FORD F-150 2020 Owners Manual

OVERHEAD CONSOLE (IF
EQUIPPED) Press near the rear edge of the door to
open it.
REAR SEAT ARMREST
(IF
EQUIPPED) Pull the strap on the center seatback to
access the armrest and cupholders.
The cupholders are inside the rear seat
armrest.
To open the cupholders:
1. Push in gently on the center of the
plastic panel at the front edge of the
armrest. The cupholders will partially
open. 2. Pull the cupholder fully open before
using.
178
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Storage CompartmentsE224959 E243962

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust
system, creating the risk of fire or other
damage. WARNING:
Do not park, idle or
drive your vehicle on dry grass or other
dry ground cover. The emission system
heats up the engine compartment and
exhaust system, creating the risk of fire. WARNING: Do not start the engine
in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic.
Always open the garage door before you
start the engine. WARNING:
Exhaust leaks may
result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger
compartment. If you smell exhaust
fumes inside your vehicle, have your
vehicle inspected immediately. Do not
drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle
may exhibit some unusual driving
characteristics for approximately
5 mi
(8 km) after you reconnect it. This is
because the engine management system
must realign itself with the engine. You
can disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all
Canadian interference-causing equipment
standard requirements regulating the
impulse electrical field or radio noise.
When you start the engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator pedal before and during
operation. Only use the accelerator pedal
when you have difficulty starting the
engine. IGNITION SWITCH
0
(off) - The ignition is off.
Note: When you switch the ignition off and
leave your vehicle, do not leave your key in
the ignition. This could cause your vehicle
battery to lose charge.
I
(accessory) - Allows the electrical
accessories, such as the radio, to operate
while the engine is not running.
Note: Do not leave the ignition key in this
position for too long. This could cause your
vehicle battery to lose charge.
II
(on) - All electrical circuits are
operational and the warning lamps and
indicators illuminate.
III
(start) - Cranks the engine.
KEYLESS STARTING
(IF EQUIPPED)
Note: The keyless starting system may not
function if the key is close to metal objects
or electronic devices such as cellular
phones.
179
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine0
///
///E252522

Note:
A valid key must be located inside
your vehicle to switch the ignition on and
start the engine.
Ignition Modes The keyless starting system has three
modes:
Off: Turns the ignition off.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once
when the ignition is in the on mode, or
when the engine is running but the
vehicle is not moving.
On:
All electrical circuits are operational
and the warning lamps and indicators
illuminate.
• Without applying the brake pedal,
press and release the button once.
Start:
Starts the vehicle. The engine may
not start when the vehicle starts.
• Press the brake pedal, and then press
the button for any length of time. An
indicator light on the button illuminates
when then ignition is on and when the
engine starts. STEERING WHEEL LOCK -
VEHICLES WITHOUT: PUSH
BUTTON START WARNING:
Always check that the
steering is unlocked before attempting
to move your vehicle.
To lock the steering wheel:
1. Remove the key from the ignition.
2. Rotate the steering wheel 180° from the straight ahead position to engage
the lock.
To unlock the steering wheel:
1. Insert the key in the ignition.
2. Turn the key to the on position.
Note: You may need to rotate the steering
wheel slightly to assist unlocking if there is
a steering wheel load applied.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK -
VEHICLES WITH: PUSH
BUTTON START
Your vehicle has an electronically
controlled steering wheel lock that
automatically operates.
The steering wheel will lock shortly after
you have parked your vehicle and the
passive key is outside it or when you lock
your vehicle.
Note: The steering wheel will not lock when
the ignition is on or when your vehicle is
moving.
Unlocking the Steering Wheel
The steering wheel unlocks when the
system detects a valid passive key inside
your vehicle. If the steering wheel relocks,
switch the ignition on to unlock it.
180
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the EngineE144447

