervising the system
and intervening if required by grabbing the
steering wheel or pressing the active park
assist button (if equipped). Note:
The sensors may not detect objects in
heavy rain, snow or other conditions that cause
disruptive reflections.
Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or fascia, free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt. Covered sensors can
affect the system's accuracy. Do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects.
Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Active Park Assist is an electric parking aid
that uses ultrasonic sensors. The system
detects an available parallel parking space
and automatically steers your vehicle into
the space (hands-free) while you control the
accelerator, gearshift and brakes. The system
visually and audibly instructs you to park your
vehicle.
The system may not function correctly if
something passes between the front bumper
and the parking space (a pedestrian or
cyclist) or if the edge of the neighboring
parked vehicle is high off the ground (for
example, a bus, tow truck or flatbed truck).
If you are uncomfortable with the proximity
to any vehicle or object, you may choose to
override the system. The system may not operate correctly in any
of the following conditions:
•
You use a spare tire or a tire significantly
worn more than the other tires.
• One or more tires are improperly inflated.
• You try to park on a tight curve.
Do not use the system if:
• You have attached a bike rack, trailer or
similar object to the front or rear of your
vehicle, close to the sensors.
• You have attached an overhanging object
(surfboard) to the roof.
• The front bumper or side sensors are
damaged or obstructed (front bumper
cover).
• The correct tire size is not in use on your
vehicle (for example, a mini-spare tire).
Using Active Park Assist Press the button to turn the system
on or off.
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When driving at a speed less than 22 mph
(35 km/h), the system automatically scans
both sides of your vehicle for an available
parking space. A message and a
corresponding graphic appears in the display screen to indicate it is searching for a parking
space. Use the direction indicator to indicate
which side of your vehicle you want the
system to search.
Note:
If the direction indicator is not on, the
system automatically searches on your
vehicle's passenger side. When the system finds a suitable space, the
touchscreen displays a message and a chime
sounds. Slow down, continue moving forward
and stop when another chime sounds and a
message displays on the touchscreen, then
follow the instructions on the touchscreen.
Note:
You must observe that the selected
space remains clear of obstructions at all
times in the maneuver. Note:
Active park assist may not detect
vehicles with overhanging loads (a bus or a
truck), street furniture and other items. You
must make sure the selected space is suitable
for parking.
Note: You should drive your vehicle within
5 ft
(1.5 m) and as parallel to the other vehicles as
possible while passing a parking space.
Note: The system always offers the last
detected parking space (for example, if your
vehicle detects multiple spaces while you are
driving, it offers the last one). Note:
If driven above approximately
22 mph
(35 km/h), the display screen shows a
message to alert you to reduce your vehicle
speed.
Automatic Steering into Parking
Space
Note: If vehicle speed exceeds
22 mph
(35 km/h) or the maneuver is interrupted
(driver input is detected), the system switches
off and you need to take full control of your
vehicle.
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