FORD TRANSIT 2021 Owners Manual

When climbing a steep slope or hill, start
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to
a lower gear from a higher gear once the
ascent has started. This reduces strain on
the engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to turn around
because you might roll over. It is better to
back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to
climb the hill. Too much power can cause
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you would
use to climb up the hill to avoid excessive
brake application and brake overheating.
Do not descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually shift to a
lower gear. When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. The front wheels have to be
turning in order to steer the vehicle.
Driving on Snow and Ice
WARNING: If you are driving in
slippery conditions that require tire
chains or cables, then it is critical that
you drive cautiously. Keep speeds down,
allow for longer stopping distances and
avoid aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control
which can lead to serious injury or death.
If the rear end of your vehicle slides while
cornering, steer in the direction of the
slide until you regain control of your
vehicle.
Note: Excessive tire slippage can cause
driveline damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD
vehicles in snow and ice but can skid like
any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on
snowy or icy roads, turn the steering wheel
in the direction of the slide until you regain
control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and
quick changes of direction on snow and
ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and
steadily when starting from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an
AWD vehicle could accelerate better than
a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice,
it won ’t stop any faster, because as in other
vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels.
Do not become overconfident as to road
conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance
between you and other vehicles for
stopping. Drive slower than usual and
consider using one of the lower gears. In
emergency stopping situations, apply the
brake steadily.
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, therefore
apply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”
the brakes.
168
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing All-Wheel DriveE143949

Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on
your vehicle have been designed and
tested to provide predictable performance
whether loaded or empty and durable load
carrying capability. For this reason, we
strongly recommend that you do not make
modifications such as adding or removing
parts (such as lowering kits or stabilizer
bars) or by using replacement parts not
equivalent to the original factory
equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise
the center of gravity can make it more likely
the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss
of control. We strongly recommend that
caution be used with any vehicle equipped
with a high load or device (such as ladder
or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly
could void the warranty, increase your
repair cost, reduce vehicle performance
and operational capabilities and adversely
affect driver and passenger safety.
Frequent inspection of vehicle chassis
components is recommended if the vehicle
is subjected to off-highway usage.
All-Wheel Drive Gauge
This feature shows how the engine power
is split between the front and rear axles in
real time.
1. Using the information display controls
on the steering wheel, select Settings.
2. Select Information.
3. Select
Intelligent AWD.
All-Wheel Drive Information Messages Description
Message
The system is temporarily locked. This could be due to the
system increasing its capacity in order to improve perform-
ance.
AWD Temporarily Locked
The system temporarily turns off. This could be due to the
system overheating. Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so and allow the system to cool.
AWD Temporarily
Disabled
The system resumes normal function.
AWD Restored
The system has malfunctioned. Have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible.
AWD Malfunction Service
Required
The system temporarily turns off to protect itself from over-
heating or if you are using a mismatched tire.
AWD OFF
169
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing All-Wheel Drive

GENERAL INFORMATION
Note:
Occasional brake noise is normal. If
a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding or
continuous squeal sound is present, the
brake linings may be worn-out. Have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. If
your vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
have it checked by an authorized dealer.
Note: Brake dust may accumulate on the
wheels, even under normal driving
conditions. Some dust is inevitable as the
brakes wear and does not contribute to
brake noise. See Cleaning the Wheels
(page 308). Wet brakes result in reduced braking
efficiency. Gently press the brake pedal a
few times when driving from a car wash or
standing water to dry the brakes.
Brake Over Accelerator
In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle and reduce engine power.
If you experience this condition, apply the
brakes and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. Move the gearshift lever to park (P),
switch the engine off and apply the parking
brake. Inspect the accelerator pedal for
any interference. If none are found and the
condition persists, have your vehicle towed
to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you rapidly
brake by measuring the rate at which you
press the brake pedal. It provides
maximum braking efficiency as long as you
press the pedal, and can reduce stopping
distances in critical situations. Anti-lock Brake System
This system helps you maintain steering
control during emergency stops by keeping
the brakes from locking. This lamp momentarily
illuminates when you turn the
ignition on. If the light does not
illuminate during start up, remains on or
flashes, the system may be disabled. Have
the system checked by an authorized
dealer. If the system is disabled, normal
braking is still effective. This
lamp momentarily illuminates
when you turn the ignition on. If the lamp
remains on when you release the parking
brake, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
The anti-lock brake system does not
eliminate the risks when:
• You drive too closely to the vehicle in
front of you.
• Your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• You take corners too fast.
• The road surface is poor.
Note: If the system activates, the brake
pedal could pulse and may travel further.
Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You
may also hear a noise from the system. This
is normal.
170
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing BrakesE138644 E138644

