steering FORD F-150 2021 Owner's Guide

SHIFTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO
GEAR - POLICE RESPONDER
The transmission selector is on the steering
column.
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Move the lever to select a position.
3. Press the manual (M) button when
your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or
exit a mode.
MANUALLY SHIFTING GEARS
SHIFTING USING THE PADDLE
SHIFTERS - RAPTOR
The instrument cluster displays the current
gear. The current gear flashes when your
vehicle cannot shift into the requested
gear. Your vehicle will not shift if the
requested gear raises or lowers the engine
speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle could shift when you fully
press the accelerator or brake pedal.
Note: Prolonged driving with high engine
speed could cause vehicle damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Note: Drive modes could affect when the
vehicle shifts into the requested gear. Manually Shifting Gears in Drive (D)
Use this feature to temporarily change
gears.
Note:
We recommend using this feature for
engine braking or driving on hilly or
mountainous roads.
• Pull any paddle to switch the feature
on.
• Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
• Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
• Hold the (+) paddle for a few seconds
to switch the feature off.
Note: The feature switches off after a short
period of time if you do not pull either
paddle.
Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.
Note: We recommend using this feature for
engine braking, driving on hilly or
mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer.
See Towing a Trailer (page 428).
• Shift to manual (M) to switch the
feature on.
• Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
• Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
• Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature
off.
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Note:
Do not store objects in the selector
lever stow bin, and be sure that the bottom
selector lever tray mat is flat inside the
selector lever stow bin.
Note: If there are objects in the stow bin
while stowing the selector lever, the selector
lever could come back to the upright park
(P) position.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
WHAT IS MANUAL PARK RELEASE
Manual park release allows you to move
your transmission out of the park (P)
position in the event of an electrical
malfunction or emergency.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
PRECAUTIONS WARNING: When doing this
procedure, you need to take the
transmission out of park (P) which
means your vehicle can roll freely. To
avoid unwanted vehicle movement,
always fully apply the parking brake prior
to doing this procedure. Use wheels
chocks if appropriate. WARNING:
If the parking brake is
fully released, but the brake warning
lamp remains illuminated, the brakes
may not be working properly. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. WARNING:
Do not drive your
vehicle until you verify that the
stoplamps are working.
Use the manual park release to move your
transmission from the park (P) position in
the event of an electrical malfunction or
emergency. See
Emergency Towing
(page 492).
Note: Do not engage the manual park
release with the engine on.
USING MANUAL PARK RELEASE
Activating the Manual Park
Release Cable
1. Apply the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake
(page 311).
Note: If vehicle battery is dead, for example,
no electrical power available, an external
power source may be required to apply the
parking brake.
2. Locate the manual park release cable access cover at the bottom of the
driver dash lower panel, under the
steering wheel.
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sand, steep slopes, or pulling heavy
objects. Additionally, the system is capable
of recreational flat towing by putting the
transfer case into neutral (N). See
Recreationally Towing Your Vehicle
(page
490).
There is further information on driving in
unique driving conditions.
See Off-Road
Driving (page 470).
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
PRECAUTIONS 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:
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.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles. Your vehicle could be
higher to allow it to travel over rough
terrain without getting stuck or damaging
underbody components. The differences
that make your vehicle so versatile also
make it handle differently than an ordinary
passenger car. Always maintain steering
wheel control, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result
in abrupt steering wheel motion, make sure
you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not grip the spokes. Drive
cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from
concealed objects such as rocks and
stumps. Drive slower in strong crosswinds
which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle. Be
extremely careful when driving on
pavement made slippery by loose sand,
water, gravel, snow or ice.
Note:
Do not use four-wheel drive high or
four-wheel drive low mode on dry, hard
surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and can
damage drive components.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
LIMITATIONS
Operating Four-Wheel Drive with
a Spare or Mismatched Tires
(If
Equipped)
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of
the spare tire can affect the four-wheel
drive system. If there is a significant
difference between the size of the spare
tire and the remaining tires, you could have
limited four-wheel drive functionality.
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, we
recommend that you do not:
• Exceed
50 mph (80 km/h) with a
four-wheel drive mode turned on.
• Turn on a four-wheel drive mode
unless the vehicle is stationary.
• Use a four-wheel drive mode on dry
pavement.
Driving with the full-size dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly can limit
four-wheel drive functionality, especially
when driving in a mechanically locked
four-wheel drive mode. You can experience
the following:
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(If Equipped)

•
Additional noise from the transfer case
or other drive components.
• Difficulty shifting out of a mechanically
locked four-wheel drive mode.
Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tire
assembly can lead to impairment of the
following:
• Comfort and noise.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet driving capability.
• Four-wheel drive capability.
Mechanical Shift Blocking
On four-wheel drive vehicles with a
mechanically locked four-wheel drive high
mode, the transfer case distributes torque
to the front wheels by mechanically
interlocking the front and rear driveshafts
together. Various external factors can
affect shifting performance of this type of
system including, but not limited to:
• Vehicle acceleration.
• Dissimilar tire sizes.
• Steering input.
