4WD FORD F-550 2020 Owners Manual

Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced
Power/Electronic Throttle Control
Illuminates when a powertrain
or a 4WD fault has been
detected. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Service Engine Soon Illuminates when you switch the
ignition on prior to engine start
to check the bulb and to indicate
whether your vehicle is ready for Inspection
and Maintenance (I/M) testing.
Normally, it illuminates until the engine is
cranked and automatically turns off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after
15 seconds it flashes eight times, this
indicates that your vehicle is not ready for
Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) testing.
See Emission Law (page 188).
If it illuminates when the engine is running
this indicates a malfunction. The On Board
Diagnostics system has detected a
malfunction of the vehicle emission control
system.
If it flashes, engine misfire may be
occurring. Increased exhaust gas
temperatures could damage the catalytic
converter or other vehicle components.
Drive in a moderate fashion, avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration, and have
your vehicle checked immediately.
Stability Control Illuminates when the system is
active. If it remains illuminated
or does not illuminate when you
switch the ignition on, this indicates a
malfunction. During a malfunction, the
system switches off. Have the system
checked immediately. See
Using
Stability Control (page 223). Stability Control Off Illuminates when you switch the
system off. It goes out when you
switch the system back on or
when you switch the ignition off.
See Using Stability Control (page 223).
Tailgate Ajar Illuminates when the tailgate is
not completely closed or when
opened and then closed when
the transmission is in any gear other than
park (P).
Transmission Tow/Haul
(If Equipped) Illuminates when the tow/haul
feature is activated. If the light
flashes steadily, have the system
checked immediately as damage to the
transmission could occur.
Wait To Start
(If Equipped) Illuminates when you switch the
ignition on as part of the
pre-start system. Wait until the
wait to start indicator turns off before
attempting to start your vehicle. See
Starting a Diesel Engine
(page 171).
Water In Fuel
(If Equipped) WARNING:
Do not drain the
water-in-fuel separator while the engine
is running. Failure to follow this warning
may result in fire, serious injury, death or
property damage.
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Action
Message
One or more tires on your trailer is below the specifiedtire pressure.
Trailer Tire Low Specified:
A trailer tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Trailer Tire Pressure Sensor
Fault
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is
malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact an authorized dealer.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor
Fault
The system cannot detect the trailer tire pressuremonitoring system.
Trailer Tire Pressure Monitor
Capability Not Detected
The trailer tire pressure monitoring system is not setup.See Tire Pressure Monitoring System (page 409).
Trailer Tire Pressure Indication
Not Setup See Manual
4WD Action
Message
A 4X4 system fault is present. Contact an authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
Check 4x4
The 4X4 system is making a shift.
4x4 Shift in Progress
Displays when you attempt to switch to 4X4 LOW andyou do not shift the transmission to neutral (N).
For 4x4 LOW Shift to N
Displays when you attempt to switch to 4X4 LOW andyour vehicle's speed is too fast.
For 4x4 LOW Slow to 3 MPH
For 4x4 LOW Slow to 5 km/h Displays when you attempt to switch out of 4X4 LOWand you do not shift the transmission to neutral (N)
To Exit 4x4 LOW Shift to N
Displays when you attempt to switch out of 4X4 LOWand your vehicle's speed is too fast.
To Exit 4x4 LOW Slow to 3 MPH
To Exit 4x4 LOW Slow to 5 km/h
Could display when there is a Transfer case gear toothblockage while shifting to or from 4L or to the neutral state.
Shift Delayed Pull Forward
Displays when the system requires an additional
transmission shift to neutral (N) to complete a transfer case shift.
Shift to Neutral
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USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
Note:
For important information regarding
the safe operation of this type of vehicle,
see General Information in the Wheels and
Tires chapter.
Note: Do not use 4H or 4L mode on dry,
hard surfaced roads. Doing so can produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may
damage drive components. 4X4 mode is
only intended for consistently slippery or
loose surfaces. Use of 4L mode on these
surfaces may produce some noise, such as
occasional clunks, but will not damage drive
components.
Note: If 4X4 low is selected while the
vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h),
the 4WD system will not perform a shift.
