towing FORD TRANSIT 2021 Owners Manual

Cruise Control
Principle of Operation
...............................198
Using Cruise Control ..................................
198
Using Adaptive Cruise Control ...............
199
Driving Aids
Speed Limiter ..............................................
206
Driver Alert .....................................................
207
Lane Keeping System ...............................
208
Blind Spot Information System ..............
212
Cross Traffic Alert ........................................
216
Eco .....................................................................
219
Steering ..........................................................
220
Pre-Collision Assist .....................................
221
Front View Camera ....................................
225
Drive Control .................................................
226
Load Carrying
Roof Racks and Load Carriers - Bus .....
228
Roof Racks and Load Carriers - Van ........................................................................\
228
Load Retaining Fixtures ............................
228
Load Limit ......................................................
229
Towing
Towing a Trailer ...........................................
234
Recommended Towing Weights - Chassis Cab/Crew Van/Cutaway/Van
........................................................................\
235
Recommended Towing Weights - M2 Bus ................................................................
237
Essential Towing Checks .........................
239
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels .....
245
Driving Hints
Reduced Engine Performance ...............
246
Economical Driving ....................................
246
Cold Weather Precautions ......................
246
Breaking-In ....................................................
247
Driving Through Water ..............................
247Floor Mats
......................................................
247
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance .................................
249
Hazard Flashers ..........................................
250
Emergency Exit - M2 Bus .........................
250
Fuel Shutoff ..................................................
250
Jump Starting the Vehicle ........................
251
Transporting the Vehicle ..........................
253
Towing Points ...............................................
254
Crash and Breakdown Information
Post-Crash Alert System .........................
255
Customer Assistance
Ford Credit ....................................................
256
Getting the Services You Need ..............
256
In California (U.S. Only) ............................
257
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Auto Line Program (U.S. Only) ....................
258
Utilizing the Mediation/Arbitration Program (Canada Only) ......................
259
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada .......................................................
259
Ordering Additional Owner's Literature ........................................................................\
.
261
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Only) ........................................................................\
.
261
Reporting Safety Defects (Canada Only) ........................................................................\
262
Fuses
Fuse Box Locations ....................................
263
Fuse Specification Chart .........................
264
Changing a Fuse ..........................................
276
Maintenance
General Information ..................................
278
Opening and Closing the Hood .............
278
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Table of Contents

Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85).
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 234).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty. Do not use:
•
Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km)
to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513

FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 234).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com. Note:
Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
FUEL FILLER FUNNEL
LOCATION
The fuel filler funnel is in the glove
compartment or in the front right-hand
side stepwell storage compartment.
RUNNING OUT OF FUEL
Running out of fuel can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513

3. Push the brake shift interlock lever
toward the rear of your vehicle and
hold it there.
4. Move the selector lever from park (P) to neutral (N).
5. Install the panel.
6. Press the brake pedal, start the engine
and release the parking brake.
Transmission Not in Park (P)
Audible Warning
Sounds when you open the driver door and
you have not moved the selector lever to
park (P).
Automatic Transmission Information Messages Description
Message
The system has detected a fault that requires service. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Transmission Service
Required
Displays as a reminder to shift into park (P).
Transmission Not in Park
Press the brake pedal to unlock the transmission.
Press Brake to Unlock
Gearshift Lever
TOW/HAUL WARNING: Do not use tow/haul
when the road surface is slippery. Failure
to follow this instruction could result in
the loss of control of your vehicle. WARNING:
Do not use diesel
engine exhaust braking when the road
surface is slippery. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in the loss of
control of your vehicle. Tow/haul delays upshifts to reduce the
frequency of transmission shifting.
Tow/haul provides engine braking in all
forward gears, which slows your vehicle
and assists you in controlling your vehicle
when descending a slope.
Tow/haul improves transmission operation
when towing a trailer or a heavy load.
Depending on driving conditions and load
conditions, tow/haul may downshift the
transmission, slow your vehicle and control
your vehicle speed when descending a hill,
without pressing the accelerator pedal.
The amount of downshift braking provided
varies based upon the amount the brake
pedal is pressed.
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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.
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Brakes

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.
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Electric Parking BrakeE267156

WARNING: Use caution when
turning camera features on or off when
the transmission is not in park (P). Make
sure your vehicle is not moving. WARNING:
To help avoid personal
injury always use caution when in reverse
(R) and when using the rear view
camera.
The rear view camera provides an image
of the area behind your vehicle. During
operation, lines appear in the display that
represents the path of your vehicle and
proximity to objects behind it.
Rear View Camera Locations The rear view camera is below the central
high mounted stop lamp or on the rear
cargo door. Using the Rear View Camera
The rear view camera system displays
what is behind your vehicle when you shift
the transmission into reverse (R).
Note:
The reverse sensing system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h)
and may not detect certain angular or
moving objects.
Note: If the transmission is in reverse (R)
and the rear cargo door is open, no rear view
camera features will display.
Note: When towing, the camera only sees
what you are towing. This might not provide
adequate coverage as it usually provides in
normal operation and some objects might
not be seen. In some vehicles, the guidelines
may disappear when you connect the trailer
tow connector.
The system may not correctly operate in
any of the following conditions:
• Nighttime or dark areas if the reverse
lamps are not operating.
• If the camera is obstructed.Clean the
lens with a soft, lint-free cloth and
non-abrasive cleaner.
• The camera is misaligned due to
damage to the rear of your vehicle.
Rear View Camera Guidelines WARNING:
Objects above the
camera may not be visible. Check the
area behind your vehicle when necessary.
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Parking AidsE254267

