your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine START/STOP button
once without pressing the brake pedal.
You do not need to leave your keys in
the vehicle. You can lock and unlock
your vehicle as you normally do.
9. Release the brake pedal. WARNING: Do not disconnect the
battery during recreational towing. It
prevents the transfer case from shifting
properly and may cause the vehicle to
roll, even if the transmission is in park
(P). WARNING:
Shifting the transfer
case to its neutral position for
recreational towing may cause the
vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is
in park (P). It may injure the driver and
others. Make sure you press the foot
brake and the vehicle is in a secure, safe
position when you shift to neutral (N).
Note: Failing to put the transfer case in its
neutral position may damage vehicle
components.
Note: You can check the four-wheel-down
towing status at any time by opening the
driver door or by switching the ignition to the
accessory or on position and verifying the
confirmation message appears in the
cluster.
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return
the transfer case to the
2H position:
1. With your vehicle still properly secured
to the tow vehicle, switch the ignition
to the on position but do not start the
engine. If your vehicle has an ignition
key, turn the key to the on position. If
your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine START/STOP button
once without pressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal. 3. Shift the transmission out of neutral
(N) and into park (P).
4. Observe the messages on the information display screen.
Note: If completed successfully, the
instrument cluster displays
4X2, and
Neutral Tow Disabled.
Note: If the indicator light and message do
not display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts out of its neutral
position. This is normal.
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•
Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of some
components and systems can be affected
at temperatures below -13°F (-25°C).
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
Before going off-roading, consult with your
local governmental agencies to determine
designated off-road trails and recreation
areas. Also, be sure to understand any
off-road vehicle registration requirements
for the area in which you plan on driving.
Before taking your vehicle off-roading, a
basic vehicle inspection should be done to
make sure that the vehicle is in top working
condition.
Basic Off-road Driving Techniques
• Grip the steering wheel with thumbs
on the outside of the rim. This reduces
the risk of injury due to abrupt steering
wheel motions that occur when
negotiating rough terrain. Do not grip
the steering wheel with thumbs inside
the rim.
• Look ahead on your route noting
upcoming obstacles, surface texture
or color changes or any other factors
which may indicate a change in
available traction, and adjust the
vehicle speed and route accordingly. •
Always keep available ground
clearance in mind and pick a route that
minimizes the risk of catching the
underside of the vehicle on an obstacle.
• When negotiating low speed obstacles,
applying light brake pressure in
conjunction with the throttle helps
prevent the vehicle from jerking and
allows you to negotiate the obstacle
in a more controlled manner. Using 4L
also helps with this.
Crossing Obstacles
• Review the path ahead before
attempting to cross any obstacle. It is
best if the obstacle is reviewed from
outside the vehicle so that there is a
good understanding of terrain condition
both in front of and behind the
obstacle.
• If a large obstacle such as a rock
cannot be avoided, choose a path that
places the rock directly under the tire
rather than the undercarriage of the
vehicle. This helps prevent damage to
your vehicle.
Hill Climbing WARNING:
Extreme care should
be used when steering the vehicle in
reverse down a slope so as not to cause
the vehicle to swerve out of control.
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•
Always attempt to climb a steep hill
along the fall line of the slope and not
diagonally.
• If the vehicle is unable to make it up
the hill, DO NOT attempt to turn back
down the slope. Place the vehicle in
low range and slowly back down in
reverse.
• When descending a steep slope, select
low gear and activate hill descent
control. Use the throttle and brake
pedals to control your descent speed
as described earlier in this section using
hill descent control. Hill descent control
is functional in reverse (R) and should
be used in this situation.
After Off-Road Driving
It is important to complete a full vehicle
inspection after off-road driving. Some
items to check include:
• Check the wheels and undercarriage
for a buildup of mud or debris, which
can cause vehicle vibration.
• Make sure that the grille and radiator
are clear of any obstructions that may
affect cooling.
• Make sure that the brakes are in proper
working order and free of any mud,
stones and debris, which can become
trapped around the brake rotor,
backing plate and caliper.
• Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
• Inspect for torn or punctured boots on
ball joints, half shafts, steering gears.
• Inspect exhaust system for damage or
looseness.
• Inspect undercarriage fasteners. If any
are loose or damaged, tighten or
replace and make sure that you use the
proper torque specification. •
Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks,
or other damage.
• Clear any debris from the exhaust
components. For example, grass or hay.
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.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the wheel
hubs. When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
•
Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
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•
Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS WARNING: Use a floor mat
designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal
area. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Pedals that cannot
move freely can cause loss of vehicle
control and increase the risk of serious
personal injury. WARNING:
Secure the floor mat
to both retention devices so that it
cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING: Do not place additional
floor mats or any other covering on top
of the original floor mats. This could
result in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Always make sure that
objects cannot fall into the driver foot
well while your vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped
under the pedals causing a loss of
vehicle control. To install the floor mats, position the floor
mat eyelet over the retention post and
press down to lock in position.
To remove the floor mat, reverse the
installation procedure.
Note:
Regularly check the floor mats to
make sure they are secure.
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ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
WARNING: Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING:
Do not dispose of
coolant in the household refuse or the
public sewage system. Use an authorized
waste disposal facility. WARNING:
Do not put coolant in
the windshield washer reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield. WARNING:
To reduce the risk of
personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant
pressure relief cap. The cooling system
is under pressure. Steam and hot liquid
can come out forcefully when you loosen
the cap slightly. WARNING:
Do not add coolant
further than the MAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check the
concentration and level of the coolant at
the intervals listed in the scheduled
maintenance information. See Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 412).
Note: Make sure that the coolant level is
between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
coolant reservoir.
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The
level may extend beyond the
MAX mark. Maintain coolant concentration within
48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze
point between
-29°F (-34°C) and -35°F
(-37°C). Coolant concentration should be
checked using a refractometer. We do not
recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant
concentration.
Adding Coolant WARNING:
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING:
Do not allow the fluid
to touch your skin or eyes. If this
happens, rinse the affected areas
immediately with plenty of water and
contact your physician. WARNING:
Undiluted coolant is
flammable and may ignite if spilled on a
hot exhaust.
Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. Take care not to put engine
coolant in the windshield washer fluid
reservoir or windshield washer fluid in the
engine coolant reservoir.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
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CHARGING THE 12V BATTERY
Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system may
temporarily disable certain electrical
features to protect the battery. Those
electrical accessories affected include the
rear defrost, heated/cooled seats, climate
control fan, heated steering wheel, audio
and navigation system. A message may be
shown in the information displays to alert
the driver that battery protection actions
are active. These messages are only for
notification that an action is taking place,
and not intended to indicate an electrical
problem or that the battery requires
replacement.
Electrical accessory installation
Note: Charging and replacing the battery
requires the driver power window to be
re-initialized.
See Windows and Mirrors
(page 83).
To ensure proper operation of the Battery
Management System, any electrical
devices that are added to your vehicle
should not have their ground connection
made directly at the negative battery post.
A connection at the negative battery
terminal can cause inaccurate
measurements of the battery condition
and potential incorrect system operation.
When a battery replacement is required,
you must use a recommended
replacement battery that matches the
electrical requirements of the vehicle. After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with the
external charger, the Battery Management
System requires eight hours of vehicle
sleep time (key off with doors closed) to
relearn the new battery state of charge.
Prior to relearning the state of charge, the
Battery Management System may disable
electrical features (to protect the battery)
earlier than normal.
CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY
WARNING:
Batteries normally
produce explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Therefore, do not
allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery.
When working near the battery, always
shield your face and protect your eyes.
Always provide correct ventilation. WARNING:
When lifting a
plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure
on the end walls could cause acid to flow
through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a
battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners. WARNING:
Keep batteries out of
reach of children. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect
against possible splashing of acid
solution. In case of acid contact with skin
or eyes, flush immediately with water for
a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed,
call a physician immediately.
