2021 FORD F-150 Owners Manual

APPLYING THE TRAILER
REVERSE AID STICKER
Place the sticker in an area visible by the
rear view camera. The entire sticker must
be within 4–
19 in (10–48 cm) from the
center of the hitch ball, as shown in the
following illustration. Use the supplied sticker placement card,
a tape measure and pen to carefully mark
the area to attach the sticker. The sticker
is in the back cover pocket of your quick
start guide. Make sure the entire sticker is
within the green zone between the two
arcs or distance markers on the diagram,
and is also visible in the rear view camera
display.
Once you have found the correct location,
place the sticker.
Note:
Make sure nothing can obstruct the
rear view camera's view of the sticker such
as a jack handle or wiring.
Note: Position the sticker on a flat, dry and
clean horizontal surface. For best results,
apply the sticker when temperatures are
above
32°F (0°C).
Note: Do not move stickers after placing
them. Do not re-use any stickers if removed.
Note: You can purchase additional stickers
through your authorized dealer. Note:
If you previously setup the trailer with
the trailer sensor, make sure it is not plugged
in before configuring the trailer and placing
the sticker.
TRAILER SENSOR INSTALLATION Refer to the instructions included with your
trailer sensor for detailed information
regarding installation.
Note:
Make sure the arrows on the sensor
housing are facing up. Mount the sensor to
a vertical part of the trailer that pivots when
you turn your vehicle. Do not mount to a
stationary surface such as the truck side of
the trailer hitch.
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Note:
If your vehicle came with a trailer
sensor kit, the vehicle will receive an update
that allows the system to operate with a
sensor or sticker. If your vehicle did not come
with a trailer sensor kit, your vehicle can be
setup using either method, but you need to
separately purchase the trailer sensor kit
from your authorized dealer. Once your
vehicle is enabled for sticker setup, the
default setup for new trailers requires
placement of the sticker. To setup a trailer
with a sensor, install the sensor on the trailer
and plug the connector into the connector
in your bumper prior to configuring the
trailer. Trailers that were set up with a
sensor still require the sensor to function.
To change a trailer to use the sticker, delete
the trailer in the system and repeat the
trailer setup with the sticker.
CALIBRATING THE SYSTEM
Calibrating the system requires driving
forward and turning left or right. Follow the
instructions on the touchscreen to
complete the calibration process. Note:
To calibrate the system, you need an
area where you can safely drive forward and
turn left or right. An open parking lot is an
ideal place to perform the calibration. Note:
Keep the steering wheel straight
when instructed to by the touchscreen. If
the steering wheel is in a turned position
during this instruction, the calibration
pauses.
Note: During calibration, the system
determines the trailer length. The system
supports trailer lengths of 6– 33 ft
(1.85– 10.05 m) distance from the hitch
point to the center of the axle or axles. The
system is designed to work with drawbars
that have a license plate to hitch ball center
measurement of 9– 18 in (23–46 cm) when
installed. Do not attempt to use drawbars
or trailers that have a length outside of this
range as the system performance degrades
and could cause improper system function.
Note: The touchscreen shows if you are
going too slow or fast. Calibration pauses if
the speed is outside the required range of
2 –9 mph (4– 15 km/h)
.
Note: You need to complete at least a 90°
turn, and longer trailers could require a 180°
turn. Camera trailer tracking requires the
system to locate the hitch ball as well as
determine the trailer length. Some trailers
could require you to drive straight then turn
multiple times before calibration completes.
The touchscreen provides instructions and
notifies you when calibration completes.
Note: For best results, do not calibrate the
system at night when calibrating the system
with the sticker.
SWITCHING TRAILER
REVERSE GUIDANCE ON AND
OFF
Shift into reverse (R), press the rear
camera button to expand the menu, press
the trailer icon and use the touchscreen to
select the connected trailer.
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Note:
If the trailer was connected just prior
to turning the system on, you may need to
drive forward to initialize the system. Follow
the instructions on the touchscreen to
activate the system.
USING TRAILER REVERSE
GUIDANCE VIEWS
Up to seven camera views could be
available when using trailer reverse
guidance. Use the view that helps you the
most when reversing your vehicle and
trailer. 360° camera view. Shows a
360° view on the right-hand side
of the touchscreen with a rear
camera view on the left-hand side of the
touchscreen. Rear view camera view. Shows
your trailer hitch or what is
directly behind your vehicle.
Rear split view camera view.
Shows a
180° degree view of
what is behind your vehicle. Bed camera view. Shows the
truck bed.
