2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT suspension

Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems onyour vehicle have been designed andtested to provide predictable performancewhether loaded or empty. For this reason,we strongly recommend that you do notmake modifications such as adding orremoving parts, for example, lift kits orstabilizer bars, or by using replacementparts not equivalent to the original factoryequipment.
We recommend that you use caution whenyour vehicle has either a high load ordevice, for example, a ladder or luggageracks. Any modifications to your vehiclethat raise the center of gravity could causeyour vehicle to roll over when there is a lossof vehicle control.
Failure to correctly maintain your vehiclecould void the warranty, increase yourrepair cost, reduce vehicle performanceand operational capabilities, and adverselyaffect you and your passenger's safety. Werecommend you frequently inspect yourvehicle's chassis components when yousubject your vehicle to off-road use.
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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
WARNING: Vehicle modificationsinvolving braking system, aftermarketroof racks, suspension, steering system,tire construction and wheel and tire sizemay change the handling characteristicsof your vehicle and may adversely affectthe performance of the electronicstability control system. In addition,installing any stereo loudspeakers mayinterfere with and adversely affect theelectronic stability control system. Installany aftermarket stereo loudspeaker asfar as possible from the front centerconsole, the tunnel, and the front seatsin order to minimize the risk of interferingwith the electronic stability controlsensors. Reducing the effectiveness ofthe electronic stability control systemcould lead to an increased risk of loss ofvehicle control, vehicle rollover, personalinjury and death.
WARNING: Remember that evenadvanced technology cannot defy thelaws of physics. It’s always possible tolose control of a vehicle due toinappropriate driver input for theconditions. Aggressive driving on anyroad condition can cause you to losecontrol of your vehicle increasing the riskof personal injury or property damage.Activation of the electronic stabilitycontrol system is an indication that atleast some of the tires have exceededtheir ability to grip the road; this couldreduce the operator’s ability to controlthe vehicle potentially resulting in a lossof vehicle control, vehicle rollover,personal injury and death. If yourelectronic stability control systemactivates, SLOW DOWN.
The system automatically turns on eachtime you switch the ignition on.
If a fault occurs in either the stabilitycontrol or the traction control system, youmay experience the following conditions:
•The stability and traction control lightilluminates steadily.
•The stability control and tractioncontrol systems do not enhance yourvehicle's ability to maintain traction ofthe wheels.
If a driving condition activates either thestability control or the traction controlsystem you may experience the followingconditions:
•The stability and traction control lightflashes.
•Your vehicle slows down.
•Reduced engine power.
•A vibration in the brake pedal.
•The brake pedal is stiffer than usual.
•If the driving condition is severe andyour foot is not on the brake, the brakepedal may move as the system applieshigher brake force.
The stability control system has severalfeatures built into it to help you maintaincontrol of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent skids or lateral slides byapplying brakes to one or more of thewheels individually and, if necessary,reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto prevent rollovers by detecting yourvehicle’s roll motion and the rate at whichit changes by applying the brakes to oneor more wheels individually.
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DRIVER ALERT
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system may notfunction if the sensor is blocked.
WARNING: Take regular restbreaks if you feel tired. Do not wait forthe system to warn you.
WARNING: Certain driving stylesmay result in the system warning youeven if you are not feeling tired.
WARNING: In cold and severeweather conditions the system may notfunction. Rain, snow and spray can alllimit sensor performance.
WARNING: The system will notoperate if the sensor cannot track theroad lane markings.
WARNING: If damage occurs in theimmediate area surrounding the sensor,have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
WARNING: The system may notcorrectly operate if your vehicle is fittedwith a suspension kit not approved byus.
Note:Keep the windshield free fromobstructions. For example, bird droppings,insects and snow or ice.
Note:If the camera is blocked or if thewindshield is damaged, the system may notfunction.
Note:The system remembers the lastsetting when you start your vehicle, unlessit detects a MyKey™.
Note:If enabled in the menu, the systemactivates at speeds above 40 mph(64 km/h).
The system monitors your driving behaviorusing various inputs including the frontcamera sensor.
If the system detects reduced drivingalertness below a certain threshold, thesystem alerts you using a tone and amessage in the information display.
Using Driver Alert
Switching the system on and off
You may switch the system on or offthrough the information display byselecting Settings, Driver Assist and thenDriver Alert in the menu. When activated,the system monitors your alertness levelbased upon your driving behavior in relationto the lane markings, and other factors.
System Warnings
Note: The system does not issue warningsbelow approximately 40 mph (64 km/h).
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The warning system uses two stages. Atfirst the system issues a temporary warningthat you need to take a rest. This messageonly appears for a short time. If the systemdetects further reduction in drivingalertness, another warning could be issuedwhich remains in the information displayfor a longer time. Press OK on the steeringwheel control to clear the warning. Whenactive the system runs in the backgroundand only issues a warning if required.
Resetting the System
You can reset the system by either:
•Switching the ignition off and on.
•Stopping the vehicle and then openingand closing the driver door.
LANE KEEPING SYSTEM
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: Always drive with duecare and attention when using andoperating the controls and features onyour vehicle.
WARNING: In cold and severeweather conditions the system may notfunction. Rain, snow and spray can alllimit sensor performance.
WARNING: Large contrasts inoutside lighting can limit sensorperformance.
WARNING: The system will notoperate if the sensor cannot track theroad lane markings.
