Operating AWD Vehicles With Spare
or 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. A spare tire of a different size other than the
tire provided should never be used. The
AWD system may disable automatically and
enter front-wheel drive only mode to protect
driveline components if a non-full sized tire
is installed. This condition may display an
AWD OFF message in the information
display. If there is an AWD OFF message in
the information display from using a non-full
sized spare tire, this indicator should turn off
after reinstalling the repaired or replaced
normal road tire and cycling the ignition off
and on. It is recommended to reinstall the
repaired or replaced road tire 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 Equipped)
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.
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(If Equipped)
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.
Note:
Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water,
have the power transfer unit (PTU) or rear
axle serviced by an authorized dealer. Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
Note:
Avoid driving crosswise or turning on
steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing
traction, slipping sideways and possibly
rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill,
determine beforehand the route you will use.
Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side.
Do not drive in reverse over a hill without
the aid of an observer.
Although natural obstacles may make it
necessary to travel diagonally up or down a
hill or steep incline, you should always try to
drive straight up or straight down.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in
a lower gear rather than downshifting to a
lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turnaround
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location. Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power will cause the
tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating. Do
not descend in neutral; instead, disengage
overdrive or manually shift to a lower gear.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden
hard braking as you could lose control. The
front wheels have to be turning in order to
steer the vehicle.
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Changing the Set Speed
•
When you select km/h as the display
measurement in the information display
the set speed changes in approximately
1 km/h increments. When you select mph
as the display measurement in the
information display the set speed
changes in approximately 1 mph
increments.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal until
you reach the desired speed. Press and
release RES+ or SET-.
• Press and hold
RES+ or SET-. Release
the control when you reach the desired
speed. The set speed changes in
approximately 5 mph/10 km/h increments.
The system may apply the brakes to slow
the vehicle to the new set speed. The set
speed displays continuously in the
information display when the system is
active.
Canceling the Set Speed
Press and release
CAN or tap the brake
pedal. The set speed does not erase. The
last set speed displays with a strikethrough. Resuming the Set Speed
Press and release
RES. Your vehicle speed
returns to the previously set speed and gap
setting. The set speed displays continuously
in the information display when the system
is active.
Note: Only use resume if you are aware of
the set speed and intend to return to it.
Automatic Cancellation
Automatic cancellation can occur if:
• The tires lose traction.
• You apply the parking brake.
Hilly Condition Usage
Note: An audible alarm sounds and the
system shuts down if it applies brakes for an
extended period of time. This allows the
brakes to cool. The system functions
normally again when the brakes have
cooled. Select a lower gear during prolonged
downhill driving on steep slopes, such as
mountainous areas, when the system is
active. In such situations, the system needs
additional engine braking to reduce the load
on the vehicle
’s regular brake system to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control Off
Press and release
OFF when the system is
in stand by mode or switch the ignition off.
Note: You erase the set speed and gap
setting when you switch the system off.
Detection Issues WARNING
On rare occasions, detection issues
can occur due to the road
infrastructures, for example bridges, tunnels
and safety barriers. In these cases, the
system may brake late or unexpectedly. At
all times, you are responsible for controlling
your vehicle, supervising the system and
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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. Adaptive Steering (If Equipped) WARNING
The adaptive steering system has
diagnostic checks that continuously
monitor the system. If a fault is detected a
message displays in the information display.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so. This warning message may clear if the
fault is no longer present. If an adaptive
steering system warning message is
persistent over multiple drive cycles have
the system checked by an authorized dealer. The adaptive steering system continually
changes the steering ratio with changes to
vehicle speed, optimizing the steering
response in all conditions.
The adaptive steering system is designed
with a locking device. While the lock is
engaged, your vehicle returns to a fixed
steering ratio. You may also notice a sound
when you start or turn off your vehicle as the
lock is disengaged or engaged. If your
vehicle loses electrical power or detects a
fault while you are driving, the lock engages
and you are able to continue steering. During
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this time it is possible that the steering wheel
may not be straight when the vehicle is
driving straight ahead. During this time you
may notice that the steering wheel angle
required to steer the vehicle may be
different. Extreme operating conditions may
also cause the lock to engage. This strategy
prevents overheating and permanent
damage to the adaptive steering system.
Typical steering and driving maneuvers allow
the system to cool and return to normal
operation.
PRE-COLLISION ASSIST
WARNINGS
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising
the system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, serious personal
injury or death. WARNINGS
The system does not detect cyclists,
animals, pedestrians at night or
vehicles that are driving in a different
direction. Failure to take care may result in
the loss of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. The system does not operate during
hard acceleration or steering. Failure
to take care may lead to a crash or personal
injury. The system may fail or operate with
reduced function during cold and
severe weather conditions. Snow, ice, rain,
spray and fog can adversely affect the
system. Keep the front camera and radar free
of snow and ice. Failure to take care may
result in the loss of control of your vehicle,
serious personal injury or death. In situations where the vehicle camera
has limited detection capability, this
may reduce system performance. These
situations include but are not limited to direct
or low sunlight, vehicles at night without tail
lights, unconventional vehicle types, WARNINGS
pedestrians with complex backgrounds,
running pedestrians, partly obscured
pedestrians, or pedestrians that the system
cannot distinguish from a group. Failure to
take care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or death. 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 system cannot help prevent all
crashes. Do not rely on this system to
replace driver judgment and the need to
maintain a safe distance and speed. Using the Pre-Collision Assist System
The Pre-Collision Assist system is active at
speeds above approximately 3 mph (5 km/h)
and pedestrian detection is active at speeds
up to 50 mph (80 km/h).
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WARNINGS
To reduce the risk of personal injury,
make sure the engine is cool before
unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure. Steam
and hot liquid can come out forcefully when
you loosen the cap slightly. Do not add coolant further than the
MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at the
intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance
information.
See Scheduled Maintenance
(page 508).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
coolant reservoir.
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark. Maintain coolant concentration within 48%
to 50%, which equates to a freeze point
between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Coolant concentration should be checked
using a refractometer. We do not recommend
the use of hydrometers or coolant test strips
for measuring coolant concentration.
Adding Coolant WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is running or hot.
Note:
Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Take care not to put
engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
reservoir or windshield washer fluid in the
engine coolant reservoir.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty. It is very important to use prediluted coolant
approved to the correct specification in order
to avoid plugging the small passageways in
the engine cooling system.
See Capacities
and Specifications (page 368). Do not mix
different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using
an incorrect coolant may harm the engine or
cooling system components and may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
Note: If prediluted coolant is not available,
use the approved concentrated coolant
diluting it to 50/50 with distilled water.
See
Capacities and Specifications (page 368).
Using water that has not been deionised
may contribute to deposit formation,
corrosion and plugging of the small cooling
system passageways.
Note: Coolants marketed for all makes and
models may not be approved to Ford
specifications and may cause damage to
the cooling system. Resulting component
damage may not be covered by the vehicle
Warranty.
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If the coolant level is at or below the
minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
To top up the coolant level do the following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add prediluted coolant approved to the correct specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 368).
3. Add enough prediluted coolant to reach
the correct level.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
5. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. Operating an
engine with a low level of coolant can result
in engine overheating and possible engine
damage. Note:
During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.
Note: In case of emergency, you can add a
large amount of water without coolant in
order to reach a vehicle service location.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing. When you reach a service
location, you must have the cooling system
drained and refilled with prediluted coolant
approved to the correct specification.
See
Capacities and Specifications (page 368).
Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
• Alcohol.
• Methanol.
• Brine.
• Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze. Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of the
coolant.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process is
not yet available.
Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
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