This is normal and should be no reason for
concern. Refer to Shifting to or from 4L (4X4
Low) for proper operation.
Note: You can switch on and switch off the
electronic locking differential by pulling the
4WD control (4WD vehicles) or turning the
electronic locking differential control (2WD
vehicles). See
Electronic Locking
Differential (page 215).
Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly
(ESOF) 4WD system
(If Equipped)
Note: If 4X4 Low is selected while the
vehicle is moving above
3 mph (5 km/h),
the 4WD system will not perform a shift.
This is normal and should be no reason for
concern. Refer to Shifting to or from 4L (4X4
Low) for proper system operation.
Note: Auto-manual hub locks can be
manually locked by rotating the hub lock
control from AUTO to LOCK. For proper operation, make sure that each
hub is fully engaged and that both hub
locks are set to the same position (both
set to LOCK or both set to AUTO). To
engage LOCK, turn the hub locks
completely clockwise; to engage AUTO,
turn the hub locks completely
counterclockwise.
The ESOF 4WD system:
•
Provides 4x4 High engagement and
disengagement while the vehicle is
moving.
• Is operated by a rotary control located
on the instrument panel that allows
you select 4x2, 4x4 High or 4x4 Low
operation.
• Uses auto-manual hub locks that can
be engaged and disengaged
automatically based on the 4x4 mode
selected.
• Will increase fuel economy when used
in the hub lock's recommended AUTO
mode.
4WD Indicator Lights
Note: When a 4X4 system fault is present,
the system will typically remain in whichever
4X4 mode was selected prior to the fault
condition occurring. It will not default to 4X2
in all circumstances. When this warning is
displayed, have your vehicle serviced by an
authorized dealer.
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(If Equipped)LOC K
OTUAE339076

4X2
Momentarily illuminates when
2H is selected.
4X4 HIGH Continuously illuminates when
4H is selected.
4X4 LOW Continuously illuminates when
4L is selected.
CHECK 4X4 Displays when a 4X4 fault is
present.
Using the Electronic Shift on the
Fly 4WD system (If Equipped) 2H (4X2)
For general on-road driving. Sends power
to the rear wheels only and should be used
for street and highway driving. Provides
optimal smoothness and fuel economy at
high speeds. 4H (4X4 HIGH)
Provides mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power to both the front and rear
wheels for use in off-road or winter
conditions such as deep snow, sand or
mud. This mode is not for use on dry
pavement.
4L (4X4 LOW)
Provides mechanically locked four-wheel
drive power to both the front and rear
wheels for use on low traction surfaces,
but does so with additional gearing for
increased torque multiplication. Intended
only for off-road applications such as deep
sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy
objects. 4L (4X4 low) will not engage while
your vehicle is moving above
3 mph
(5 km/h); this is normal and should be no
reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to or
from 4L (4X4 low) for proper operation.
Shifting Between System Modes
Note: Momentarily releasing the accelerator
pedal when a shift in progress message
displays improves engagement or
disengagement performance.
Note: Do not perform this operation if the
rear wheels are slipping or when applying
the accelerator pedal.
Note: Some noise may be heard as the
system shifts or engages; this is normal.
Note: 4X4 high mode is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
You can move the control from 2H or 4H
at a stop or while driving. The information
display may display a message indicating
a 4X4 shift is in progress. Once the shift is
complete the message center will then
display the system mode selected.
Shifting to or from 4L (4X4 low)
Note: Some noise may be heard as the
system shifts or engages; this is normal.
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(If Equipped)E181778 E181779 E181780 E191851

Note:
4x4 low mode is not intended for use
on dry pavement.
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the transmission in neutral (N).
3. Move the 4WD control to the preferred
position.
The information display will display a
message indicating a 4X4 shift is in
progress. The information display will then
display the system mode selected. If any
of the above shift conditions are not met,
the shift will not occur and the information
display will display information guiding the
driver through the proper shifting
procedures.
If a message in the information display
shows a Shift Delayed Pull Forward
message, a transfer case gear tooth
blockage is present. To alleviate this
condition, place the transmission in a
forward gear, move the vehicle forward
approximately
5 ft (1.5 m), and shift the
transmission back to neutral to allow the
transfer case to complete the range shift.
