2023 FORD E SERIES transmission

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceedthe GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the certificationlabel.
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.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, for example fuses or relays,related to towing. See Fuses(page 152).
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading your vehicle.
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 draw bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, 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 regardingcorrect trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thisOwner's Manual. See Load Limit(page 124). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide. See an authorizeddealer.
129
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingTowing

When Towing 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 thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Switch off the speed control withheavy loads or in hilly terrain. Thespeed control may turn offautomatically when you are towing onlong, steep grades.
•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.
•If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac with roll stability control,this system may turn on during typicalcornering maneuvers with a heavilyloaded trailer. This is normal. Turningthe corner at a slower speed whiletowing may reduce this tendency.
•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 notincluded with vehicle.)
Your vehicle may be equipped with atemporary or conventional spare tire. Atemporary spare tire is different in size(diameter or width), tread-type(All-Season or All Terrain) or is from adifferent manufacturer than the road tireson your vehicle. Consult information on thetire label or Safety Compliance label forlimitations when using.
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.
136
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingTowing

TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has asteering wheel lock make sure theignition is in the accessory or on positionwhen being towed.
You can flat-tow (all wheels on theground, regardless of the powertrain ortransmission configuration) your disabledvehicle (without access to wheel dolliesor vehicle transport trailer) under thefollowing conditions:
•Your vehicle is facing forward so youtow it in a forward direction.
•You shift into neutral (N). If you cannotshift into neutral (N), you may need tooverride the transmission. SeeTransmission (page 96).
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system inrecirculated air mode to prevent exhaustfumes from entering the vehicle. SeeClimate Control (page 74).
Follow these guidelines if you have a needfor recreational vehicle towing. An exampleof recreational towing would be towingyour vehicle behind a motorhome. Theseguidelines are to make sure you do notdamage the transmission during towing.
Do not tow your vehicle with any wheelson the ground, as vehicle or transmissiondamage may occur. It is recommended totow your vehicle with all four wheels offthe ground, for example when using avehicle transport trailer. Otherwise, youcannot tow your vehicle.
137
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingTowing

JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
WARNING: Batteries normallyproduce explosive gases which cancause personal injury. Therefore, do notallow flames, sparks or lightedsubstances to come near the battery.When working near the battery, alwaysshield your face and protect your eyes.Always provide correct ventilation.
WARNING: Keep batteries out ofreach of children. Batteries containsulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes whenworking near the battery to protectagainst possible splashing of acidsolution. In case of acid contact with skinor eyes, flush immediately with water fora minimum of 15 minutes and get promptmedical attention. If acid is swallowed,call a physician immediately.
WARNING: Use only adequatelysized cables with insulated clamps.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Do not attempt to push-start yourautomatic transmission vehicle.
Note:Attempting to push-start a vehiclewith an automatic transmission may causetransmission damage.
Note:Use only a 12-volt supply to start yourvehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of thedisabled vehicle as this could damage thevehicle electrical system.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hoodof the disabled vehicle, making sure thetwo vehicles do not touch.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING: Do not connect thenegative jumper cable to any other partof your vehicle. Use the ground point.
WARNING: Make sure that thecables are clear of any moving parts andfuel delivery system parts.
Note:See the above image for yourvehicle's assigned ground connection point.
1.Connect the positive (+) jumper cableto the positive (+) terminal of thedischarged battery.
2.Connect the other end of the positive(+) cable to the positive (+) terminalof the booster vehicle battery.
3.Connect the negative (-) cable to thenegative (-) terminal of the boostervehicle battery.
4.Make the final connection of thenegative (-) cable to the groundconnection point.
Jump Starting
1.Start the engine of the booster vehicleand rev the engine moderately, or pressthe accelerator gently to keep yourengine speed between 2000 and 3000RPM, as shown in your tachometer.
143
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingRoadside EmergenciesE310550

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to helpmaintain its roadworthiness and resalevalue. There is a large network ofauthorized dealers that are there to helpyou with their professional servicingexpertise. We believe that their speciallytrained technicians are best qualified toservice your vehicle properly and expertly.They are supported by a wide range ofhighly specialized tools developedspecifically for servicing your vehicle.
If your vehicle requires professional service,an authorized dealer can provide thenecessary parts and service. Check yourwarranty information to find out whichparts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,fluids and service parts conforming tospecifications. Motorcraft® parts aredesigned and built to provide the bestperformance in your vehicle.
Precautions
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught inmoving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with theengine running in an enclosed space,unless you are sure you have enoughventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burningmaterial (such as cigarettes) awayfrom the battery and all fuel relatedparts.
Working with the Engine Off
1.Set the parking brake and shift thetransmission to park (P).
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING: To reduce the risk ofvehicle damage and personal burninjuries, do not start your engine with theair cleaner removed and do not removeit while the engine is running.
1.Set the parking brake and shift thetransmission to park (P).
2.Block the wheels.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
1.Inside the vehicle, pull the hood releasehandle located under the bottom leftcorner of the instrument panel.
2.Go to the front of the vehicle and pushthe auxiliary latch, located in the centerof the top grille, to the left in order torelease the hood.
3.Lift the hood and secure it with theprop rod.
4.To close, lower the hood and makesure that it is closed properly and fullylatched.
162
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingMaintenanceE196351