Note:
You may have to slightly rotate the
steering wheel to assist unlocking it.
STARTING A GASOLINE
ENGINE (IF EQUIPPED)
When you start the engine, the idle speed
increases. This helps to warm up the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, have your
vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: You can crank the engine for a total
of 60 seconds (without the engine starting)
before the starting system temporarily
disables. The 60 seconds does not have to
be all at once. For example, if you crank the
engine three times for 20 seconds each
time, without the engine starting, you
reached the 60-second time limit. A
message appears in the information display
alerting you that you exceeded the cranking
time. You cannot attempt to start the
engine for at least 15 minutes. After 15
minutes, you are limited to a 15-second
engine cranking time. You need to wait 60
minutes before you can crank the engine for
60 seconds again.
Before starting the engine, check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their seatbelts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Move the transmission selector lever
to position
P.
• Turn the ignition key to on. If your
vehicle is equipped with a keyless
ignition, see the following instructions.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal. 2. Turn the key to start the engine.
Release the key when the engine starts.
Note: The engine may continue cranking
for up to 15 seconds or until it starts.
Note: If you cannot start the engine on the
first try, wait for a short period and try again.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
Note: You must have your intelligent access
key in the vehicle in order to shift the
transmission out of position
P.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the button.
The system does not function if:
• The key frequencies are jammed.
• The key battery has no charge.
If you are unable to start the engine, locate
the backup slot (A) in one of two positions:
181
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

Type One
Type Two
Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with Type
One, make sure to place the key properly
into the backup slot. Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with Type
Two, make sure the buttons are facing the
rear of the vehicle and the key ring up. Place
the key into the backup slot.
Note: With the key in this position, press
the brake pedal, and then the button to
switch on the engine.
Fast Restart
The fast restart feature allows you to
restart the engine within 20 seconds of
switching it off, even if a valid key is not
present.
Within 20 seconds of switching the engine
off, press the brake pedal and press the
button. After 20 seconds have expired, you
can no longer restart the engine without
the key present inside your vehicle.
Once the engine has started, it remains
running until you press the button, even if
the system does not detect a valid key. If
you open and close a door while the engine
is running, the system searches for a valid
key. You cannot restart the engine if the
system does not detect a valid key within
20 seconds.
Failure to Start
If you cannot start the engine after three
attempts, wait 10 seconds and follow this
procedure:
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Move the transmission selector lever to position P.
3. Fully press the accelerator pedal and hold it there.
4. Start the engine.
182
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the EngineE244507 E187577

Automatic Engine Shutdown
If your vehicle is equipped with a keyless
ignition, it has a feature that automatically
shuts down the engine if it has been idling
for an extended period. The ignition also
turns off in order to save battery power.
Before the engine shuts down, a message
appears in the information display showing
a timer counting down from 30 seconds.
If you do not intervene within 30 seconds,
the engine shuts down. Another message
appears in the information display to
inform you that the engine has shut down
in order to save fuel. Start your vehicle as
you normally do.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Override
Note:
You cannot permanently switch off
the automatic engine shutdown feature.
When you switch it off temporarily, it turns
on at the next ignition cycle.
You can stop the engine shutdown, or reset
the timer, at any point before the
30-second countdown has expired by
doing any of the following:
• You can reset the timer by interacting
with your vehicle (such as pressing the
brake pedal or accelerator pedal).
• You can temporarily switch off the
shutdown feature any time the ignition
is on (for the current ignition cycle
only). Use the information display to
do so. See Information Displays
(page 120).
• During the countdown before engine
shutdown, you are prompted to press
OK or RESET (depending on your type
of information display) to temporarily
switch the feature off (for the current
ignition cycle only). Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Stationary
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. Move the transmission selector lever
to position
P.
2. Turn the key to off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Move the transmission selector lever to position
P.
2. Press the button once.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Note: This switches off the ignition, all
electrical circuits, warning lamps and
indicators.
Note: If the engine is idling for 30 minutes,
the ignition and engine automatically shut
down.
Stopping the Engine When Your
Vehicle is Moving WARNING:
Switching off the
engine when your vehicle is still moving
results in a significant decrease in
braking assistance. Higher effort is
required to apply the brakes and to stop
your vehicle. A significant decrease in
steering assistance could also occur. The
steering does not lock, but higher effort
could be required to steer your vehicle.
When you switch the ignition off, some
electrical circuits, for example airbags,
also turn off. If you unintentionally switch
the ignition off, shift into neutral (N) and
restart the engine.
Vehicles with an Ignition Key
1. Move the transmission selector lever to position
N and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
183
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

