STEERING
To help prevent damage to the powersteering system:
•Do not hold the steering wheel at itsfurthest turning points for more thanthree to five seconds when the engineis running.
•Avoid continuously steering back andforth with elevated engine RPM as thismay overheat the system. If trying tofree a stuck vehicle, pause betweenattempts to allow the power steeringsystem to cool or seek assistance.Typical steering and driving maneuversallow the system to cool.
•Do not operate the vehicle if the powersteering pump fluid level is below theMIN 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 downor if the engine is switched 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 suspensioncomponents.
•Loose or worn steering components.
•Improper vehicle alignment.
If any steering components are serviced orreplaced, install new fasteners. Manyfasteners are coated with thread adhesiveor have prevailing torque features whichmay not be re-used. Do not re-use a boltor 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
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximumrecommended gross trailerweight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rolloverand personal injury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, for example fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 131).
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 99). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide. See an authorizeddealer.
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Towing
WARNING: Do not spin thewheels at over 34 mph(55 km/h). The tires may fail andinjure a passenger or bystander.
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 with
caution until you can safely pulloff the road. Stop and inspect thetires for damage. If a tire isunder-inflated or damaged,deflate it, remove wheel and
replace 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 and
rapid 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 labelshows different tire pressures forthe front and rear tires and thevehicle has a tire pressuremonitoring system, then youneed to update the settings for
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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 bethe same size, load index, and speedrating as those originally provided byFord. Use of any tire or wheel notrecommended by Ford can affect thesafety and performance of your vehicle,which could result in an increased risk ofloss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury, and death. Additionally,the use of non-recommended tires andwheels could cause steering, suspension,axle, transfer case, or power transfer unitfailure. It is also strongly advised tofollow the Ford recommended tireinflation pressure found on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label (affixedto either the door hinge pillar, door-latchpost, or the door edge that meets thedoor-latch post, next to the driver’sseating position), or Tire Label which islocated on the B-Pillar or the edge of thedriver door. Failure to follow the tirepressure recommendations can causeuneven treadwear patterns andadversely affect the way your vehiclehandles.
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 tires, inspect tire wear and measure tread depth.1
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, loose-ness or drag.
Perform multi-point inspection that is 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, driveshaftand U-joints.
Other Maintenance Items
Replace engine air filter.Every 30,000 mi(48,000 km)Torque rear axle U-bolts to specification.
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 ConditionsScheduled Maintenance (page 281).
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Scheduled Maintenance