2018 FORD F-450 transmission

N (Neutral)
Only used when towing the vehicle. No
power to front or rear wheels.
4L (4X4 Low)
Uses extra gearing to provide maximum
power to all four wheels at reduced
speeds. Intended only for off road
applications such as deep sand, steep
grades or pulling heavy objects.
Shifting between system modes
Note:
Do not perform these operations if
the rear wheels are slipping or when
applying the accelerator pedal.
Note: Some noise may be heard as the 4x4
system shifts or engages. This is normal. In
order to reduce engagement noise, it is
recommended that all shifts be performed
at speeds below3 mph (5 km/h).
Note: The vehicle should not be driven in
4X4 High with the hub locks disengaged as
this condition may damage driveline system
components.
Engage the locking hubs by rotating the
hub lock control from FREE to LOCK, then
move the transfer case lever from 2H to
4H at a stop or a vehicle speed below
3 mph (5 km/h)
.
Move the transfer case lever from 4H to
2H at a stop or a vehicle speed below
3 mph (5 km/h)
, then disengage the
locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub
lock control from LOCK to FREE.
For proper operation, make sure that both
hubs are set to either FREE or LOCK.
Shifting to or from 4L (4X4 Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop or a speed below
3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral). 3. Move the transfer case shift lever
through N (Neutral) directly to the
desired position.
4. If the transfer case does not, or only partially moves to the desired position,
perform a shift with the transmission
in N (Neutral) and the vehicle rolling at
a speed below
3 mph (5 km/h).
5. If shifting to 2H with the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage the locking
hubs (optional) by rotating the hub
lock control from LOCK to FREE.
Using the N (Neutral) position WARNING
Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission in park (P).
The transfer case neutral position overrides
the transmission and puts the vehicle in
neutral regardless of transmission gearshift
lever position. The vehicle can move
forward or backwards.
This position should only be used when
towing the vehicle.
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Using the Electronic Shift on the
Fly 4WD system (If Equipped)
2H (4X2)
For general on-road driving. Sends power
to the rear wheels only and should be used
for street and highway driving. Provides
optimal smoothness and fuel economy at
high speeds.
4H (4X4 HIGH)
Provides mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power to both the front and rear
wheels for use in off-road or winter
conditions such as deep snow, sand or
mud. This mode is not for use on dry
pavement.
4L (4X4 LOW)
Provides mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power to both the front and rear
wheels for use on low traction surfaces,
but does so with additional gearing for
increased torque multiplication. Intended
only for off-road applications such as deep
sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy
objects. 4L (4X4 low) will not engage while
your vehicle is moving above
3 mph
(5 km/h); this is normal and should be no
reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to or
from 4L (4X4 low) for proper operation. Shifting between system modes
Note:
Momentarily releasing the accelerator
pedal when a shift in progress message
displays improves engagement or
disengagement performance.
Note: Do not perform this operation if the
rear wheels are slipping or when applying
the accelerator pedal.
Note: Some noise may be heard as the
system shifts or engages; this is normal.
Note: 4X4 high mode is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
You can move the control from 2H or 4H
at a stop or while driving. The information
display may display a message indicating
a 4X4 shift is in progress. Once the shift is
complete the message center will then
display the system mode selected.
Shifting to or from 4L (4X4 low)
Note: Some noise may be heard as the
system shifts or engages; this is normal.
Note: 4x4 low mode is not intended for use
on dry pavement.
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed of
3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
3. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
The information display will display a
message indicating a 4X4 shift is in
progress. The information display will then
display the system mode selected. If any
of the above shift conditions are not met,
the shift will not occur and the information
display will display information guiding the
driver through the proper shifting
procedures.
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If Shift Delayed Pull Forward appears in
the information display, transfer case gear
tooth blockage is present. To alleviate this
condition, place the transmission in a
forward gear, move the vehicle forward
approximately
5 ft (1.5 m), and shift the
transmission back to neutral to allow the
transfer case to complete the range shift.
How Your Vehicle Differs From
Other Vehicles WARNING
Vehicles with a higher center of
gravity (utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles) handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt steering in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing control of your
vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. Truck and utility vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles. Your vehicle may be
higher to allow it to travel over rough
terrain without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so
versatile also make it handle differently
than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all
times, especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can result in
abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage
from concealed objects such as rocks and
stumps. You should either know the terrain or
examine maps of the area before driving.
Map out your route before driving in the
area. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all
four wheels on the ground and they must
be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Driving Off-Road With Truck and
Utility Vehicles
Note:
On some models, the initial shift from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive while
the vehicle is moving can cause some
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and the automatic locking hubs
engaging and is not cause for concern.
Note: Your vehicle may be equipped with
a front air dam that can become damaged
(due to reduced ground clearance) when
taking your vehicle off-road. This air dam
can be taken off by removing 15 bolts.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are specially
equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud
and rough terrain and have operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both
on and off the road.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On four-wheel
drive vehicles, the transfer case allows you
to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case operation and
shifting procedures can be found in this
chapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in the
Maintenance chapter. You should become
thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Four-wheel drive (when you select a 4WD
mode) uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot.
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Basic Operating Principles
•
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which
can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
• When driving your vehicle on surfaces
made slippery by loose sand, water,
gravel, snow or ice proceed with care.
• Do not use 4H or 4L on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and
may damage drive components. 4H or
4L modes are only intended for
consistently slippery or loose surfaces.
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.
When your vehicle speed has been reduced
ease your vehicle back onto the road. Do
not turn the steering wheel sharply while
returning your vehicle to the road.
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of
the road and slow down gradually before
returning to the road. You may lose control
if you do not slow down or if you turn the
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.
