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Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump
” the
brakes.
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:
Your vehicle may have original
equipment tires designed to optimize the
performance of your vehicle in dry or wet
summer road conditions. If your vehicle is
equipped with such tires, we recommend
using a dedicated set (all 4 tires) of winter
tires in snow and ice conditions. Do not mix
winter tires and performance tires between
axles or degraded traction and handling
characteristics could result.
Note: Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over
two-wheel drive (2WD) 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.
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Direction of travel.
A
Steering wheel rotation.
B
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 as well. Although an
AWD vehicle may accelerate better than a
two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it
won ’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, 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.
Since your vehicle is equipped with a four
wheel (ABS), do not “pump ” the brakes. See
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
(page 194). Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and tested
to provide predictable performance whether
loaded or empty and durable load carrying
capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do
not make modifications such as adding or
removing parts (such as lowering kits or
stabilizer bars) or by using replacement parts
not equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the
center of gravity can make it more likely the
vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of
control. Ford Motor Company recommends
that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such
as ladder or luggage racks).
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B
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Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may
void the warranty, increase your repair cost,
reduce vehicle performance and operational
capabilities and adversely affect driver and
passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended
if the vehicle is subjected to off-highway
usage.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
your vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Wheels
(page 331). See
Warning Lamps and
Indicators (page 104).
Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes. Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal becomes
stuck or entrapped, apply steady and firm
pressure to the brake pedal to slow the
vehicle and reduce engine power. If you
experience this condition, apply the brakes
and bring your vehicle to a safe stop. Move
the transmission to park (P), switch the
engine off and apply the parking brake.
Inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake rapidly
by measuring the rate at which you press the
brake pedal. It provides maximum braking
efficiency as long as you press the pedal,
and can reduce stopping distances in critical
situations.
Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily illuminates
when you switch the ignition on.
If the light does not illuminate
during start up, remains on or flashes, the
system may be disabled. Have the system
checked by an authorized dealer. If the
anti-lock brake system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. If the brake warning lamp
illuminates when you release the
parking brake, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer. It also
illuminates momentarily when you switch the
ignition on to confirm the lamp is functional.
If it does not illuminate when you switch the
ignition on or begins to flash at any time,
have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
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HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-
LOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock braking system does not
eliminate the risks when:
•
You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brake
pedal may pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You
may also hear a noise from the system. This
is normal.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift into
park (P). Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury or death. WARNING:
If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake
system. WARNING:
The electric parking
brake does not operate if the vehicle
battery is running out of charge.
Your vehicle has an electric parking brake.
You operate it with a switch instead of a
lever. The switch is on the center console or
to the left-hand side of the steering wheel,
on the lower part of the instrument panel.
Note: The electric parking brake makes
noises during operation. This is normal.
Applying the Electric Parking Brake Pull the switch upward.
The red warning lamp flashes
during operation and illuminates
when the parking brake is applied. Note:
It remains illuminated for a short
period of time after you switch the ignition
off.
If it continues to flash or does not illuminate,
the system has malfunctioned. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: You can apply the electric parking
brake when the ignition is off.
Note: The electric parking brake could
automatically apply when you shift into park
(P).
See Transmission (page 178).
Applying the Electric Parking Brake in an
Emergency
Note: Do not apply the electric parking brake
when your vehicle is moving, except in an
emergency. If you repeatedly use the electric
parking brake to slow or stop your vehicle,
you could cause damage to the brake
system.
You can use the electric parking brake to
slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
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Pull the switch upward and hold it.
The red warning lamp illuminates,
a tone sounds and the stoplamps
turn on.
The electric parking brake continues to slow
your vehicle down unless you release the
switch.
Manually Releasing the Electric Parking
Brake
Switch the ignition on.
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Push the switch downward.
The red warning lamp turns off. If it remains illuminated or flashes, the system
has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a
Trailer
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Pull the switch upward and hold it.
Shift into gear.
Press the accelerator pedal until engine has
developed sufficient torque to prevent your
vehicle from rolling down the hill. Release the switch and pull away
in a normal manner.
Automatically Releasing the Electric
Parking Brake
Close the driver door.
Shift into gear. Press the accelerator pedal and pull away in
a normal manner. The red warning lamp turns off.
If it remains illuminated or flashes, the electric
parking brake has not released. Manually
release the parking brake.
Releasing the Electric Parking Brake if
the Vehicle Battery is Running Out of
Charge
Connect a booster battery to the vehicle
battery to release the electric parking brake
if the vehicle battery is running out of charge.
See Jump Starting the Vehicle (page 267).
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AUTO HOLD
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you leave
your vehicle, always apply the parking
brake. 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 system will turn off
if a malfunction is apparent. Failure to take
care may result in the loss of control of
your vehicle, serious personal injury or
death. Auto Hold uses your vehicle's brakes to hold
your vehicle at a stop once your vehicle has
reached a standstill condition. For example,
Auto Hold can assist you while stopping at
traffic lights or while in traffic jams by holding
the brake pressure for you once you bring
your vehicle to a stop.
Switch Auto Hold off during vehicle or trailer
towing.
Note:
In case of a malfunction in the system
while Auto Hold actively holds the vehicle
(for example, low power supply), a message
appears in the information display asking
you to press the brake pedal. If you see this
message, press the brake pedal
immediately.
Note: Auto Hold only activates if the system
recognizes it is applying enough brake
pressure. On a steep hill or incline, you may
need to make sure the brake pedal is
pressed sufficiently to activate the Auto Hold
system. Note:
In some cases, Auto Hold might hand
over to the parking brake. When the parking
brake applies, the red brake lamp appears.
This is normal. When you press the
accelerator pedal, the drive away release
feature releases the parking brake.
Note: Auto Hold works on all road grades.
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Press the Auto Hold button to switch the
system on and off. The Auto Hold indicator
light illuminates in the Auto Hold button
when the system is on.
Note:
You can only switch Auto Hold on if
you close the door and fasten your seatbelt. Note:
Auto Hold remembers the last on or
off setting when you start your vehicle.
Note: When in reverse (R), Auto Hold does
not function.
When Auto Hold is off, your vehicle behaves
the same as a vehicle without Auto Hold.
There is an Auto Hold indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster that has two modes, active
and unavailable: The Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator
light illuminates in the information
display when the system holds
your vehicle stationary. When in active mode,
press the brake pedal and the Auto Hold
button to switch Auto Hold off. The Auto Hold (UNAVAILABLE)
indicator light illuminates in the
information display when the
system is on but unavailable to hold your
vehicle (for example, during Active Park
Assist, Stay in Neutral Mode, or when you
do not fasten your seatbelt or close the
door). Note:
Make sure you switch off Auto Hold
or use the Stay in Neutral mode before you
enter a car wash. See Automatic
Transmission (page 178).
Using Auto Hold
1. Bring your vehicle to a stop by pressing the brake pedal. After coming to a stop,
the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE) indicator
lamp illuminates in the information
display.
2. Release the brake pedal. The Auto Hold
(ACTIVE) indicator light remains
illuminated in the information display and
Auto Hold will hold your vehicle at a stop.
3. When you press the accelerator pedal, Auto Hold releases the brakes and you
will be able to drive off. Once you drive
off, the green Auto Hold (ACTIVE)
indicator no longer illuminates in the
information display.
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