If the system detects a mechanical shift
blockage at speed after you select
two-wheel drive high, the message "4x4
Unable to Disengage See Manual", could
display momentarily. If this message
displays, one or more of the following
actions can relieve the mechanical shift
block:
• Momentary acceleration.
• Momentary braking.
• Bringing the vehicle to a stop.
• Shifting the transmission to neutral and
back to drive.
• Shifting the transmission to reverse
and back to drive.
• Driving the vehicle around a tight turn
at a slow speed. SELECTING A FOUR-WHEEL
DRIVE MODE - RAPTOR
The four-wheel drive mode control is on
the instrument panel.
To select a four-wheel drive mode, press
the four-wheel drive mode control button
of the desired mode. You can select
two-wheel drive high (2H), four-wheel
drive high (4H), or four-wheel drive auto
(4A) at a stop or while driving. Once the
shift is complete, the information display
will then display the selected four-wheel
drive mode. While shifts are in progress,
the lights on the four-wheel drive control
switch can flash and you could see
messages in the information display
indicating that a shift is in progress or to
release the accelerator pedal to improve
shift performance.
Note:
Do not perform this operation if the
rear wheels are slipping or while applying
the accelerator pedal.
Note: You could hear some noise as the
system shifts or engages, which is normal.
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the accelerator pedal and turn the steering
wheel in the opposite direction when
rolling. We recommend engaging and
disengaging the electronic locking
differential at a stop when you mount a
spare on the rear axle.
SWITCHING THE ELECTRONIC
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ON
AND OFF - RAPTOR
The button to activate and deactivate the
electronic locking differential is in the
center of the drive mode rotary switch.
To manually activate or deactivate the
electronic locking differential, press the
electronic locking differential button.
Note:
The electronic locking differential can
activate or deactivate automatically based
on speed, four-wheel drive mode, and drive
mode selection. See Selecting a Drive
Mode (page 373).
Rear Electronic Locking Differential Engagement Speed and Availability Automatic Re-
Engagement Speed
Automatic Disen-
gagement Speed
Maximum Engage-
ment Speed
Drive Modes
20 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (41 km/h)
20 mph (30 km/h)
Normal (4A, 4H)
20 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (41 km/h)
20 mph (30 km/h)
Sport (4A, 4H)
20 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (41 km/h)
20 mph (30 km/h)
Slippery (4A, 4H)
20 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (41 km/h)
20 mph (30 km/h)
Tow/Haul (4A,4H)
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
Off-Road (4H) 1
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Automatic Re-
Engagement Speed
Automatic Disen-
gagement Speed
Maximum Engage-
ment Speed
Drive Modes
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
Baja (4H)
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
No Speed Limit
Rock Crawl (4L) 1
1 Automatically engages when you select this drive mode. You have the ability to manually
override the automatic engagement by pressing the electronic locking differential button. Automatic Re-
Engagement Speed
Automatic Disen-
gagement Speed
Maximum Engage-
ment Speed
4WD Mode
No speed Limit
No speed Limit
No speed Limit
Four-Wheel Drive
Low (4L)
Note: The electronic locking differential
may not engage if you press your accelerator
pedal during an engagement attempt. A
message could display in the instrument
display guiding you to release the
accelerator pedal.
Note: If the electronic locking differential
has difficulty disengaging, release the
accelerator pedal and turn the steering
wheel in the opposite direction while rolling.
Note: The electronic locking differential is
for off-road use only and is not for use on
dry pavement. Using the electronic locking
differential on dry pavement results in
increased tire wear, noise and vibration.
SWITCHING THE ELECTRONIC
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ON
AND OFF - 4X4
The button to activate and deactivate the
electronic locking differential is in the
center of the drive mode rotary switch. 303
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Automatic Re-
Engagement Speed
Automatic Disen-
gagement Speed
Maximum Engage-
ment Speed
4WD Mode
No speed Limit
No speed Limit
No speed Limit
Four-Wheel Drive
Low (4L)
Note: The electronic locking differential
may not engage if you press your accelerator
pedal during an engagement attempt. A
message could display in the instrument
display guiding you to release the
accelerator pedal.
Note: If the electronic locking differential
has difficulty disengaging, release the
accelerator pedal and turn the steering
wheel in the opposite direction while rolling.
Note: The electronic locking differential is
for off-road use only and is not for use on
dry pavement. Using the electronic locking
differential on dry pavement results in
increased tire wear, noise and vibration.
SWITCHING THE ELECTRONIC
LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL ON
AND OFF - 4X2
The button to activate and deactivate the
electronic locking differential is located in
the center of the Drive mode rotary switch. To manually activate or deactivate the
electronic locking differential, press the
electronic locking differential button.
4X2 Rear Electronic Locking Differential Engagement Speed and Availability Automatic Re-Engagement
Speed
Automatic Disengagement
Speed
Maximum Engagement
Speed
20 mph (30 km/h)
25 mph (41 km/h)
20 mph (30 km/h)
Note: The electronic locking differential
may not engage if you press your accelerator
pedal during an engagement attempt. A
message could display in the instrument
display guiding you to release the
accelerator pedal. Note:
If the electronic locking differential
has difficulty disengaging, release the
accelerator pedal and turn the steering
wheel in the opposite direction while rolling.