It may be less risky to strike small objects,
such as freeway reflectors, with minor
damage to your vehicle rather than
attempt a sudden return to the road which
could cause your vehicle to slide sideways
out of control or roll over. Remember, your
safety and the safety of others should be
your primary concern.
Emergency Maneuvers
In an unavoidable emergency situation
where a sudden sharp turn must be made,
remember to avoid over-driving your
vehicle (i.e. turn the steering wheel only as
rapidly and as far as required to avoid the
emergency). Excessive steering can result
in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth
pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake
pedal when changes in vehicle speed are required. Avoid abrupt steering,
acceleration and braking. This could result
in an increased risk of vehicle roll over, loss
of vehicle control and personal injury. Use
all available road surface to bring your
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 your vehicle goes from one type of
surface to another (i.e. from concrete to
gravel) there will be a change in the way
your vehicle responds to a maneuver (i.e.
steering, acceleration or braking).
Sand
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 excessive wheel slip.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand
under high outside temperatures, use a low
gear when possible. Low gear operation
will maximize the engine and transmission
cooling capability.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this
causes vehicle momentum to work against
you and your vehicle could 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
Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle
speed or direction when you are driving in
mud. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can
lose traction in slick mud. If your vehicle
does slide, steer in the direction of the slide
until you regain control of your vehicle.
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After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.
Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that
could damage drive components.
Water
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. Traction or brake capability may
be limited.
When driving through water, determine the
depth and avoid water higher than the
bottom of the hubs. If the ignition system
gets wet, your vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes.
Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle as
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by applying light pressure to the
brake pedal while moving slowly.
Note:
Driving through deep water may
damage the transmission. If the front or rear
axle is submerged in water, the axle
lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant
should be checked and changed if
necessary.
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain
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.
Note: Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills.
A danger lies in losing traction, slipping
sideways and possible vehicle roll 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.
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 your vehicle stalls, do not try to turn
around because this could cause vehicle
roll over. It is better to reverse back 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. Disengage
overdrive or move the transmission
selector lever 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
your vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply
the brakes steadily. Do not pump the
brakes.
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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
your vehicle slides while cornering, steer in
the direction of the slide until you regain
control of your vehicle. Note:
Excessive tire slippage can cause
transmission damage.
Four-wheel drive vehicles have advantages
over two-wheel drive 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. Although a
four-wheel drive vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in
snow and ice, it will not stop any faster as
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. Do not pump the brake
pedal. See Hints on Driving With
Anti-Lock Brakes (page 227). If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow WARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over
34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may fail
and injure a passenger or bystander.
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.
Note:
Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature,
damage to the transmission may occur.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more
than a minute, damage to the transmission
and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Parking WARNINGS
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. Always set the parking brake and
leave your vehicle with the
transmission in park (P).
On some four-wheel drive vehicles, when
the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are
disconnected from the rest of the driveline.
Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if
the automatic transmission is in P (Park)
or the manual transmission is in gear. Do
not leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral) position.
Always set the parking brake fully and turn
off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
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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 Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 108).
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. Shift 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 switch 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
remains illuminated after you
release the parking brake, have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
It also illuminates momentarily when you
switch the ignition on to confirm the lamp
is functional. If it does not illuminate when
you switch the ignition on, or begins to
flash at any time, have the system checked
by an authorized dealer.
Diesel Engine Exhaust Braking
(If
Equipped) WARNINGS
Do not use tow/haul when the road
surface is slippery. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle. Do not use diesel engine exhaust
braking when the road surface is
slippery. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle. This feature increases engine braking at
higher engine speeds to provide better
grade descent control with less brake and
transmission wear and tear.
Note:
Use this when driving downhill and
carrying heavy loads or trailering.
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Benefits of engine braking are:
•
Lower brake temperature.
• Reduced brake fade.
• Longer brake life.
• Improved driving and trailering control. Press the button on the switch
bank next to the audio unit to
switch the system on or off.
There are two engine brake modes, manual
and automatic.
Manual Engine Braking
1. Press the button to switch on manual engine braking.
2. Release the accelerator pedal to maximize engine braking.
3. Apply the brakes. The transmission downshifts to lower gears.
Note: The engine braking feature only
functions when you release the accelerator.
Note: You can shift the transmission to
lower gears with progressive range selection
(PRS) or manual shifting independent of
pressing the brakes.
Note: You can also use manual engine
braking with cruise control to improve grade
descent control.
Note: If your vehicle has Adaptive Cruise
Control, the speed control system uses the
selected engine brake mode, transmission
gears, and brakes to maintain the set speed
and distance to the vehicle being followed.
Automatic Engine Braking
1. Press the button twice to switch on automatic engine braking.
2. Release the accelerator or brake pedal.
The system remembers your vehicle
speed. Note:
This feature offers smoother, less
aggressive engine braking during downhill
descents. It may not apply braking if the
vehicle speed is not increasing, although it
will apply full engine braking force when
needed to prevent acceleration. The system
automatically activates the engine brake
and, if necessary, downshifts the
transmission to lower gears to not exceed
your vehicle's set speed when the brake or
accelerator were last released.
Warning Lamp Conditions
• Illuminates when this feature is
switched on and the system is
operating properly. See Warning
Lamps and Indicators (page 108).
• Flashes when the engine brake is
disabled due to a fault or the engine
does not meet the required braking
conditions.
• Does not illuminate when the switch
or indicator is faulty.
You can switch the system on at anytime.
The system becomes active once the
braking conditions are met.
Braking Conditions
• Your vehicle is in a forward gear.
• The engine speed is above about 1500
RPM.
• Your foot is off the accelerator.
You can use this feature with tow/haul or
progressive range selection to provide
further increased engine braking. The
transmission automatically upshifts to
prevent the engine from entering the red
zone on the tachometer.
See Automatic
Transmission (page 208).
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