HILL START ASSIST
WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system turns off if
there is a malfunction or if you
excessively rev the engine.
The system makes it easier for you to pull
away when your vehicle is on a slope
without using the parking brake. When the system activates, your vehicle
remains stationary for a few seconds after
you release the brake pedal. This gives you
time to move your foot from the brake
pedal to the accelerator pedal. The brakes
release when the engine has developed
sufficient torque to prevent your vehicle
from rolling down the slope.
Using Hill Start Assist
1. Bring your vehicle to a complete
standstill. Keep the brake pedal
pressed.
2. Select a gear.
Note: The system activates if the sensors
detect that your vehicle is on a slope.
3. Pull away in the normal manner.
Note: When you remove your foot from the
brake pedal, your vehicle remains on the
slope without rolling away for a few
seconds. This hold time increases if you are
in the process of driving off.
Switching Hill Start Assist On or Off
Vehicles with Manual Transmission
To switch hill start assist on or off, use the information display controls on the
steering wheel to select the following: Action
Menu Item
Press the menu button.
Driver Assist.
Press the
OK button.
Hill Start Assist
The system remembers the last setting
when you start your vehicle.
Note: There is no indicator to indicate
whether the system is on or off. Vehicles with Automatic Transmission
The system turns on when you switch the
ignition on and you cannot switch the
system off.
171
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Brakes

Hill Start Assist Information Messages
Action
Message
Displays when the system is not available. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Hill Start Assist Not
Available
AUTO HOLD WARNING: The system does not
replace the parking brake. When you
leave your vehicle, always apply the
parking brake. WARNING:
You must remain in
your vehicle when the system turns on.
At all times, you are responsible for
controlling your vehicle, supervising the
system and intervening, if required.
Failure to take care may result in the loss
of control of your vehicle, serious
personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system turns off if
there is a malfunction or if you
excessively rev the engine.
The system is designed to apply the brakes
to hold your vehicle at a standstill after you
stop your vehicle and release the brake
pedal. This could be beneficial in certain
situations, for example when waiting on a
hill or in traffic.
Switching Auto Hold On and Off Press the button on the center
console. The button illuminates
when you switch the system on.
Note: You can only switch the system on
after you close the driver door, fasten your
seatbelt and start the engine.
Note: The system remembers the last
setting when you start your vehicle. Make sure you switch the system off before
towing with your vehicle or before using an
automatic car wash.
Using Auto Hold
1. Use the brakes to bring your vehicle to
a complete stop. The auto hold active
indicator illuminates in the information
display.
2. Release the brake pedal. The system holds your vehicle at a standstill. The
auto hold active indicator remains
illuminated in the information display.
Note: The system only activates if you
apply enough brake pressure. If your vehicle
is on a steep slope, you could need to press
the brake pedal harder before the system
activates.
Note: Under certain conditions, the system
could apply the electric parking brake. The
brake system warning lamp illuminates. The
electric parking brake releases when you
press the accelerator pedal.
See Applying
the Electric Parking Brake (page 177).
Note: If auto-start-stop turns off the
engine, auto hold remains active.
Note: The system deactivates if you shift
into reverse (R) and press the brake pedal.
3. Pull away in the normal manner. The system releases the brakes and the
auto hold active indicator turns off.
Auto Hold Indicator
The auto hold indicator illuminates in the
information display when the system is on
and is either active or unavailable.
172
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Brakes

Illuminates when the system is
active. Your vehicle remains
stationary after you release the
brake pedal. Illuminates when the system is
on but unavailable to hold your
vehicle at a standstill.
The system could be unavailable when any
of the following occur:
•
During an active park assist maneuver.
• Your vehicle is in stay in neutral mode.
See Automatic Transmission (page
161).
• The driver door is open.
• The driver seatbelt has not been
fastened.
• You shift into reverse (R) before the
system is active.
Auto Hold Information Messages Action
Message
Displays as a reminder to fully close the driver door and fasten
the driver seatbelt.
Auto Hold Close Door
And Fasten Seat Belt To
Enable
Displays when the system is not available.
Auto Hold Not Available
Displays when the system is active. Press the brake pedal
and the auto hold button on the center console to switch the
system off.
Auto Hold Press Brake
And Switch To Release
Fully press the brake pedal. The system has detected a fault
that requires service. Have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Auto Hold System Fault
Press Brake
The system has detected a fault that requires service. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Auto Hold System
Malfunction
173
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Brakes

