warning FORD BRONCO SPORT 2023 Owners Manual

Coolant Change
Change the coolant at specific mileageintervals, as listed in the scheduledmaintenance information. Add predilutedcoolant approved to the correctspecification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 339).
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarilydrive your vehicle before any incrementalcomponent damage occurs. The fail-safedistance depends on ambienttemperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat,the coolant temperature gaugemoves toward the red zone.
A warning lamp illuminates, anda message may appear in theinformation display.
If the engine reaches a presetover-temperature condition, the engineautomatically switches to alternatingcylinder operation. Each disabled cylinderacts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs, your vehicle stilloperates, however:
•Engine power is limited.
•The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the enginetemperature, causing the engine tocompletely shut down. Your steering andbraking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, youcan re-start the engine. Have your vehiclechecked as soon as possible to minimizeengine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNING: Fail-safe mode is foruse during emergencies only. Operateyour vehicle in fail-safe mode only aslong as necessary to bring your vehicleto rest in a safe location and seekimmediate repairs. When in fail-safemode, your vehicle will have limitedpower, will not be able to maintainhigh-speed operation, and maycompletely shut down without warning,potentially losing engine power, powersteering assist, and power brake assist,which may increase the possibility of acrash resulting in serious injury.
WARNING: Do not remove thecoolant reservoir cap when the engine ison or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10minutes for the cooling system to cooldown. Cover the coolant reservoir capwith a thick cloth to prevent thepossibility of scalding and slowly removethe cap. Failure to follow this instructioncould result in personal injury.
Your vehicle has limited engine powerwhen in the fail-safe mode, drive yourvehicle with caution. Your vehicle does notmaintain high-speed operation and theengine may operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable ofautomatically shutting down to preventengine damage. In this situation:
1.Pull off the road as soon as safelypossible and switch the engine off.
2.If you are a member of a roadsideassistance program, we recommendthat you contact your roadsideassistance service provider.
3.If this is not possible, wait a shortperiod for the engine to cool.
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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 could 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 could appear in theinformation display.
You could notice a reduction in vehiclespeed caused by reduced engine power inorder to manage the engine coolanttemperature. Your vehicle could enter thismode if certain high-temperature andhigh-load conditions take place. Theamount of speed reduction depends onvehicle loading, slope and ambienttemperature. If this occurs, there is noneed to stop your vehicle. You cancontinue to drive.
The air conditioning could turn on and offduring severe operating conditions toprotect the engine from overheating. Whenthe coolant temperature decreases to thenormal operating temperature, the airconditioning turns 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.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safeto do so. Fully apply the parking brake,shift into park (P) or neutral (N).
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, add prediluted coolantimmediately.
5.If the coolant level is normal, restartthe engine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
The automatic transmission does not havea transmission fluid dipstick.
Have an authorized dealer check andchange the transmission fluid at thecorrect service interval. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 411). Yourtransmission does not consume fluid.However, if the transmission slips, shiftsslowly or if you notice a sign of leakingfluid, contact an authorized dealer.
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Do not use supplemental transmissionfluid additives, treatments or cleaningagents. The use of these materials mayaffect transmission operation and resultin damage to internal transmissioncomponents.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
WARNING: Do not use any fluidother than the recommended brake fluidas this will reduce brake efficiency. Useof incorrect fluid could result in the lossof vehicle control, serious personal injuryor death.
WARNING: Only use brake fluidfrom a sealed container. Contaminationwith dirt, water, petroleum products orother materials may result in brakesystem damage or failure. Failure toadhere to this warning could result in theloss of vehicle control, serious personalinjury or death.
WARNING: Do not allow the fluidto touch your skin or eyes. If thishappens, rinse the affected areasimmediately with plenty of water andcontact your physician.
WARNING: The brake systemcould be affected if the brake fluid levelis below the MIN mark or above the MAXmark on the brake fluid reservoir.
Note:A fluid level between the MAX andMIN lines is within the normal operatingrange and there is no need to add fluid. Afluid level not in the normal operating rangecould compromise the performance of thesystem. Have the system checked as soonas possible by an authorized dealer.
To avoid fluid contamination, the reservoircap must remain in place and fully tight,unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets ourspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 339).
Brake Fluid Service Interval
Brake fluid absorbs water over time whichdegrades the effectiveness of the brakefluid. Change brake fluid at the specifiedintervals to prevent degraded brakingperformance.
