tailgate FORD F-150 2021 Owner's Manual

TAILGATE – FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Why won't my power tailgate open?
Make sure the transmission is in park
(P), ensure nothing is obstructing the
tailgate path and or causing resistance
(tonneau cover or other aftermarket
accessory, freezing conditions or being
parked downhill). If you have
continued issues, the battery voltage
may be low or other system issues.
See an authorized dealer.
Why won't my power tailgate close? Your vehicle speed is at or above
2.5 mph (4 km/h), the tailgate
encountered an obstacle or freezing
conditions. After removing the
obstacles, manually close the tailgate
to resume normal operation. If you
have continued issues, the battery
voltage may be low or other system
issues. See an authorized dealer.
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TAILGATE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: It is extremely
dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow
people to ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats and
seatbelts. Make sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and properly using a
seatbelt. Failure to follow this warning
could result in serious personal injury or
death.
OPENING THE TAILGATE
OPENING THE TAILGATE FROM
INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE
The vehicle must be in park (P) to operate
the power tailgate. Press the button on the
instrument panel.
Note: A tone sounds while the tailgate
opens.
OPENING THE TAILGATE FROM
OUTSIDE YOUR VEHICLE
1. Unlock the vehicle with the remote control or power door unlock control.
Note: If an intelligent access transmitter is
within
3 ft (1 m) of the tailgate, the tailgate
unlocks when you press the tailgate release
button. 2. Press the button in the top of the
tailgate handle.
OPENING THE TAILGATE USING
THE REMOTE CONTROL Press the remote control button
twice within three seconds.
REMOVING AND INSTALLING
THE TAILGATE WARNING: Always properly secure
cargo to prevent shifting cargo or cargo
falling from the vehicle. Failure to do so
could result in compromised vehicle
stability and serious personal injury to
vehicle occupants or others.
Note: Skip to Step 4 if your vehicle does
not have power door locks.
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1. Unlatch the tailgate.
2.
Disconnect the power door locks in-line
connector. It is under the pickup box
on the right-hand side of the vehicle
near the spare tire.
3. Install a protective cap on the in-line connector portion that remains under
the pickup box.
Note: A protective cap should be in the
glove compartment.
4. Partially lower the tailgate. Carefully feed the tailgate harness up through
the gap between the pickup box and
the bumper and place it out of the way
under the pickup box.
5. Lower the tailgate. 6. Use a screwdriver to gently pry the
spring clip on each connector past the
head of the support screw. Disconnect
the cable.
7. Disconnect the other cable.
Note: To avoid damaging the tailgate, you
may need assistance when removing. The
tailgate weighs approximately 97 lb (44 kg).
8. Lift the tailgate to 45 degrees from the
horizontal position.
9. Lift the right-hand side off its hinge.
10. Lift the tailgate to 80 degrees from the horizontal position.
11. Remove the tailgate from the left-hand side hinge by sliding it to
the right.
12. Install the tailgate in reverse order.
TAILGATE STEP
(IF EQUIPPED)
ACCESSING THE TAILGATE STEP
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Push the button in the center of the step molding. The step pops out
slightly. 3. Pull the step out fully. Lower the step
to its lowest position.
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4. Pull the yellow handle stop backward
out of the tailgate until it fully extends.
5. To lock the handle in place, rotate the handle up from the horizontal to the
vertical position until you hear a click.
Note: Do not tow with the step or grab
handle.
Replace the slip resistance tape or grab
handle molding if it appears as worn or
damaged.
To reduce the risk of falling:
• Only operate the step when your
vehicle is on a level surface.
• Only operate the step in areas with
sufficient lighting.
• Make sure you use the grab handle
when climbing on the step.
• Do not use the step with bare feet.
• Make sure the step is clean before use.
• Keep the step load below the total
maximum load of 350 lb (159 kg).
STOWING THE TAILGATE STEP
1. Press the yellow button on the handle to lower and then press the yellow
lever at the bottom of the handle to
unlock. Rotate the handle down from
the vertical to the horizontal position
and push it into the tailgate. 2.
Rotate the step up until it is horizontal,
then push it back into the tailgate until
the step is secure.
Note: Make sure to close and fully latch the
step before moving your vehicle. Do not
drive with the step or grab handle open.
Note: The power tailgate cannot close if
the step is opened. A warning message
appears and a chime sounds. After stowing
step the power close function is restored.
BED EXTENDER
(IF EQUIPPED)
BED EXTENDER PRECAUTIONS
Note: Do not use the bed extender when
driving off road.
Note: Make sure to engage the locking pins
and knobs fully before driving your vehicle.
Note: Make sure to secure all cargo.
Note: Do not exceed
150 lb (68 kg) on the
tailgate when your vehicle is moving.
Note: Do not keep the bed extender in the
tailgate mode when you are not using it for
restraining cargo. Always keep the bed
extender in the grocery mode or the stowed
position with the tailgate closed.
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USING THE BED EXTENDER
1. Pull the locking pin toward the center
of your vehicle. 2.
Open the latches to release the panels. 3. Rotate the panels toward the tailgate.
Repeat steps 1-3 on the other side of
your vehicle.
