2017 FORD C MAX ENERGI suspension

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNINGS
Vehicle modifications involvingbraking system, aftermarket roofracks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronic stabilitycontrol system. In addition, installing anystereo loudspeakers may interfere withand adversely affect the electronic stabilitycontrol system. Install any aftermarketstereo loudspeaker as far as possible fromthe front center console, the tunnel, andthe front seats in order to minimize the riskof interfering with the electronic stabilitycontrol sensors. Reducing theeffectiveness of the electronic stabilitycontrol system could lead to an increasedrisk of loss of vehicle control, vehiclerollover, personal injury and death.
Remember that even advancedtechnology cannot defy the laws ofphysics. It’s always possible to losecontrol of a vehicle due to inappropriatedriver input for the conditions. Aggressivedriving on any road condition can causeyou to lose control of your vehicleincreasing the risk of personal injury orproperty damage. Activation of theelectronic stability control system is anindication that at least some of the tireshave exceeded their ability to grip the road;this could reduce the operator’s ability tocontrol the vehicle potentially resulting ina loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death. If your electronicstability control system activates, SLOWDOWN.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If a fault occurs in either the stabilitycontrol or the traction control system, youmay experience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily.
•The stability control and tractioncontrol systems do not enhance yourvehicle's ability to maintain traction ofthe wheels.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction controlsystem you may experience the followingconditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•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 andyour foot is not on the brake, the brakepedal may move as the system applieshigher brake force.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides byapplying brakes to one or more of thewheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at whichit changes by applying the brakes to oneor more wheels individually.
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Stability Control

System Errors
If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem withthe left or right sensor a message willappear in the information display. SeeInformation Messages (page 101).
Switching the System Off and On
You can temporarily switch Cross TrafficAlert off in the information display. SeeGeneral Information (page 92). Whenyou switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you willnot receive alerts and the informationdisplay will display a system off message.
Note:The Cross Traffic Alert switches onwhenever the ignition is switched on andready to provide appropriate alerts whenthe transmission is in reverse (R). CrossTraffic Alert will not remember the lastselected on or off setting.
You can also have Cross Traffic Alertswitched off permanently at an authorizeddealer. Once switched off permanently,the system can only be switched back onat an authorized dealer.
STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNINGS
The electric power steering systemhas diagnostic checks thatcontinuously monitor the system. Ifa fault is detected, a message displays inthe information display. Stop your vehicleas soon as it is safe to do so. Switch theignition off. After at least 10 seconds,switch the ignition on and watch theinformation display for a steering systemwarning message. If a steering systemwarning message returns, have the systemchecked by an authorized dealer.
WARNINGS
If the system detects an error, youmay not feel a difference in thesteering, however a serious conditionmay exist. Obtain immediate service froman authorized dealer, failure to do so mayresult in loss of steering control.
Your vehicle has an electric power steeringsystem. There is no fluid reservoir. Nomaintenance is required.
If your vehicle loses electrical power whileyou are driving, electric power steeringassistance is lost. The steering system stilloperates and you can steer your vehiclemanually. Manually steering your vehiclerequires more effort.
Extreme continuous steering may increasethe effort required for you to steer yourvehicle. This increased effort preventsoverheating and permanent damage tothe steering system. You do not lose theability to steer your vehicle manually.Typical steering and driving maneuversallow the system to cool and return tonormal operation.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•Correct tire pressures.
•Uneven tire wear.
•Loose or worn suspensioncomponents.
•Loose or worn steering components.
•Improper vehicle alignment.
Note:A high crown in the road or highcrosswinds may also make the steeringseem to wander or pull.
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Driving Aids

Wheel misalignment in the frontor the rear can cause uneven andrapid treadwear of your tires andshould be corrected by anauthorized dealer. Front-wheeldrive vehicles and those with anindependent rear suspension mayrequire alignment of all fourwheels.
The tires should also be balancedperiodically. An unbalanced tireand wheel assembly may result inirregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation
Note:If your tires show unevenwear ask an authorized dealer tocheck for and correct any wheelmisalignment, tire imbalance ormechanical problem involved
before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may beequipped with a dissimilar sparewheel and tire assembly. Adissimilar spare wheel and tireassembly is defined as a sparewheel and tire assembly that isdifferent in brand, size orappearance from the road tires andwheels. If you have a dissimilarspare wheel and tire assembly it isintended for temporary use onlyand should not be used in a tirerotation.
Note:After having your tiresrotated, inflation pressure must bechecked and adjusted to thevehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at therecommended interval (asindicated in the scheduledmaintenance information) willhelp your tires wear more evenly,providing better tire performanceand longer tire life. Sometimesirregular tire wear can becorrected by rotating the tires.
USING SUMMER TIRES
Summer tires provide superiorperformance on wet and dry roads.Summer tires do not have the Mud andSnow (M+S or M/S) tire traction rating onthe tire side wall. Since summer tires donot have the same traction performanceas All-season or Snow tires, we do notrecommend using summer tires whentemperatures drop to about 45°F (7°C) orbelow (depending on tire wear andenvironmental conditions) or in snow andice conditions. Like any tire, summer tireperformance is affected by tire wear andenvironmental conditions. If you must drivein those conditions, we recommend usingMud and Snow (M+S, M/S), All-season orSnow tires.
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Wheels and TiresE142547

