Adaptive Learning
The electronic power steering system
adaptive learning improves overall handling
and steering on roads with irregularities. It
communicates with the brake system to help
operate advanced stability control and
accident avoidance systems. When you
install a new battery or disconnect the
battery, you need to drive your vehicle a
short distance so it can relearn and reactivate
all systems.
Adaptive Steering
The adaptive steering system continually
changes the steering ratio with changes to
the vehicle speed, optimizing the steering
response in all conditions.
The adaptive steering system is designed
with a locking device. When the lock
engages, your vehicle returns to a fixed
steering ratio. Your vehicle may make a
sound when you start or switch off your
vehicle as the lock engages or disengages.
If your vehicle loses electrical power or
detects a fault when you are driving, the lock
engages and you are able to continue
steering. During this time, the steering wheel
may not be straight even when driving
straight ahead. You may need to use a
different steering wheel angle to properly
drive your vehicle. Extreme operating
conditions may cause the lock to engage.
This strategy prevents overheating and
permanent damage to the adaptive steering
system. Typical steering and driving
maneuvers allow the system to cool and
operate as normal.
Note:
The adaptive steering system has
diagnostic checks that continuously monitor
the system. If the system detects a fault, a
message displays in the information display.
If a red warning message displays, stop your
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. The
message may clear if the fault is no longer
present. If an adaptive steering system
warning message appears each time you
start your vehicle, have the system checked
as soon as possible. PRE-COLLISION ASSIST (IF EQUIPPED) 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. WARNING:
The system does not
detect vehicles that are driving in a
different direction, cyclists or animals.
Apply the brakes when necessary. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in the
loss of control of your vehicle, personal
injury or death. WARNING:
The system does not
operate during hard acceleration or
steering. Failure to take care may lead to
a crash or personal injury.
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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:
Some situations and
objects prevent hazard detection. For
example low or direct sunlight, inclement
weather, unconventional vehicle types, and
pedestrians. Apply the brakes when
necessary. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system cannot help
prevent all crashes. Do not rely on this
system to replace driver judgment and the
need to maintain a safe distance and
speed. Using the Pre-Collision Assist System
The system is active at speeds above
approximately 3 mph (5 km/h) and pedestrian
detection is active at speeds up to
50 mph
(80 km/h). If your vehicle is rapidly approaching another
stationary vehicle, a vehicle traveling in the
same direction as yours, or a pedestrian
within your driving path, the system is
designed to provide three levels of
functionality:
1. Alert
2. Brake Support
3. Active Braking
Alert
: When active, a flashing visual warning
appears and an audible warning tone
sounds.
Brake Support
: The system is designed to
help reduce the impact speed by preparing
the brakes for rapid braking. Brake support
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.
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operation at Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating, not at Gross Combined Weight
Rating.) Separate functional brakes
should be used for safe control of towed
vehicles and for trailers where the Gross
Combined Weight of the towing vehicle
plus the trailer exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight must never
exceed the Gross Combined Weight
Rating.
Note:
For trailer towing information
refer to the RV and Trailer Towing Guide
available at an authorized dealer. WARNING: Do not exceed the
GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label. WARNING:
Do not use
replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the original
tires because they may lower your
vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Replacement tires with a higher limit
than the original tires do not increase
the GVWR and GAWR limitations. WARNING:
Exceeding any
vehicle weight rating can adversely
affect the performance and handling
of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage
and can result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury
or death.
Steps for determining the correct load
limit:
1. Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lb." on your vehicle ’s placard. 2.
Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lb.
and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lb.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailers
beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit
of your vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury. WARNING:
Do not exceed the
GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Note: See
Recommended Towing
Weights (page 317).
Your vehicle may have electrical items,
such as fuses or relays, related to
towing.
See Fuses (page 342). Your vehicle's load capacity designation
is by weight, not by volume, so you
cannot necessarily use all available
space when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra load on
your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect
these components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement
affects your vehicle when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest to
the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items centered
between the left and right side trailer
tires. •
Load the heaviest items above the
trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not
allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a ball mount with the correct
rise or drop and load capacity. When
both the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly angled
down toward your vehicle, when
viewed from the side.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a
slight takeoff vibration or shudder may
be present due to the increased payload
weight. Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting your
vehicle up for towing is located in
another chapter of this manual.
See
Load Limit (page 310).
You can also find information in the
RV
& Trailer Towing Guide available at your
authorized dealer, or online.
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RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL WARNING: Turning off trailer sway
control increases the risk of loss of vehicle
control, serious injury or death. Ford does
not recommend disabling this feature
except in situations where speed reduction
may be detrimental (such as hill climbing),
the driver has significant trailer towing
experience, and can control trailer sway
and maintain safe operation.
Note: This feature does not prevent trailer
sway, but reduces it when it begins.
Note: This feature cannot stop all trailers
from swaying.
Note: In some cases, if your vehicle speed
is too high, the system may turn on multiple
times, gradually reducing your vehicle speed. The system applies the brakes to the
individual wheels and reduces engine torque
to aid vehicle stability. If the trailer begins
to sway, the stability control warning lamp
flashes and a message appears in the
information display. See Information
Messages (page 134). Slow your vehicle
down, pull safely to the side of the road and
check for correct load distribution. See Load
Carrying
(page 308).
You can switch this feature off in the
information display. When you switch the
ignition on, the system automatically turns
on.
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer weight
for your vehicle configuration listed in
the chart below. Note:
Be sure to take into consideration
trailer frontal area. Do not exceed 20
ft² (1.86 m²) if your vehicle can tow a
class I trailer or 55 ft² (5.11 m²) if your
vehicle can tow a class III trailer.
Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight by
2% per
1,000 ft (300 m) starting at the
1,000 ft (300 m) elevation point.
Note: Certain states require electric
trailer brakes for trailers over a specified
weight. Be sure to check state
regulations for this specified weight. The
maximum trailer weights listed may be
limited to this specified weight, as the
vehicle ’s electrical system may not
include the wiring connector needed to
activate electric trailer brakes.
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws for
towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with towing
accessories for the proper installation
and adjustment specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer.
See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 522).
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's load
in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit
(page
310).
Remember to account for the trailer tongue
weight as part of your vehicle load when
calculating the total vehicle weight. Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
A weight distributing hitch is not required for
your vehicle.
Safety Chains
Note:
Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’ s 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. 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 collision greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install
them properly 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.
Safe control of towed vehicles requires
separate functioning brake systems for
vehicles and trailers weighing more than
1,500 lb (680 kg)
when loaded.
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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 your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance
in proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
Most towed vehicles require trailer lamps.
Make sure all running lights, brake lights,
direction indicators and hazard 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 mi
(800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after
you have traveled
50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in park (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.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective. •
If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and transmission
cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with a
trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a grade. However, if
you must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in park
(P).
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included
with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
backing the trailer into the water.
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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.
• 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. 325
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