
After all occupants have adjusted their seatsand put on seatbelts, it is very important thatthey continue to sit properly. A properlyseated occupant sits upright, leaning againstthe seat backrest, and centered on the seatcushion, with their feet comfortably extendedon the floor. Sitting improperly can increasethe chance of injury in a crash event. Forexample, if an occupant slouches, lies down,turns sideways, sits forward, leans forwardor sideways, or puts one or both feet up, thechance of injury during a crash greatlyincreases.
The conditions listed above may cause theweight of a properly seated occupant to beincorrectly interpreted by the front passengersensing system. The person in the frontpassenger seat may appear heavier or lighterdue to the conditions described in the listabove.
Make sure the front passengersensing system is operatingproperly.  See Crash Sensors andAirbag Indicator (page 55).
Do not attempt to repair or service thesystem. Take your vehicle immediately to anauthorized dealer.
If it is necessary to modify an advanced frontairbag system to accommodate a personwith disabilities, contact the Ford CustomerRelationship Center.  See Getting theServices You Need (page 269).
SIDE AIRBAGS
WARNING: Do not place objects ormount equipment on or near the airbagcover, on the side of the front or rearseatbacks, or in areas that may come intocontact with a deploying airbag. Failure tofollow these instructions may increase therisk of personal injury in the event of a crash.
WARNING: Do not use accessory seatcovers. The use of accessory seat coversmay prevent the deployment of the sideairbags and increase the risk of injury in anaccident.
WARNING: Do not lean your head onthe door. The side airbag could injure youas it deploys from the side of the seatback.
WARNING: Do not attempt to service,repair, or modify the supplementary restraintsystem or associated components. Failureto follow this instruction could result inpersonal injury or death.
WARNING: If a supplementary restraintsystem component has deployed, it will notfunction again. Have the system andassociated components inspected as soonas possible. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury or death.
The side airbags are on the outboard sideof the seat backrests of the front seats. Incertain sideways crashes, the side airbagswill be inflated. The airbag was designed toinflate between the door panel and occupantto further enhance the protection providedoccupants in side impact crashes.
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Supplementary Restraints SystemE67017  

SITTING IN THE CORRECT
POSITION
WARNING: Sitting improperly, out ofposition or with the seatback reclined too farcan take weight off the seat cushion andaffect the decision of the passenger sensingsystem, resulting in serious injury or deathin the event of a crash. Always sit uprightagainst your seat back, with your feet on thefloor.
WARNING: Do not recline the seatbackas this can cause the occupant to slide underthe safety belt, resulting in serious injury inthe event of a crash.
WARNING: Do not place objects higherthan the seatback to reduce the risk ofserious injury in the event of a crash orduring heavy braking.
When you use them properly, the seat, headrestraint, safety belt and airbags will provideoptimum protection in the event of a crash.
We recommend that you follow theseguidelines:
•Sit in an upright position with the base ofyour spine as far back as possible.
•Do not recline the seatback more than30 degrees.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the topof it is level with the top of your head andas far forward as possible. Make sure thatyou remain comfortable.
•Keep sufficient distance betweenyourself and the steering wheel. Werecommend a minimum of 10 in (25 cm)between your breastbone and the airbagcover.
•Hold the steering wheel with your armsslightly bent.
•Bend your legs slightly so that you canpress the pedals fully.
•Position the shoulder strap of the safetybelt over the center of your shoulder andposition the lap strap tightly across yourhips.
Make sure that your driving position iscomfortable and that you can maintain fullcontrol of your vehicle.
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SeatsE68595  

Armrest Pass-Through
Note:Do not exceed 80 lb (36 kg) of weighton the pass-through door.
Release the latch, then pull down on the doorin the back of the armrest. You can storecargo of a longer length such as skis orlumber.
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SeatsE152622  

WARNING: Do not use your heater withungrounded electrical systems ortwo-pronged adapters. There is a risk ofelectrical shock.
WARNING: Do not fully close the hood,or allow it to drop under its own weight whenusing the engine block heater. This coulddamage the power cable and may cause anelectrical short resulting in fire, injury andproperty damage.
Note:The heater is most effective whenoutdoor temperatures are below 0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warmingthe engine coolant. This allows the climatecontrol system to respond quickly. Theequipment includes a heater element(installed in the engine block) and a wireharness. You can connect the system to agrounded 120-volt AC electrical source.
We recommend that you do the following fora safe and correct operation:
•Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cordthat is product certified by Underwriter’sLaboratory (UL) or Canadian StandardsAssociation (CSA). This extension cordmust be suitable for use outdoors, in coldtemperatures, and be clearly markedSuitable for Use with OutdoorAppliances. Do not use an indoorextension cord outdoors. This couldresult in an electric shock or become afire hazard.
•Use as short an extension cord aspossible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords.
•Make sure that when in operation, theextension cord plug and heater cord plugconnections are free and clear of water.This could cause an electric shock or fire.
•Make sure your vehicle is parked in aclean area, clear of combustibles.
•Make sure the heater, heater cord andextension cord are firmly connected.
•Check for heat anywhere in the electricalhookup once the system has beenoperating for approximately 30 minutes.
•Make sure the system is unplugged andproperly stowed before starting anddriving your vehicle. Make sure theprotective cover seals the prongs of theblock heater cord plug when not in use.
•Make sure the heater system is checkedfor proper operation before winter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals are cleanand dry prior to use. Clean them with a drycloth if necessary.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours ofenergy per hour of use. The system does nothave a thermostat. It achieves maximumtemperature after approximately three hoursof operation. Using the heater longer thanthree hours does not improve systemperformance and unnecessarily useselectricity.
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Starting and Stopping the Engine 

