traction control FORD F-150 2020 Owner's Manual
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Some drive modes reduce
traction and stability control
performance and the warning
indicator illuminates in the instrument
cluster. See Using Stability Control
(page 239).
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forest trail or the open desert. Before going
off-roading, consult with your local
governmental agencies to determine
designated off-road trails and recreation
areas. Also, be sure to understand any
off-road vehicle registration requirements
for the area in which you plan on driving.
Tread Lightly is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nation
’s wilderness areas. Ford joins
the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other
public and private lands by treading lightly.
Before taking your vehicle off-roading, a
basic vehicle inspection should be done to
make sure that the vehicle is in top working
condition.
It is always recommended that at least
two vehicles are used while off-roading.
The buddy system helps make sure that
help is close at hand should a vehicle
become stuck or damaged. It is also wise
to take supplies such as a first aid kit,
supply of water, tow strap, cell or satellite
phone with you any time an off-road
excursion is planned.
Basic Off-road Driving Techniques
• Grip the steering wheel with thumbs
on the outside of the rim. This will
reduce the risk of injury due to abrupt
steering wheel motions that occur
when negotiating rough terrain. Do not
grip the steering wheel with thumbs
inside the rim.
• Throttle, brake and steering inputs
should be made in a smooth and
controlled manner. Sudden inputs to
the controls can cause loss of traction
or upset the vehicle, especially while
on sloped terrain or while crossing
obstacles such as rocks or logs. •
Look ahead on your route noting
upcoming obstacles, surface texture
or color changes or any other factors
which may indicate a change in
available traction, and adjust the
vehicle speed and route accordingly.
During pre-run, mark obstacles with
GPS markers to make sure appropriate
speeds are used to avoid potential
vehicle damage.
• When driving off-road, if the front or
rear suspension is bottoming out
and/or excessive contact with the
skid-plates is encountered, reduce
vehicle speed to avoid potential
damage to the vehicle.
• When running with other vehicles, it is
recommended that communication is
used, and the lead vehicle notify other
vehicles of obstacles that could cause
potential vehicle damage.
• Always keep available ground
clearance in mind and pick a route that
minimizes the risk of catching the
underside of the vehicle on an obstacle.
• When negotiating low speed obstacles,
applying light brake pressure in
conjunction with the throttle will help
prevent the vehicle from jerking and
will allow you to negotiate the obstacle
in a more controlled manner. Using 4L
will also help with this.
• Use and equip supplemental safety
equipment as discussed later in this
chapter.
• Please consult your local off-road
group for other helpful tips.
• Off-roading requires a high degree of
concentration. Even if your local law
does not prohibit alcohol use while
driving off-road, Ford strongly
recommends against drinking if you
plan to off-road.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Notice to utility vehicle and truck
owners
WARNING: Utility vehicles have a
significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles. WARNING:
Vehicles with a higher
center of gravity (utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles) handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity
(passenger cars). Avoid sharp turns,
excessive speed and abrupt steering in
these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously
increases the risk of losing control of your
vehicle, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. WARNING:
In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a
seatbelt. WARNING:
Do not become
overconfident in the ability of four-wheel
drive vehicles. Although a four-wheel
drive vehicle may accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction
situations, it won't stop any faster than
two-wheel drive vehicles. Always drive
at a safe speed.
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in the
various driving conditions that are
encountered on streets, highways and
off-road. 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. Study your owner's manual and any
supplements for specific information about
equipment features, instructions for safe
driving and additional precautions to
reduce the risk of an accident or serious
injury.
Four-wheel drive system (if
equipped)
A vehicle equipped with four-wheel drive
(when selected) has the ability to use all
four wheels to power itself. This increases
traction which may enable you to safely
drive over terrain and road conditions that
a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle
cannot.
On some four-wheel drive models, the
initial shift from two-wheel drive to
four-wheel drive while the vehicle is
moving can cause a momentary clunk and
ratcheting sound. These sounds are normal
as the front drivetrain comes up to speed
and are not cause for concern.
Note:
In four-wheel drive vehicles, the size
of the spare tire relative to the remaining
tires can have an effect on the 4x4 system.
