towing FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS 2014 12.G Owners Manual

Introduction
About This Manual...........................................3
Symbols Glossary.............................................3
California Proposition 65...............................5
Perchlorate..........................................................5
Ford Credit...........................................................5
Replacement PartsRecommendation........................................6
Special Notices.................................................6
Mobile CommunicationsEquipment.......................................................7
Export Unique Options...................................7
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel......................8
Cruise Control....................................................8
Wipers and Washers
Windshield Wipers...........................................9
Windshield Washers........................................9
Lighting
Lighting Control...............................................10
Instrument Lighting Dimmer......................10
Daytime Running Lamps...............................11
Direction Indicators..........................................11
Instrument Cluster
Gauges.................................................................12
Warning Lamps and Indicators..................13
Audible Warnings and Indicators..............15
Information Displays
General Information.......................................16
Information Messages...................................17
Starting and Stopping theEngine
General Information......................................20
Ignition Switch................................................20
Starting a Gasoline Engine.........................20
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions.........................................22
Fuel Quality......................................................23
Running Out of Fuel......................................23
Refueling...........................................................24
Fuel Consumption.........................................25
Emission Control System............................26
Transmission
Automatic Transmission.............................29
Brakes
General Information......................................33
Hints on Driving With Anti-LockBrakes.............................................................33
Parking Brake...................................................34
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................35
Using Cruise Control.....................................35
Load Carrying
Load Limit.........................................................36
Towing
Towing a Trailer...............................................42
Recommended Towing Weights..............43
Essential Towing Checks............................44
Transporting the Vehicle.............................46
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels........47
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.......................................................48
Economical Driving.......................................48
Driving Through Water.................................49
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance....................................50
1Motorhome (TY3) , enUSATable of Contents

Yellow area
The transmission fluid is higher thannormal operating temperature. This canbe caused by special operation conditions(i.e. snowplowing, towing or off-road use).Operating the transmission for extendedperiods of time with the gauge in theyellow area may cause internaltransmission damage. Altering the severityof the driving conditions is recommendedto lower the transmission temperature intothe normal range.
Red area
The transmission fluid is overheating. Stopthe vehicle to allow the temperature toreturn to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow orred area, stop the vehicle and verify theairflow is not restricted such as snow ordebris blocking airflow through the grill. Ifthe gauge continues to show hightemperatures, see your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant TemperatureGauge
WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoircap while the engine is running or hot.
At normal operating temperature, theneedle will remain in the center section.
Note:Do not restart the engine until thecause of overheating has been resolved.
If the needle enters the red section, theengine is overheating. Stop the engine,switch the ignition off and determine thecause once the engine has cooled down.
Fuel Gauge
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge willindicate approximately how much fuel isleft in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge mayvary slightly when your vehicle is movingor on a gradient. The arrow adjacent to thefuel pump symbol indicates on which sideof the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS
The following warning lamps andindicators will alert you to a vehiclecondition that may become serious. Somelamps will illuminate when you start yourvehicle to make sure they work. If anylamps remain on after starting your vehicle,refer to the respective system warninglamp for further information.
Note:Some warning indicators appear inthe information display and function thesame as a warning lamp but do not displaywhen you start your vehicle.
Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you aredriving, this indicates amalfunction. You will continueto have the normal braking system(without ABS) unless the brake systemwarning lamp is also illuminated. Have thesystem checked by your authorized dealer.
Battery
If it illuminates while driving, itindicates a malfunction. Switchoff all unnecessary electricalequipment and have the system checkedby your authorized dealer immediately.
13Motorhome (TY3) , enUSAInstrument Cluster

Transmission
ActionMessage
The transmission fluid is overheating. This warningmay appear when towing heavy loads or when drivingin a low gear at a high speed for an extended periodof time. Stop your vehicle as soon as safely possible,turn off the engine and let the transmission cool.
CHECK TRANS TEMPERATURE
19Motorhome (TY3) , enUSAInformation Displays

Keep a record for at least 1 month andrecord the type of driving (city or highway).This provides an accurate estimate of thevehicle’s fuel economy under currentdriving conditions. Additionally, keepingrecords during summer and winter showhow temperature impacts fuel economy.In general, lower temperatures mean lowerfuel economy.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing atrailer may reduce fuel economy at anyspeed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight mayreduce fuel economy (approximately1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400pounds [180 kilograms] of weightcarried).
•Adding certain accessories to yourvehicle (for example bug deflectors,rollbars/light bars, running boards, skiracks) may reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol maylower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lowertemperatures during the first 8–10miles (12–16 kilometers) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improvedfuel economy as compared to drivingon hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARNINGS
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehiclein dry grass or other dry ground cover.The emission system heats up theengine compartment and exhaust system,which can start a fire.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry ofharmful and potentially lethal fumesinto the passenger compartment. Ifyou smell exhaust fumes inside yourvehicle, have your dealer inspect yourvehicle immediately. Do not drive if yousmell exhaust fumes.
Your vehicle is equipped with variousemission control components and acatalytic converter that will enable yourvehicle to comply with applicable exhaustemission standards. To make sure that thecatalytic converter and other emissioncontrol components continue to workproperly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while yourvehicle is moving, especially at highspeeds.
•Have the items listed in scheduledmaintenance information performedaccording to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listedin scheduled maintenance information areessential to the life and performance ofyour vehicle and to its emissions system.
If you use parts other than Ford, Motorcraftor Ford-authorized parts for maintenancereplacements, or for service ofcomponents affecting emission control,such non-Ford parts should be theequivalent to genuine Ford Motor Companyparts in performance and durability.
26Motorhome (TY3) , enUSAFuel and Refueling