Note: If this action corrects the problem themessage may not immediately reset.  If themessage remains and a warning lampilluminates, have your vehicle checked assoon as possible.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Advertised Capacity
The advertised capacity is the maximumamount of fuel that you can add to the fueltank after running out of fuel. Included in theadvertised capacity is an empty reserve. Theempty reserve is an unspecified amount offuel that remains in the fuel tank when thefuel gauge indicates empty.
Note:The amount of fuel in the emptyreserve varies and should not be relied uponto increase driving range.
Fuel Economy
Your vehicle calculates fuel economy figuresthrough the trip computer average fuelfunction.  See General Information (page110).
The first 1,000 mi (1,500 km) of driving is thebreak-in period of the engine. A moreaccurate measurement is obtained after2,000 mi (3,000 km).
Impacting Fuel Economy
•Incorrect tire inflation pressures.
•Fully loading your vehicle.
•Carrying unnecessary weight.
•Adding certain accessories to yourvehicle such as bug deflectors, rollbarsor light bars, running boards and skiracks.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol.  SeeFuel Quality (page 166).
•Fuel economy may decrease with lowertemperatures.
•Fuel economy may decrease whendriving short distances.
•You may get better fuel economy whendriving on flat terrain than when drivingon hilly terrain.
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Fuel and Refueling 

•An open or pinched sensor hose.
•Incorrect engine oil level.
•Incorrect fuel for climatic conditions.
•Incorrect engine oil viscosity for climacticconditions.
Note:Some vehicles have a lifetime fuel filterthat is integrated with the fuel tank. Regularmaintenance or replacement is not needed.
Note:If these checks do not help you correctthe concern, have your vehicle checked assoon as possible.
Noise Emissions Warranty, ProhibitedTampering Acts and Maintenance
On January 1, 1978, Federal regulationbecame effective governing the noiseemission on trucks over 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Thepreceding statements concerning prohibitedtampering acts and maintenance, and thenoise warranty found in the Warranty Guide,are applicable to complete chassis cabs over10,000 lb (4,536 kg) GVWR.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WARNING: Do not park, idle or driveyour vehicle on dry grass or other dry groundcover. The emission system heats up theengine compartment and exhaust system,creating the risk of fire.
WARNING: The normal operatingtemperature of the exhaust system is veryhigh. Never work around or attempt to repairany part of the exhaust system until it hascooled. Use special care when workingaround the catalytic converter. The catalyticconverter heats up to a very hightemperature after only a short period ofengine operation and stays hot after theengine is switched off.
WARNING: Exhaust leaks may resultin entry of harmful and potentially lethalfumes into the passenger compartment. Ifyou smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,have your vehicle inspected immediately. Donot drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle has various emission controlcomponents and a catalytic converter thatenables it to comply with applicable exhaustemission standards.
To make sure that the catalytic converter andother emission control components continueto work properly:
•Do not crank the engine for more than10 seconds at a time.
•Do not run the engine with a spark pluglead disconnected.
•Do not push-start or tow-start yourvehicle. Use booster cables.  See JumpStarting the Vehicle (page 264).
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Do not switch the ignition off when yourvehicle is moving.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Have the items listed in scheduledmaintenance information performedaccording to the specified schedule.
Note:Resulting component damage maynot be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
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Engine Emission Control 

LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with and without aTrailer
This section guides you in the properloading of your vehicle, trailer, or both.Keep your loaded vehicle weight withinits design rating capability, with orwithout a trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle provides maximum return ofvehicle design performance. Before youload your vehicle, become familiar withthe following terms for determining yourvehicle’s weight rating, with or withouta trailer, from the vehicle’s Tire andLoading Information label or SafetyCompliance Certification label.
Tire and Loading Label InformationExample:
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Load CarryingE198719  

Payload
Payload is the combined weight of cargoand passengers that your vehicle iscarrying. The maximum payload for yourvehicle appears on the Tire and Loadinglabel. The label is either on the B-pillaror the edge of the driver door. Vehiclesexported outside the US and Canadamay not have a tire and loading label.Look for “The combined weight ofoccupants and cargo should neverexceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” formaximum payload. The payload listedon the Tire and Loading Informationlabel is the maximum payload for yourvehicle as built by the assembly plant. If
you install any additional equipment onyour vehicle, you must determine thenew payload. Subtract the weight of theequipment from the payload listed onthe Tire and Loading label. When towing,trailer tongue weight or king pin weightis also part of payload.
WARNING: The appropriateloading capacity of your vehicle can belimited either by volume capacity (howmuch space is available) or by payloadcapacity (how much weight the vehicleshould carry). Once you have reached
the maximum payload of your vehicle,do not add more cargo, even if there isspace available. Overloading orimproperly loading your vehicle cancontribute to loss of vehicle control andvehicle rollover.
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Load CarryingE143816PAYLOAD