UNDER HOOD OVERVIEW
Windshield washer fluid reservoir. See Washer Fluid Check (page 177).A
Automatic transmission fluid dipstick. See Automatic Transmission FluidCheck (page 170).B
Engine oil dipstick. See Engine Oil Dipstick (page 164).C
Air cleaner assembly. See Changing the Engine Air Filter (page 165).D
Engine oil filler cap. See Engine Oil Check (page 164).E
Brake fluid reservoir. See Brake Fluid Check (page 173).F
Engine coolant reservoir. See Engine Coolant Check (page 166).G
Engine compartment fuse box. See Fuses (page 152).H
Power steering fluid reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid Check (page 174).I
Battery. See Changing the 12V Battery (page 174).J
163
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingMaintenanceE312299

4.Check the coolant level. If the coolantlevel is at or below the minimum mark,add prediluted coolant immediately.
5.When the engine temperature cools,you can re-start the engine. Have yourvehicle checked as soon as possible tominimize engine damage.
Note:Driving your vehicle without repairincreases the chance of engine damage.
Engine Coolant TemperatureManagement (If Equipped)
WARNING: To reduce the risk ofcrash and injury, be prepared that thevehicle speed may reduce and thevehicle may not be able to acceleratewith full power until the coolanttemperature reduces.
If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, theengine may temporarily reach a highertemperature during severe operatingconditions, for example ascending a longor steep slope in high ambienttemperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolanttemperature gauge moves toward the redzone and a message may appear in theinformation display.
You may notice a reduction in vehiclespeed caused by reduced engine power inorder to manage the engine coolanttemperature. Your vehicle may enter thismode if certain high-temperature andhigh-load conditions take place. Theamount of speed reduction depends onvehicle loading, grade and ambienttemperature. If this occurs, there is no needto pull off the road. You can continue todrive your vehicle.
The air conditioning may automaticallyturn on and off during severe operatingconditions to protect the engine fromoverheating. When the coolanttemperature decreases to the normaloperating temperature, the air conditioningturns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge movesfully into the red zone, or if the coolanttemperature warning or service enginesoon messages appear in your informationdisplay, do the following:
1.Pull off the road as soon as safelypossible and shift the transmission intopark (P).
2.Leave the engine running until thecoolant temperature gauge needlereturns to the normal position. If thetemperature does not drop afterseveral minutes, follow the remainingsteps.
3.Switch the engine off and wait for it tocool. Check the coolant level.
4.If the coolant level is at or below theminimum mark, immediately addprediluted coolant.
5.If the coolant level is normal, restartthe engine and continue driving.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
Have an authorized dealer check andchange the transmission fluid and filter atthe correct service interval. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 247).
Do not use supplemental transmissionfluid additives, treatments or cleaningagents. The use of these materials mayaffect transmission operation and resultin damage to internal transmissioncomponents.
170
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingMaintenance

Checking Automatic TransmissionFluid
For scheduled intervals of the fluid checksand changes, See ScheduledMaintenance (page 247). Yourtransmission does not consume fluid.However, if the transmission is not workingproperly, for example, if the transmissionslips or shifts slowly, or if you notice somesign of fluid leakage, check the fluid levelas soon as possible.
Automatic transmission fluid expandswhen warmed. Obtain an accurate readingas follows :
1.Drive the vehicle approximately 19 mi(30 km) to reach normal operatingtemperature via the transmission fluidtemperature gauge on the instrumentcluster.
2.Park the vehicle on a level surface andengage the parking brake.
3.With the engine running, parking brakeengaged and your foot on the brakepedal, move the gearshift lever throughall of the gear ranges. Allow sufficienttime for each gear to engage.
4.Put the transmission in park (P) andleave the engine running.
5.Remove the dipstick, wiping it cleanwith a clean, dry, lint free rag.
6.Install the dipstick, fully seating it in thefiller tube.
7.Remove the dipstick and inspect thefluid level. The fluid should be in thedesignated area for normal operatingtemperature or ambient temperature.
Low Fluid Level
Do not drive the vehicle if there is noindication of fluid on the dipstick and theambient temperature is above 50°F(10°C).
Correct Fluid Level
Drive the vehicle 19 mi (30 km) or until itreaches normal operating temperature.Check the fluid at the normal operatingtemperature of 196°F (91°C) to 215°F(102°C) on a level surface.
171
2023 E-Series (TE4) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202111, First-PrintingMaintenanceE163740 E163742