Note: This view also provides a
picture-in-picture view. Trailer AUX camera view. Shows
a rear view camera image of
what is behind your trailer. You
need to separately purchase this camera
and have it installed.
Note: This view also provides a
picture-in-picture view. Trailer reverse guidance view.
Shows you a view of the sides of
your truck and the trailer. In auto
mode, this view moves as the trailer moves
so that you do not have to adjust the
camera as you turn. Left and right arrows
let you see other camera views. Straight backup mode. Shows
which way to turn your steering
wheel to keep the trailer straight.
Use this view when you want to keep your
trailer completely in line with your truck.
Note: This view also provides a
picture-in-picture view.
Note: It may be helpful to shift your vehicle
into drive (D), pull forward and straighten
out the vehicle and trailer before engaging
straight backup mode. Picture-in-picture view. Shows
a main view and a secondary
view when in bed camera view,
trailer AUX camera view or straight backup
mode.
Note: If you have a 8 in (20 cm)
touchscreen, picture-in-picture is off by
default. Press the picture-in-picture icon on
the touchscreen to switch picture-in-picture
view on and off.
Note: If you have a
12 in (30 cm)
touchscreen, picture-in-picture is on by
default for bed camera view and trailer AUX
camera view and cannot be switched off.
Press the picture-in-picture icon on the
touchscreen to switch picture-in-picture
view on and off in straight backup mode. Swap. Press to swap between
picture-in-picture views.
This takes you back to the
360°
camera system and out of the
trailer reverse guidance feature. Auto. Press to return to auto
view.
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Note:
Auto mode is the default setting.
Hitch Angle Graphic
The hitch angle graphic shows a small
representation of your truck and trailer with
visual feedback to help you monitor the
trailer. The graphic shows two different
colored lines for the trailer hitch angle. A
black line shows you where your trailer is
in relation to your vehicle. The white line
represents the amount the trailer can turn
based on steering wheel position.
The graphic shows a yellow and red zone
for the hitch angle to warn you of a high
angle condition that could require you to
pull forward to reduce the hitch angle. The
angle limits for each zone vary based on
the trailer length. The yellow zone indicates you are
approaching the maximum controllable
trailer angle for the system. When the
trailer enters this zone, it is more difficult
to reduce the trailer turn when backing up.
It may be necessary to put your vehicle
back into drive (D) and pull forward to get
the truck and trailer back to an in-line
position.
The red zone indicates you have exceeded
the maximum controllable trailer angle for
the system. Immediately stop reversing.
Put your vehicle into drive (D) and pull
forward until the trailer is no longer in the
red zone.
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TRAILER REVERSE GUIDANCE – TROUBLESHOOTING
TRAILER REVERSE GUIDANCE – INFORMATION MESSAGES
Description
Message
Displays when the system turns on and is
initializing.
Detecting Trailer Please Wait…
A condition exists that prevents the system
from turning on. If the message continues
to display, visit your authorized dealer to
have your vehicle checked.
Trailer Reverse Guidance System is Not
Available
The steering system needs to learn internal
parameters to fully enable the feature.
Drive your vehicle straight forward above
25 mph (40 km/h) for approximately 5
minutes.
Trailer Reverse Guidance Driving Required
to Initialize Steering Press OK to Exit
Displays when you exceed the maximum
controllable trailer angle for the system.
Place your vehicle in drive (D) and pull
forward to get your vehicle and trailer back
to an in-line position, then activate the
system by selecting the connected trailer
and following the instructions on the
touchscreen.
Stop now. Deactivated by trailer angle.
If this message consistently displays, you
may need to repeat the trailer setup and
calibration. Delete the trailer from the
system and repeat the setup and calibra-
tion process.
Displays when the system does not detect
the sensor. Check the sensor connection,
check that there is no damaged wiring
between the connector and sensor and
check that there is only one sensor
connected.
Trailer Reverse Guidance Sensor Not
Detected Refer to Owner's Manual Press
OK to Exit
If you do not want to use the sensor for this
trailer, delete the trailer in the touchscreen
then repeat the setup process with the
sticker.
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Description
Message
Displays when the system does not detect
the trailer.
If your trailer is setup with a sticker, make
sure the rear camera is clean, and the
sticker is clearly visible in the camera image.
You can also move the trailer forward or
backward to change the trailer position and
lighting conditions.
If your trailer is setup with a sensor, check
that the sensor is correctly installed and
the trailer length is within the allowed
range.
If this message continues to display, visit
your authorized dealer to have your vehicle
checked.
Trailer Reverse Guidance Trailer Not
Detected. Refer to Owner's Manual. Press
OK to Exit
Displays when your vehicle has not moved
after the trailer sensor is connected or
extended operation below 1 mph (1 km/h).