If there is a significant difference between
the size of a spare and the remaining tires,
four-wheel drive functionality may be
limited. See Using Four-Wheel Drive (page
223
).
How your vehicle differs from
other vehicles
Sport utility vehicles and trucks can differ
from some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may be:
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•
Higher - to allow higher load carrying
capacity and to allow it to travel over
rough terrain without getting hung up
or damaging underbody components.
• Shorter - to give it the capability to
approach inclines and drive over the
crest of a hill without getting hung up
or damaging underbody components.
All other things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs
than a vehicle with a longer wheelbase.
• Narrower - to provide greater
maneuverability in tight spaces,
particularly in off-road use.
As a result of the above dimensional
differences, Sport utility vehicles and
trucks often will have a higher center of
gravity and a greater difference in center
of gravity between the loaded and
unloaded condition. These differences that
make your vehicle so versatile also make
it handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car.
TIRE CARE
Information About Uniform
Tire Quality Grading Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires.
The Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example: Treadwear 200
Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades are
determined by standards that the
United States Department of
Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic passenger car tires.
They do not apply to deep tread,
winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, light truck or LT type
tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
U.S. Department of
Transportation Tire quality
grades:
The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires us to give
you the following information
about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
½) times as well on the
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government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING: The traction
grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics.
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire ’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance. Temperature A B C WARNING:
The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C,
representing the tire ’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 139. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
*
Tire label: A label showing the
original equipment tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure
and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.
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J.
Tire Ply Composition and
Material Used: Indicates the
number of plies or the number of
layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate
the ply materials in the tire and the
sidewall, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
K. Maximum Load: Indicates the
maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the
tire (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the
door edge that meets the
door-latch post, next to the
driver's seating position), or Tire
Label located on the B-pillar or
the edge of the driver's door.
L. Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades:
*
Treadwear: The treadwear
grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would
wear 1½ times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. *
Traction: The traction grades,
from highest to lowest are AA, A,
B, and C. The grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
*
Temperature: The temperature
grades are A (the highest), B and
C, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
M. Maximum Inflation
Pressure:
Indicates the tire
manufacturers' maximum
permissible pressure or the
pressure at which the maximum
load can be carried by the tire. This
pressure is normally higher than
the vehicle manufacturer's
recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar,
door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post,
next to the driver's seating
position), or Tire Label located on
the B-pillar or the edge of the
driver's door. The cold inflation
pressure should never be set lower
than the recommended pressure
on the vehicle label.
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Rotating your tires at the
recommended interval (as
indicated in the Scheduled
Maintenance chapter) will help
your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance
and longer tire life.
Rear-wheel drive vehicles and
four-wheel drive vehicles (front
tires at left of diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can
be corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING: Snow tires must be the
same size, load index and speed rating
as those originally provided by Ford. Use
of any tire or wheel not recommended
by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could
result in an increased risk of loss of
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels can
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case or power transfer unit failure.
Follow the Ford recommended tire
inflation pressure found on the Safety Compliance Certification Label (on the
door hinge pillar, door latch post or the
door edge that meets the door latch
post, next to the driver seat), or Tire
Label on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and
adversely affect the way your vehicle
handles.
Note: The suspension insulation and
bumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.
Do not remove these components from your
vehicle when using snow tires and chains.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather
treads to provide traction in rain and snow.
However, in some climates, you may need
to use snow tires and cables. If you need
to use cables, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and
specifications) be used, as cables may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow
tires and chains:
• If possible, avoid fully loading your
vehicle.
• Conventional link type chains may
contact and cause damage to the
vehicle's wheel house and/or body.
• Do not install chains on the front tires
as this may interfere with suspension
components.
• Only certain snow cables or chains
have been approved by Ford/Lincoln
as safe for use on your vehicle with the
following tires: 245/70R17,
LT245/70R17, 265/70R17 and
265/60R18.
• You should install snow cables or
chains that have been rated as SAE
Class S.
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TRADEMARKS: This EULA does not grant
you any rights in connection with any
trademarks or service marks of FORD
MOTOR COMPANY, its affiliates, and third
party software and service providers.
