
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
WARNING
Do not adjust the spring bars so that
your vehicle's rear bumper is higher
than before attaching the trailer. Doing so
will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause
unpredictable handling, and could result in
serious personal injury. When hooking-up a trailer using a
weight-distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park your vehicle, without the trailer, on
a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of your vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to your vehicle without
the weight-distributing bars connected. 4. Measure the height of the top of your
vehicle ’s front wheel opening on the
fender a second time. This is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that the height
of the front fender is approximately
halfway between H1 and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level,
adjust the ball height accordingly and
repeat Steps 3–6.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your vehicle's
brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of
having a collision greatly increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install
them properly and adjust them to the
manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are
required for safe control of towed vehicles
and trailers weighing more than 1500
pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.
245
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Towing

BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During this
time, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first 1,000 mi
(1,600 km)
. Vary your speed frequently and
change up through the gears early. Do not
labor the engine.
Do not tow during the first
1,000 mi
(1,600 km).
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things
such as how you drive, the conditions you
drive under and how you maintain your
vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that
may improve your fuel economy:
• Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds. •
Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving (When running
errands, go to the furthest destination
first and then work your way back home).
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds.
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
There are also some things you may want to
avoid doing because they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Avoid sudden or hard accelerations.
• Avoid revving the engine before turning
off the car.
• Avoid long idle periods.
• Do not warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings. •
Reduce the use of air conditioning and
heat.
• Avoid using speed control in hilly terrain.
• Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight.
• Avoid adding particular accessories to
your vehicle (e.g. bug deflectors,
rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski
racks).
• Avoid driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deep
water as you may lose control of your
vehicle. Note:
Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note: Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
250
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Driving Hints

OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
Opening the Hood 1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood release
handle located under the left-hand side
of the instrument panel.
2. Slightly lift the hood. 3. Release the hood latch by pushing the
secondary release lever to your left-hand
side. 4. Open the hood. The hood struts
automatically support the hood.
Closing the Hood
1. Lower the hood and allow it to drop under its own weight for the last 8–12 in
(20–30 cm).
Note: Make sure that the hood is correctly
closed.
287
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing MaintenanceE235971
1 E235972 E202009
4

the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 139. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
*Tire label: A label showing the original
equipment tire sizes, recommended
inflation pressure and the maximum
weight the vehicle can carry.
*
Tire Identification Number (TIN): A
number on the sidewall of each tire
providing information about the tire
brand and manufacturing plant, tire size
and date of manufacture. Also referred
to as DOT code.
*
Inflation pressure: A measure of the
amount of air in a tire. *
Standard load: A class of P-metric or
Metric tires designed to carry a
maximum load at set pressure. For
example: For P-metric tires
35 psi
(2.4 bar) and for Metric tires 36 psi
(2.5 bar). Increasing the inflation
pressure beyond this pressure will not
increase the tire ’s load carrying
capability.
*
Extra load: A class of P-metric or Metric
tires designed to carry a heavier
maximum load at
42 psi (2.9 bar).
Increasing the inflation pressure beyond
this pressure will not increase the tire ’s
load carrying capability.
*
kPa: Kilopascal, a metric unit of air
pressure.
*PSI: Pounds per square inch, a standard
unit of air pressure.
*
Cold tire pressure: The tire pressure
when the vehicle has been stationary
and out of direct sunlight for an hour or
more and prior to the vehicle being
driven for
1 mi (1.6 km). *
Recommended inflation pressure: The
cold inflation pressure found on 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 Tire Label
located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver door.
*
B-pillar: The structural member at the
side of the vehicle behind the front door.
*
Bead area of the tire: Area of the tire
next to the rim.
*
Sidewall of the tire: Area between the
bead area and the tread.
*
Tread area of the tire: Area of the
perimeter of the tire that contacts the
road when mounted on the vehicle.
*
Rim: The metal support (wheel) for a
tire or a tire and tube assembly upon
which the tire beads are seated.
324
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Wheels and Tires

