Driving Hints
Breaking-In
.....................................................218
Economical Driving .....................................
218
Driving Through Water ...............................
219
Floor Mats .......................................................
219
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance ..................................
221
Hazard Flashers ...........................................
222
Fuel Shutoff ..................................................
222
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
223
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
224
Transporting the Vehicle ..........................
225
Customer Assistance
Getting the Services You Need ..............
226
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
227
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) .....................
228
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
229
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
229
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
.
231
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
.
231
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
.
231
Fuses
Fuse Specification Chart ..........................
233
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
242
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
244
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
244
Under Hood Overview - 1.5L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
246
Under Hood Overview - 2.0L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
247 Under Hood Overview - 2.5L
..................
248
Engine Oil Dipstick - 1.5L EcoBoost™ ........................................................................\
249
Engine Oil Dipstick - 2.0L EcoBoost™/ 2.5L ..............................................................
249
Engine Oil Check .........................................
249
Oil Change Indicator Reset .....................
250
Engine Coolant Check ................................
251
Automatic Transmission Fluid Check ........................................................................\
255
Brake Fluid Check .......................................
255
Power Steering Fluid Check ....................
256
Washer Fluid Check ...................................
256
Fuel Filter .......................................................
256
Changing the 12V Battery ........................
256
Checking the Wiper Blades ....................
258
Changing the Wiper Blades ....................
259
Adjusting the Headlamps .......................
259
Changing a Bulb ...........................................
261
Changing the Engine Air Filter ...............
265
Vehicle Care
General Information ..................................
267
Cleaning Products ......................................
267
Cleaning the Exterior .................................
267
Waxing ............................................................
269
Cleaning the Engine ..................................
269
Cleaning the Windows and Wiper Blades ........................................................................\
269
Cleaning the Interior ..................................
270
Cleaning the Instrument Panel and Instrument Cluster Lens ......................
270
Cleaning Leather Seats ..............................
271
Repairing Minor Paint Damage ..............
272
Cleaning the Wheels ..................................
272
Vehicle Storage ............................................
272
Body Styling Kits .........................................
274
Wheels and Tires
General Information ...................................
275
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When driving at slow speeds off road under
high load conditions, use a low gear when
possible. Low gear operation will maximize
the engine and transmission cooling
capability.
Under severe operating conditions, the air
conditioning may cycle on and off to
prevent the engine from overheating.
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.
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.
Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for
an extended period of time. This will cause
the system to overheat. A message will be
displayed in the information display. See
General Information (page 95).
To resume operation, switch the ignition
off and allow the system to cool down for
a minimum of 15 minutes. After the system
has cooled down, a message will be
displayed briefly in the information display.
See
General Information (page 95).
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.
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(If Equipped)
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.
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 wheel rims. 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. 160
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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.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump the
brake pedal.
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. As your vehicle has a four
wheel anti-lock brake system, do not pump
the brake pedal. See
Hints on Driving
With Anti-Lock Brakes (page 163).
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud or
Snow
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.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty. For this reason,
we strongly recommend that you do not
make modifications such as adding or
removing parts (i.e. lift kits or stabilizer
bars) or by using replacement parts not
equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
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(If Equipped)
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modifications
involving braking system, aftermarket
roof racks, suspension, steering system,
tire construction and wheel and tire size
may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle and may adversely affect
the performance of the electronic
stability control system. In addition,
installing any stereo loudspeakers may
interfere with and adversely affect the
electronic stability control system. Install
any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as
far as possible from the front center
console, the tunnel, and the front seats
in order to minimize the risk of interfering
with the electronic stability control
sensors. Reducing the effectiveness of
the electronic stability control system
could lead to an increased risk of loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death. WARNING:
Remember that even
advanced technology cannot defy the
laws of physics. It’ s always possible to
lose control of a vehicle due to
inappropriate driver input for the
conditions. Aggressive driving on any
road condition can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk
of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the electronic stability
control system is an indication that at
least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator ’s ability to control
the vehicle potentially resulting in a loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your
electronic stability control system
activates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on. If a fault occurs in either the stability
control or the traction control system, you
may experience the following conditions:
•
The stability and traction control light
illuminates steadily.
• The stability control and traction
control systems do not enhance your
vehicle's ability to maintain traction of
the wheels.
If a driving condition activates either the
stability control or the traction control
system you may experience the following
conditions:
• The stability and traction control light
flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
• A vibration in the brake pedal.
• The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
• If the driving condition is severe and
your foot is not on the brake, the brake
pedal may move as the system applies
higher brake force.
The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle ’s ability
to prevent skids or lateral slides by
applying brakes to one or more of the
wheels individually and, if necessary,
reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle ’s ability
to prevent rollovers by detecting your
vehicle ’s roll motion and the rate at which
it changes by applying the brakes to one
or more wheels individually.