APPLYING THE PARKING
BRAKE
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift
into park (P). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death.
1. Firmly press the brake pedal.
2. Pull the parking lever upward to its fullest extent.
Note: Do not press the release button while
pulling the parking brake lever upward.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing uphill, shift into park (P) and turn the
steering wheel away from the curb.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing downhill, shift into park (P) and turn
the steering wheel toward the curb.
RELEASING THE PARKING
BRAKE
1. Firmly press the brake pedal.
2. Slightly pull the parking brake lever upward.
3. Press the release button and push the parking brake lever downward. PARKING BRAKE AUDIBLE
WARNING
Sounds when the parking brake is on and
your vehicle is moving.
If the warning tone continues after you
have released the parking brake, this
indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
PARKING BRAKE –
TROUBLESHOOTING
PARKING BRAKE – WARNING
LAMPS
WARNING:
If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake
system. It illuminates when you engage
the parking brake and the
ignition is on.
If it illuminates when your vehicle is
moving, make sure the parking brake is
disengaged. If the parking brake is
disengaged, this indicates low brake fluid
level or a brake system fault. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
PARKING BRAKE – INFORMATION MESSAGES Description
Message
You have not released the parking brake and your vehicle
reaches
3 mph (5 km/h). If the message continues to appear
after you have released the parking brake, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Park Brake Engaged
174
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Parking Brake - Vehicles With: Conventional Mechanical
Parking BrakeE138644

APPLYING THE PARKING
BRAKE
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift
into park (P). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death.
1. Firmly press the brake pedal.
2. Pull the parking lever upward to its fullest extent.
Note: Do not press the release button while
pulling the parking brake lever upward.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing uphill, shift into park (P) and turn the
steering wheel away from the curb.
Note: If you park your vehicle on a hill and
facing downhill, shift into park (P) and turn
the steering wheel toward the curb.
RELEASING THE PARKING
BRAKE
1. Firmly press the brake pedal.
2. Pull the parking brake lever upward to its fullest extent.
3. Press the release button and push the parking brake lever downward. PUSHING THE PARKING
BRAKE LEVER DOWN
If required, you can lower the parking brake
lever to the fully down position, for
example to swivel the seat. Push the
parking brake lever downward without
pressing the release button. The parking
brake remains applied until you release it.
PARKING BRAKE AUDIBLE
WARNING
Sounds when the parking brake is on and
your vehicle is moving.
If the warning tone continues after you
have released the parking brake, this
indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
175
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Parking Brake - Vehicles With: Push Down Parking BrakeE172225

PARKING BRAKE –
TROUBLESHOOTING
PARKING BRAKE – WARNING
LAMPS
WARNING: If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake system.
It illuminates when you engage
the parking brake and the
ignition is on.
If it illuminates when your vehicle is
moving, make sure the parking brake is
disengaged. If the parking brake is
disengaged, this indicates low brake fluid
level or a brake system fault. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
PARKING BRAKE – INFORMATION MESSAGES Description
Message
You have not released the parking brake and your vehicle
reaches
3 mph (5 km/h). If the message continues to appear
after you have released the parking brake, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Park Brake Engaged
176
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Parking Brake - Vehicles With: Push Down Parking BrakeE138644

WHAT IS THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE
The electric parking brake is used to hold
your vehicle on slopes and flat roads.
APPLYING THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING: Always fully apply the
parking brake and make sure you shift
into park (P). Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death. WARNING:
If you drive extended
distances with the parking brake applied,
you could cause damage to the brake
system. The switch is next to the steering
wheel on the lower part of the
instrument panel.
1. Pull the switch up.
The red warning lamp flashes during
operation and illuminates when the parking
brake is applied.
Note: You can apply the electric parking
brake when the ignition is off.
Note: The electric parking brake could
apply when you shift into park (P).
See
Automatic Transmission (page 161).
APPLYING THE ELECTRIC
PARKING BRAKE IN AN
EMERGENCY
You can use the electric parking brake to
slow or stop your vehicle in an emergency.
1. Pull the switch up and hold it. The electric parking brake continues to
slow your vehicle down unless you release
the switch.
The red warning lamp illuminates, a tone
sounds and the stoplamps turn on when
you use the electric parking brake in an
emergency.
Note:
Do not apply the electric parking
brake when your vehicle is moving, except
in an emergency.
MANUALLY RELEASING THE
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
1. Switch the ignition on.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push the switch down.
The red warning lamp turns off.
Pulling Away on a Hill When Towing a
Trailer
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Pull the switch upward and hold it.
3. Shift into gear.
4. Press the accelerator pedal until engine
has developed sufficient torque to
prevent your vehicle from rolling down
the hill.
5. Release the switch and pull away in a normal manner.
AUTOMATICALLY RELEASING
THE ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE
1. Close the driver door.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Press the accelerator pedal and pull away in a normal manner.
177
2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Electric Parking BrakeE267156