D (Overdrive) with tow/haul on
The tow/haul feature improvestransmission operation when towing atrailer or a heavy load. All transmissiongear ranges are available when usingtow/haul.
To activate tow/haul, press thebutton on the end of thegearshift lever. The TOW HAULindicator light will illuminate in theinstrument cluster.
Tow/haul delays upshifts to reducefrequency of transmission shifting.Tow/haul also provides engine braking inall forward gears when the transmission isin the D (Overdrive) position; this enginebraking will slow the vehicle and assist thedriver in controlling the vehicle whendescending a grade. Depending on drivingconditions and load conditions, thetransmission may downshift, slow thevehicle and control the vehicle speed whendescending a hill, without the acceleratorpedal being pressed. The amount ofdownshift braking provided will vary basedupon the amount the brake pedal ispressed.
Grade braking downshifts occurautomatically when all three of thefollowing occur:
•Positive vehicle acceleration (naturalacceleration from driving on a decline)is sensed.
•Nearly all pressure is released from theaccelerator pedal.
•A minimum amount of time has expiredsince the last grade braking downshift.
Grade braking downshift mode isimmediately exited if the Tow/Haul modeis deactivated or if the accelerator pedalis depressed beyond a minimum threshold.
To deactivate the tow/haul feature andreturn to normal driving mode, press thebutton on the end of the gearshift lever.The TOW HAUL light will no longer beilluminated.
When you shut-off and restart the engine,the transmission will automatically returnto normal D (Overdrive) mode (tow/hauloff).
WARNING
Do not use the tow/haul featurewhen driving in icy or slipperyconditions as the increased enginebraking can cause the rear wheels to slideand the vehicle to swing around with thepossible loss of vehicle control.
3 (Third)
Transmission starts and operates in thirdgear only
Used for improved traction on slipperyroads. Selecting 3 (Third) provides enginebraking.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to start-up on slipperyroads or to provide additional enginebraking on downgrades.
30Motorhome (TY3) , enUSATransmissionE161510 E161509

LOAD LIMIT
Vehicle Loading - with andwithout a Trailer
This section will guide you in theproper loading of your vehicle,trailer or both, to keep your loadedvehicle weight within its designrating capability, with or withouta trailer. Properly loading yourvehicle will provide maximumreturn of vehicle designperformance. Before loading yourvehicle, familiarize yourself with
the following terms fordetermining your vehicle’s weightratings, with or without a trailer,from the vehicle’s Tire Label orSafety Compliance CertificationLabel:
Base Curb Weight - is the weightof the vehicle including a full tankof fuel and all standardequipment. It does not includepassengers, cargo, or optionalequipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight - is theweight of your new vehicle whenyou picked it up from yourauthorized dealer plus anyaftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight - includes allweight added to the Base CurbWeight, including cargo andoptional equipment. When towing,trailer tongue load or king pinweight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight) - isthe total weight placed on eachaxle (front and rear) includingvehicle curb weight and allpayload.
GAWR (Gross Axle WeightRating) - is the maximumallowable weight that can becarried by a single axle (front orrear). These numbers are shownon the Safety ComplianceCertification Label. The label shallbe affixed to either the door hinge
36Motorhome (TY3) , enUSALoad CarryingE143817CARGO

pillar, door-latch post, or the dooredge that meets the door-latchpost, next to the driver's seatingposition.The total load on eachaxle must never exceed its
Gross Axle Weight Rating.
Note: For trailer towinginformation refer to the RV andTrailer Towing Guide available atan authorized dealer.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) -is the Vehicle Curb Weight, pluscargo, plus passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle WeightRating) - is the maximumallowable weight of the fullyloaded vehicle (including alloptions, equipment, passengersand cargo). It is shown on the
Safety Compliance CertificationLabel. The label shall be affixedto either the door hinge pillar,door-latch post, or the door edgethat meets the door-latch post,next to the driver's seatingposition.The Gross VehicleWeight must never exceed theGross Vehicle Weight Rating.
37Motorhome (TY3) , enUSALoad CarryingE143818GVW

