Curve Control
Curve control enhances your vehicle’s abilityto follow the road when cornering severelyor avoiding objects in the roadway. Curvecontrol operates by reducing engine powerand, if necessary, applying brakes to one ormore of the wheels individually.
Traction Control
Traction control enhances your vehicle’sability to maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeHow Does Traction Control Work (page 230).
Vehicle without stability controlskidding off its intended route.A
Vehicle with stability controlmaintaining control on a slipperysurface.
B
SWITCHING STABILITY CONTROL
ON AND OFF
The system turns on each time you switchthe ignition on.
You can switch the electronic stability controlsystem off by pressing and holding the ESCoff button for over 15 seconds, or you canpress the button again to switch the systemon.
Shifting the transmission intoreverse (R) disables the system.
You can switch the traction control systemoff or on independently. See SwitchingTraction Control On and Off (page 230).
STABILITY CONTROL INDICATOR
If it does not illuminate when youswitch the power on, or remainson, this indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle checked by an authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
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WHAT IS DRIVE MODE CONTROL
Your vehicle has various drive modes thatyou can select for different drivingconditions. Depending on the drive modethat you select, the system adjusts variousvehicle settings.
HOW DOES DRIVE MODE
CONTROL WORK
Drive mode control adjusts your vehicleconfiguration for each mode you select.
Changing the drive mode changes thefunctionality of the steering system to adjustthe steering effort and feel.
Active noise control utilizes your vehicleelectronics to enhance the acousticexperience.
The stability and traction control assist yourvehicle control in adverse conditions orhigh-performance driving.
Throttle control enhances the powertrainresponse, transmission controls becomeoptimized with shift schedules, andfour-wheel drive settings are optimized andtuned to each mode.
Note:The system has diagnostic checks thatcontinuously monitor the system for properoperation. If a mode is unavailable due to asystem fault, the mode defaults to normal.
SELECTING A DRIVE MODE
You can configure which of the drive controlmodes are active when your vehicle is indrive (D) or in sport (S). The configurationremains active until modified from the mainmenu on the instrument cluster display. SeeInstrument Cluster Display Main Menu(page 146).
Note:Not all settings may be available.
Note:Drive mode changes may not beavailable when the ignition is off.
DRIVE MODES
COMFORT
Provides a more relaxed driving experience,maximizing comfort. Your steering effortdecreases and the suspension movement ismore fluid. Comfort mode is ideal when youdesire enhanced traveling comfort.
NORMAL
Delivers a balanced combination of acomfortable, controlled ride and confidenthandling. This mode provides an engagingdriving experience and a direct connectionto the road without sacrificing any of thecomposure demanded from a luxury vehicle.
SPORT
Provides a sportier driving experience. Thesuspension stiffens, with an emphasis onhandling and control. The engine respondsmore directly to your inputs and takes on amore powerful tone. This mode is ideal foruse during more spirited driving.
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The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combined weightrating.
Certain states require functioning trailerbrakes for trailers over a specified weight.Be sure to check state regulations for thisspecified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommends separatefunctioning brake systems for trailersweighing more than 1,500 lb (680 kg) whenloaded.
TOWING A TRAILER LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Note:Your vehicle could have reducedperformance when operating at highaltitudes and when heavily loaded ortowing a trailer. When driving atelevation, to match driving performanceas perceived at sea level, reduce grossvehicle weight and gross combinationweight by 2% per 1,000 ft (300 m)elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight. The trailertongue weight should never exceed10% of the maximum towing capacity.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from the side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load on yourvehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes,tires and suspension. Periodically inspectthese components during and after anytowing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slighttakeoff vibration or shudder may be presentdue to the increased payload weight.
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Your vehicle may have a temporary orconventional spare tire. A temporary sparetire is different in diameter or width,tread-type, or is from a different manufacturerthan the road tires on your vehicle. Consultinformation on the tire label or SafetyCompliance label for limitations when using.
When towing a trailer:
•Obey country specific regulations fortowing 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 connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly afteryou have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thetransmission in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speed controlmay turn off when you are towing onlong, steep slopes.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not continuouslyapply the brakes, as they may overheatand become less effective.
•If your transmission has Grade Assist orTow/Haul, use this feature when towing.This provides engine braking and helpseliminate excessive transmission shiftingfor optimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with rollstability control. When towing a trailer,additional loads could cause theAdvanceTrac system to engage duringcornering maneuvers. Reduce corneringspeeds to make sure that you canmaintain control of the vehicle and trailerif the AdvanceTrac system engages.
•Allow more distance for stopping with atrailer attached. Anticipate stops andgradually brake.
•Avoid parking on a slope. However, ifyou must park on a slope, turn thesteering wheel to point your vehicle tiresaway from traffic flow, set the parkingbrake, place the transmission in park (P)and place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels.
Note:Chocks are not included with yourvehicle.
LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING A
BOAT OR PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to riseabove the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge ofthe rear bumper.
