2018 FORD E SERIES suspension

STEERING
To help prevent damage to the powersteering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at itsfurthest turning points (until it stops)for more than three to five secondswhen the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a lowpower steering pump fluid level (belowthe MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation.If excessive, check for low powersteering pump fluid level beforeseeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be causedby low power steering fluid. Check forlow power steering pump fluid levelbefore seeking service by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pumpreservoir above the MAX mark on thereservoir, as this may result in leaksfrom the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down(or if the engine is turned off), you cansteer the vehicle manually, but it takesmore effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper vehicle alignment
If any steering components are serviced orreplaced, install new fasteners (many arecoated with thread adhesive or haveprevailing torque features which may notbe re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.Torque fasteners to specifications.
A high crown in the road or high crosswindsmay also make the steering seem towander or pull.
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Driving Aids

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of your vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, for example fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 129).
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading your vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a draw bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingcorrect trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thisOwner's Manual. See Load Limit(page 97). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide. See an authorizeddealer.
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Towing

Driving habits have a great dealto do with your tire mileage andsafety.
*Observe posted speed limits
*Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
*Avoid potholes and objects onthe road
*Do not run over curbs or hit thetire against a curb when parking
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drivethere’s always the possibility thatyou may eventually have a flat tireon the highway. Drive slowly to theclosest safe area out of traffic.This may further damage the flattire, but your safety is moreimportant.
If you feel a sudden vibration orride disturbance when driving, oryou suspect your tire or vehiclehas been damaged, immediatelyreduce your speed. Drive withcaution until you can safely pulloff the road. Stop and inspect thetires for damage. If a tire isunder-inflated or damaged,deflate it, remove wheel andreplace it with your spare tire andwheel. If you cannot detect acause, have the vehicle towed tothe nearest repair facility or tiredealer to have the vehicleinspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb orpothole can cause the front endof your vehicle to becomemisaligned or cause damage toyour tires. If your vehicle seems topull to one side when you’redriving, the wheels may be out ofalignment. Have an authorizeddealer check the wheel alignmentperiodically.
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
WARNING
If the tire label showsdifferent tire pressures for thefront and rear tires and the vehiclehas a tire pressure monitoringsystem, then you need to updatethe settings for the systemsensors. Always perform thesystem reset procedure after tirerotation. If you do not reset thesystem, it may not provide a low
tire pressure warning whennecessary.
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Wheels and Tires

If your vehicle is equipped withdual rear wheels it isrecommended that the front andrear tires (in pairs) be rotated onlyside to side. We do notrecommend splitting up the dualrear wheels. Rotate them side toside as a set. After tire rotation,inflation pressures must beadjusted for the tires newpositions in accordance withvehicle requirements.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,load index, and 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,and death. Additionally, the use ofnon-recommended tires and wheels couldcause steering, suspension, axle, transfercase, or power transfer unit failure. It is alsostrongly advised to follow the Fordrecommended tire inflation pressure foundon the Safety Compliance CertificationLabel (affixed to either the door hingepillar, door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post, next to thedriver’s seating position), or Tire Labelwhich is located on the B-Pillar or the edgeof the driver door. Failure to follow the tirepressure recommendations can causeuneven treadwear patterns and adverselyaffect the way your vehicle handles.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weathertreads to provide traction in rain and snow.However, in some climates, you may needto use snow tires and cables. If you needto use cables, it is recommended that steelwheels (of the same size andspecifications) be used, as cables may chipaluminum wheels.
Note:The suspension insulation andbumpers help prevent vehicle damage. Donot remove these components from yourvehicle when using snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snowtires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading yourvehicle.
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying thatthe chains do not touch any wiring,brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chainsrub or bang against your vehicle, stopand retighten the chains. If this doesnot work, remove the chains to preventdamage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they areno longer needed. Do not use tirechains on dry roads.
If you have any questions regarding snowchains or cables, please contact yourauthorized dealer.
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Wheels and Tires

Check every six months
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
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
Horn operationAccessory drive belt(s)
Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hosesBattery performance
Suspension component for leaks ordamageEngine air filter
Steering and linkageExhaust system
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper
pressure**Exterior lamps and hazard warning systemoperation
Windshield for cracks, chips or pitsFluid levels*; fill if necessary
Washer spray and wiper operationFor oil and fluid leaks
* Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission, power steering and windowwasher.**If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expirationUse By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
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Scheduled Maintenance

Be sure to ask your dealership serviceadvisor or technician about the multi-pointvehicle inspection. It is a comprehensiveway to perform a thorough inspection of
your vehicle. Your checklist gives youimmediate feedback on the overallcondition of your vehicle.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter.
Every7,500 mi(12,000 km)
Rotate tires1, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth.
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, loosenessor drag.
Perform multi-point inspection (recommended).
1 Vehicles with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified; rear wheelsonly if unusual wear is noted.
Maintenance
Inspect automatic transmission fluid level. Consult dealer for requirements.
Every15,000 mi(24,000 km)
Inspect brake pads, rotors, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft andU-joints.
Other Maintenance Items
Replace engine air filter.Every 30,000 mi(48,000 km)
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seal if non-sealed bearings are used.Every 60,000 mi(96,000 km)
Replace spark plugs.Every 97,500 mi(157,000 km)Replace rear axle fluid. See Special Operating Condi-tions Scheduled Maintenance (page 275).
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Scheduled Maintenance