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ACTIVE PARK ASSIST (IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The sensors may not
detect objects in heavy rain or other
conditions that cause interference. WARNING:
Active park assist does
not apply the brakes under any
circumstances. WARNING:
You are responsible
for controlling your vehicle at all times.
The system is designed to be an aid and
does not relieve you of your responsibility
to drive with due care and attention.
Failure to follow this instruction could
result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death.
Active park assist is a multi-step process
and may require you to shift the
transmission multiple times. Follow the
onscreen instructions until the parking
maneuver is complete.
If you are uncomfortable with the proximity
to any vehicle or object, you may choose
to override the system by grabbing the
steering wheel, or by taking full control of
your vehicle after pressing the active park
assist button.
Keep your hands, hair, clothing and any
loose items clear of the steering wheel
when using active park assist. The sensors are on the front and rear
bumpers.
Note:
Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover up the sensors.
Note: Do not clean the sensors with sharp
objects.
Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves.
The sensors may falsely detect objects due
to ultrasonic interference caused by
motorcycle exhausts, truck air brakes or
horns, for example.
Note: If you change any tires, the system
must recalibrate and may not correctly
operate for a short time.
The system may not correctly operate in
any of the following conditions:
• You use a spare tire or a tire that is
significantly worn more than the other
tires.
• One or more tires are incorrectly
inflated.
• You try to park on a tight curve.
• Something passes between the front
bumper and the parking space. For
example, a pedestrian or cyclist.
• The edge of the neighboring parked
vehicle is high off the ground. For
example, a bus, tow truck or flatbed
truck.
• The weather conditions are poor. For
example, during heavy rain, snow, fog,
high humidity and high temperatures.
Do not use the system if:
• You have attached an add-on
accessory close to the sensors on the
front or rear of your vehicle. For
example, a bike rack or trailer.
• You have attached an overhanging
object to the roof. For example, a
surfboard.
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Active guidelines
A
Centerline
B
Fixed guideline: Green zone
C
Fixed guideline: Yellow zone
D
Fixed guideline: Red zone
E
Rear bumper
F
Active guidelines are only shown with fixed
guidelines. To use active guidelines, turn
the steering wheel to point the guidelines
toward an intended path. If you change the
steering wheel position while reversing,
your vehicle might deviate from the original
intended path. The fixed and active guidelines fade in and
out depending on the steering wheel
position. The active guidelines do not
display when the steering wheel position
is straight.
Always use caution while reversing.
Objects in the red zone are closest to your
vehicle and objects in the green zone are
farther away. Objects are getting closer to
your vehicle as they move from the green
zone to the yellow or red zones. Use the
side view mirrors and rear view mirror to
get better coverage on both sides and rear
of the vehicle.
Manual Zoom
WARNING: When manual zoom
is on, the full area behind your vehicle
may not show. Be aware of your
surroundings when using the manual
zoom feature.
Note: Manual zoom is only available when
the transmission is in reverse (R).
Note: When you enable manual zoom, only
the centerline is shown.
Selectable settings for this feature are
Zoom in (+) and Zoom out (-). Press the
symbol in the camera screen to change the
view. The default setting is Zoom OFF.
This allows you to get a closer view of an
object behind your vehicle. The zoomed
image keeps the bumper in the image to
provide a reference. The zoom is only
active while the transmission is in reverse
(R).
Camera System Settings
The rear view camera system settings can
be accessed through the display screen.
See
General Information (page 95).
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set
speed without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. You can use cruise
control when your vehicle speed is greater
than 20 mph (30 km/h).
USING CRUISE CONTROL WARNING:
Do not use cruise
control on winding roads, in heavy traffic
or when the road surface is slippery. This
could result in loss of vehicle control,
serious injury or death. WARNING:
When you are going
downhill, your vehicle speed could
increase above the set speed. The
system does not apply the brakes.
To help the system to maintain the set
speed when going downhill, downshift to
a lower gear.
Your vehicle speed could decrease below
the set speed when driving uphill.
Note: The system cancels if your vehicle
speed drops below 10 mph (16 km/h) under
the set speed when driving uphill. The cruise controls are on the steering
wheel. A more detailed graphic is in the
Steering Wheel information. See Principle
of Operation
(page 184).
Switching Cruise Control On Press and release the button.
The indicator appears in the
information display.
Setting the Cruise Speed
Drive to your preferred speed. Press and release to set the
current speed.
Press and release to set the
current speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Note: The indicator changes color.
Changing the Set Speed Press and release to increase the
set speed in small increments.
Press and release to decrease
the set speed in small
increments.
Press and hold either button to accelerate
or decelerate, respectively. Release the
button when you reach your preferred
speed.
Press the accelerator or brake pedal until
you reach your preferred speed. Press
either button.
Note: If you accelerate by pressing only the
accelerator pedal, the set speed does not
change. When you release the accelerator
pedal, your vehicle returns to the speed you
previously set.
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