PRODUCT SUPPORT: Please refer to
FORD MOTOR COMPANY instructions
provided in the documentation for the
DEVICES product support, such as the
vehicle owner guide.
Should you have any questions concerning
this EULA, or if you desire to contact FORD
MOTOR COMPANY for any other reason,
please refer to the address provided in the
documentation for the DEVICES.
No Liability for Certain Damages:
EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, FORD
MOTOR COMPANY, ANY THIRD PARTY
SOFTWARE OR SERVICES SUPPLIERS,
AND THEIR AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. THIS
LIMITATION SHALL APPLY EVEN IF ANY
REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL
PURPOSE. THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES
OTHER THAN THOSE THAT MAY BE
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED FOR YOUR NEW
VEHICLE.
SYNC® Automotive Important Safety
Information Read and follow
instructions:
• Before using your SYNC® system, read
and follow all instructions and safety
information provided in this end user
manual ("Owner Guide".) Not
following precautions found in the
Owner Guide can lead to an accident
or other serious injuries. General Operation
•
Voice Command Control
: Certain
functions within the SYNC® system
may be accomplished using voice
commands. Using voice commands
while driving helps you to operate the
system without removing your hands
from the wheel or eyes from the road.
• Prolonged Views of Screen:
Do not
access any function requiring a
prolonged view of the screen while you
are driving. Pull over in a safe and legal
manner before attempting to access a
function of the system requiring
prolonged attention.
• Volume Setting:
Do not raise the
volume excessively. Keep the volume
at a level where you can still hear
outside traffic and emergency signals
while driving. Driving while unable to
hear these sounds could cause an
accident.
• Navigation Features:
Any navigation
features included in the system are
intended to provide turn by turn
instructions to get you to a desired
destination. Please make certain all
persons using this system carefully
read and follow instructions and safety
information fully.
• Distraction Hazard:
Any navigation
features may require manual
(non-verbal) setup. Attempting to
perform such set-up or insert data
while driving can distract your attention
and could cause an accident or other
serious injury. Stop the vehicle in a safe
and legal manner before attempting
these operations.
• Let Your Judgment Prevail:
Any
navigation features are provided only
as an aid. Make your driving decisions
based on your observations of local
conditions and existing traffic
regulations. Any such feature is not a
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Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate
- Vehicles With: Automatic
Temperature Control................................154
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold
Weather............................................................. 155
General Hints....................................................... 154
Quickly Cooling the Interior............................. 155
Quickly Heating the Interior............................ 154
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........155
Recommended Settings for Heating..........155
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate - Vehicles With: Manual Temperature
Control...........................................................155
Defogging the Side Windows in Cold Weather............................................................. 156
General Hints....................................................... 155
Quickly Cooling the Interior............................. 155
Quickly Heating the Interior............................ 155
Recommended Settings for Cooling...........155
Recommended Settings for Heating..........155
Vehicle Stationary for Extended Periods During Extreme High Ambient
Temperatures.................................................. 156
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes
...........................................................234
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood..........355
Horn......................................................................91
How Does the Rear Occupant Alert System Work
...............................................169
I
Ignition Switch...............................................179
In California (U.S. Only)
............................338
Information Display Control........................91
Information Displays...................................120 General Information.......................................... 120
Information Messages................................132 4WD........................................................................\
. 149
Active Park............................................................. 133
Adaptive Cruise Control................................... 133
AdvanceTrac and Traction Control..............134
Airbag...................................................................... 134
Alarm and Security............................................ 135
Battery and Charging System........................ 135
Blind Spot Information and Cross Traffic Alert System.................................................... 136Diesel Messages.................................................
