LOAD CARRYING PRECAUTIONS
Keep your loaded vehicle weight withinits design rating capability, with orwithout a trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle provides maximum return ofvehicle design performance. Before youload your vehicle, become familiar withthe following terms for determining yourvehicle’s weight rating, with or withouta trailer, from the vehicle’s Tire andLoading Information label or SafetyCompliance Certification label.
WARNING: The appropriateloading capacity of your vehicle canbe limited either by volume capacity(how much space is available) or by
payload capacity (how much weightthe vehicle should carry). Once youhave reached the maximum payloadof your vehicle, do not add morecargo, even if there is space available.Overloading or improperly loadingyour vehicle can contribute to loss ofvehicle control and vehicle rollover.
WARNING: Exceeding the SafetyCompliance Certification label vehicleweight limits can adversely affect theperformance and handling of yourvehicle, cause vehicle damage andcan result in the loss of control of yourvehicle, serious personal injury ordeath.
WARNING: Do not usereplacement tires with lower loadcarrying capacities than the originaltires because they may lower yourvehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.Replacement tires with a higher limitthan the original tires do not increasethe GVWR and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Do not exceed theGVWR or the GAWR specified on thecertification label.
WARNING: Exceeding anyvehicle weight rating can adverselyaffect the performance and handlingof your vehicle, cause vehicle damageand can result in the loss of control ofyour vehicle, serious personal injuryor death.
WARNING: When loading theroof racks, we recommend you evenlydistribute the load, as well as maintaina low center of gravity. Loadedvehicles, with higher centers of gravity,may handle differently than unloadedvehicles. Take extra precautions, suchas slower speeds and increasedstopping distance, when driving aheavily loaded vehicle.
The gross combined weight must neverexceed the Gross Combined WeightRating.
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CONNECTING A TRAILER – TROUBLESHOOTING
CONNECTING A TRAILER – INFORMATION MESSAGES
DescriptionMessage
The system senses a trailer connection becomes disconnected, eitherintentionally or unintentionally, during a given ignition cycle.Trailer Disconnected
There are certain faults in your vehicle wiring and trailer wiring orbrake system.Trailer Wiring Fault
There is a fault with your trailer battery, or your trailer battery voltageis very low.Trailer Battery Not Charging See Manual
One or more tires on your trailer is below the specified tire pressure.Trailer Tire Low Specified:
Displays when one or more tires on the trailer is above the recom-mended temperature.Trailer Tire Over Temperature
A trailer tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning. If the warning stayson or continues to come on, have the system checked as soon aspossible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning. If thewarning stays on or continues to come on, have the system checked.Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tire pressure monitoring system.Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Capability Not Detected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is not setup.Trailer Tire Pressure Indication Not Setup See Manual
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The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combined weightrating.
Certain states require functioning trailerbrakes for trailers over a specified weight.Be sure to check state regulations for thisspecified weight.
Ford Motor Company recommends separatefunctioning brake systems for trailersweighing more than 1,500 lb (680 kg) whenloaded.
TOWING A TRAILER LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacity designationis by weight, not by volume, so youcannot necessarily use all availablespace when loading a vehicle or trailer.
Note:Your vehicle could have reducedperformance when operating at highaltitudes and when heavily loaded ortowing a trailer. When driving atelevation, to match driving performanceas perceived at sea level, reduce grossvehicle weight and gross combinationweight by 2% per 1,000 ft (300 m)elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailer movementaffects your vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest tothe trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items centeredbetween the left and right side trailertires.
•Load the heaviest items above thetrailer axles or just slightly forwardtoward the trailer tongue. Do notallow the final trailer tongue weightto go above or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight. The trailertongue weight should never exceed10% of the maximum towing capacity.
•Select a ball mount with the correctrise or drop. When both the loadedvehicle and trailer are connected, thetrailer frame should be level, orslightly angled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from the side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load on yourvehicle's engine, transmission, axle, brakes,tires and suspension. Periodically inspectthese components during and after anytowing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slighttakeoff vibration or shudder may be presentdue to the increased payload weight.
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Your vehicle may have a temporary orconventional spare tire. A temporary sparetire is different in diameter or width,tread-type, or is from a different manufacturerthan the road tires on your vehicle. Consultinformation on the tire label or SafetyCompliance label for limitations when using.
When towing a trailer:
•Obey country specific regulations fortowing 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 thoroughly afteryou have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thetransmission in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speed controlmay turn off when you are towing onlong, steep slopes.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not continuouslyapply the brakes, as they may overheatand become less effective.
•If your transmission has Grade Assist orTow/Haul, use this feature when towing.This provides engine braking and helpseliminate excessive transmission shiftingfor optimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with rollstability control. When towing a trailer,additional loads could cause theAdvanceTrac system to engage duringcornering maneuvers. Reduce corneringspeeds to make sure that you canmaintain control of the vehicle and trailerif the AdvanceTrac system engages.
•Allow more distance for stopping with atrailer attached. Anticipate stops andgradually brake.
•Avoid parking on a slope. However, ifyou must park on a slope, turn thesteering wheel to point your vehicle tiresaway from traffic flow, set the parkingbrake, place the transmission in park (P)and place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels.
Note:Chocks are not included with yourvehicle.
LAUNCHING OR RETRIEVING A
BOAT OR PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level to riseabove the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than6 in (15 cm) above the bottom edge ofthe rear bumper.