Entering and Exiting Rock Crawl
Mode with Tremor Package
(If
Equipped) •
To enter rock crawl, your vehicle must
be in 4x4 low.
• Press the drive mode button on the
shifter column to bring up the
information display and select rock
crawl mode.
• With the switch in 4x4 low position,
press rock crawl mode again to
deactivate it. •
You can now perform a shift out of 4x4
low.
• Refer to Shifting to or from 4L (4x4
low) as described previously for proper
operation of 4x4 low in this procedure.
Operating 4WD Vehicles with
Spare or Mismatched Tires
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the size of
the spare tire can affect the 4X4 system.
If there is a significant difference between
the size of the spare tire and the remaining
tires, you may 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 4WD
mode turned on.
• Turn on a 4WD mode unless the
vehicle is stationary.
• Use a 4WD mode on dry pavement.
When driving with the full-size, dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, you may
have limited 4WD functionality, especially
when driving in a mechanically locked 4WD
mode. You may experience the following:
• Additional noise from the transfer case
or other drive components.
• Difficulty shifting out of a mechanically
locked 4WD mode.
Use of a dissimilar spare wheel and tire
assembly may lead to impairment of the
following:
• Comfort and noise.
• Winter weather driving capability.
• Wet driving capability.
• Four-wheel drive capability.
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(If Equipped)E225315

How Your Vehicle Differs from
Other 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.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from
some other vehicles. Your vehicle may be
higher to allow it to travel over rough
terrain without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so
versatile also make it handle differently
than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all
times, 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.
You should either know the terrain or
examine maps of the area before driving.
Map out your route before driving in the
area. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all
four wheels on the ground and they must
be rolling, not sliding or spinning. Driving Off-Road With Truck and
Utility Vehicles
Note:
On some models, the initial shift from
two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive while
the vehicle is moving can cause some
momentary clunk and ratcheting sounds.
This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and the automatic locking hubs
engaging and is not cause for concern.
Note: Your vehicle may come with a front
air dam that can become damaged (due to
reduced ground clearance) when taking your
vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken
off by removing 15 bolts.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are specially
equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud
and rough terrain and have operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both
on and off the road.
Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On four-wheel
drive vehicles, the transfer case allows you
to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case operation and
shifting procedures can be found in this
chapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in the
Maintenance chapter. You should become
thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Four-wheel drive (when you select a 4WD
mode) uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling
you to drive over terrain and road
conditions that a conventional two-wheel
drive vehicle cannot.
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(If Equipped)

For 4WD vehicles
Pull the 4WD control knob toward you.
For 2WD vehicles
Turn the control to ON.
Once the indicator light
illuminates in the information
display, both rear wheel axle
shafts will be locked together providing
added traction.
If the indicator does not come on, or the
indicator turns off while driving, one of the
following has occurred:
• The vehicle speed is too high.
• The left and right rear wheel speed
difference is too high during an
engagement attempt. •
The system has malfunctioned and is
accompanied by a message in the
information display. See your
authorized Ford dealer for assistance.
• The vehicle is experiencing an anti-lock
brake activation.
Operating ELD With a Spare or
Mismatched Tires
On vehicles with an ELD, the size of the
spare tire can affect performance of the
system. If there is a significant difference
between the two rear tires, you may have
limited ELD functionality. If the electronic
locking differential has difficulty
disengaging, release the accelerator pedal
and turn the steering wheel in the opposite
direction when rolling. We recommend
engaging and disengaging the ELD at a
stop when you mount a spare on the rear
axle.
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AdvanceTrac with RSC Features
Traction
control system
Electronic
stabilitycontrol
Roll stability
control
Stability
control light
Button func-
tions
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Illuminated
during bulb check
Default at start-
up
Disabled
Enabled 1
Enabled
Illuminated
Button pressed
momentarily
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
illuminated 3
Button pressed
and held for
more than 5 seconds
Enabled2
Enabled 1
Enabled
Illuminated
Double Press
(Pickup Only)
Enabled
Enabled
Enabled
Not illuminated
Button pressed
again after
deactivation
Disabled
Disabled
Disabled
Illuminated
Transfer case
switched to
4WD Low 4
1 Electronic stability control has reduced sensitivity compared to a fully active system.
2 Traction control has reduced sensitivity compared to a fully active system.
3 Lamp light starts blinking for four seconds after entering the press and hold state.
4 Engaging 4WD Low disables roll stability control, electronic stability control and the
traction control systems.