WARNING: The sensor mayincorrectly track lane markings as otherstructures or objects. This can result ina false or missed warning.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly if the sensor is blocked.Keep the windshield free fromobstruction.
WARNING: If damage occurs in theimmediate area surrounding the sensor,have your vehicle checked as soon aspossible.
WARNING: The system may notcorrectly operate if your vehicle is fittedwith a suspension kit not approved byus.
Note:The system works above 40 mph(64 km/h).
Note:The system works as long as thecamera can detect one lane marking or roadedge.
Note:When you select aid or alert + aidmode and the system detects no steeringactivity for a short period, the system alertsyou to put your hands on the steering wheel.The system may detect a light grip ortouch on the steering wheel as hands offdriving.
Note:The system may not function if thecamera is blocked, or if the windshield isdamaged or dirty.
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Why is the feature not available, line markings are gray, when I can see the lane markingson the road?
Lane width is too narrow or too wide.
The camera has not been calibrated after a windshield replacement.
Driving on tight roads or on uneven roads.
Why does the vehicle not come back toward the middle of the lane, as expected, in theaid or aid + alert mode?
High cross winds are present.
There is a large road crown.
Rough roads, grooves or shoulder drop-offs.
Heavy uneven loading of the vehicle or improper tire inflation pressure.
The tires have been changed, or the suspension has been modified.
BLIND SPOT INFORMATION
SYSTEM
WARNING: Do not use the blindspot information system as areplacement for using the interior andexterior mirrors or looking over yourshoulder before changing lanes. Theblind spot information system is not areplacement for careful driving.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly during severe weatherconditions, for example snow, ice, heavyrain and spray. Always drive with duecare and attention. Failure to take caremay result in a crash.
The system is designed to detect vehiclesthat could have entered the blind spotzone. The detection area is on both sidesof your vehicle, extending rearward fromthe exterior mirrors to approximately 13 ft(4 m) beyond the rear bumper. Thedetection area extends to approximately59 ft (18 m) beyond the rear bumper whenthe vehicle speed is greater than 30 mph(48 km/h) to alert you of fasterapproaching vehicles.
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Cross Traffic Alert Information Messages
ActionMessage
Displays instead of indication arrows when the systemdetects a vehicle. Check for approaching traffic.Cross Traffic Alert
Indicates blocked cross traffic alert system sensors. Cleanthe sensors. If the message continues to appear, have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible.
Cross Traffic Not Avail-able Sensor Blocked SeeManual
The system has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle checkedas soon as possible.Cross Traffic SystemFault
Displays if you attach a trailer to your vehicle.Cross Traffic Alert Deac-tivated Trailer Attached
SPEED SIGN RECOGNITION (IF
EQUIPPED)
Principle of Operation
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: In cold and severeweather conditions the system may notfunction. Rain, snow and spray can alllimit sensor performance.
WARNING: The system may notoperate properly if the sensor is blocked.Keep the windshield free fromobstruction.
The system is designed to detect speedlimit signs to inform you of the currentspeed limit. Detected speed signs appearin the information display. The sensor isbehind the interior mirror.
Note:Do not carry out windshield repairsin the immediate area surrounding thesensor.
Note:Speed sign data provided by thenavigation system contains informationintegrated to the data carrier release.
Note:The system may not detect orcorrectly read all speed signs.
Note:If your vehicle has a suspension kitnot approved by us, the system may notcorrectly function.
Note:Always replace headlamp bulbs withthose specifically designed for your vehicle.Other bulbs could reduce systemperformance.
The system turns on when you switch theignition on, and you cannot switch thesystem off.
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STEERING
Electric Power Steering
WARNING: The electric powersteering system has diagnostic checksthat continuously monitor the system. Ifa fault is detected, a message displaysin the information display. Stop yourvehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.Switch the ignition off. After at least 10seconds, switch the ignition on andwatch the information display for asteering system warning message. If asteering system warning messagereturns, have the system checked assoon as possible.
WARNING: If the system detectsan error, you may not feel a difference inthe steering, however a serious conditionmay exist. Have your vehicle checked assoon as possible. Failure to do so mayresult in loss of steering control.
If your vehicle loses electrical power whileyou are driving (or if the ignition is turnedoff), you can steer the vehicle manually,but it takes more effort. You must adaptyour speed and driving behavior to reducedsteering assist. Extreme continuoussteering may increase the effort it takesfor you to steer. This occurs to preventinternal overheating and permanentdamage to your steering system. If thisshould occur, you will neither lose theability to steer the vehicle manually norwill it cause permanent damage. Typicalsteering and driving maneuvers will allowthe system to cool down and steeringassist will return to normal.
Steering Tips
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•An improperly inflated tire.
•Uneven tire wear.
•Loose or worn suspensioncomponents.
•Loose or worn steering components.
•Improper vehicle alignment.
A high crown in the road or high crosswindsmay also make the steering seem towander or pull.
PRE-COLLISION ASSIST
WARNING: You are responsible forcontrolling your vehicle at all times. Thesystem is designed to be an aid and doesnot relieve you of your responsibility todrive with due care and attention. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system does notdetect vehicles that are driving in adifferent direction, cyclists or animals.Apply the brakes when necessary. Failureto follow this instruction could result inthe loss of control of your vehicle,personal injury or death.
WARNING: The system does notoperate during hard acceleration orsteering. Failure to take care may leadto a crash or personal injury.
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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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