Always store your summer tires indoors attemperatures above 19°F (-7°C). Therubber compounds used in these tires loseflexibility and may develop surface cracksin the tread area at temperatures below19°F (-7°C). If the tires have beensubjected to 19°F (-7°C) or less, warmthem in a heated space to at least 41°F(5°C) for at least 24 hours before installingthem on a vehicle, or moving the vehiclewith the tires installed, or checking tireinflation. Do not place tires near heatersor heating devices used to warm the roomwhere the tires are stored. Do not applyheat or blow heated air directly on the tires.Always inspect the tires after storageperiods and before use.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,load index, speed rating as thoseoriginally provided by Ford. Use ofany tire or wheel not recommended byFord can affect the safety andperformance of your vehicle, which couldresult in an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injury anddeath. Additionally, the use ofnon-recommended tires and wheels couldcause steering, suspension, axle, transfercase or power transfer unit failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weathertreads to provide traction in rain and snow.Snow chains have not been approved foruse on your vehicle.
Consult your authorized dealer forinformation on other Ford Motor Companyapproved methods of traction control.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM
WARNING
The tire pressure monitoring systemis not a substitute for manuallychecking tire pressures. You shouldperiodically check tire pressures using apressure gauge. Failure to correctlymaintain tire pressures could increase therisk of tire failure, loss of control, vehiclerollover and personal injury.
Each tire, including the spare (ifprovided), should be checkedmonthly when cold and inflatedto the inflation pressure recommended bythe vehicle manufacturer on the vehicleplacard or tire inflation pressure label. (Ifyour vehicle has tires of a different sizethan the size indicated on the vehicleplacard or tire inflation pressure label, youshould determine the proper tire inflationpressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehiclehas been equipped with a Tire PressureMonitoring System (TPMS) thatilluminates a low tire pressure telltalewhen one or more of your tires issignificantly under-inflated. Accordingly,when the low tire pressure telltaleilluminates, you should stop and checkyour tires as soon as possible, and inflatethem to the proper pressure. Driving on asignificantly under-inflated tire causes thetire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiencyand tire tread life, and may affect thevehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
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Wheels and Tires

Check Every 12 Months (C-MAX EnergiPlug-in Hybrid Only)
Inspect the engine oil filter for signs ofdamage such as rust, paint blistering,scratches or dents. If any of theseconditions are present, replace the filter.See Normal Scheduled Maintenance(page 445).
Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,it is important to have the systems on yourvehicle checked regularly. This can helpidentify potential issues and prevent majorproblems. We recommend having thefollowing multi-point inspection performedat every scheduled maintenance intervalto help make sure your vehicle keepsrunning great.
Multi-point inspection
Hazard warning system operationAccessory drive belt(s)
Horn operationBattery performance
Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hosesEngine air filter
Suspension components for leaks ordamageExhaust system
Steering and linkageExterior lamps operation
Tires for wear and proper pressure**Fluid levels*; fill if necessary
Windshield for cracks, chips or pitsFor oil and fluid leaks
Washer spray and wiper operationHalf-shaft dust boots
* Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission and window washer**If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expirationUse By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
Be sure to ask your dealership serviceadvisor or technician about the multi-pointvehicle inspection. It is a comprehensiveway to perform a thorough inspection ofyour vehicle. Your checklist gives youimmediate feedback on the overallcondition of your vehicle.
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Scheduled Maintenance

At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display.1, 2
Inspect engine cooling system and motor/electronics cooling system strength andhoses.
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect half-shaft boots.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension and tie-rod ends.
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness or drag.
1 Do not exceed two years or 20000 miles (32000 kilometers) between service intervals.2 Perform multi-point inspection (recommended).3 Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system after engine oil and filter changes. SeeEngine Oil Check (page 226).
Other maintenance items*
Replace cabin air filter.Every 20000 miles (32000km)
Replace engine air filter.Every 30000 miles (48000km)
Change engine coolant and motor/electronics coolant.**At 100000 miles (160000km)
Replace spark plugs.Every 100000 miles(160000 km)
Change automatic transmission fluid.Every 150000 miles(240000 km)
* Perform these maintenance items within 3000 miles (4800 kilometers) of the lastengine oil and filter change. Do not exceed the designated distance for the interval.** Initial replacement at six years or 100000 miles (160000 kilometers), then every threeyears or 50000 miles (80000 kilometers).
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Scheduled Maintenance