2. When your vehicle has stopped, move
the transmission selector lever to
position P and turn the key to off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Move the transmission selector lever to position
N and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission selector lever to
position
P.
3. Press and hold the button for one second, or press it three times within
two seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING:
Exhaust leaks may
result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger
compartment. If you smell exhaust
fumes inside your vehicle, have your
vehicle inspected immediately. Do not
drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the
engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the
following:
• Open the windows at least
1 in
(2.5 cm).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
STARTING A DIESEL ENGINE (IF
EQUIPPED)
Read all starting instructions carefully
before you start your vehicle. For temperatures below
32°F (0°C), the
use of the correct grade engine oil is
essential for proper operation. Refer to
Engine oil specifications for more
information. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cold
weather starting strategy that prevents
severe engine damage by assisting in
engine lubrication warm-up. In extremely
cold ambient temperatures, this strategy
activates and prevents the accelerator
pedal from being used for 30 seconds after
starting your vehicle. A message will
appear in the information display as your
vehicle warms up. By not allowing the
accelerator pedal to be used, the engine
oil is allowed to properly lubricate the
bearings preventing engine damage due
to lack of proper lubrication. After the 30
second warm-up period, the accelerator
pedal will be operational again and a
message will appear informing you the
vehicle is ok to drive.
When starting the engine in extremely cold
temperatures
-15°F (-26°C), it is
recommended to allow the engine to idle
for several minutes before driving the
vehicle.
Before starting the engine check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their seatbelts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).
Note: Do not press the accelerator during
starting.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
184
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

Note:
If the push button ignition switch is
pressed again prior to the engine starting,
the ignition switches to accessory mode and
does not start.
Note: If the brake pedal is released before
the engine has started, follow the engine
start sequence again.
1. Fully depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the center of the push button ignition switch.
Note: A message displays Engine Start
Pending, Please Wait.
3. When the engine starts, release the brake pedal.
Diesel Engine Fast Start Glow Plug
System
The diesel engine glow system consists of:
• Six or eight glow plugs (one per
cylinder)
• Glow Plug Control Module
• Engine Coolant Temperature sensor
• Barometric pressure sensor
• Environmental temperature sensor
The powertrain and glow plug control
modules electronically control the glow
plug system. After you switch the ignition
on the glow plug control module
immediately energizes the glow plugs. The
glow plug control module using the engine
coolant temperature, barometric pressure
sensor and environmental temperature
sensor will determine how long the glow
plugs stay energized. The required time for
the glow plugs to be energized decreases
as the coolant temperature, barometric
pressure and environmental temperature
increase. Automatic Engine Shutdown
If your vehicle is equipped with a keyless
ignition, it has a feature that automatically
shuts down the engine if it has been idling
for an extended period. The ignition also
turns off in order to save battery power.
Before the engine shuts down, a message
appears in the information display showing
a timer counting down from 30 seconds.
If you do not intervene within 30 seconds,
the engine shuts down. Another message
appears in the information display to
inform you that the engine has shut down
in order to save fuel. Start your vehicle as
you normally do.
Cold Weather Starting
WARNING: Do not use starting
fluid, for example ether, in the air intake
system. Such fluid could cause
immediate explosive damage to the
engine and possible personal injury. WARNING:
Do not mix diesel with
gasoline, gasohol or alcohol. This could
cause an explosion.
It is recommended that the engine block
heater be used for starting when the
temperature is -9°F (-23°C) or colder. See
Engine Block Heater
(page 188).
When operating in cold weather,
Motorcraft® cetane improvers or
non-alcohol-based cetane improvers from
a reputable manufacturer may be used as
needed.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10
seconds as starter damage may occur. If
the engine fails to start, switch the ignition
off and wait 30 seconds before trying
again. Switch the ignition on. Do not
start the engine until the
glow-plug indicator turns off.
185
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