F. 95: Indicates the tire's load index. It
is an index that relates to how much
weight a tire can carry. You may find this
information in your owner’ s manual. If
not, contact a local tire dealer.
Note: You may not find this information
on all tires because it is not required by
federal law.
G.
H: Indicates the tire's speed rating.
The speed rating denotes the speed at
which a tire is designed to be driven for
extended periods of time under a
standard condition of load and inflation
pressure. The tires on your vehicle may
operate at different conditions for load
and inflation pressure. These speed
ratings may need to be adjusted for the
difference in conditions. The ratings
range from
81 mph (130 km/h) to
186 mph (299 km/h). These ratings are
listed in the following chart.
Note: You may not find this information
on all tires because it is not required by
federal law. Speed rating
Letter rating
81 mph (130 km/h)
M
87 mph (140 km/h)
N
99 mph (159 km/h)
Q
106 mph (171 km/h)
R
112 mph (180 km/h)
S
118 mph (190 km/h)
T
124 mph (200 km/h)
U
130 mph (210 km/h)
H
149 mph (240 km/h)
V Speed rating
Letter rating
168 mph (270 km/h)
W
186 mph (299 km/h)
Y
Note: For tires with a maximum speed
capability over 149 mph (240 km/h), tire
manufacturers sometimes use the letters
ZR. For those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299 km/h), tire
manufacturers always use the letters
ZR.
H. U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
(TIN):
This begins with the letters DOT
and indicates that the tire meets all
federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters are the plant code
designating where it was manufactured,
the next two are the tire size code and
the last four numbers represent the
week and year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 317 mean the 31st
week of 1997. After 2000, the numbers
326
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Wheels and Tires

•
Wet weather driving capability.
• All-wheel driving capability.
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly additional
caution should be given to:
• Towing a trailer.
• Driving vehicles equipped with a camper
body.
• Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo
rack.
Drive cautiously when using a full-size
dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly and
seek service as soon as possible.
Tire Change Procedure WARNINGS
When one of the front wheels is off the
ground, the transmission alone will not
prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping
off the jack, even if the transmission is in park
(P). WARNINGS
To help prevent your vehicle from
moving when changing a wheel, shift
the transmission into park (P), set the parking
brake and use an appropriate block or wheel
chock to secure the wheel diagonally
opposite to the wheel being changed. For
example, when changing the front left wheel,
place an appropriate block or wheel chock
on the right rear wheel. No person should place any portion of
their body under a vehicle that is
supported by a jack. Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving
traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid
the danger of being hit when operating the
jack or changing the wheel. Always use the jack provided as
original equipment with your vehicle.
If using a jack other than the one provided,
make sure the jack capacity is adequate for
the vehicle weight, including any vehicle
cargo or modifications. If you are unsure if
the jack capacity is adequate, contact the
authorized dealer. Note:
Passengers should not remain in your
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Note: Jack at the specified locations to avoid
damage to the vehicle.
Note: If your vehicle came equipped with an
extra full size wheel and tire assembly
(placed in the cargo area), be sure to store
the wheel and tire assembly outside of the
vehicle after delivery (livery vehicles only).
Non-Limousine
Note: If the third row seat is stowed in the
floor, you will need to unstow it to access
the spare tire.
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake and activate the hazard flashers.
2. Place the transmission in park (P) and turn the engine off.
342
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Wheels and Tires

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
The vehicle identification number is located
on the left-hand side of the instrument panel.
Please note that in the graphic, XXXX is
representative of your vehicle identification
number.
The Vehicle Identification Number contains
the following information: World manufacturer identifier
A
Brake system, Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating, Restraint Devices
and their locations
B
Make, vehicle line, series, body
type
C
Engine type
D
Check digit
E
Model year
F
Assembly plant
G
Production sequence number
H VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require that a
Safety Compliance Certification Label be
affixed to a vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification Label may
be located. The Safety Compliance
Certification Label shall be affixed to either
the door hinge pillar, the door latch post, or
the edge of the door near the door latch,
next to the driver's seating position.
354
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142476 E142477 E167469

For maximum vehicle performance, keep the
following information in mind when adding
accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•
When adding accessories, equipment,
passengers and luggage to your vehicle,
do not exceed the total weight capacity
of the vehicle or of the front or rear axle
(GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the
Safety Compliance Certification label).
Ask an authorized dealer for specific
weight information.
• The Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
regulate the use of mobile
communications systems that are
equipped with radio transmitters, for
example two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms. Any such equipment
installed in your vehicle should comply
with Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
regulations and should be installed only
by an authorized dealer. •
An authorized dealer needs to install
mobile communications systems.
Improper installation may harm the
operation of your vehicle, particularly if
the manufacturer did not design the
mobile communication system
specifically for automotive use.
• If you or an authorized dealer add any
non-Ford electrical accessories or
components to your vehicle, you may
adversely affect battery performance and
durability. In addition, you may also
adversely affect the performance of other
electrical systems in the vehicle.
479
MKT (TP4) , enUSA, Edition date: 201703, First Printing Accessories