2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT tires

be used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.
The gross combined weight mustnever exceed the Gross CombinedWeight Rating.
Note: For trailer towinginformation refer to the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lowerload carrying capacities than theoriginal tires because they maylower your vehicle's GVWR andGAWR limitations. Replacementtires with a higher limit than theoriginal tires do not increase theGVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating canadversely affect theperformance and handling ofyour vehicle, cause vehicledamage and can result in theloss of control of your vehicle,serious personal injury or death.
Steps for determining thecorrect load limit:
1.Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combinedweight of the driver andpassengers that will be ridingin your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weightof the driver and passengersfrom XXX kg or XXX lb.
4.The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. Forexample, if the “XXX” amountequals 1,400 lb. and there willbe five 150 lb. passengers inyour vehicle, the amount ofavailable cargo and luggageload capacity is 650 lb.(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.)
5.Determine the combinedweight of luggage and cargobeing loaded on the vehicle.That weight may not safelyexceed the available cargo andluggage load capacitycalculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailerwill be transferred to yourvehicle. Consult this manual todetermine how this reduces theavailable cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailersbeyond the maximumrecommended gross trailerweight exceeds the limit of yourvehicle and could result in enginedamage, transmission damage,structural damage, loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rolloverand personal injury.
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
Note: See RecommendedTowing Weights (page 255).
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing.
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a ball mount with thecorrect rise or drop and loadcapacity. When both theloaded vehicle and trailer areconnected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page246).
You can also find information inthe RV & Trailer Towing Guideavailable at your authorizeddealer, or online.
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•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1.Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2.Set your vehicle parking brake.
3.Place the automatic transmission inpark (P).
4.Place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels. Chocks are notincluded with your vehicle.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 in (15 cm) above the bottomedge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, andreliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytimethe rear axle has been submerged in water.Water may have contaminated the rearaxle lubricant, which is not normallychecked or changed unless a leak issuspected or other axle repair is required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
If you need to tow your vehicle, contact aprofessional towing service or, if you are amember of a roadside assistance program,your roadside assistance service provider.
Recreational Towing - Front-WheelDrive Vehicles (If Equipped)
You cannot recreational tow your vehiclewith all wheels on the ground becausevehicle or transmission damage couldoccur. Place the front wheels on atwo-wheel tow dolly. If you are using a towdolly, follow the instructions specified bythe equipment provider.
Recreational Towing - Rear-WheelDrive Vehicles (If Equipped)
You cannot recreational tow your vehiclewith all wheels on the ground becausevehicle or transmission damage couldoccur. We recommend towing your vehiclewith all four wheels off the ground, suchas when using a car-hauling trailer.Otherwise, you cannot recreational towyour vehicle.
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Driving In Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail.Drive through the terrain without varyingvehicle speed. Apply the accelerator andavoid excessive wheel slip.
When driving at slow speeds in deep sandunder high ambient temperatures, use low(L) mode, or shift to a lower gear whenpossible. Select Low (L) mode or select alower gear to maximize the engine andtransmission cooling capability. SeeTransmission (page 182).
Use the vehicle's momentum to maintainforward motion in sand. Avoid coming toa stop on steep sand slopes as the vehiclemay not be able to continue forward afterit stops.
Driving In Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehiclespeed or direction when you are driving inmud.
Even four-wheel drive vehicles can losetraction in slick mud. If your vehicle doesslide, steer in the direction of the slide untilyou regain control of your vehicle.
After driving through mud, clean off residuestuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.Excess mud stuck on tires and rotatingdriveshafts can cause an imbalance thatcould damage drive components.
Note:The vehicle brakes are less effectivewhen wet or muddy.
Driving Over Rocks and Gravel
Gravel is a constantly changing, low-gripsurface. Driving at slow speeds on gravelreduces the risk of losing traction when youstop, accelerate or turn a corner.
When approaching large rocks, positionthe vehicle so that the tires pass over thelargest obstacle.
Note:Never attempt to straddle a rock thatis large enough to strike your axles orundercarriage.
Note:Never attempt to drive over a rockwhich is large enough to contact the doorsills.
If you lose traction on your wheels facinguphill, stop and choose a more suitableroute.
Leave a generous gap between yourvehicle and other vehicles to minimize therisk of damage from flying gravel. Avoiddust clouds as they reduce visibility.
