Ford F 450 Owners Manual

							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 and should be inspected by an authorized dealer. If your
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while
braking, it should be inspected 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 theVehicle Carechapter for wheel
cleaning instructions.
See theInstrument Clusterchapter for information on the
brake system warning light.
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
If the accelerator pedal becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady and
firm pressure to the brake pedal to slow your vehicle and reduce engine
power. If you experience this condition, apply the brakes and bring your
vehicle to a safe stop. Turn the engine off, shift to positionPand apply
the parking brake, then inspect the accelerator pedal for any
interferences. If none are found and the condition persists, have your
vehicle towed to the nearest authorized dealer.
Brake Assist
Brake assist detects when you brake heavily by measuring the rate at
which you press the brake pedal. It provides maximum braking efficiency
as long as you press the pedal. Brake assist 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.
The anti-lock brake system lamp momentarily illuminates when
the ignition is turned on. If the light does not illuminate during
start-up, remains on or flashes, the anti-lock brake system may
be disabled and may need to be serviced.
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							If the anti-lock brake system is disabled, normal braking is still
effective. If the brake warning lamp illuminates with the parking
brake released, have your brake system serviced immediately.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
When the system is operating, the brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise
from the system. This is normal.
The ABS will not eliminate the dangers inherent 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.
PARKING BRAKE
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that
the transmission selector lever is securely latched in positionP.
To set the parking brake, press the parking brake pedal down until the
pedal stops.
The BRAKE warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate and
remains illuminated until the parking brake is released.
To release, pull the brake release lever located at the lower left side of
the instrument panel.
If you are parking your vehicle on a grade or with a trailer, press and
hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. There may be a
little vehicle movement as the parking brake sets to hold the vehicle’s
weight. This is normal and should be no reason for concern. If needed,
press and hold the service brake pedal down, then try reapplying the
parking brake. Chock the wheels if required. If the parking brake cannot
hold the weight of the vehicle, the parking brake may need to be
serviced or the vehicle may be overloaded.
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							PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of
traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system applies the brakes to individual
wheels and, when needed, reduces engine power at the same time. If the
wheels spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces, the system
reduces engine power in order to increase traction.
USING TRACTION CONTROL
(Dual rear wheel vehicles only)
In certain situations (for example, stuck in snow or mud), turning the
traction control off may be beneficial as this allows the wheels to spin
with full engine power.
Turn off the traction control system by pressing the
stability control button located on the instrument
panel.
If the system cannot be turned off, see theMyKey®chapter for more
information.
If traction control is on when your vehicle is put into four-wheel drive
mode (if equipped), the traction control system will be automatically
disabled. Traction control operation will resume when your vehicle is
placed back into two-wheel drive mode.
Engine Only Traction Control
(Dual rear wheel vehicles only)
Button functions TCS OFF indicator TCS
Default at start-up Not illuminated Enabled
Button pressed
momentarilyIlluminated Disabled
Button pressed again
after deactivationNot illuminated Enabled
Transfer case switched to
4WD
1Illuminated Disabled
1Engaging 4WD automatically disables TCS.
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							System indicator lights and messages
WARNING:If a failure has been detected within the Traction
Control System, the stability control light will illuminate steadily.
Verify that the Traction Control System was not manually disabled
using the stability control button. If the stability control light still
illuminates steadily, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer
immediately. Operating your vehicle with Traction Control disabled
could lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, personal injury and death.
The stability control light temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and flashes when a driving condition activates the
stability system.
The stability control off light temporarily illuminates on engine
start-up and stays on when the traction control system is
turned off or if a problem occurs in the stability system.
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							PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
WARNING:Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire
construction or wheel and tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac® system. In addition, installing any stereo
loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the AdvanceTrac®
system. Install any aftermarket stereo loudspeaker as far as possible
from the front center console, the tunnel, and the front seats in order
to minimize the risk of interfering with the AdvanceTrac® sensors.
Reducing the effectiveness of the AdvanceTrac® system could lead to
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
WARNING:Remember that even advanced technology cannot
defy the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a
vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions. Aggressive
driving on any road condition can cause you to lose control of your
vehicle increasing the risk of personal injury or property damage.
Activation of the AdvanceTrac® system is an indication that at least
some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this could
reduce the operator’s ability to control the vehicle potentially resulting
in a loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If
your AdvanceTrac® system activates, SLOW DOWN.
The AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ system helps you keep
control of your vehicle when on a slippery surface. The electronic
stability control portion of the system helps avoid skids and lateral slides
and roll stability control helps avoid a vehicle rollover. The traction
control system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of traction. See the
Traction Controlchapter for details on traction control system
operation.
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							AVehicle without AdvanceTrac®
with RSC® skidding off its intended
route.
BVehicle with AdvanceTrac® with
RSC® maintaining control on a
slippery surface.