For detailed interval information, seeScheduled Maintenance in your Owner'sManual or your local maintenance guide.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Your vehicle is equipped with an electricpower steering (EPS) system. There is nofluid reservoir to check or fill.
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CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY
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: When lifting aplastic-cased battery, excessive pressureon the end walls could cause acid to flowthrough the vent caps, resulting inpersonal injury and damage to thevehicle or battery. Lift the battery with abattery carrier or with your hands onopposite corners.
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: Battery posts,terminals and related accessoriescontain lead and lead compounds,chemicals known to the State ofCalifornia to cause cancer andreproductive harm.Wash your handsafter handling.
WARNING: This vehicle may havemore than one battery. Removing thebattery cables from only one batterydoes not disconnect your vehicleelectrical system. Make sure youdisconnect the battery cables from allbatteries when disconnecting power.Failure to do so may cause seriouspersonal injury or property damage.
WARNING: For vehicles withAuto-Start-Stop the battery requirementis different. You must replace the batterywith one of exactly the samespecification.
The battery is in the engine compartment.See Under Hood Overview (page 286).
Your vehicle has a maintenance-freebattery. It does not require additionalwater during service.
If the vehicle battery has a cover and venthose, make sure you correctly install it aftercleaning or replacing the battery.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep thetop of the battery clean and dry and thebattery cables tightly fastened to thebattery terminals. If any corrosion ispresent on the battery or terminals, removethe cables from the terminals and cleanwith a wire brush. You can neutralize theacid with a solution of baking soda andwater.
We recommend that you disconnect thenegative battery cable terminal from thebattery if you plan to store your vehicle foran extended period.
Note:If you only disconnect the negativebattery cable terminal, make sure it isisolated or placed away from the batteryterminal to avoid unintended connection orarcing.
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If you replace the battery make sure itmatches the electrical requirements ofyour vehicle.
If you disconnect or replace the batteryand your vehicle has an automatictransmission, it must relearn its adaptivestrategy. Because of this, the transmissionmay shift firmly when first driven. This isnormal operation while the transmissionfully updates its operation to optimumshift feel.
Battery Sensor Reset
When you install a new battery, reset thebattery sensor by doing the following:
1.Switch the ignition on, and leave theengine off.
Note:Complete Steps 2 and 3 within 10seconds.
2.Flash the high beam headlamps fivetimes, ending with the high beams off.
3.Press and release the brake pedal threetimes.
The battery warning lamp flashes threetimes to confirm that the reset issuccessful.
Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The system monitors battery conditionsand takes actions to extend battery life. Ifexcessive battery drain is detected, thesystem temporarily disables someelectrical systems to protect the battery.
Systems included are:
•Heated rear window.
•Heated seats.
•Climate control.
•Heated steering wheel.
•Audio unit.
•Navigation system.
A message may appear in the informationdisplay to alert you that battery protectionactions are active. This message is only fornotification that an action is taking place,and not intended to indicate an electricalproblem or that the battery requiresreplacement.
After battery replacement, or in somecases after charging the battery with anexternal charger, the battery managementsystem requires eight hours of vehicle sleeptime to relearn the battery state of charge.During this time, your vehicle must remainfully locked with the ignition switched off.
Note:Prior to relearning the battery stateof charge, the battery management systemmay temporarily disable some electricalsystems.
Electrical Accessory Installation
To make sure the battery managementsystem works correctly, do not connect anelectrical device ground connectiondirectly to the battery negative post. Thiscan cause inaccurate measurements ofthe battery condition and potentialincorrect system operation.
Note:If you add electrical accessories orcomponents to the vehicle, it may adverselyaffect battery performance and durability.This may also affect the performance ofother electrical systems in the vehicle.
Remove and Reinstall the Battery
Install a battery approved for use by ourspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 339).
To disconnect or remove the battery, dothe following:
1.Apply the parking brake and switch theignition off.
2.Switch all electrical equipment off, forexample lights and radio.
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4.There is a distinct cut-off, or changefrom light to dark, in the left portion ofthe beam pattern. Position the topedge of this cut-off at the horizontalreference plane.
5.Locate the vertical adjuster on eachheadlamp. Using a Phillips #2screwdriver, turn the adjuster eitherclockwise or counterclockwise to aimthe headlamp.
6.Close the hood and switch off thelamps.
Horizontal Aim Adjustment
Horizontal aim is not required for thisvehicle and is non-adjustable.
WASHER FLUID CHECK
WARNING: If you operate yourvehicle in temperatures below 41.0°F(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreezeprotection. Failure to use washer fluidwith antifreeze protection in coldweather could result in impairedwindshield vision and increase the riskof injury or accident.
Note:The front and rear washer systemsare supplied from the same reservoir.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level islow. Only use a washer fluid that meetsour specifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 339).
State or local regulations on volatileorganic compounds may restrict the useof methanol, a common windshield washerantifreeze additive. Washer fluidscontaining non-methanol antifreezeagents should be used only if they providecold weather protection without damagingthe vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades orwasher system.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetimefuel filter that is integrated with the fueltank. Regular maintenance or replacementis not needed.
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•Never wash or rinse the engine while itis hot or running; water in the runningengine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,spark plug wire or spark plug well, orthe area in and around these locations.
•Cover the battery, power distributionbox, and air filter assembly to preventwater damage when cleaning theengine.
CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND
WIPER BLADES
Car wash chemicals and environmentalfallout can result in windshield and wiperblade contamination. Dirty windshield andwipers will result in poor windshield wiperoperation. Keep the windshield and wiperblades clean to maintain windshield wiperperformance.
To clean the windshield and wiper blades:
•Clean the windshield with anon-abrasive glass cleaner. Whencleaning the interior of the windshield,avoid getting any glass cleaner on theinstrument panel or door panels. Wipeany glass cleaner off these surfacesimmediately.
•For windshields contaminated withtree sap, chemicals, wax or bugs, cleanthe entire windshield using steel wool(no greater than 0000 grade) in acircular motion and rinse with water.
•Clean the wiper blades with isopropylrubbing alcohol or windshield washerconcentrate.
Note: Do not use razor blades or othersharp objects to clean or remove decalsfrom the inside of the heated rear window.The vehicle warranty does not coverdamage caused to the heated rear windowgrid lines.
CLEANING THE INTERIOR
WARNING: Do not use cleaningsolvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle'sseatbelts, as these actions may weakenthe belt webbing.
WARNING: On vehicles equippedwith seat-mounted airbags, do not usechemical solvents or strong detergents.Such products could contaminate theside airbag system and affectperformance of the side airbag in a crash.
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and seatsequipped with side airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil withMotorcraft Professional StrengthCarpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
•If grease or tar is present on thematerial, spot-clean the area first withMotorcraft Spot and Stain Remover. InCanada, use Motorcraft Multi-PurposeCleaner.
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spotcleaning, clean the entire areaimmediately (but do not oversaturate)or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners, which canstain and discolor the fabric and affectthe flame retardant abilities of the seatmaterials.
For rubber floor:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with avacuum cleaner.
•To remove soil use cloth dampenedwith water.
Note:Do not power wash main flooring.
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Mirrors
Do not clean the housing or glass of anymirror with harsh abrasives, fuel or otherpetroleum or ammonia-based cleaningproducts.
CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL AND INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER LENS
WARNING: Do not use chemicalsolvents or strong detergents whencleaning the steering wheel orinstrument panel to avoid contaminationof the airbag system.
Note:Follow the same procedure ascleaning leather seats for cleaning leatherinstrument panels and leather interior trimsurfaces.
Clean the instrument panel and clusterlens with a clean, damp and soft cloth,then use a clean, dry and soft cloth to drythese areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increasethe gloss of the upper portion of theinstrument panel. The dull finish in thisarea helps protect you fromundesirable windshield reflection.
•Do not use any household cleaningproducts or glass cleaners as thesemay damage the finish of theinstrument panel, interior trim andcluster lens.
•Wash or wipe your hands clean if youhave been in contact with certainproducts such as insect repellent andsuntan lotion to avoid possible damageto the interior painted surfaces.
•Do not allow air fresheners and handsanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces.If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately.Your warranty may not cover thesedamages.
If a staining liquid like coffee or juice hasbeen spilled on the instrument panel or oninterior trim surfaces:
1.Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean,soft cloth as quickly as possible.
2.Use Motorcraft Premium Leather andVinyl Cleaner or a commerciallyavailable leather cleaning product forautomotive interiors. Test any cleaneror stain remover on an inconspicuousarea.
3.Alternatively, wipe the surface with aclean, soft cloth and a mild soap andwater solution. Dry the area with aclean, soft cloth.
4.If necessary, apply more soap andwater solution or cleaning product toa clean, soft cloth and press it onto thesoiled area. Allow this to set at roomtemperature for 30 minutes.