Before navigating on uneven ground,secure anything inside the vehicle. Ifpossible, remove any roof-rack items. Usethe lowest gear possible and approach theobstacle at a slow speed.
If your vehicle begins to slide down a slope,steer downhill and gently apply thethrottle. If you lose traction on your uphillwheels, stop immediately and choose amore suitable route.
Approach logs, rocky steps or ditchesdiagonally. Keep at least three wheels onthe ground at all times.
Climbing A Hill
WARNING: Extreme care shouldbe used when steering the vehicle inreverse down a slope so as not to causethe vehicle to swerve out of control.
Although natural obstacles can make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or downa hill or steep incline, try to drive straightup 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, first determinethe route you can use.
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When climbing a steep slope or hill, startin a lower gear rather than downshifting toa lower gear from a higher gear. Thisreduces strain on the engine and thepossibility of stalling.
If your vehicle stalls, do not try to turnaround because this could cause yourvehicle to roll over. It is better to reverseback to a safe location.
Do not drive over the crest of a hill withoutseeing what conditions are on the otherside. Do not drive in reverse over a hillwithout the aid of an observer.
If the vehicle is unable to make it up thehill, do not attempt to turn back down theslope.
Apply the accelerator just enough for thewheels to climb the hill.
Note:Too much acceleration can causethe tires to slip, spin or lose traction,resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descending A Hill:
•Use the same gear you would use toclimb the hill.
•Do not descend in neutral.
•Disengage overdrive.
•Avoid sudden and excessive braking.
Note:The front wheels have to be turningin order to steer your vehicle.
When descending a steep hill in a manualtransmission vehicle do not leave thevehicle in gear with the clutch depressed.This could cause damage to your driveline.
Driving Through Water
WARNING: Do not attempt tocross a deep, fast flowing body of water.Failure to follow this instruction couldresult in the loss of control of yourvehicle, personal injury or death.
As the water depth increases, you mustreduce your vehicle speed to avoidpotential vehicle damage.
The key to a safe crossing is the waterdepth, current and bottom of the water'scondition. On soft bottoms, the vehiclesinks in, effectively increasing the waterlevel on the vehicle. Make sure to considerthis when determining the depth of water.
Determine the depth and speed of thecurrent before attempting a water crossing.
Be aware that obstacles and debris maybe beneath the water’s surface.
Note:Cross flowing water at an angleheading slightly upstream.
Note:You should tread lightly and avoiddamage to the environment.
Drive slowly when crossing water. Proceedwith a constant slow speed lightly pressingon the accelerator.
Drive through the water very slowly whenentering, then build up momentum. Keepyour vehicle moving at a steady pace.
Note:Do not try to accelerate through thewater crossing.
When driving too fast in water or throughdeep water, the engine, transmission,transfer case, axles, electrical componentsor vehicle interior could ingest water. Watercan cause permanent damage that yourvehicle warranty may not cover. SeeDriving Through Water Limitations(page 265).
Note:Failure to follow the recommendedspeeds can result in vehicle damage.
Never stop or shut a vehicle off whencrossing deep water unless your vehicleingested water into the engine air intake.If the engine stalls, do not attempt torestart it.
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Ease off the accelerator as you reach theother side to diminish the front wave. Applythe accelerator slowly and as necessaryto climb out of the other side.
Muddy waters can reduce the coolingsystem effectiveness by depositing debrisinto the radiator.
Take extra care when crossing any type ofwater. Do not drive into water unlessnecessary. Only drive through designatedand approved areas.
High currents even in shallow water canwash the dirt out from around your tires orpush your vehicle across slippery rocks orsurfaces.
Never attempt to cross flowing water thatis deeper than your vehicle's groundclearance. Even low currents can push yourvehicle's body surface area downstreamand out of control.
Do not cross any body of water that is fastflowing and rising. Wait for the flow rateto reduce.
Determine exit points that are downstreamof your entry point to allow for drifting.
If there are other vehicles ahead, wait untilthey have left the water. Unsettled watercan make a safe passage morechallenging.
Know your vehicle’s abilities and be ableto recover it if something goes wrong.
Keep the doors fully closed during a watercrossing.
Periodically inspect vehicles used totraverse water regularly for signs of wateringestion in all of the vehicle's fluids. If youfind water inside your vehicle fluids, serviceyour vehicle or see an authorized dealer.
