
Trailer Brake Controller Connector (If
Equipped)
The connector is located under the
instrument panel above the brake pedal. 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.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
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•
If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and transmission
cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a
trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in position P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included
with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
backing the trailer into the water. Note:
Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after
removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to rise
above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher than
6 inches (15 centimeters) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions, and
reliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,
replace the rear axle lubricant. Water may
contaminate the rear axle lubricant, which is
not a normal maintenance inspection item
unless there is a possibility of a leak or other
axle repair is required. TOWING THE VEHICLE ON FOUR
WHEELS - 3.5L ECOBOOST™/3.7L
Emergency Towing
If your vehicle becomes inoperable (without
access to wheel dollies or vehicle transport
trailer), it can be flat-towed (all wheels on the
ground, regardless of the powertrain and
transmission configuration) under the
following conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward for towing
in a forward direction.
• Shift into neutral (N). If you cannot shift
into neutral (N), you may need to override
it.
See Transmission (page 180).
• Maximum speed is
35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km). WARNING
If your vehicle has a steering wheel
lock make sure the ignition is in the
accessory or on position when being towed. 248
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Preparing Your Vehicle
Do not attempt to push-start your automatic
transmission vehicle.
Note:
Attempting to push-start a vehicle with
an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
Note: Use only a 12-volt supply to start your
vehicle.
Note: Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle as this could damage the
vehicle electrical system.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood
of the disabled vehicle, making sure the two
vehicles do not touch. Connecting the Jumper Cables WARNINGS
Do not attach the cables to fuel lines,
engine rocker covers, the intake
manifold or electrical components as
grounding points. Stay clear of moving parts.
To avoid reverse polarity connections, make
sure that you correctly identify the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on both the
disabled and booster vehicles before
connecting the cables. Do not attach the end of the positive
cable to the studs or L-shaped eyelet
located above the positive (+) terminal of
your vehicle ’s battery. High current may flow
through and cause damage to the fuses. Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (-) terminal of the
battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the
battery. Note:
In the illustration, the bottom vehicle
represents the booster vehicle. 1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery.
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2
1
3
E142664

Engine coolant reservoir. See Engine Coolant Check (page 294).
A.
Engine oil filler cap.
See Engine Oil Check (page 292).
B.
Engine oil dipstick.
See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 292).
C.
Brake fluid reservoir.
See Brake Fluid Check (page 300).
D.
Battery.
See Changing the 12V Battery (page 301).
E.
Engine compartment fuse box.
See Fuses (page 267).
F.
Air filter assembly.
See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 310).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick.
See Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 298).
H.
Washer fluid reservoir.
See Washer Fluid Check (page 301).
I.
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Brake fluid reservoir. See Brake Fluid Check (page 300).
D.
Battery.
See Changing the 12V Battery (page 301).
E.
Engine compartment fuse box.
See Fuses (page 267).
F.
Air filter assembly.
See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 310).
G.
Automatic transmission dipstick.
See Automatic Transmission Fluid Check (page 298).
H.
Washer fluid reservoir.
See Washer Fluid Check (page 301).
I.
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Engine Coolant Temperature
Management (If Equipped)
WARNING
To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not be able
to accelerate with full power until the coolant
temperature reduces. If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, the
engine may temporarily reach a higher
temperature during severe operating
conditions, for example ascending a long or
steep grade in high ambient temperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle speed
caused by reduced engine power in order
to manage the engine coolant temperature.
Your vehicle may enter this mode if certain
high-temperature and high-load conditions
take place. The amount of speed reduction
depends on vehicle loading, grade and
ambient temperature. If this occurs, there is
no need to pull off the road. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
The air conditioning may automatically turn
on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant temperature
decreases to the normal operating
temperature, the air conditioning turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves fully
into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine soon
messages appear in your information display,
do the following:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and shift the transmission into
park
(P). 2. Leave the engine running until the
coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position. After
several minutes, if the temperature does
not drop, follow the remaining steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to cool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart the engine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK - 3.5L ECOBOOST™/
3.7L WARNING
Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may affect
transmission operation and result in damage
to internal transmission components. 298
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The transmission does not consume fluid.