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WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
hands after handling. WARNING:
This vehicle may have
more than one battery. Removing the
battery cables from only one battery
does not disconnect your vehicle
electrical system. Make sure you
disconnect the battery cables from all
batteries when disconnecting power.
Failure to do so may cause serious
personal injury or property damage. WARNING:
For vehicles with
Auto-Start-Stop the battery requirement
is different. You must replace the battery
with one of exactly the same
specification.
The battery is located in the engine
compartment. See
Under Hood
Overview (page 263).
Your vehicle has a maintenance-free
battery. It does not require additional
water during service.
If your vehicle battery has a cover, make
sure you correctly install it after cleaning
or replacing the battery.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the
top of the battery clean and dry and the
battery cables tightly fastened to the
battery terminals. If any corrosion is
present on the battery or terminals, remove
the cables from the terminals and clean
with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and
water.
We recommend that you disconnect the
negative battery cable terminal from the
battery if you plan to store your vehicle for
an extended period. To maintain correct operation of the
battery management system, if you add
any electrical devices to your vehicle, do
not connect the ground connection directly
to the negative battery terminal. A
connection at the negative battery terminal
can cause inaccurate measurements of
the battery condition and potential
incorrect system operation.
Note:
Electrical accessories or components
added to your vehicle by you or an
authorized dealer, may adversely affect
battery performance, durability and the
performance of other electrical systems on
your vehicle.
If a replacement battery is required, we
recommend you use a Ford replacement
battery that matches the electrical
requirements of your vehicle.
If you disconnect or replace the battery
and your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, transmission must relearn
its adaptive strategy. Because of this, the
transmission may shift firmly when first
driven. This is normal operation while the
transmission fully updates its operation to
optimum shift feel.
Remove and Reinstall the Battery
To disconnect or remove the battery, do
the following:
1. Apply the parking brake and switch the
ignition off.
2. Switch all electrical equipment off, for
example lights and radio.
3. Wait a minimum of two minutes before
disconnecting the battery.
Note: The engine management system has
a power hold function and remains powered
for a period after you switch the ignition off.
This is to allow diagnostic and adaptive
tables to be stored. Disconnecting the
battery without waiting can cause damage
not covered by the vehicle Warranty.
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To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
•
Clean the windshield with a
non-abrasive glass cleaner. When
cleaning the interior of the windshield,
avoid getting any glass cleaner on the
instrument panel or door panels. Wipe
any glass cleaner off these surfaces
immediately.
• For windshields contaminated with
tree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, clean
the entire windshield using steel wool
(no greater than 0000 grade) in a
circular motion and rinse with water.
• Clean the wiper blades with isopropyl
rubbing alcohol or windshield washer
concentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or other
sharp objects to clean or remove decals
from the inside of the heated rear window.
The vehicle warranty does not cover
damage caused to the heated rear window
grid lines.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR WARNING: Do not use cleaning
solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's
seatbelts, as these actions may weaken
the belt webbing. WARNING:
On vehicles equipped
with seat-mounted airbags, do not use
chemical solvents or strong detergents.
Such products could contaminate the
side airbag system and affect
performance of the side airbag in a crash.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and seats
equipped with side airbags:
• Remove dust and loose dirt with a
vacuum cleaner.
• Remove light stains and soil with
Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. •
If grease or tar is present on the
material, spot-clean the area first with
Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Multi-Purpose
Cleaner.
• If a ring forms on the fabric after spot
cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate)
or the ring will set.
• Do not use household cleaning
products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect
the flame retardant abilities of the seat
materials.
Mirrors
Do not clean the housing or glass of any
mirror with harsh abrasives, fuel or other
petroleum or ammonia-based cleaning
products.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS WARNING:
Do not use chemical
solvents or strong detergents when
cleaning the steering wheel or
instrument panel to avoid contamination
of the airbag system.
Note: Follow the same procedure as
cleaning leather seats for cleaning leather
instrument panels and leather interior trim
surfaces. See
Cleaning Leather Seats
(page 286).
Clean the instrument panel and cluster
lens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,
then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to dry
these areas.
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