Drive forward above 2 mph (3 km/h) to
initialize the system.
Trailer Reverse Guidance Trailer Not
Detected Pull Forward to Initialize Press
OK to Exit
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TRAILER REVERSE GUIDANCE –
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why does the trailer not reverse
straight?
Verify the sensor is correctly installed.
Other factors such as the hitch
connection, road camber, road slope
and trailer suspension could influence
how straight the system can reverse
the trailer when the control knob is not
turned. You can compensate for the
trailer drifting to the right or left by
slowly turning the knob until the trailer
is following your desired path and then
holding the knob in that position.
Why does the system not detect a
sensor? There could be an issue with the
connection, the wiring harness could
be damaged, you could have multiple
sensors connected or the sensor could
be incorrectly installed. Check that the
12-way connector is fully inserted into
the 12-way socket. The red rubber seal
is not visible when the connector is
fully inserted. Also check that the
wiring harness sensor connection is
fully inserted at the trailer sensor, and
check for damaged wiring between
the 12-way connector and the trailer
sensor. Also, check that the sensor is
installed on a vertical surface with the
arrows pointing straight up. What does it mean if the system
remains on one message for an
extended time during calibration when
setting up the system with the sticker?
The camera could need to be cleaned,
the sticker could be blocked, the
drawbar could be outside the allowed
range of 4–19 in (10–48 cm) or you
could need to move to a different area
to change the lighting and background.
Verify the sticker is in the proper
location. See
Applying the Trailer
Reverse Aid Sticker (page 461). You
can move to a different area or change
the direction you are driving or setup
the system at a different time of day.
Some trailers are not compatible with
the sticker and camera system. If the
issue persists with the sticker setup,
you may choose to setup the trailer
with a sensor.
What does it mean if the system pauses
during calibration? There could be steering input or trailer
movement during the straight drive
portion of the calibration process.
What does it mean if the system
remains on one message for an
extended time during calibration when
setting up the system with the sensor? The sensor could be incorrectly
installed, the trailer length could be
outside the allowed range or the road
surface could be too rough or bumpy.
What does it mean if the system
displays hold steering steady during
turn? Part of the calibration process for the
sticker setup requires a steady turn. If
you are continually moving the
steering wheel during the turn, this
delays the calibration process. To
enable the calibration process, hold
the steering wheel at the same
position when turning.
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What does it mean if the system
displays that it is not available?
There could be a sub-system that the
system uses that is not correctly
operating or there could be a battery
voltage issue. If the system continues
to display it is not available, visit your
authorized dealer to have your vehicle
checked.
What does it mean if the system
displays that driving is required to
initialize steering? The steering system needs to learn
internal parameters to fully turn on the
feature. Drive your vehicle straight
forward above 25 mph (40 km/h) for
approximately 5 minutes. This could
also occur when your vehicle is new,
there is a battery voltage issue or if the
steering system has been serviced.
What does it mean if the system does
not detect a trailer when configured
with a sensor? Verify that the sensor is properly
connected. See
Trailer Sensor
Installation (page 461). Repeat
calibration on a different route if you
have verified sensor installation.
What does it mean if the system
requires you to pull forward to
initialize? This occurs when the vehicle has not
moved during the current key cycle
after you connect and select the trailer
in the touchscreen or you operate the
system at speeds below
1 mph
(1 km/h) for an extended period of
time. Drive forward above 2 mph
(3 km/h) and the system indicates
when it initializes. What does it mean if the trailer is at its
maximum angle or the system
deactivated by trailer angle?
You are at the maximum controllable
trailer angle for the system. Place your
vehicle in drive (D) and pull forward to
get the truck and trailer back to an
in-line position. If this message
consistently displays, this could
indicate the sensor is incorrectly
installed, the trailer needs to be
recalibrated or the drawbar or the
trailer dimensions are outside of the
supported range. The system is
designed to work with drawbars that
have a license plate to hitch ball center
measurement of
9–18 in (23–46 cm)
when installed. The system is designed
to work with trailers that have a hitch
point to center of the axle or axles
measurement of
6– 33 ft
(1.85– 10.05 m). Do not attempt to use
drawbars or trailers that have a length
outside of this range as the system
performance degrades and could
cause improper system function.
Check that the correct trailer is
selected in the touchscreen. Verify the
sensor is installed according to the
instructions included in the sensor kit
and check that the drawbar and the
trailer dimensions are within the
allowed range. Then, delete the trailer
from the system and repeat the setup
process to calibrate the trailer.
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