FORD EXPEDITION EL 2009 Owners Manual

Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
ADVANCETRAC  WITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC  )
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system. In addition, installing any
stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system. Install any aftermarket stereo
loudspeaker as far as possible from the front center console, the
tunnel, and the front seats in order to minimize the risk of interfering
with the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
sensors. Reducing the effectiveness
of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system could lead to an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING: Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system is an indication that
at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road;
this could reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle,
potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death. If your AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system
activates, SLOW DOWN.
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WARNING: If a failure has been detected within the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system, the  sliding car  icon will
illuminate steadily. Verify that the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system is
not manually disabled (push the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
“Off “
button located on the center of the instrument panel). If the  sliding
car  icon still illuminates steadily, have the system service by an
authorized dealer immediately. Operating your vehicle with
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
disabled could lead to an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system provides the following stability
enhancement features for certain driving situations:
• Traction Control (TCS), which functions to help avoid drive-wheel
spin and loss of traction.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids
or lateral slides
• Roll Stability Control™ (RSC
), which functions to help avoid a
vehicle roll-over.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system automatically enables each time
the engine is started. All features of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system
(TCS, ESC, and RSC
are active and monitor the vehicle from start-up).
However, the system will only intervene if the driving situation requires
it.
The AdvanceTrac
with RSC

system includes an AdvanceTrac

with RSC
 Off  buttononthe
center of the instrument panel, and
a “sliding car” icon in the
instrument cluster. The “sliding car”
icon in the instrument cluster will illuminate temporarily during
start-up as part of a normal system self-check, or during driving if a
driving situation causes the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system to operate.
If the “sliding car” icon illuminates steadily, verify that the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system is not manually disabled by pressing
the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
 Off  button located on the center of the
instrument panel. If the “sliding car” icon remains steadily
illuminated, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. The message center will also indicate a failure with the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system.
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When AdvanceTrac
with RSC
performs a normal system self-check,
some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake, and/or a
rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving off.
When an event occurs that activates AdvanceTrac
with RSC
you may
experience the following:
• A slight deceleration of the vehicle
• The “sliding car” indicator light will flash.
• A vibration in the pedal when your foot is on the brake pedal
• If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal may move as the systems applies higher brake forces. You
may also hear a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during
this severe condition.
• The brake pedal may feel stiffer than usual.
Traction Control (TCS)
Traction Control is a driver aid feature that helps your vehicle maintain
traction of the wheels, typically when driving on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel spin.
Excessive wheel spin is controlled in two ways, which may work
separately or in tandem: Engine Traction Control and Brake Traction
Control. Engine Traction Control works to limit drive-wheel spin by
momentarily reducing engine power. Brake Traction Control works to
limit wheel spin by momentarily applying the brakes to the wheel that is
slipping. Traction Control is most active at low speeds.
During Traction Control events the “sliding car” icon in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the Traction Control system is activated excessively in a short period
of time, the braking portion of the system may become temporarily
disabled to allow the brakes to cool down. In this situation, Traction
Control will use only engine power reduction or transfer to help control
the wheels from over-spinning. When the brakes have cooled down, the
system will regain all features. Anti-lock braking, RSC
, and ESC are not
affected by this condition and will continue to function during the
cool-down period.
The Engine Traction Control and Brake Traction Control system may be
deactivated in certain situations. See the Switching Off AdvanceTrac

with RSC
section following.
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) may enhance your vehicle’s directional
stability during adverse maneuvers, for example when cornering severely
or avoiding objects in the roadway. ESC operates by applying brakes to
one or more of the wheels individually and, if necessary, reducing engine
power if the system detects that the vehicle is about to skid or slide
laterally.
During Electronic Stability Control events the “sliding car” icon in the
instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Electronic Stability
Control system, which include but are not limited to:
• Taking a turn too fast
• Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
• Driving over a patch of ice or other slippery surfaces
• 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
• Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer to Trailer
towing in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter).
The Electronic Stability Control system may be deactivated in certain
situations. See the Switching Off AdvanceTrac
with RSC
section
following.
Roll Stability Control™ (RSC
)
Roll Stability Control (RSC
) may help to maintain roll stability of the
vehicle during adverse maneuvers. RSC
operates by detecting the
vehicle’s roll motion and the rate at which it changes and by applying the
brakes to one or more wheels individually.
During an event that activates the Roll Stability Control™ (RSC
)the
“sliding car” icon in the instrument cluster will flash.
Certain adverse driving maneuvers may activate the Roll Stability Control
system, which include:
• Emergency lane-change
• Taking a turn too fast
• Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
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The Roll Stability Control system may be deactivated in certain
situations. See the Switching Off AdvanceTrac
with RSC
section
following.
Switching Off AdvanceTrac
with RSC