USING ADVANCETRAC® WITH RSC®
(Single rear wheel vehicles only)
The system automatically activates when you start your engine. The
electronic stability control and roll stability control portions of the
system can be turned off below 35 mph (56 km/h) and are disabled
when the transmission is in positionR. The traction control portion of
the system can be turned off independently. See theTraction Control
chapter.
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® Features
(Single rear wheels only)
Button functionsStability
control
lightRSC® ESC TCS
Default at start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled Enabled
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							AdvanceTrac® with RSC® Features
(Single rear wheels only)
Button functionsStability
control
lightRSC® ESC TCS
Button pressed
momentarilyIlluminated
solidEnabled Enabled
1Disabled
Button pressed and
held for more than
5 seconds at vehicle
speed under 35 mph
(56 km/h)Flashes then
illuminated
solid
2Disabled Disabled Disabled
Vehicle speed
exceeds 35 mph
(56 km/h) after
button is pressed
and held for more
than 5 secondsIlluminated
solidEnabled Enabled
1Disabled
Button pressed again
after deactivationNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled Enabled
Transfer case
switched to 4WD
Low
3Illuminated Disabled Disabled Disabled
1Electronic stability control has reduced sensitivity compared to fully
active system.
2Lamp light starts blinking for four seconds after entering the press and
hold state.
3Engaging 4WD Low locked automatically disables roll stability control,
electronic stability control and the traction control system.
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							Hill descent control (if equipped)
Hill descent control allows the driver to set and maintain vehicle speed
while descending steep grades in various surface conditions.
WARNING:Hill descent control cannot control descent in all
surface conditions and circumstances, such as ice or extremely
steep grades. Hill descent control is a driver assist system and cannot
substitute for good judgment by the driver. Failure to do so may result
in loss of vehicle control, crash or serious injury.
Hill descent control can maintain vehicle speeds on downhill grades
between 2 mph (3 km/h) and 12 mph (20 km/h). Above 20 mph
(32 km/h), the system remains armed, but descent speed cannot be set
or maintained.
WARNING:Hill descent control does not provide hill hold at
zero mph (0 km/h). When stopped, the parking brake must be
applied and/or the vehicle must be placed in P (Park) or it may roll
away.
Hill descent control requires a cooling down interval after a period of
sustained use. The amount of time that the feature can remain active
before cooling varies with conditions. The system will provide a warning
in the message center and a chime will sound when the system is about
to disengage for cooling. At this time, manually apply the brakes as
needed to maintain descent speed.
Enabling hill descent control and setting the descent speed
1. Press and release the hill descent button located on
the instrument panel. A light in the cluster will
illuminate and chime will sound when this feature is
activated.
2. To increase descent speed, press the accelerator pedal until the
desired speed is reached. To decrease descent speed, press the brake
pedal until the desired speed is reached.
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							Whether accelerating or decelerating, once the desired descent speed is
reached, remove your feet from the pedals and the chosen vehicle speed
will be maintained.
Note:Noise from the ABS pump motor may be observed during hill
descent control operation. This is a normal characteristic of the ABS and
should be no reason for concern.
Hill descent modes
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC switch is pressed
and HDC is active, the HDC telltale will flash.
•At speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC switch is pressed
and conditions are not correct for hill descent activation, the HDC
system will be enabled, the light in the cluster will be on solid and
HILL DESCENT CONTROL READY will be displayed in the message
center.
•At speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h): When the HDC switch is pressed,
the HDC system will be enabled, the light in the cluster will not be
illuminated and FOR HILL CNTRL, 20 MPH OR LESS will be displayed
in the message center.
Refer toMessage centerin theInstrument Clusterchapter for hill
descent control messages.
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							SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, please read and
understand the limitations of the system as contained in this
section. Sensing is only an aid for some (generally large and fixed)
objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at parking speeds.
Traffic control systems, inclement weather, air brakes, and external
motors and fans may also affect the function of the sensing system; this
may include reduced performance or a false activation.
WARNING:To help avoid personal injury, always use caution
when in R (Reverse) and when using the sensing system.
WARNING:This system is not designed to prevent contact with
small or moving objects. The system is designed to provide a
warning to assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to
avoid damaging the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects,
particularly those close to the ground.
WARNING:Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches,
bike or surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the system, may create false beeps.
Note:Keep the sensors (located on the bumper/fascia) free from snow, ice
and large accumulations of dirt. If the sensors are covered, the system’s
accuracy can be affected. Do not clean the sensors with sharp objects.
Note:If your vehicle sustains damage to the bumper/fascia, leaving it
misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing inaccurate
measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with MyKey®, it is possible to prevent
turning the sensing system off. Refer to theMyKey®chapter.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a fully integrated electronic trailer
brake controller (TBC) and a trailer with electric trailer brakes is
connected to your vehicle, the RSS will be disabled. When the vehicle is
shifted into reverse, the message center display will remain in the Rear
Park Aid Off selection. For more information on the TBC, refer to the
Towingchapter.
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