2023 FORD E SERIES suspension

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.
Traction Control
The system enhances your vehicle’s abilityto maintain traction of the wheels bydetecting and controlling wheel spin. SeeUsing Traction Control (page 103).
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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 you have a blocked camera ordamaged windshield, 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 is in 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 (IF
EQUIPPED)
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: 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: Large contrasts inoutside lighting can limit sensorperformance.
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 as long as thecamera can detect one lane marking at aspeed above 40 mph (64 km/h).
Note:The system may not function with ablocked camera, 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?
There is standing water on the road.
Faint lane markings, for example partial yellow lane markings on concrete roads.
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.
Vehicle accessories are blocking the camera, for example a snow plow.
STEERING
Hydraulic Power Steering
To help prevent damage to the powersteering system:
•Do not hold the steering wheel at itsfurthest turning points for more thanthree to five seconds when the engineis running.
•Avoid continuously steering back andforth with elevated engine RPM as thismay overheat the system. If trying tofree a stuck vehicle, pause betweenattempts to allow the power steeringsystem to cool or seek assistance.Typical steering and driving maneuversallow the system to cool.
•Do not operate the vehicle if the powersteering pump fluid level is below theMIN mark on the reservoir.
•Some noise is normal during operation.If excessive, check for low powersteering pump fluid level beforeseeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be causedby low power steering fluid. Check forlow power steering pump fluid levelbefore seeking service by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pumpreservoir above the MAX mark on thereservoir, as this may result in leaksfrom the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks downor if you switch the engine off, you cansteer the vehicle manually, but it takesmore effort.
If you have any steering componentsserviced or replaced, install new fasteners.Many fasteners have coatings with threadadhesive, or have prevailing torquefeatures you cannot reuse. Do not reuse abolt or nut. Torque fasteners tospecifications.
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.
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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.
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Safety Practices
WARNING: If your vehicleis stuck in snow, mud or sand, donot rapidly spin the tires;spinning the tires can tear thetire and cause an explosion. Atire can explode in as little asthree to five seconds.
WARNING: Do not spin thewheels at over 34 mph(55 km/h). The tires may fail andinjure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great dealto do with your tire mileage andsafety.
*Observe posted speed limits
*Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
*Avoid potholes and objects onthe road
*Do not run over curbs or hit thetire against a curb when parking
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drivethere’s always the possibility thatyou may eventually have a flat tireon the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic.This may further damage the flattire, but your safety is moreimportant.
If you feel a sudden vibration orride disturbance when driving, oryou suspect your tire or vehiclehas been damaged, immediatelyreduce your speed. Drive withcaution until you can safely pulloff the road. Stop and inspect thetires for damage. If a tire isunder-inflated or damaged,deflate it, remove wheel andreplace it with your spare tire andwheel. If you cannot detect acause, have the vehicle towed tothe nearest repair facility or tiredealer to have the vehicleinspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb orpothole can cause the front endof your vehicle to become
misaligned or cause damage toyour tires. If your vehicle seems topull to one side when you’redriving, the wheels may be out ofalignment. Have an authorizeddealer check the wheel alignmentperiodically.
Wheel misalignment in the frontor the rear can cause uneven andrapid treadwear of your tires andshould be corrected by anauthorized dealer. Front-wheeldrive vehicles and those with anindependent rear suspension mayrequire alignment of all fourwheels.
The tires should also be balancedperiodically. An unbalanced tireand wheel assembly may result inirregular tire wear.
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Dual rear wheel drive vehicle - sixtire rotation (front tires at top ofdiagram).
If your vehicle is equipped withdual rear wheels it isrecommended that the front andrear tires (in pairs) be rotated onlyside to side. We do notrecommend splitting up the dualrear wheels. Rotate them side toside as a set. After tire rotation,inflation pressures must beadjusted for the tires newpositions in accordance withvehicle requirements.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING: Wheels and tires mustbe the same size, load index and speedrating as those originally fitted on thevehicle. Use of any other tire or wheelcan affect the safety and performanceof your vehicle. Additionally, the use ofnon-recommended tires and wheels cancause steering, suspension, axle, transfercase or power transfer unit failure.Follow the recommended tire inflationpressures found on the SafetyCompliance Certification label, or theTire Label on the B-Pillar or the edge ofthe driver door. Failure to follow thisinstruction could result in loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, or personal injuryor death.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weathertreads to provide traction in rain and snow.However, in some climates, you may needto use snow tires and cables. If you needto use cables, it is recommended that steelwheels (of the same size andspecifications) be used, as cables may chipaluminum wheels.
Note:The suspension insulation andbumpers help prevent vehicle damage. Donot remove these components from yourvehicle when using snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snowtires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading yourvehicle.
•Install chains securely, verifying thatthe chains do not touch any wiring,brake lines or fuel lines.
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Check every six months
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary.
Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt) for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,it is important to have the systems on yourvehicle checked regularly. This can helpidentify potential issues and prevent majorproblems. We recommend having thefollowing multi-point inspection performedat every scheduled maintenance intervalto help make sure your vehicle keepsrunning great.
Multi-point inspection
Horn operationAccessory drive belt(s)
Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hosesBattery performance
Suspension component for leaks ordamageEngine air filter
Steering and linkageExhaust system
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper
pressure**Exterior lamps and hazard warning systemoperation
Windshield for cracks, chips or pitsFluid levels*; fill if necessary
Washer spray and wiper operationFor oil and fluid leaks
* Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission, power steering and windowwasher.**If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expirationUse By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
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