When the glow plug pre-heat indicator
turns off, turn the key to start and release
the key as soon as the engine starts. After
starting the engine, the glow plugs may
remain on for a period. If you do not start
the engine before the glow plug activation
time ends, you will need to reset the glow
plugs by switching the ignition off. After
the engine starts, allow it to idle for about
15 seconds. This is to protect the engine.
Do not increase engine speed until the oil
pressure gauge indicates normal pressure.
For vehicles with keyless start:
1. Fully depress brake pedal and hold to
allow time for glow-plugs to heat.
2. Press and release the start button.
Note: A message "Engine Start Pending,
Please Wait", along with the glow plug
indicator displays on the instrument cluster.
3. When the engine starts, release the brake pedal.
Cold Weather Operation
Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat
the engine to its normal operating
temperature. Long periods of idling,
especially in cold weather, can cause a
buildup of deposits which can cause engine
damage.
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also
makes starting easier under these
conditions. Refer to Engine oil
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperatures. Diesel fuel which has not
been properly formulated for the ambient
conditions may gel which can clog the fuel
filters. One indication that the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged is if the engine starts, stalls
after a short time, and then does not
restart. If you have been using biodiesel,
you may need to use a fuel with lower
biodiesel content, try another brand, or discontinue using biodiesel. Do not use
alcohol based additives to correct fuel
gelling. This may result in damage to the
fuel injectors and system. Use the proper
anti-gel and performance improvement
product. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel and
water separator that recirculates fuel from
the engine to help prevent fuel filter
clogging. To avoid engine fuel starvation
during cold weather operation of 32°F
(0°C) or below, we recommended that
the fuel level in your tank should not drop
below 1⁄4 full. This helps prevent air from
entering the fuel system and stalling the
engine.
In cold weather below 32°F (0°C), the
engine may slowly increase to a higher idle
speed if left idling in park (P). As the engine
warms-up, the engine sound level
decreases due to the activation of
PCM-controlled sound reduction features.
If you operate your vehicle in a heavy
snowstorm or blowing snow conditions,
snow and ice can clog the engine air
induction. 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 inside
the air filter assembly. Remove the air
cleaner cover and the pleated paper filter,
leaving the foam filter in and remove any
snow or ice. Make sure you install the foam
filter correctly in place. Remove any debris,
snow or ice on the foam filter by brushing
the surface with soft brush. Once you have
cleared all of the debris, reinstall the air
filter and assembly.
Do not use water, solvents, or a hard brush
for cleaning the foam filter.
186
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
vehicle damage and personal burn
injuries, do not start your engine with the
air cleaner removed and do not remove
it while the engine is running.
In order to operate the engine in
temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower, read
the following instructions:
• Make sure that the batteries are of
sufficient size and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to
make sure they are in optimum
condition.
• Use the proper coolant solution at the
concentration recommended
protecting the engine against damage
from freezing.
• Try to keep the fuel tank full as much
as possible at the end of operation to
prevent condensation in the fuel
system.
• Make sure you use proper cold weather
engine oil and that it is at its proper
level. Also, if necessary, make sure to
follow the engine oil and filter change
schedule found under the Special
operating conditions section listed in
the scheduled maintenance
information.
• At temperatures of
-9°F (-23°C) or
below, it is recommended that you use
an engine block heater to improve cold
engine starting.
• If operating in arctic temperatures of
-20°F (-29°C)
or lower, consult your
truck dealer for information about
special cold weather equipment and
precautions. The following cold weather idling
guidelines are recommended:
•
You can use Motorcraft® cetane
improvers or non-alcohol-based
cetane improvers from a reputable
manufacturer as needed.
• Maintain the engine cooling system
properly.
• Avoid shutting the engine down after
an extensive idling period. Drive your
vehicle for several miles with the
engine at normal operating
temperatures under a moderate load.
• Consider using an engine block heater.
• For extended idle times use an
approved idle speed increase device.
Winter Operating Tips for Arctic
Operation -20°F (-29°C) and Below
The following information is a guideline
only and is not to be the only source of
possible solutions in resolving extreme
cold temperature issues.
Starting Aids WARNING:
Do not use starting
fluid, for example ether, in the air intake
system. Such fluid could cause
immediate explosive damage to the
engine and possible personal injury.
The use of the factory engine block heater
assists in engine starting in extreme cold
ambient temperatures
See Engine Block
Heater (page 188).
187
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine