brake FORD E SERIES 2008 4.G Owner's Manual

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked. If your vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing
snow conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged
with snow and/or ice. If this occurs, the engine may experience a
significant reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow and/or ice away from the air induction inlet.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
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•To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two pronged (cheater) adapters.
Also ensure that the block heater, especially the cord, is in good
condition before use.
•Make sure that when in operation, the extension cord plug /engine
block heater cord plug connection is free and clear of water in order
to prevent possible shock or fire.
•Be sure that areas where the vehicle is parked are clean and clear of
all combustibles such as petroleum products, dust, rags, paper and
similar items.
•Be sure that the engine block heater, heater cord and extension cord
are solidly connected. A poor connection can cause the cord to
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system
has been operating for approximately a half hour.
•Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall
tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.
How to use the engine block heater
Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.
Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts
of energy per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not
have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after
approximately 3 hours of operation. Block heater operation longer than 3
hours will not improve system performance and will unnecessarily use
additional electricity.
Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by an authorized dealer.
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Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.P!
BRAKE
ABS
P!
BRAKE
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Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), press
the parking brake pedal down until
the pedal stops.
To release, pull the lever (2).
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
TRACTION CONTROL™ (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control™ system. This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.
During Traction Control™ operation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate and the engine will not
“rev-up” when you push further on
the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior and should be no
reason for concern.
P!
BRAKE
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Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control™
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control™ switch,
located on the center console, has
an indicator light that illuminates
when the system is off. The Traction
Control™ system will automatically
turn on every time the ignition is
turned off and on. The Traction
Control™ system should normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control™ system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver. Remember to switch the Traction Control™ system
back on once the vehicle is no longer stuck.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control™ button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
ADVANCETRACWITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC)
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system provides stability and traction
enhancement for certain driving situations when driver assistance is
needed. It helps your vehicle maintain traction, when driving on slippery
and/or hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled by momentarily reducing engine
power and rapidly applying the anti-lock brakes. The system is a driver
aid which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and
ice-covered roads.
If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system off by pressing the AdvanceTrac

with RSC button. This will allow your tires to “dig” for traction.
Remember to switch the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system back on once
the vehicle is no longer stuck.
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If the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system is activated excessively in a short
period of time, the brake portion of the system will shut down to allow
the brakes to cool down. A limited AdvanceTrac
with RSC function
using only engine power reduction will still help control the wheels from
over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the system will again
function normally. Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and
will function normally during the cool-down period.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system enhances your vehicle’s stability
during maneuvers that require all available tire traction, like in
wet/snowy/icy road conditions and/or when performing emergency
maneuvers. In an emergency lane-change, the driver will experience
better overall vehicle traction, and have better control of the vehicle.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system helps the driver maintain steering
control if the vehicle begins to slide excessively left or right or spin out.
AdvanceTrac
with RSC will attempt to correct the sliding motion by
applying brake force at individual tires and, if necessary, by reducing
engine power.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or death. The occurrence of a AdvanceTrac
with RSC event is
an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability
to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. Operating your
vehicle with AdvanceTrac
with RSC system disabled may severely
reduce your ability to control your vehicle. If you experience a severe
road event or any loss of vehicle control, SLOW DOWN.
Driving conditions which may activate AdvanceTrac
with RSC system
include:
•Taking a turn too fast.
•Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle.
•Hitting a patch of ice.
•Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road.
•Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa.
•Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa.
•Hitting a curb while turning.
•Driving on slick surfaces.
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•Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.)
The RSC system works in conjunction with the AdvanceTrac
system to
further enhance the vehicle’s overall stability during aggressive
maneuvers. The system helps maintain roll stability of the vehicle during
aggressive maneuvers by applying brake force to one or more wheels.
Driving conditions that may activate Roll Stability Control include:
•Emergency lane-change
•Taking a turn too fast
•Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system automatically turns on when the
engine is started. However, the system does not function when the
vehicle is traveling in R (Reverse). In R (Reverse), ABS and the traction
enhancement feature will continue to function.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC button
allows the driver to control the
availability of the AdvanceTrac

with RSC system. AdvanceTrac

with RSC system status is indicated
by a warning indicator light with a
“sliding car” icon in the instrument
cluster that will flash when the
system is active and an indicator light in the control button that will
illuminate when the system is turned off.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system
warning indicator light may flash to
indicate the system is not fully
initialized. If this happens, slow
down. If the light continues flashing,
have the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system serviced by an authorized dealer.
If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system, the
warning indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on and the
instrument cluster will chime repeatedly. If the warning indicator light in
the instrument cluster remains on and the chime is active while the
engine is running, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately.
Pressing the control will disable the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system and
the traction enhancement feature at and below 20 mph (32 km/h). If the
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vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when driving in deep sand, switching
off the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system may be beneficial so the wheels
are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose engine power while
driving in deep sand or very deep snow and the vehicle speed is 20 mph
(32 km/h) or below, switching off the AdvanceTrac
with RSC stability
enhancement feature will restore full engine power and will enhance
momentum through the obstacle. Remember to switch the AdvanceTrac

with RSC system back on once the vehicle is no longer stuck.
Note:The AdvanceTrac
with RSC system will automatically restore to
full functionality every time the vehicle speed exceeds 20 mph (32 km/h)
or the ignition is turned off and back on. However, the AdvanceTrac

with RSC button remains illuminated even above 20 mph (32 km/h) until
it is pressed.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC performs a system self-check. During
AdvanceTrac
with RSC operation you may experience the following:
•A rumble or grinding noise
•A slight deceleration of the vehicle
•Steering feedback
•The AdvanceTrac
with RSC indicator light will flash
•If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTrac
with RSC
operation.
Do not alter or modify your vehicle’s suspension, steering or
tires; the resulting changes to the vehicle’s handling can
adversely affect the AdvanceTrac
with RSC system. Also, do not
install a stereo loudspeaker. The speaker vibrations can adversely
affect the AdvanceTrac
with RSC sensors.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(If the fluid level is below the FULL COLD range on the dipstick).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive, check
for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your
authorized dealer.
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Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Do not overload your vehicle
and use extra precautions, such as driving at slower speeds, avoiding
abrupt steering changes and allowing for increased stopping distance,
when driving a heavily loaded vehicle. Over-loading or loading the
vehicle improperly can deteriorate handling capability and contribute
to loss of vehicle control and vehicle rollover.
Vehicle stability and handling
The risk of a rollover crash increases as the number of people and load
in the vehicle increase. This increased risk occurs because the passenger
weight and load raises the vehicle’s center of gravity and causes it to
shift rearward. As a result, the van has less resistance to rollover and
handles differently from other commonly driven passenger vehicles,
making it more difficult to control in an emergency situation. Placing any
load on the roof also raises the center of gravity and increases the
potential for rollover.
The van should be operated by an experienced driver. An organization that
owns a 15–passenger van should select one or two experienced drivers to
drive the van on a regular basis. These drivers will gain valuable experience
handling the van. This experience will help make each trip safer.
The van should be operated at a safe speed which, in some conditions,
may be less than the posted speed limit.
Further, all occupants should be properly restrained. Most people killed
in rollover crashes were unbelted. Occupants can dramatically reduce
their risk of being killed or seriously injured in a rollover crash by simply
using their seat belts. Organizations that own 15–passenger vans should
have a written seat belt use policy. Drivers should be responsible for
enforcing the policy.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
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•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the brake pedal and shift
to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
Emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
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