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

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.
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TIRE CARE
Information About UniformTire Quality Grading
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.The Quality grades can be foundwhere applicable on the tiresidewall between tread shoulderand maximum section width. Forexample: Treadwear 200Traction AA Temperature A.
These Tire Quality Grades aredetermined by standards that theUnited States Department ofTransportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to newpneumatic passenger car tires.They do not apply to deep tread,winter-type snow tires,space-saver or temporary usespare tires, light truck or LT typetires, tires with nominal rimdiameters of 10 to 12 inches orlimited production tires as definedin Title 49 Code of FederalRegulations Part 575.104 (c)(2).
U.S. Department ofTransportation Tire qualitygrades: The U.S. Department ofTransportation requires FordMotor Company to give you thefollowing information about tiregrades exactly as the governmenthas written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is acomparative rating based on thewear rate of the tire when testedunder controlled conditions on aspecified government test course.For example, a tire graded 150would wear 1 ½ times as well onthe government course as a tiregraded 100. The relativeperformance of tires dependsupon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due tovariations in driving habits, servicepractices, and differences in roadcharacteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
WARNING
The traction grade assignedto this tire is based onstraight-ahead braking tractiontests, and does not includeacceleration, cornering,hydroplaning or peak tractioncharacteristics.
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The traction grades, from highestto lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Thegrades represent the tire’s abilityto stop on wet pavement asmeasured under controlledconditions on specifiedgovernment test surfaces ofasphalt and concrete. A tiremarked C may have poor tractionperformance.
Temperature A B C
WARNING
The temperature grade forthis tire is established for atire that is properly inflated andnot overloaded. Excessive speed,underinflation, or excessiveloading, either separately or incombination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
The temperature grades are A(the highest), B and C,representing the tire’s resistanceto the generation of heat and itsability to dissipate heat whentested under controlled conditionson a specified indoor laboratorytest wheel. Sustained hightemperature can cause thematerial of the tire to degenerateand reduce tire life, and excessivetemperature can lead to suddentire failure. The grade Ccorresponds to a level ofperformance which all passengercar tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle SafetyStandard No. 139. Grades B and Arepresent higher levels ofperformance on the laboratorytest wheel than the minimumrequired by law.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
*Tire label: A label showing theoriginal equipment tire sizes,recommended inflation pressureand the maximum weight thevehicle can carry.
*Tire Identification Number: Anumber on the sidewall of eachtire providing information aboutthe tire brand and manufacturingplant, tire size and date ofmanufacture. Also referred to asDOT code.
*Inflation pressure: A measureof the amount of air in a tire.
*Standard load: A class ofP-metric or Metric tires designedto carry a maximum load at setpressure. For example: ForP-metric tires 35 psi (2.4 bar) or36 (2.5 bar) depending on tire sizeand for Metric tires 36 psi (2.5bar). Increasing the inflationpressure beyond this pressure willnot increase the tire’s loadcarrying capability.
*Extra load: A class of P-metricor Metric tires designed to carry aheavier maximum load at 42 psi(2.9 bar). Increasing the inflationpressure beyond this pressure willnot increase the tire’s loadcarrying capability.
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Speed rating - mph(km/h)Letterrating
168 (270)W
186 (299)Y
Note:For tires with a maximum
speed capability over 149 mph
(240 km/h), tire manufacturers
sometimes use the letters ZR. For
those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph (299
km/h), tire manufacturers always
use the letters ZR.
H.U.S. DOT Tire IdentificationNumber: This begins with theletters DOT and indicates that thetire meets all federal standards.The next two numbers or lettersare the plant code designatingwhere it was manufactured, thenext two are the tire size code andthe last four numbers representthe week and year the tire wasbuilt. For example, the numbers317 mean the 31st week of 1997.After 2000 the numbers go to fourdigits. For example, 2501 meansthe 25th week of 2001. Thenumbers in between areidentification codes used fortraceability. This information isused to contact customers if a tiredefect requires a recall.
I.M+S or M/S: Mud and Snow, or
AT: All Terrain, or
AS: All Season.
J.Tire Ply Composition andMaterial Used: Indicates thenumber of plies or the number oflayers of rubber-coated fabric inthe tire tread and sidewall. Tiremanufacturers also must indicatethe ply materials in the tire and thesidewall, which include steel,nylon, polyester, and others.
