The Personal Safety System provides an
improved overall level of frontal crash
protection to front seat occupants and is
designed to help further reduce the risk of
airbag-related injuries. The system is able
to analyze different occupant conditions
and crash severity before activating the
appropriate safety devices to help better
protect a range of occupants in a variety
of frontal crash situations.
The Vehicle Personal Safety System
consists of:
•
Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag
supplemental restraints.
• Front seat outboard seatbelts with
pretensioners, energy management
retractors and seatbelt usage sensors.
• Driver seat position sensor.
• Front passenger sensing system.
• Passenger airbag status indicator.
• Front crash severity sensors.
• Restraints control module with impact
and safing sensors.
• Restraint system warning lamp and
tone.
• The electrical wiring for the airbags,
crash sensors, seatbelt pretensioners,
front seatbelt usage sensors, driver
seat position sensor, front passenger
sensing system and indicator lights.
How Does the Personal Safety
System Work?
The Personal Safety System can adapt the
deployment strategy of the safety devices
according to crash severity and occupant
conditions. A collection of crash and
occupant sensors provides information to
the restraints control module. During a
crash, the restraints control module may
deploy the seatbelt pretensioners, one or
both stages of the dual-stage airbags
based on crash severity and occupant
conditions.
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™
HEATED SEATS (If Equipped)
WARNING:
People who are unable
to feel pain to their skin because of
advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use,
exhaustion or other physical conditions,
must use caution when using the heated
seat. The heated seat may cause burns
even at low temperatures, especially if
used for long periods of time. Do not place
anything on the seat that may block the
heat, such as a blanket or cushion. This can
cause the heated seat to overheat. Do not
puncture the seat with pins, needles or
other pointed objects. This damages the
heating element and can cause the heated
seat to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
Do not do the following:
• Place heavy objects on the seat.
• Operate the heated seat if water or any
other liquid spills on the seat. Allow the
seat to dry thoroughly.
• Operate the heated seats unless the
engine is running. Doing so can cause
the battery to lose charge. Press the heated seat symbol to cycle
through the various heat settings and off.
More indicator lights indicate warmer
settings.
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AUTO-START-STOP
WARNING: Always switch the
ignition off and fully apply the parking
brake before carrying out any maintenance
or leaving your vehicle. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury or death if the engine restarts.
Principle of Operation
The system is designed to help reduce fuel
consumption and CO 2 emissions by
stopping the engine when it is idling, for
example at traffic lights. Your vehicle has
an enhanced starter motor that is designed
for an increased number of engine starts.
The system does not stop the engine under
certain conditions, for example:
• If you have opened the driver door.
• If you have unfastened the driver
seatbelt.
• If your vehicle is at high altitude.
• If you have switched the heated
windshield on.
• If you have shifted into manual (M).
• If your vehicle is on a steep grade.
• If the engine is warming up.
• If the outside temperature is too low
or too high.
• If the battery charge is low or the
battery temperature is outside the
optimal operating range.
• To maintain the interior climate or
reduce fogging.
• If you have turned the steering more
than 270 degrees. The system restarts the engine under
certain conditions, for example:
•
If you have opened the driver door.
• If you have unfastened the driver
seatbelt.
• If you switch the heated windshield on.
• If you switch maximum defrost on.
• If you turn the steering wheel.
• If your vehicle starts to roll downhill in
neutral.
• To maintain adequate brake
assistance.
• To maintain the interior climate or
reduce fogging.
Note: The blower motor speed could
change when the system restarts the engine.
Using Auto-Start-Stop WARNING: Apply the parking brake
and shift into park (P) before leaving your
vehicle.
Stopping the Engine
Stop your vehicle and keep your foot on
the brake pedal and the transmission in
drive (D).
Note: The engine stops if you shift into park
(P) or neutral (N) regardless of whether you
have your foot on the brake pedal or not.
Note: Power assist steering turns off when
the engine is off.
Restarting the Engine
• Release the brake pedal.
• Press the accelerator pedal.
• Shift into drive (D), reverse (R) or
manual (M).
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system
applies the brakes to individual wheels
and, when needed, reduces engine power
at the same time. If the wheels spin when
accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order
to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING: The stability and traction
control light illuminates steadily if the
system detects a failure. Make sure you
did not manually disable the traction
control system using the information
display controls or the switch. If the
stability control and traction control light
is still illuminating steadily, have the
system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with
the traction control disabled could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The system automatically turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note: When you switch traction control off,
stability control remains fully active.
Switching the System Off
When you switch the system off or on, a
message appears in the information
display showing system status.
You can switch the system off by either
using the information display controls or
the switch. Using the Information Display
Controls
You can switch this feature off or on in the
information display. See General
Information (page 92).
Using a Switch
(If Equipped)
Use the traction control switch on the
instrument panel to switch the system off
or on.
System Indicator Lights and
Messages The stability and traction control
light:
• Temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up.
• Flashes when a driving condition
activates either of the systems.
• Illuminates if a problem occurs in either
of the systems. The stability and traction control
off light temporarily illuminates
on engine start-up and stays on
when you switch the traction control
system off.