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WHAT IS REVERSE BRAKING
ASSIST
The system uses sensors on the rear of
your vehicle to detect a possible collision
and applies the brakes to either reduce the
damage from impact, or to assist in
avoiding the collision.
HOW DOES REVERSE
BRAKING ASSIST WORK
Reverse Braking Assist functions when in
reverse (R) and traveling at a speed of
1–
7 mph (1.5– 12 km/h).
If the system detects an obstacle behind
your vehicle, it provides a warning through
the rear parking aid or cross traffic alert
system.
REVERSE BRAKING ASSIST
PRECAUTIONS WARNING: You are responsible for
controlling your vehicle at all times. The
system is designed to be an aid and does
not relieve you of your responsibility to
drive with due care and attention. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
the loss of control of your vehicle,
personal injury or death. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury, always use caution when in
reverse (R) and when using the sensing
system. WARNING:
The system may not
operate properly during severe weather
conditions, for example snow, ice, heavy
rain and spray. Always drive with due
care and attention. Failure to take care
may result in a crash. WARNING: Traffic control systems,
inclement weather, air brakes, external
motors and fans may affect the correct
operation of the sensing system. This
may cause reduced performance or false
alerts. WARNING:
Some situations and
objects prevent hazard detection. For
example low or direct sunlight, inclement
weather, unconventional vehicle types,
and pedestrians. Apply the brakes when
necessary. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Do not use the system
with accessories that extend beyond the
front or rear of your vehicle, for example
a trailer hitch or bike rack. The system is
not able to make corrections for the
additional length of the accessories.
The system only applies the brakes for a
short period of time when an event occurs.
Act as soon as you notice the brakes apply
in order to remain in control of the vehicle.
Note: Certain add-on devices around the
bumper or fascia may create false alerts.
For example, large trailer hitches, bicycle or
surfboard racks, license plate brackets,
bumper covers or any other device that may
block the normal detection zone of the
system. Remove the add-on device to
prevent false alerts.
Note: The system does not react to small
or moving objects, particularly those close
to the ground.
Note: The system does not operate during
hard acceleration or steering.
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WHAT IS TRACTION CONTROL
The traction control system helps to avoid
drive wheel spin and loss of traction.
HOW DOES TRACTION
CONTROL WORK
If your wheels begin to spin, the loss of
traction can compromise steering control
and stability of the vehicle. The traction
control system applies the brakes to
individual wheels and when needed,
reduces engine power at the same time to
increase traction.
SWITCHING TRACTION
CONTROL ON AND OFF
WARNING: Operating your vehicle
with the traction control disabled could
lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury
and death. The traction control system turns on each
time you switch the ignition on.
The button for the stability and traction
control system is on the instrument panel. Press and release the button to switch
traction control off. The stability control
system remains fully active, to switch it off,
press and hold the button for a few
seconds, then release.
When you switch traction control off, a
message and an illuminated icon appear
on the instrument cluster.
Press the switch again to turn the traction
control system back on to normal
operation.
If your vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
switching traction control off may be
beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin.
Your vehicle may have MyKey restrictions
regarding this feature. See
What Is
MyKey (page 98).
TRACTION CONTROL
INDICATOR
Stability and Traction Control
Indicator If the indicator does not
illuminate when you switch the
ignition on, or remains on when
the engine is running, this indicates a
malfunction. Have your vehicle checked
by an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. The traction control off indicator
illuminates when you switch the
traction control system off, or
when an alternative stability control mode
is selected that requires the traction
control off depending on the drive mode
selected.
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HOW DOES STABILITY
CONTROL WORK
WARNING: Vehicle modifications
involving braking system, aftermarket
roof racks, suspension, steering system,
tire construction and wheel and tire size
may change the handling characteristics
of your vehicle and may adversely affect
the performance of the electronic
stability control system. In addition,
installing any stereo speakers may
interfere with and adversely affect the
electronic stability control system.
Reducing the effectiveness of the
electronic stability control 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 electronic stability
control 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. WARNING: You are responsible for
controlling your vehicle at all times. The
system is designed to be an aid and does
not relieve you of your responsibility to
drive with due care and attention. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
the loss of control of your vehicle,
personal injury or death.
If a driving condition activates either the
stability control or traction control you may
experience the following conditions:
• The stability and traction control light
flashes.
• Your vehicle slows down.
• Reduced engine power.
The stability control system has several
features built into it to help you maintain
control of your vehicle:
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control enhances your
vehicle ’s ability to prevent skids or lateral
slides by applying brakes to one or more
of the wheels individually and, if necessary,
reducing engine power.
Roll Stability Control
Roll stability control enhances your
vehicle ’s ability to prevent rollovers by
detecting your vehicle ’s roll motion and
the rate at which it changes by applying
the brakes to one or more wheels
individually.
Curve Control
Curve control enhances your vehicle ’s
ability to follow the road when cornering
severely or avoiding objects in the roadway.
Curve control operates by reducing engine
power and, if necessary, applying brakes
to one or more of the wheels individually.
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