Cruise Control Indicator
The indicator appears when you
switch the system on.
USING ADAPTIVE CRUISE
CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED) 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:
Pay close attention to
changing road conditions such as
entering or leaving a highway, on roads
with intersections or roundabouts, roads
without visible lanes of travel, roads that
are winding, slippery, unpaved, or steep
slopes. WARNING:
The system may not
detect stationary or slow moving
vehicles below
6 mph (10 km/h). WARNING:
Do not use the system
when towing a trailer that has
aftermarket electronic trailer brake
controls. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in the loss of control of your
vehicle, personal injury or death. WARNING:
The system is not a
crash warning or avoidance system. WARNING:
The system does not
detect pedestrians or objects in the road. WARNING:
The system does not
detect oncoming vehicles in the same
lane. WARNING:
Do not use the system
in poor visibility, for example fog, heavy
rain, spray or snow. WARNING:
Do not use tire sizes
other than those recommended because
this can affect the normal operation of
the system. Failure to do so may result
in a loss of vehicle control, which could
result in serious injury.
The system adjusts the vehicle speed to
maintain the set gap between you and the
vehicle in front of you in the same lane.
You can select four gap settings.
The system uses a radar that projects a
beam directly in front of your vehicle. The adaptive cruise controls are on the
steering wheel.
Switching Adaptive Cruise Control
On
Press to set the system in
standby mode.
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Note:
Do not cover the sensors with bumper
stickers, repair compound or other objects.
Note: Blocked sensors could affect system
performance.
If the sensors are blocked, a message may
appear in the information display. The
indicators remain illuminated in the exterior
mirror but the system does not alert you.
Switching the Blind Spot
Information System On and Off
1. Using the information display controls on the steering wheel, select Settings.
2. Select Driver Assistance.
3. Select
Blind Spot.
4. Switch
Blind Spot on or off.
When you switch the system off, a warning
lamp illuminates in the instrument cluster
and the alert indicators flash twice.
The system remembers the last setting
when you start your vehicle.
Note: The system may not correctly operate
when towing a trailer. The system turns off
when you attach a trailer, if your vehicle has
an approved trailer tow module and tow
bar. For vehicles with an aftermarket trailer
tow module or tow bar, turn the system off
when you attach a trailer.
To permanently switch the system off,
contact an authorized dealer.
Blind Spot Information System
Indicator When the system detects a
vehicle, an alert indicator
illuminates in the exterior mirror
on the side the approaching vehicle is
coming from. If you turn the direction
indicator on for that side of your vehicle,
the alert indicator flashes.
Note: The system may not alert you if a
vehicle quickly passes through the detection
zone. Blind Spot Information System
with Trailer Tow
The blind spot information system with
trailer tow is designed to detect vehicles
that may have entered the blind spot zone.
The detection area is on both sides of your
vehicle and trailer, extending rearward
from the exterior mirrors to the end of your
trailer. When you attach a trailer and have
set up a trailer, the blind spot information
system with trailer tow becomes active
when driving forward above
6 mph
(10 km/h).
You can set up the trailer length, select a
trailer or switch blind spot information
system with trailer tow off.
Note: The system remembers the last
trailer setting when you start your vehicle.
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Blind Spot Information System
Limitations
Some trailers may cause a slight change
in system performance:
•
Wide box trailers, especially those
wider than the towing vehicle, may
cause false alerts to occur when driving
next to infrastructure or near parked
cars. A false alert may also occur while
making a 90-degree turn or driving
through a roundabout.
• Wide trailers that have a total length
greater than 20 ft (6 m) may cause
delayed alerts when a vehicle is
passing at high speed. •
Box trailers that have a width greater
than
7.9 ft (2.4 m) may cause early
alerts when you pass a vehicle.
• Clam shell or V-Nose box trailers with
a width greater than 7.9 ft (2.4 m) may
cause delayed alerts when a vehicle
traveling the same speed as your
vehicle merges lanes.
Blind Spot Information System
Warning Lamp It illuminates in the instrument
cluster if you switch the system
off.
If it illuminates when the system is on this
indicates a malfunction. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Blind Spot Information System Information Messages Description
Message
Displays if the new trailer is attached but not selected. Select
a trailer.
Trailer Blind Spot Add
Trailer Exit Press OK to
Select
Displays if the blind spot information system sensors are
blocked.
Blind Spot Not Available
Sensor Blocked See
Manual
Displays if you attach a trailer to your vehicle.
Blind spot & cross Traffic
alert deact. Trailer
attached
The system has detected a fault that requires service. Have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Blind Spot System Fault
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2021 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, MK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 202010, Second-Printing Driving AidsE249861E249861