136
Doors and Locks................................................. 139
Driver Alert............................................................. 139
Drivetrain............................................................... 140
Engine..................................................................... 140
Fuel........................................................................\
.. 140
Keys and Intelligent Access............................. 141
Lane Keeping System....................................... 142
Maintenance......................................................... 142
MyKey...................................................................... 143
Off Road................................................................. 143
Park Aid.................................................................. 144
Park Brake............................................................. 144
Power Steering.................................................... 145
Pre-Collision Assist............................................ 145
Pro Trailer Backup Assist................................. 146
Remote Start........................................................ 147
Seats........................................................................\
147
Side-Wind.............................................................. 147
Starting System ................................................. 148
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.................148
Trailer...................................................................... 148
Installing Child Restraints
...........................24
Child Seats.............................................................. 24
Combining Seatbelt and LATCH Lower Anchors for Attaching Child Safety
Seats.................................................................... 32
Front Seat Tether Strap Attachment (Regular Cab)................................................... 33
Rear Seat Tether Strap Attachment (Crew Cab and Super Cab)...................................... 34
Use of Inboard Lower Anchors from the Outermost Seating Positions (Center
Seating Use) ..................................................... 32
Using Inflatable Seatbelts (Rear Seat Outermost Positions).................................... 28
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts (Except Front Center Position of Super Cab and Crew
Cab)...................................................................... 24
Using Lap and Shoulder Belts (Front Center Position of Super Cab and Crew
Cab)...................................................................... 26
Using Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)............................................. 31
Using Tether Straps............................................. 32
Instrument Cluster
.........................................111
Instrument Lighting Dimmer.....................96
Instrument Panel...........................................20
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Starting and Stopping the Engine..........179
General Information........................................... 179
Steering............................................................273 Adaptive Learning.............................................. 274
Electric Power Steering.................................... 273
Steering Wheel Lock - Vehicles With: Push Button Start.....................................180
Unlocking the Steering Wheel...................... 180
Steering Wheel Lock - Vehicles Without: Push Button Start.....................................180
Steering Wheel...............................................88
Storage Compartments..............................177
Sunroof See: Moonroof..................................................... 109
Sun Visors
.......................................................108
Illuminated Vanity Mirror................................. 108
Supplementary Restraints System
..........51
Principle of Operation.......................................... 51
Switching Automatic High Beam Control On and Off....................................................101
Activating the Automatic High Beam Control................................................................ 101
Switching Cruise Control On and Off...................................................................253
Switching Cruise Control Off......................... 253
Switching Cruise Control On......................... 253
Switching Off the Engine..........................188
Switching Rear Occupant Alert System On and Off...................................................169
Symbols Glossary
.............................................9
SYNC™ 3........................................................505
General Information......................................... 505
SYNC™ 3 Troubleshooting......................537 Additional Information and
Assistance....................................................... 549
Apps....................................................................... 544
Navigation............................................................ 543
Personal Profiles................................................ 547
Phone...................................................................... 541
Resetting the System...................................... 549
USB and Bluetooth Audio.............................. 538
Voice Recognition.............................................. 537
Wi-Fi Connectivity............................................. 546
SYNC™ Applications and Services........................................................492
911 Assist............................................................... 492
SYNC Mobile Apps........................................... 494SYNC™...........................................................488
General Information......................................... 488
SYNC™ Troubleshooting.........................496
T
Tailgate Lock
.....................................................77
Tailgate Step....................................................79
Closing the Step................................................... 80
Opening the Step................................................. 79
Tailgate...............................................................77
Technical Specifications See: Capacities and Specifications............424
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only).......................339
Tire Care
..........................................................392
Glossary of Tire Terminology........................ 393
Information About Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................................................. 392
Information Contained on the Tire Sidewall........................................................... 394
Temperature A B C............................................ 393
Traction AA A B C.............................................. 393
Treadwear............................................................. 392
Tire Pressure Monitoring System..........408 Changing Tires With a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System...................................... 409
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System ..................................... 409
Tires See: Wheels and Tires...................................... 391
Towing a Trailer
............................................290
Load Placement.................................................. 291
Towing Points
...............................................336
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels...........................................................321
Emergency Towing............................................. 321
Recreational Towing.......................................... 321
Towing.............................................................290
Traction Control
............................................237
Principle of Operation....................................... 237
Trailer Reversing Aids.................................292 Principle of Operation...................................... 292
Pro Trailer Backup Assist™............................ 292
Setting Up Pro Trailer Backup Assist..........292
Troubleshooting................................................. 297
Using Pro Trailer Backup Assist................... 296
Trailer Sway Control...................................302
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