WHAT IS TRACTION CONTROL
The traction control system helps to avoiddrive wheel spin and loss of traction.
HOW DOES TRACTION CONTROL
WORK
If your wheels begin to spin, the loss oftraction can compromise steering controland stability of the vehicle. The tractioncontrol system applies the brakes toindividual wheels and when needed, reducesengine power at the same time to increasetraction.
SWITCHING TRACTION CONTROL
ON AND OFF
WARNING: Operating your vehiclewith the traction control disabled couldlead to an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
The system turns traction control and stabilitycontrol on each time you power on yourvehicle.
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Driver Assistance.
3.Switch Traction Control on or off.
Note:When you switch traction control off,a message and an illuminated icon appearon the information display.
Turn the system back on to return to normaloperation.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,switching traction control off may bebeneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Note:When you switch traction control off,stability control remains fully active.
Your vehicle could have MyKey restrictionsregarding this feature. See ConfigurableMyKey Settings (page 82).
TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR
Stability and Traction Control Indicator
If the indicator does not illuminatewhen you switch the ignition on,or remains on when the engine isrunning, this indicates a malfunction. Haveyour vehicle checked by an authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
The traction control off indicatorilluminates when you switch thetraction control system off, or whenan alternative stability control mode isselected that requires the traction control offdepending on the drive mode selected.
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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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HOW DOES TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL WORK
The system applies the brakes to theindividual wheels and reduces engine torqueto aid vehicle stability.
If the trailer begins to sway, the stabilitycontrol lamp flashes and the message TrailerSway Reduce Speed appears in theinformation display.
Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to doso. Check the vertical weight on the tow balland trailer load distribution.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL
PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Turning off trailer swaycontrol increases the risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, serious injury or death. Ford doesnot recommend disabling this featureexcept in situations where speed reductionmay be detrimental (such as hill climbing),the driver has significant trailer towingexperience, and can control trailer swayand maintain safe operation.
Note:This feature only activates whensignificant trailer sway occurs.
Note:This feature does not prevent trailersway, but reduces it once it begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailersfrom swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is toohigh, the system may activate multiple times,gradually reducing vehicle speed.
SWITCHING TRAILER SWAY
CONTROL ON AND OFF
1.Press Features on the touchscreen.
2.Press Towing.
3.Switch Trailer Sway Control on or off.
The system turns on each time you start yourvehicle.
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COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of somecomponents and systems can be affected attemperatures below approximately -13°F(-25°C).
DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE
WARNING: If you are driving inslippery conditions that require tire chainsor cables, then it is critical that you drivecautiously. Keep speeds down, allow forlonger stopping distances and avoidaggressive steering to reduce the chancesof a loss of vehicle control which can leadto serious injury or death. If the rear endof your vehicle slides while cornering, steerin the direction of the slide until you regaincontrol of your vehicle.
On ice and snow, you should drive moreslowly than usual. Your vehicle has a fourwheel anti-lock brake system, do not pumpthe brake pedal. See Anti-Lock BrakingSystem Limitations (page 232).
BREAKING-IN
Your vehicle requires a break-in period. Forthe first 1,000 mi (1,600 km), avoid driving athigh speeds, heavy braking, aggressiveshifting or using your vehicle to tow. Duringthis time, your vehicle may exhibit someunusual driving characteristics.
DRIVING ECONOMICALLY
The following helps to improve fuelconsumption:
•Drive smoothly, accelerate gently andanticipate the road ahead to avoid heavybraking.
•Regularly check your tire pressures andmake sure that they are inflated to thecorrect pressure.
•Follow the recommended maintenanceschedule and carry out therecommended checks.
•Plan your journey and check the trafficbefore you set off. It is more efficient tocombine errands into a single tripwhenever possible.
•Avoid idling the engine in cold weatheror for extended periods. Start the engineonly when you are ready to set off.
•Do not carry unnecessary weight in yourvehicle as extra weight wastes fuel.
•Do not add unnecessary accessories tothe exterior of your vehicle, for examplerunning boards. If you use a roof rack,remember to fold it down or remove itwhen not in use.
•Do not shift into neutral when you arebraking or when your vehicle is slowingdown.
•Shut all windows when driving at highspeeds.
•Switch off all electric systems when notin use, for example air conditioning. Makesure that you unplug any accessoriesfrom the auxiliary power points when notin use.
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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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SWITCHING THE POST-CRASH ALERTSYSTEM OFF
Press the hazard flasher switch, the unlockbutton on the remote control, the panicbutton on the remote control or cycle theignition to switch the system off.
Note:The alert turns off when the vehiclebattery runs out of charge.
POST IMPACT BRAKING
HOW DOES POST IMPACT BRAKINGWORK
In the event of a moderate to severe crash,the braking system reduces the vehicle’sspeed to prevent or reduce the impact of apotential secondary crash.
POST IMPACT BRAKING LIMITATIONS
Post impact braking does not activate if anyof the following occur:
•The anti-lock braking system is damagedduring the collision.
•Electronic stability control is disabled.
•Vehicle speed is below 5 mph (10 km/h).
OVERRIDING POST IMPACT BRAKING
You can override post impact braking bypressing the brake or accelerator pedal.
POST IMPACT BRAKING INDICATORS
It flashes when a post impactbraking event is occurring.
AUTOMATIC CRASH SHUTOFF
WHAT IS AUTOMATIC CRASHSHUTOFF
The automatic crash shutoff is designed tostop the fuel going to the engine in the eventof a moderate or severe crash.
Note:Not every impact causes a shutoff.
AUTOMATIC CRASH SHUTOFFPRECAUTIONS
WARNING: If your vehicle has beeninvolved in a crash, have the fuel systemchecked. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in fire, personal injury or death.
RE-ENABLING YOUR VEHICLE
1.Switch the ignition off.
2.Attempt to start your vehicle.
3.Switch the ignition off.
4.Attempt to start your vehicle.
Note:If your vehicle does not start after thethird attempt, have your vehicle checked assoon as possible.
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