TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Do not exceed
the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification
label.
WARNING: Towing trailers
beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and personal injury.
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses
(page 200).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation.Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See Load Limit (page
175).
You can also find information in
the RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.
RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/ Website
178
Towing
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 mi
(1,600 km) before towing a trailer. Make
sure you use the specified engine oil. See
Engine Oil Capacity and Specification
(page 292).
Do not add friction modifier compounds
or special break-in oils during the first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation.
These additives may prevent piston ring
seating.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING: Do not drive through
flowing or deep water as you may lose
control of your vehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water can
cause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if water
enters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,
check the depth. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the wheel
hubs.
E176913E176913
When driving through standing water, drive
very slowly and do not stop your vehicle.
Your brake performance and traction may
be limited. After driving through water and
as soon as it is safe to do so:
• Lightly press the brake pedal to dry the
brakes and to check that they work.
• Check that the horn works.
• Check that the exterior lights work.
• Turn the steering wheel to check that
the steering power assist works.
Operation in Standing Water
Ingestion of water into the diesel engine
can result in immediate and severe
damage to the engine. If driving through
water, slow down to avoid splashing water
into the intake. If the engine stalls, and you
suspect ingestion of water into the engine,
do not try to restart the engine. Consult
your dealer for service immediately.
Your fuel tank vents to the atmosphere by
valves on top of the tank and through the
fuel cap. If water reaches the top of the
tank, the valves may pull water into the
fuel tank. Water in the fuel can cause
performance issues and damage the fuel
injection system.
187
Driving Hints
3. Add engine oil that meets our
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 288).
4. Reinstall the engine oil filler cap. Turn
it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
Note: Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note:Immediately soak up any oil spillage
with an absorbent cloth.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Lamp
WARNING: If it illuminates when
you are driving do not continue your
journey, even if the oil level is correct.
Have your vehicle checked.
It illuminates when you switch
the ignition on.
If it illuminates when the engine
is running this indicates a malfunction.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level. If the oil level is sufficient,
this indicates a system malfunction. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL
AND OIL FILTER
WARNING: Do not add engine oil
when the engine is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury.If your vehicle has a diesel engine, an
Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ calculates the
proper oil change service interval. When
the information display indicates: OIL
CHANGE REQUIRED, change the engine
oil and oil filter. See Information
Displays (page 70).
The engine oil filter protects your engine
by filtering harmful, abrasive or sludge
particles and particles significantly smaller
than most available will-fit filters. See
Motorcraft Parts (page 290).
1. Unscrew the oil filter and oil pan drain
plug and wait for the oil to drain.
2. Replace the filter.
3. Reinstall the oil pan drain plug.
4. Refill the engine with new oil. See
Engine Oil Capacity and
Specification (page 295).
5. For diesel engines, you need to reset
the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™. See
Information Displays (page 70).
Engine Lubrication for Severe
Service Operation
The following conditions define severe
operation:
• Frequent or extended idling such as
over 10 minutes per hour of normal
driving.
• Low-speed operation or stationary use.
• If the vehicle is operated in sustained,
ambient temperatures below -9°F
(-23°C) or above 100°F (38°C).
• Frequent low-speed operation, or
consistent heavy traffic less than
25 mph (40 km/h).
• Operating in severe dust conditions.
• Operating the vehicle off road.
• Towing a trailer over 1,000 mi
(1,600 km).
226
Maintenance
Engine Oil Capacity and Specification -
7.3L.................................................................295
Engine Oil Check - 6.7L Diesel.................224
Engine Oil Check - 7.3L..............................225
Engine Oil Dipstick - 6.7L Diesel.............224
Engine Oil Dipstick - 7.3L...........................224
Engine Specifications - 6.7L
Diesel............................................................288
Engine Specifications - 7.3L....................289
Entering, Exiting or Climbing on This
Vehicle.............................................................20
Environment......................................................21
Essential Towing Checks..........................180
Event Data Recording
See: Data Recording.............................................13Exhaust Brake................................................143
Exhaust System Inspection.....................255
Export Unique Options................................20
Exterior Mirrors...............................................60
F
Fastening the Seatbelts..............................38
Federal Highway Administration
Regulation......................................................20
Fifth Wheel Operation.................................181
Flat Tire
See: Changing a Road Wheel.......................284Ford Credit..........................................................17
Ford Protect....................................................317
Frame and Tow Hook Inspection..........260
Front Seat Armrest........................................94
Fuel and Refueling.......................................105
Fuel Consumption.........................................113
Fuel Filter - 7.3L............................................249
Fuel Quality - Diesel....................................106
Fuel Quality - Gasoline..............................109
Fuel Shutoff...................................................189
Fuel Tank Capacity - Diesel.....................298
Fuel Tank Capacity - Gasoline...............299
Fuel Tank Selector Switch..........................114
Fuses................................................................200
Fuse Specification Chart..........................200
G
Gauges...............................................................63Gearbox
See: Transmission..............................................128General Driving Points................................183
General Information on Radio
Frequencies...................................................45
General Maintenance Information........319
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and
Canada..........................................................197
Getting the Services You Need...............194
H
HandbrakeSee: Parking Brake.............................................138Hazard Flashers............................................189
Headlamp Adjusting
See: Adjusting the Headlamps.....................247Headlamp Exit Delay....................................55
Headlamp Removal
See: Removing a Headlamp..........................250HeadrestSee: Head Restraints..........................................88Head Restraints..............................................88
Heated Exterior Mirrors................................87
Heating
See: Climate Control...........................................85Hill Start Assist...............................................141
Hints on Controlling the Interior
Climate...........................................................86
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock
Brakes............................................................138
Hood Lock
See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........220Horn.....................................................................52
How Does the Pneumatic Locking
Differential Work........................................135
Hydraulic Power Steering Fluid Capacity
and Specification.....................................306
I
Ignition Switch..............................................100
In California (U.S. Only).............................195
Information Display Control.......................52
Information Displays.....................................70
General Information............................................70Information Messages..................................74
Installing Child Restraints...........................26
371
Index