After driving through water and as soon asit is safe to do so, check the brakes, horn,lights, and steering wheel to make sureeverything is still in working order.
Avoid Getting High-Centered
Always keep available ground clearancein mind and pick a route that minimizes therisk of catching the underside of the vehicleon an obstacle and getting high-centered.
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle
WARNING: Do not spin the wheelsat over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires mayfail and injure a passenger or bystander.
The vehicle has recovery hooks on theframe which you can use to pull out thevehicle from a surface of location whenstuck.
Note:Do not use recovery hooks torecreationally tow your vehicle. See Towingthe Vehicle on Four Wheels (page 258).
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,you may rock it out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts in a steady pattern. Pressthe accelerator in each gear.
Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature ordamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for morethan a minute or damage to thetransmission and tires could occur or theengine may overheat.
If you are unable to free your vehicle, callroadside assistance. See RoadsideAssistance (page 269).
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Trail Control allows you to set a speedbetween 1 mph (1.6 km/h) to 14 mph(23 km/h) in a forward motion and 1 mph(1.6 km/h) to 5 mph (8 km/h) in reverse.The system controls acceleration andbraking in difficult off-road environments,which allows you to focus on steering. SeeWhat Is Trail Control (page 201).
Trail Control Performance:
•Manages wheel slip to maximizetraction.
•Removes the need for you to use bothfeet when driving in off-road situations.
•Provides braking to maximize tractionin descents.
•Gives you confidence in difficultenvironments.
AFTER DRIVING YOUR VEHICLEOFF-ROAD
WARNING: After off-road use,before returning to the road, check thewheels and tires for damage. Off-roaduse may cause damage to your wheelsand tires that can lead to tire failure, lossof vehicle control, serious injury or death.
Driving off-road places more stress on yourvehicle than most on-road driving. Afterdriving off-road, check for damage to thewheels, chassis and underbody.
Inspect the underbody of your vehicle bychecking tires, body structure, steering,suspension, and exhaust system fordamage.
Inspect the tires for any cuts in the treador sidewall area. Also inspect the sidewallfor any bulge indicating damage to the tire.
Make sure the tires are inflated to propertire pressure as indicated on the tireplacard.
Check the radiator for mud and debris andclean as needed.
Check that the air filter is clean and dry.
Remove accumulations of plants or brush.These things could be a fire hazard or hidedamage to the fuel lines, brake hoses andpropeller shafts.
Make sure the grille and radiator are clearof any obstructions that may affectcooling.
After extended operation in mud, sand,water, or similar dirty conditions, inspectthe wipers and washers to make sure theyare working.
Note:Mud caked windows are hard to seethrough and can damage wiper blades ormotor.
Check wipers for debris or anything thatmay scratch the windshield.
If you experience unusual vibration afterdriving in mud, slush or similar conditions,check the wheels for impacted material.Impacted material can cause vibrationswhen driving and wheel imbalance.Remove the material to reduce thevibration.
Note:If you have removed the impactedmaterial from the wheels and your vehiclestill has a vibration check your vehicle fordamage or see an authorized dealer.
Inspect the exhaust system for damage orlooseness.
Make sure that the brakes are in properworking order and free of any mud, stonesand debris, which can become trappedaround the brake rotor, backing plate andcaliper.
Inspect the wheels for dents, cracks, orother damage.
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Engine
•Change the engine oil and filter prior tostorage because used engine oilcontains contaminates which maycause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days for aminimum of 15 minutes. Run at fastidle with the climate controls set todefrost until the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm that there are no coolingsystem leaks and that fluid is at therecommended level.
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery,we recommend that you disconnectthe battery cables to maintain batterycharge for quick starting.
Note:It is necessary to reset memoryfeatures if you disconnect the batterycables.
Brakes
•Make sure the brakes and parking brakerelease fully.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, leversand pins under your vehicle are coveredwith grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)every 15 days to lubricate working partsand prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
•Check under the hood for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage such as mice or squirrelnests.
•Check the exhaust for any foreignmaterial that may have collectedduring storage.
•Check tire pressures and set tireinflation per the Tire Label.
•Check brake pedal operation. Driveyour vehicle 15 ft (4.5 m) back andforth to remove rust build-up.
•Check fluid levels (including coolant,oil and gas) to make sure there are noleaks, and fluids are at recommendedlevels.
•If you remove the battery, clean thebattery cable ends and check fordamage.
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