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4. Connect the two panels. Rotate both
knobs one-quarter turn clockwise to
secure the panels. 5. Insert the latch rod into the tailgate
hole.
6. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box. Grocery Mode
1. Follow steps 1-4.
2.
Before engaging the locking pins, rotate
the panels away from the tailgate.
3. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box.
4. Close the tailgate.
TAILGATE WORK SURFACE (IF
EQUIPPED)
The tailgate work surface is a durable and
functional surface on the inside portion of
your tailgate you can use to perform
various tasks.
To use the tailgate work surface, fold down
the tailgate.
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Tablet stand.
A
Tool inset.
B
Clamp pocket.
C
Standard and metric ruler.
D
Cup holder.
E
Tailgate anchors.
F The tailgate work surface contains clamp
pockets that allows you to secure work
material.
Note:
Damage could occur to the tailgate
if you overload the vertical clamp arm in any
direction.
Note: When you finish using the tailgate
work surface, make sure you remove all of
your belongings, then close the tailgate.
TAILGATE – TROUBLESHOOTING
TAILGATE – INFORMATION MESSAGES Action
Message
Reminder to check the tailgate due to it recently being opened
from the remote control or the button on the instrument panel
while the vehicle is on and the transmission is not in Park (P).
Check Tailgate Ajar
You must clear the message using the steering wheel controls.Repeatedly closing the tailgate will not clear the message.
Reminder to check if tailgate is closed securely. If message persists contact an authorized dealer.
Power Tailgate System
Fault Service Now
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TAILGATE – FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Why won't my tailgate open?
Make sure the transmission is in park
(P), ensure nothing is obstructing the
tailgate path and or causing resistance
(tonneau cover or other aftermarket
accessories, freezing conditions or
being parked downhill). If you have
continued issues, the battery voltage
may be low or other system issues.
See an authorized dealer.
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PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT
SYSTEM
WHAT IS THE PASSIVE ANTI-
THEFT SYSTEM
The passive anti-theft system prevents
someone from starting the vehicle with an
incorrectly coded key.
Note:
Do not leave a duplicate coded key
in your vehicle. Always take the keys and
lock all the doors when leaving your vehicle.
HOW DOES THE PASSIVE ANTI-
THEFT SYSTEM WORK
The passive anti-theft system arms when
you switch the ignition off.
It disarms when the ignition is switched on
with a correctly coded key.
Note: The system is not compatible with
non-Ford aftermarket remote start systems.
Note: Do not leave a duplicate coded key
in your vehicle. Always take the keys and
lock all doors when leaving your vehicle.
ANTI-THEFT ALARM SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
WHAT IS THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM
SYSTEM
The Anti-Theft Alarm System warns you
of an unauthorized entry to your vehicle. HOW DOES THE ANTI-THEFT
ALARM SYSTEM WORK
When armed, the anti-theft alarm is
triggered in any of the following ways:
•
If someone opens a door, the tailgate
or the hood without a correctly coded
key or remote control.
• If you turn the power on without a
correctly coded key.
• If the interior sensors detect movement
inside your vehicle.
• If the inclination sensors detect an
attempt to raise your vehicle.
• If someone disconnects the vehicle
battery or the battery backup alarm.
• If someone disconnects the trailer. See
Connecting a Trailer (page 424).
Any further attempts to carry out one of
the above, sounds the alarm again.
If the anti-theft alarm is triggered, the
alarm horn sounds for 30 seconds and the
turn signals flash for five minutes.
WHAT IS THE PERIMETER ALARM
The perimeter alarm is designed to detect
unauthorized access to your vehicle.
WHAT ARE THE INTERIOR
SENSORS
(If Equipped)
The interior sensors are designed to detect
any movement inside your vehicle.
The interior sensors are in the overhead
console.
Note: Do not cover the interior sensors.
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Oil Pressure
It illuminates when the engine
oil pressure is low.
Powertrain Malfunction, Reduced
Power, Electronic Throttle Control,
Check 4X4 Illuminates when the powertrain
or four-wheel drive require
service. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp It illuminates when the ignition
is on and the engine is off, this is
normal. If it illuminates when the
engine is on this indicates the emission
control system requires service. If it flashes,
have your vehicle checked immediately.
See Emission Law (page 760). See
Starting and Stopping the Engine –
Warning Lamps
(page 244).
Stop Safely Illuminates if an electrical
component requires service or a
failure that causes your vehicle
to shutdown or enter into a limited
operating mode.
Tailgate Ajar It illuminates when the ignition
is on and the tailgate is not
completely closed.
Water in Fuel It illuminates when the fuel and
water separator has a significant
quantity of water in it and
requires immediate draining. WHAT ARE THE INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER INDICATORS
Indicators notify you of various features
that are active on your vehicle.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
INDICATORS
Adaptive Cruise Control
See
Adaptive Cruise Control
(page 352).
Automatic High Beam See
Automatic High Beam
Control Indicators (page 154).
Automatic Regen Control Off See
Diesel Particulate Filter
Precautions (page 268).
Auto Hold Active See
Auto Hold (page 318).
Auto Hold Unavailable See
Auto Hold (page 318).
Auto-Start-Stop See
Auto-Start-Stop (page
252).
Blind Spot Monitor See
Blind Spot Information
System (page 389).
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