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Never remove or defeat the tripping
mechanisms designed into the snow
removal equipment by its manufacturer.
Doing so may cause damage to the vehicle
and the snow removal equipment as well
as possible airbag deployment.
Engine temperature while plowing
When driving with a plow, your engine may
run at a higher temperature than normal
because the attached snowplow blade will
restrict airflow to the radiator.
•
If you are driving more than 15 mi
(24 km) at temperatures above
freezing, angle the plow blade either
full left or full right to provide
maximum airflow to the radiator.
• If you are driving less than
15 mi
(24 km) at speeds up to 45 mph
(72 km/h) in cold weather, you will not
need to worry about blade position to
provide maximum airflow.
Transmission operation while
plowing WARNING:
Do not spin the wheels
at over 34 mph (55 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
• Shift transfer case to
4L (4WD Low)
when plowing in small areas at speeds
below
5 mph (8 km/h).
• Shift transfer case to
4H (4WD High)
when plowing larger areas or light snow
at higher speeds. Do not exceed 15 mph
(24 km/h)
.
• Do not shift the transmission from a
forward gear to
R (Reverse) until the
engine is at idle and the wheels have
stopped. FLOOR MATS WARNING:
Use a floor mat
designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle that does not obstruct the pedal
area. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
Pedals that cannot
move freely can cause loss of vehicle
control and increase the risk of serious
personal injury. WARNING:
Secure the floor mat
to both retention devices so that it
cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING: Do not place additional
floor mats or any other covering on top
of the original floor mats. This could
result in the floor mat interfering with the
operation of the pedals. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle, personal injury or
death. WARNING:
Always make sure that
objects cannot fall into the driver foot
well while your vehicle is moving. Objects
that are loose can become trapped
under the pedals causing a loss of
vehicle control.
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The trailer tire pressure monitoring system
can be reset through the menu in the
information display. See General
Information (page 109). Performing the
trailer setup process also resets the trailer
tire pressure monitoring system.
CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL WARNING:
If the tire pressure
monitor sensor becomes damaged it
may not function.
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with the
tire pressure monitoring system, the
indicator light illuminates when the spare
tire is in use. To restore the full function of
the monitoring system, all road wheels
equipped with tire pressure monitoring
sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Note: You should only use tire sealants in
roadside emergencies as they may cause
damage to the tire pressure monitoring
system sensor.
If you get a flat tire when driving, do not
apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease your speed. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe
place on the side of the road.
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire
pressure monitoring system, have a flat
serviced by an authorized dealer in order
to prevent damage to the system sensors.
See
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(page 409). Replace the spare tire with a
road tire as soon as possible. During
repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have
the authorized dealer inspect the system
sensor for damage. Dissimilar Spare Wheel and Tire
Assembly Information WARNING:
Failure to follow these
guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or
death.
If you have a dissimilar spare wheel and
tire, then it is intended for temporary use
only. This means that if you need to use it,
you should replace it as soon as possible
with a road wheel and tire assembly that
is the same size and type as the road tires
and wheels that were originally provided
by Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel
is damaged, it should be replaced rather
than repaired.
A dissimilar spare wheel and tire assembly
is defined as a spare wheel and tire
assembly that is different in brand, size or
appearance from the road tires and
wheels.
Full-size dissimilar spare
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, do not:
• Exceed
70 mph (113 km/h).
• Use more than one dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly at a time.
• Use snow chains on the end of the
vehicle with the dissimilar spare wheel
and tire assembly.
When driving with the full-size dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly, 4WD
functionality may be limited. You may
experience the following:
• Additional noise from the transfer case
or other drive components.
• Difficulty shifting out of a mechanically
locked 4WD mode.
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