5.Remove the soaked cloth, then with aclean, damp cloth, use a rubbingmotion for 60 seconds on the soiledarea.
6.Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE
We recommend that you contact anauthorized dealer to identify your vehiclecolor code. Authorized dealers havetouch-up paint to match your vehicle'scolor.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Use only approved wheel and tire sizes.Using other sizes could damage yourvehicle. If you change the diameter of thetires from what is fitted at the factory, thespeedometer may not display the correctspeed. If you intend to change the size ofthe wheels from what was fitted by themanufacturer, you can check the suitabilitywith your dealer.
Additional information related to thefunctionality and maintenance of your tirescan be found later in this chapter. See TireCare (page 313).
You can find the recommended tireinflation pressures on the Tire Label, whichis on the B-pillar or the edge of the driverdoor. You can also find this information onthe Safety Compliance Certification Label,affixed to either the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edge thatmeets the door latch post, next to thedriver seating position.
We strongly recommend maintaining thesetire pressures at all times. Failure to followthe tire pressure recommendations cancause uneven treadwear patterns, reducedfuel economy, and adversely affect theway your vehicle handles.
Note:Check and set the tire pressure at theambient temperature in which you areintending to drive your vehicle and when thetires are cold.
Note:Check your tire pressures at leastonce per month.
If your vehicle has a spare tire, set thepressure to the highest value given for yourvehicle and tire size combination.
Notice to Utility Vehicle and TruckOwners
WARNING: Utility vehicles have asignificantly higher rollover rate thanother types of vehicles.
WARNING: Vehicles with a highercenter of gravity (utility and four-wheeldrive vehicles) handle differently thanvehicles with a lower center of gravity(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,excessive speed and abrupt steering inthese vehicles. Failure to drive cautiouslyincreases the risk of losing control of yourvehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injuryand death.
WARNING: In a rollover crash, anunbelted person is significantly morelikely to die than a person wearing aseatbelt.
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheeldrive vehicle may accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always driveat a safe speed.
Utility vehicles and trucks handledifferently than passenger cars in thevarious driving conditions that areencountered on streets, highways andoff-road. Utility vehicles and trucks are notdesigned for cornering at speeds as highas passenger cars any more than low-slungsports cars are designed to performsatisfactorily under off-road conditions.
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Study your owner's manual and anysupplements for specific information aboutequipment features, instructions for safedriving and additional precautions toreduce the risk of an accident or seriousinjury.
Four-Wheel Drive System (If Equipped)
WARNING: Do not becomeoverconfident in the ability of four-wheeldrive vehicles. Although a four-wheeldrive vehicle may accelerate better thana two-wheel drive vehicle in low tractionsituations, it won't stop any faster thantwo-wheel drive vehicles. Always driveat a safe speed.
A vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive,when selected, has the ability to use allfour wheels to power itself. This increasestraction which can enable you to safelydrive over terrain and road conditions thata conventional two-wheel drive vehiclecannot.
On some four-wheel drive vehicles, theinitial shift from two-wheel to four-wheeldrive when the vehicle is moving can causea momentary clunk and ratcheting sound.These sounds are normal and are notcause for concern.
In four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of thespare tire relative to the remaining tires canhave an effect on the four-wheel drivesystem. If there is a significant differencebetween the size of a spare and theremaining tires, four-wheel drivefunctionality could be limited or disabled.
Note:The spare tire is only intended to beused in emergency situations. Replace theroad wheel as soon as possible as extendeduse of a spare wheel can result in vehiclewear. Ensure all four tires are matching inmanufacturer, size, and wear.
How Your Vehicle Differs fromOther Vehicles
Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differfrom some other vehicles in a fewnoticeable ways. Your vehicle can be:
•Higher - to allow higher load carryingcapacity and to allow it to travel overrough terrain without getting stuck ordamaging underbody components.
•Shorter - to give it the capability toapproach inclines and drive over thecrest of a hill without getting stuck ordamaging underbody components. Ashorter wheelbase can make yourvehicle quicker to respond to steeringinputs than a vehicle with a longerwheelbase.
•Narrower - to provide greatermaneuverability in tight spaces,particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensionaldifferences, sport utility vehicles and trucksoften have a higher center of gravity and agreater difference in center of gravitybetween the loaded and unloadedcondition. These differences that makeyour vehicle so versatile, also make ithandle differently than an ordinarypassenger car.
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