However, if the transmission slips or shifts
slowly you should check the fluid level. If you
notice a sign of leaking fluid, contact an
authorized dealer.
Checking the Transmission Fluid Level
WARNING
The dipstick and surrounding
components are hot. Use gloves when
moving components and checking the
transmission fluid level. Failure to follow this
warning could result in serious personal
injury. Only check the transmission fluid level when
the engine is at normal operating
temperature 179°F (82°C)-199°F (93°C).
Normal operating temperature is reached
after driving approximately
20 mi (30 km). Minimum.
A
Maximum.
B
Note: Check the fluid level with the engine
running and the transmission in park (P).
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Rotate the automatic transmission fluid cap in a counterclockwise direction. See
Under Hood Overview
(page 288).
3. Remove the cap and dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Replace the
cap and dipstick and remove it again to
check the fluid level. 4.
Make sure that the fluid level is between
the MIN and the MAX marks. If the fluid
level is at the MIN mark, add fluid
immediately. See
Adding Transmission
Fluid.
5. Replace the automatic transmission fluid
cap and dipstick. Turn it clockwise until
you feel a strong resistance.
Low Fluid Level
If the fluid level is within the minimum range
(below point A) add the correct specification
fluid to be within the hash mark area.
See
Capacities and Specifications (page 357).
Note: If the fluid level is below the minimum
range do not drive your vehicle. A low fluid
level can damage the transmission.
Correct Fluid Level
If the fluid level is within the hash mark area
(between points A and B) do not add any
fluid.
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AB

High Fluid Level
If the fluid level is above the maximum range
(above point B) fluid may need to be
removed. High fluid levels may be caused
by a overheating condition. If you have
operated your vehicle at high speeds, towing
a trailer or in city traffic during hot weather,
allow your vehicle to cool for a minimum of
30 minutes before rechecking the level.
Note:
An overfill condition can damage the
transmission.
Adding Transmission Fluid *
1. Rotate the automatic transmission fluid cap in a counterclockwise direction.
2. Remove the cap and dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
3. Add fluid that meets the Ford specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 357). Pour the fluid
directly into the automatic transmission
fluid cap and dipstick hole.
4. Replace the cap and dipstick and remove
it again to check the fluid level. 5.
Make sure that the fluid level is between
the MIN and the MAX marks.
6. Replace the automatic transmission fluid
cap and dipstick. Turn it clockwise until
you feel a strong resistance.
* Vehicles With EcoBoost Engine WARNING
Do not run the engine with the air filter
disconnected.
1. Loosen the clamp holding the air filter
assembly to the rubber hose.
2. Remove the air filter assembly securing bolts.
3. Lift the air filter assembly to disengage the locating pins.
4. Rotate the air filter assembly slightly in a
counterclockwise direction.
5. Check the transmission fluid level.
6. Install the air filter assembly in reverse order. Tighten the air filter assembly
securing bolts until you feel a strong
resistance. BRAKE FLUID CHECK WARNINGS
Do not use any fluid other than the
recommended brake fluid as this will
reduce brake efficiency. Use of incorrect fluid
could result in the loss of vehicle control,
serious personal injury or death. Only use brake fluid from a sealed
container. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other materials
may result in brake system damage or failure.
Failure to adhere to this warning could result
in the loss of vehicle control, serious
personal injury or death. Do not allow the fluid to touch your
skin or eyes. If this happens, rinse the
affected areas immediately with plenty of
water and contact your physician. A fluid level between the MAX and
MIN lines is within the normal
operating range and there is no need to add
fluid. A fluid level not in the normal operating
range could compromise the performance
of the system. Have your vehicle checked
immediately. 300
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