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DetailsMessage
Displays when one or more tires on the trailer is above the recom-mended temperature.Trailer Tire Over Temperature
One or more tires on your trailer is below the specified tire pressure.Trailer Tire Low Specified:
A trailer tire pressure sensor requires service. If the warning stays onor continues to come on, have the system checked as soon aspossible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system requires service. If thewarning stays on or continues to come on, have the system checkedas soon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tire pressure monitoring system.Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor Capability Not Detected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is not setup.Trailer Tire Pressure Indication Not Setup See Manual
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3.When you plug in a trailer with electric orelectric-over-hydraulic brakes, a messageconfirming connection appears in theinformation display.
4.Use the gain adjustment to find thedesired starting point. A gain setting of6.0 is a good starting point for heavierloads.
Note:Use the following steps to adjust thegain setting whenever road, weather andtrailer, or vehicle loading conditions, changefrom when you initially set the gain.
5.In a traffic-free environment, tow thetrailer on a dry, level surface and squeezethe manual control lever completely.
6.If the trailer wheels lock up, indicated bysquealing tires, reduce the gain setting.If the trailer wheels turn freely, increasethe gain setting. Repeat Steps 5 and 6until the gain setting is at a point justbelow trailer wheel lock-up. If towing aheavier trailer, trailer wheel lock-up maynot be attainable even with the maximumgain setting of 10.
Note:Only perform this procedure at speedsof approximately 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h).
Note:The trailer brake controller reducesoutput at vehicle speeds below 11 mph(18 km/h) so that trailer and vehicle brakingis not jerky or harsh. This feature is onlyavailable when applying the brakes usingyour vehicle's brake pedal, not the controller.
Note:Your vehicle's brake system and thetrailer brake system work independently ofeach other. Changing the gain setting on thecontroller does not affect the operation ofyour vehicle's brakes whether you attach atrailer or not.
Note:With the proper electrical connection,pressing your vehicle brake pedal or usingthe manual control lever illuminates bothtrailer and vehicle brake lamps.
Note:When you switch the engine off, thecontroller output is disabled and the displayand module shut down. The controllermodule and display turn on when you switchthe ignition on.
Adjusting the Trailer Brake Gain
Increase or decrease the amountof gain in set increments.A
Slide the control to engage thetrailer brakes.B
Note:Adjust gain setting before using thetrailer brake controller for the first time.
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DRIVING IN SPECIAL CONDITIONS
DRIVING THROUGH MUD AND WATER
Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehiclespeed or direction when you are driving inmud. Even all-wheel drive and four-wheeldrive vehicles can lose traction in mud. Ifyour vehicle slides, steer in the direction ofthe slide until you regain control of yourvehicle. After driving through mud, clean offresidue stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires.Excess residue can cause an imbalance thatcould damage drive components.
Note:If your vehicle gets stuck in mud, itcould be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature, asdamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for more thana minute, as damage to the transmissionand tires could occur or the engine couldoverheat.
Water
If you must drive though deep water, driveslowly. The water could limit traction or brakecapability. See Driving Through ShallowWater (page 386).
When driving though water, determine thedepth and avoid water higher than the centerof the wheel.
Once through water, always try the brakes.Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle asquickly as dry brakes. Apply light pressureto the brake pedal while slowly moving thevehicle to dry the brakes.
Note:Driving through deep water couldcause damage to the transmission. If thefront or rear axle is submerged in water,have the axle lubricant and power transferunit lubricant checked and changed ifnecessary.
DRIVING ON HILLY OR SLOPINGTERRAIN
WARNING: Extreme care should beused when steering the vehicle in reversedown a slope so as not to cause thevehicle to swerve out of control.
Although natural obstacles could make itnecessary to travel diagonally up or down ahill or steep incline, you should try to drivestraight up 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, determinebeforehand the route you can use. Do notdrive over the crest of a hill without seeingwhat conditions are on the other side. Donot drive in reverse over a hill without theaid of an observer.
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Apply just enough power to the wheels toclimb the hill. Too much power causes thetires to slip, spin or lose traction, and youcould lose control of your vehicle. Whendescending a steep hill, do not descend thehill in neutral. Avoid sudden hard braking tokeep the front wheels rolling and to maintainyour vehicle's steering.
Note:Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump thebrakes.
Note:If your vehicle gets stuck driving onhilly or sloping terrain, it could be rocked outby shifting between forward and reversegears, stopping between shifts in a steadypattern. Press lightly on the accelerator ineach gear.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature, asdamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for more thana minute, as damage to the transmissionand tires could occur or the engine couldoverheat.
DRIVING IN SAND
When driving over sand, try to keep all fourwheels on the most solid area of the trail. Steadily drive through the terrain. Apply theaccelerator slowly and avoid excessivewheel slip. Do not drive your vehicle in deepsand for an extended period of time. Thiscould overheat the system. A messageappears in the instrument cluster display.
Note:If your vehicle gets stuck driving onhilly or sloping terrain, it could be rocked outby shifting between forward and reversegears, stopping between shifts in a steadypattern. Press lightly on the accelerator ineach gear.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature, asdamage to the transmission could occur.
Note:Do not rock your vehicle for more thana minute, as damage to the transmissionand tires could occur or the engine couldoverheat
DRIVING THROUGH SHALLOW
WATER
WARNING: Do not attempt to crossa deep or flowing body of water. Failure tofollow this instruction could result in theloss of control of your vehicle, personalinjury or death.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water, checkthe depth. Never drive through water that ishigher than the bottom of the front rockerarea of your vehicle.
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