K.Maximum Load: Indicates themaximum load in kilograms andpounds that can be carried by thetire. See the Safety ComplianceCertification Label for the correcttire pressure for your vehicle. Seethe completed vehicle's owner'smanual for the location of theSafety Compliance CertificationLabel.
L.Treadwear, Traction andTemperature Grades:
*Treadwear The treadwear gradeis a comparative rating based onthe wear rate of the tire whentested under controlled conditionson a specified government testcourse. For example, a tire graded150 would wear 1½ times as wellon the government course as a tiregraded 100.
*Traction: The traction grades,from highest to lowest are AA, A,B, and C. The grades represent thetire's ability to stop on wetpavement as measured undercontrolled conditions on specifiedgovernment test surfaces ofasphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor tractionperformance.
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Rotating your tires at therecommended interval (asindicated in the ScheduledMaintenance chapter) will helpyour tires wear more evenly,providing better tire performanceand longer tire life.
Dual rear wheel drive vehicle - sixtire rotation
If your vehicle is equipped withdual rear wheels it isrecommended that the front andrear tires (in pairs) be rotated onlyside to side. We do notrecommend splitting up the dual
rear wheels. Rotate them side toside as a set. After tire rotation,inflation pressures must beadjusted for the tires newpositions in accordance withvehicle requirements.
Sometimes irregular tire wear canbe corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,load index, speed rating as thoseoriginally provided by Ford. Use ofany tire or wheel not recommended byFord can affect the safety andperformance of your vehicle, which couldresult in an increased risk of loss of vehiclecontrol, vehicle rollover, personal injury anddeath. Additionally, the use ofnon-recommended tires and wheels couldcause steering, suspension, axle, transfercase or power transfer unit failure.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weathertreads to provide traction in rain and snow.However, in some climates, you may needto use snow tires and cables. If you needto use cables, it is recommended that steelwheels (of the same size andspecifications) be used, as cables may chipaluminum wheels.
Note:The suspension insulation andbumpers will help prevent vehicle damage.Do not remove these components from yourvehicle when using snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snowtires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading yourvehicle
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
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Technical SpecificationsSee: Capacities and Specifications...............111The Better Business Bureau (BBB) AutoLine Program (U.S. Only).........................56Tire Care.............................................................91Glossary of Tire Terminology...........................92Information About Uniform Tire QualityGrading.................................................................91Information Contained on the TireSidewall..............................................................93Temperature A B C...............................................92Traction AA A B C..................................................91Treadwear................................................................91TiresSee: Wheels and Tires.........................................91Towing a Trailer...............................................42Load Placement...................................................42Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels........47Emergency Towing...............................................47Towing................................................................42Transmission Code Designation..............114Transmission....................................................29TransmissionSee: Transmission................................................29Transporting the Vehicle.............................46
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Under Hood Overview..................................73Commercial chassis............................................74Motorhome chassis.............................................73Using Cruise Control.....................................35Switching Cruise Control Off...........................35Switching Cruise Control On............................35Using Snow Chains.....................................106Utilizing the Mediation/ArbitrationProgram (Canada Only)...........................56
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Vehicle Care......................................................87General Information............................................87Vehicle Certification Label.........................113Vehicle Identification Number..................113
Vehicle Storage..............................................88Battery.....................................................................89Body..........................................................................89Brakes.......................................................................89Cooling system.....................................................89Engine......................................................................89Fuel system............................................................89General....................................................................88Miscellaneous.......................................................89Removing Vehicle From Storage....................89Tires..........................................................................89VINSee: Vehicle Identification Number..............113
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Warning Lamps and Indicators..................13Anti-Lock Braking System..................................13Battery.......................................................................13Brake Reserve System.........................................14Brake System..........................................................14Cruise Control.........................................................14Direction Indicator.................................................14Electronic Throttle Control................................14Fasten Safety Belt.................................................14High Beam...............................................................14Service Engine Soon............................................14Transmission Tow/Haul......................................15WashersSee: Cleaning the Exterior.................................87See: Wipers and Washers....................................9Wheel NutsSee: Changing a Road Wheel.........................107Wheels and Tires............................................91Technical Specifications...................................110Windshield Washers........................................9Windshield Wipers...........................................9Wipers and Washers.......................................9
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