GCW (Gross Combined Weight)- is the Gross Vehicle Weight plusthe weight of the fully loadedtrailer.
GCWR (Gross CombinedWeight Rating) - is the maximumallowable weight of the vehicleand the loaded trailer, includingall cargo and passengers, that thevehicle can handle without riskingdamage. (Important: The towingvehicle’s braking system is rated
for operation at Gross VehicleWeight Rating, not at GrossCombined Weight Rating.)Separate functional brakes shouldbe used for safe control of towedvehicles and for trailers where theGross Combined Weight of thetowing vehicle plus the trailerexceed the Gross Vehicle WeightRating of the towing vehicle.TheGross Combined Weight mustnever exceed the GrossCombined Weight Rating.
Maximum Loaded TrailerWeight - is the highest possibleweight of a fully loaded trailer thevehicle can tow. It assumes avehicle with mandatory options,driver and front passenger weight(150 pounds [68 kilograms]each), no cargo weight (internal
or external) and a tongue load of10–15% (conventional trailer).Consult an authorized dealer (orthe RV and Trailer Towing Guideavailable at an authorized dealer)for more detailed information.
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on theSafety Compliance CertificationLabel.
Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carryingcapacities than the original tiresbecause they may lower thevehicle’s GVWR and GAWRlimitations. Replacement tireswith a higher limit than the originaltires do not increase the GVWRand GAWR limitations.
Exceeding any vehicle weightrating limitation could resultin serious damage to the vehicleand/or personal injury.
Steps for determining thecorrect load limit:
39Motorhome (TY3) , enUSALoad CarryingE143819GCWGVW

1. Locate the statement "Thecombined weight of occupantsand cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lb." on yourvehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weightof the driver and passengers thatwill be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weightof the driver and passengers fromXXX kg or XXX lb.
4. The resulting figure equals theavailable amount of cargo andluggage load capacity. Forexample, if the “XXX” amountequals 1,400 lb. and there will befive 150 lb. passengers in yourvehicle, the amount of availablecargo and luggage load capacityis 650 lb. (1400-750 (5 x 150) =650 lb.)
5. Determine the combined weightof luggage and cargo being loadedon the vehicle. That weight maynot safely exceed the availablecargo and luggage load capacitycalculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing atrailer, load from your trailer willbe transferred to your vehicle.Consult this manual to determinehow this reduces the availablecargo and luggage load capacityof your vehicle.
The following gives you a fewexamples on how to calculate theavailable amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity:
*Suppose your vehicle has a1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargoand luggage capacity. You decideto go golfing. Is there enough loadcapacity to carry you, four of yourfriends and all the golf bags? Youand four friends average 220pounds (99 kilograms) each andthe golf bags weigh approximately30 pounds (13.5 kilograms) each.The calculation would be: 1400 -(5 x 220) - (5 x 30) = 1400 - 1100- 150 = 150 pounds. Yes, you haveenough load capacity in yourvehicle to transport four friendsand your golf bags. In metric units,the calculation would be: 635kilograms - (5 x 99 kilograms) -(5 x 13.5 kilograms) = 635 - 495 -67.5 = 72.5 kilograms.
*Suppose your vehicle has a1400-pound (635-kilogram) cargoand luggage capacity. You andone of your friends decide to pickup cement from the local homeimprovement store to finish thatpatio you have been planning forthe past two years. Measuring theinside of the vehicle with the rearseat folded down, you have roomfor twelve 100-pound(45-kilogram) bags of cement. Doyou have enough load capacity totransport the cement to yourhome? If you and your friend eachweigh 220 pounds (99 kilograms),the calculation would be: 1400 -(2 x 220) - (12 x 100) = 1400 - 440- 1200 = - 240 pounds. No, you donot have enough cargo capacity
to carry that much weight. Inmetric units, the calculation would
40Motorhome (TY3) , enUSALoad Carrying

TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR orthe GAWR specified on thecertification label.
Towing trailers beyond themaximum recommendedgross trailer weight exceeds thelimit of the vehicle and couldresult in engine damage,transmission damage, structuraldamage, loss of vehicle control,vehicle rollover and personalinjury.
Your vehicle may have electricalitems, such as fuses or relays,related to towing. See the Fuseschapter.
Your vehicle's load capacitydesignation is by weight, not byvolume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space whenloading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an extraload on your vehicle's engine,transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. Inspect thesecomponents periodically during,and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailermovement affects your vehiclewhen driving:
•Load the heaviest items closestto the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest itemscentered between the left andright side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items abovethe trailer axles or just slightlyforward toward the trailertongue. Do not allow the finaltrailer tongue weight to goabove or below 10-15% of theloaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with thecorrect rise or drop. When boththe loaded vehicle and trailerare connected, the trailer frameshould be level, or slightlyangled down toward yourvehicle, when viewed from theside.
When driving with a trailer orpayload, a slight takeoff vibrationor shudder may be present due tothe increased payload weight.Additional information regardingproper trailer loading and settingyour vehicle up for towing islocated in another chapter of thismanual. See Load Limit (page36). You can also find theinformation in the RV & TrailerTowing Guide, available at anauthorized dealer.
42Motorhome (TY3) , enUSATowing