If the vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or sand, and seems to lose engine
power, switching off certain features of the AdvanceTrac
with RSC

system may be beneficial because the wheels are allowed to spin. This
will restore full engine power and will enhance momentum through the
obstacle. To switch off the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system press the
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
 Off  button. Full features of the AdvanceTrac

with RSC
system can be restored by pressing the AdvanceTrac
with
RSC
 Off  button again or by turning off and restarting the engine.
If you switch off the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
system, the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
“Off” button will illuminate and the sliding car  icon will
illuminate steadily. Pressing the AdvanceTrac
with RSC
 Off  button
again will turn off the lighted button and the  sliding car  icon .
In R (Reverse), ABS and the Engine and Brake Traction Control features
will continue to function; however, ESC and RSC
are disabled.
AdvanceTrac
with RSC
Features
Button
functions “Sliding
car” icon RSC
ESC Engine
Traction
Control Brake
Traction
Control
Default at
start-up Off Enabled Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button
pressed
momen-
tarily Illuminated
solid Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Enabled
Button
pressed
and held
more than
five sec-
onds Flashes then
illuminated
solid Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h) Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
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STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To help prevent damage to the power steering pump:
• Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
• 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.
• Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power steering
pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your authorized dealer.
• Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
• Uneven vehicle loading
• High crown in center of road
• High crosswinds
• Wheels out of alignment
• Loose or worn suspension components
Variable assist steering
Your vehicle is equipped with variable assist power steering. At low
engine RPM, steering assist will adjust to reduce efforts and improve low
speed maneuverability. At high engine RPM, the assist will adjust to
improve steering feel at high speeds.
If the amount of effort required to steer your vehicle changes while
driving at a constant engine RPM, have the power steering system
checked by your authorized dealer.
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AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is designed to improve ride, handling and
general vehicle performance during:
• Certain road conditions
• Steering maneuvers
• Braking
• Acceleration
This system keeps the rear of your vehicle at a constant level by
automatically adding air or releasing air from the springs. If you exceed
the load limit, the rear air suspension may not operate. The air
suspension system will stay active for 40 minutes after the ignition is
turned off to accommodate any load changes. (The air compressor may
run when the vehicle is off; this is normal.)
The air suspension system can be enabled or disabled through the
message center. Refer to Message center in the Driver Controls chapter.
If the system is off, the rear air suspension will not operate and will not
raise (pump) or lower (vent) while the vehicle is not moving. However, if
the system determines that the vehicle is low or high and needs to make
a height adjustment while driving at speeds above 15 mph (24 km/h), the
system will pump or vent as required. Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
WARNING: On vehicles equipped with air suspension, turn the
air suspension and the ignition switch off prior to jacking,
hoisting or towing your vehicle.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
limited slip axle functions like a standard rear axle.
Extended use of other than the manufacturer’s specified size tires on a
limited slip rear axle could result in a permanent reduction in
effectiveness. This loss of effectiveness does not affect normal driving
and should not be noticeable to the driver.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING: Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
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WARNING: In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
WARNING: Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility vehicles and trucks handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility vehicles and trucks are not 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 or 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.
WARNING: 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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock – column-shift transmission
This vehicle is equipped with a park/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, or when the ignition is in
the off position, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s
brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the
Roadside Emergencies chapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the key to the off position.
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3. Remove the access plug on top of
the steering column.
4. Using a flat-head screwdriver or
similar tool, move the brake-shift
interlock actuator spindle toward
the left, apply the brake and shift
the transmission into N (Neutral).
5. Start the vehicle.
6. Reinstall the access plug.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
Brake-shift interlock – floor-shift transmission
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 the 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, or when the ignition is in
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the off position, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s
brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the
Roadside Emergencies chapter.
If the fuse is not blown, perform the following procedure:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn the ignition to off, then remove the key.
2. Using a screwdriver or similar
tool, remove the protective cover to
the interlock release access hole,
located to the right of the gearshift
lever.
3. Insert a screwdriver or similar
tool straight down into the access
hole and press downward while
pulling the gearshift lever out of the
P (Park) position and into the N
(Neutral) position.
4. Remove tool and reinstall the
protective cover.
5. Start the vehicle and release the
parking brake.
WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
WARNING: Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
Driving with a 6–speed automatic transmission
Your vehicle has been designed to improve fuel economy by reducing
fuel usage during coasting or deceleration. When you take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and the vehicle begins to slow down the torque
converter clutch locks up and aggressively shuts off fuel flow to the
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