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Note:
The system does not operate in
reverse (R).
System Lights and Messages When the system detects a vehicle, an
alert indicator illuminates in the exterior
mirror on the side the approaching vehicle
is coming from. If you turn the direction
indicator on for that side of your vehicle,
the alert indicator flashes.
Note:
The system may not alert you if a
vehicle quickly passes through the detection
zone.
Blocked Sensors The sensors are behind the rear bumper
on both sides of your vehicle.
Note:
Keep the sensors free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt.
Note: Do not cover the sensors with bumper
stickers, repair compound or other objects. Note:
Blocked sensors could affect system
performance.
If the sensors become blocked, a message
may appear in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 94). The
alert indicators remain illuminated but the
system does not alert you.
System Errors
If the system detects a fault, a warning
lamp illuminates and a message displays.
See
Information Messages (page 94).
Switching the System On and Off
You can switch the system off using the
information display.
See General
Information (page 92). When you switch
the system off, a warning lamp illuminates
and a message displays. When you switch
the system on or off, the alert indicators
flash twice.
Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: The system may not correctly operate
when towing a trailer. For vehicles with a
trailer tow module and tow bar approved
by us, the system turns off when you attach
a trailer. For vehicles with an aftermarket
trailer tow module or tow bar, we
recommend that you switch the system off
when you attach a trailer.
To permanently switch the system off,
contact an authorized dealer.
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WARNING: The system may fail or
operate with reduced function during cold
and severe weather conditions. Snow, ice,
rain, spray and fog can adversely affect the
system. Keep the front camera and radar
free of snow and ice. Failure to take care
may result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, serious personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system may not
operate properly if your vehicle has a
non-Ford windshield. Do not carry out
windshield repairs in the area around the
sensor. WARNING:
In situations where the
vehicle camera has limited detection
capability, this may reduce system
performance. These situations include but
are not limited to direct or low sunlight,
vehicles at night without tail lights,
unconventional vehicle types, pedestrians
with complex backgrounds, running
pedestrians, partly obscured pedestrians,
or pedestrians that the system cannot
distinguish from a group. Failure to take
care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death. WARNING:
The Pre-Collision Assist
system with brake support cannot help
prevent all collisions. Do not rely on this
system to replace your judgment and the
need to maintain correct distance and
speed.
The pre-collision assist system is active
when your vehicle reaches a speed greater
than approximately
3 mph (5 km/h).
Pedestrian detection is active at speeds
up to
50 mph (80 km/h).
Note: The system is not designed to detect
animals.
Note: The system is not designed to detect
vehicles or cyclists that are traveling in a
different direction. If your vehicle is rapidly approaching a
stationary vehicle, a vehicle or cyclist
traveling in the same direction as yours, or
a pedestrian within your driving path, the
system is designed to provide three levels
of functionality.
Description
Level of Functionality
When activated, a warning lamp flashes and an audible
warning sounds.
Alert
The system is designed to help reduce the impact speed by
preparing the brakes for rapid braking. The system does not
automatically apply the brakes. If you press the brake pedal, the system could apply additional braking up to maximum braking force, even if you lightly press the brake pedal.
Brake support
The system is designed to apply the brakes if it detects a
crash is imminent. This may help reduce impact or avoid the crash.
Active braking - vehicles
without adaptive cruise
control
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Another chapter of this manual contains
load specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label and
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load. See Load Limit (page 225).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector When attaching the trailer wiring connector
to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting
connector that works with the vehicle and
trailer functions.
Note:
You cannot use a seven-pin trailer
wiring connector for your vehicle and the
trailer lighting equipment. Function
Color
Left turn signal and stop lamp
Yellow
Ground (-)
White
Right turn signal and stop
lamp
Green
Running lights
Brown Hitches WARNING: Do not tow a trailer that
exceeds the maximum limit of the towing
equipment. This could result in vehicle
structural damage, loss of vehicle control
and personal injury.
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so that between
10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is
on the tongue.
The hitch rating on the trailer hitch label is
the maximum possible trailer rating. To
find the maximum trailer weight allowed
for your vehicle
See Recommended
Towing Weights (page 231). Further
information is available in the RV and
Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized
dealer.
Safety Chains
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.
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
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 crash greatly increase.
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Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them correctly 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.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING: Never connect any trailer
lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp
wiring; this may damage the electrical
system resulting in fire. Contact an
authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in correct trailer tow wiring
installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard warning
flashers are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113
km/h) during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers).
• Do not make full-throttle starts. •
Check the trailer hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50
miles (80 kilometers).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission selector lever in position
P to aid engine and transmission
cooling and to help A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
• When driving down a long or steep hill,
if your vehicle is fitted with a
SelectShift Automatic® Transmission,
use a low gear, See
Automatic
Transmission (page 169). Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they
may overheat and become less
effective.
• If the transmission is fitted with Grade
Assist or a Towing feature, use this
feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• If your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with
RSC and a heavily loaded trailer is on
tow, the system may turn on while
taking corners. This is normal. Taking
corners at slower speeds can reduce
this tendency.
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