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HOW DOES TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL WORK
The system applies the brakes to theindividual wheels and reduces engine torqueto aid vehicle stability.
If the trailer begins to sway, the stabilitycontrol lamp flashes and the message TrailerSway Reduce Speed appears in theinformation display.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso. Check the vertical weight on the tow balland trailer load distribution.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Turning off trailer swaycontrol increases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Ford doesnot recommend disabling this featureexcept in situations where speed reductionmay be detrimental (such as hill climbing),the driver has significant trailer towingexperience, and can control trailer swayand maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature only activates whensignificant trailer sway occurs.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is toohigh, the system may activate multiple times,gradually reducing vehicle speed.
SWITCHING TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL ON AND OFF
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Switch Trailer Sway Control on or off.
The system turns on each time you start yourvehicle.
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REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE
WARNING: If you continue to driveyour vehicle when the engine isoverheating, the engine could stop withoutwarning. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle.
If the engine coolant temperature gaugeneedle moves to the upper limit position, theengine is overheating. See Engine CoolantTemperature Gauge (page 141).
You must only drive your vehicle for a shortdistance if the engine overheats. Thedistance you can travel depends on ambienttemperature, vehicle load and terrain. Theengine continues to operate with limitedpower for a short period of time.
If the engine temperature continues to rise,the fuel supply to the engine reduces. Theair conditioning switches off and the enginecooling fan operates continually.
1.Gradually reduce your speed and stopyour vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso.
2.Immediately switch the engine off toprevent severe engine damage.
3.Wait for the engine to cool down.
4.Check the coolant level. See Checkingthe Coolant (page 347).
5.Have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of somecomponents and systems can be affected attemperatures below approximately -13°F(-25°C).
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires forapproximately 300 mi (480 km). During thistime, your vehicle may exhibit some unusualdriving characteristics.
DRIVING ECONOMICALLY
The following helps to improve fuelconsumption:
•Drive smoothly, accelerate gently andanticipate the road ahead to avoid heavybraking.
•Regularly check your tire pressures andmake sure that they are inflated to thecorrect pressure.
•Follow the recommended maintenanceschedule and carry out therecommended checks.
•Plan your journey and check the trafficbefore you set off. It is more efficient tocombine errands into a single tripwhenever possible.
•Avoid idling the engine in cold weatheror for extended periods. Start the engineonly when you are ready to set off.
•Do not carry unnecessary weight in yourvehicle as extra weight wastes fuel.
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Note:Driving through deep water couldcause damage to the transmission. If thefront or rear axle is submerged in water,have the axle lubricant and power transferunit lubricant checked and changed ifnecessary.
DRIVING ON HILLY OR SLOPINGTERRAIN
WARNING: Extreme care should beused when steering the vehicle in reversedown a slope so as not to cause thevehicle to swerve out of control.
Although natural obstacles could make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or down ahill or steep incline, you should try to drivestraight up or straight down.
Note:Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slippingsideways and possible vehicle roll over.Whenever driving on a hill, determinebeforehand the route you can use. Do notdrive over the crest of a hill without seeingwhat conditions are on the other side. Donot drive in reverse over a hill without theaid of an observer.
Apply just enough power to the wheels toclimb the hill. Too much power causes thetires to slip, spin or lose traction, and youcould lose control of your vehicle. Whendescending a steep hill, do not descend thehill in neutral. Avoid sudden hard braking tokeep the front wheels rolling and to maintainyour vehicle's steering.
Note:Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump thebrakes.
Note:If your vehicle gets stuck driving onhilly or sloping terrain, it could be rocked outby shifting between forward and reversegears, stopping between shifts in a steadypattern. Press lightly on the accelerator ineach gear.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature, asdamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for more thana minute, as damage to the transmissionand tires could occur or the engine couldoverheat.
DRIVING IN SAND
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail. Steadily drive through the terrain. Apply theaccelerator slowly and avoid excessivewheel slip. Do not drive your vehicle in deepsand for an extended period of time. Thiscould overheat the system. A messageappears in the instrument cluster display.
Note:If your vehicle gets stuck driving onhilly or sloping terrain, it could be rocked outby shifting between forward and reversegears, stopping between shifts in a steadypattern. Press lightly on the accelerator ineach gear.
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Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature, asdamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for more thana minute, as damage to the transmissionand tires could occur or the engine couldoverheat
DRIVING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER
WARNING: Do not attempt to crossa deep or flowing body of water. Failure tofollow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water, checkthe depth. Never drive through water that ishigher than the bottom of the front rockerarea of your vehicle.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle. Your brake performance and traction couldbe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check that thesteering power assist works.
Check the function of the following:
•Horn
•Exterior lights
FLOOR MATS
WARNING: Use a floor mat designedto fit the footwell of your vehicle that doesnot obstruct the pedal area. Failure tofollow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Pedals that cannot movefreely can cause loss of vehicle control andincrease the risk of serious personal injury.
WARNING: Secure the floor mat toboth retention devices so that it cannot slipout of position and interfere with thepedals. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
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