2018 Ford F-350 Owners Manual - Driving Aids

Driving Aids

Equipped)

The system is designed to aid the driver. It is not intended to replace your attention and judgment. You are

still responsible to drive with due care and attention.

The system sensitivity and intensity can be adjusted through the display screen. See General Information (page 113). The system remembers the last selection. You do not need to readjust the setting each time you turn on your vehicle.

Sensitivity: This setting allows you to select where in the lane a warning is

provided. Increasing the sensitivity setting

Note: The system works as long as the camera can detect one lane marking at a speed above 40 mph (64 km/h).

Note: The system may not function if the camera is blocked or there is damage to the windshield.

The Lane Keeping System automatically detects and tracks the road lane markings using a camera mounted behind the interior review view mirror. The system notifies you to stay in your lane when the front camera detects an unintentional lane change is likely to occur.

Note: The system on or off setting is stored until it is manually changed, unless a MyKey

moves the warning zones in closer to your vehicle.

Normal

Increased

is detected. If the system detects a MyKey, it defaults to on and the mode is set to alert.

Note: If a MyKey is detected, pressing the button will not affect the on or off status of the system. You can only change the mode and intensity settings.

Press the button located on the center console to switch the system on or off.

Note: The alert diagram illustrates general

zone coverage. It does not provide exact zone parameters.

Intensity: This setting affects the intensity of the steering wheel vibration. Increasing the intensity causes a higher rate of haptic feedback.

High

Normal

Low

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When you switch on the system, an overhead graphic of a vehicle with lane markings appears in the display screen.

Note: The overhead vehicle graphic may still display if adaptive cruise control is enabled.

While the system is on, the color of the lane markings change to indicate the system status.

Gray: Indicates that the system is temporarily unable to provide a warning on the indicated side(s). This may be because:

Your vehicle is under the activation speed.

Your turn indicator is active.

Your vehicle is in a dynamic maneuver.

The road has no or poor lane markings in the camera field-of-view.

The camera is obscured or unable to detect the lane markings due to environmental conditions (significant sun angles, shadows, snow, heavy rain, fog), traffic conditions (following a large vehicle that is blocking or shadowing the lane), or vehicle conditions (poor headlamp illumination).

See Troubleshooting for additional information.

Green: Indicates that the system is available or ready to provide a warning on the indicated side(s).

Red: Indicates that the system is providing or has just provided a lane keeping alert warning.

You can temporarily disable the system at any time by doing the following:

Quick braking.

Fast acceleration.

Using your direction indicator.

Evasive steering maneuver.

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SYSTEM (If Equipped)

Do not use the blind spot information system as a replacement for using the interior and exterior mirrors or

looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. The blind spot information system is not a replacement for careful driving.

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The Blind Spot Information System is designed to aid you in detecting vehicles that may have entered the blind spot zone (A). The detection area is on both sides of your vehicle, extending rearward from the exterior mirrors to approximately 13 ft

(4 m) beyond the bumper. The system is designed to alert you if certain vehicles enter the blind spot zone while driving.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System does not prevent contact with other vehicles or objects; nor detect parked vehicles, people, animals or infrastructure (fences, guardrails, trees). It is only designed to alert you to moving vehicles in the blind spot zones.

Note: When a vehicle passes quickly through the blind spot zone, typically fewer than two seconds, the system does not trigger.

The Blind Spot Information System turns on when you start the engine and you drive your vehicle forward above 5 mph

(8 km/h).

For automatic transmissions, the Blind Spot Information System remains on while the transmission is in drive (D). If shifted into reverse (R) or park (P) the Blind Spot Information System turns off. Once shifted back into drive (D), the Blind Spot Information System turns back on when you drive your vehicle above 5 mph

(8 km/h).

Note: For automatic transmissions, the Blind Spot Information System does not function in reverse (R) or park (P).

For manual transmissions, the Blind Spot Information System is on for all gears except reverse (R).

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The Blind Spot Information System illuminates an amber alert indicator in the outside mirror on the side of your vehicle the approaching vehicle is coming from. When the Blind Spot Information System is alerting on a vehicle and the corresponding turn signal is ON, the Blind Spot Information System alert indicator flashes as an increased warning level.

The alert indicator dims when the system detects nighttime darkness.

Note: The alert indicator flashes in case of an alert and the turn signal is set to that side at the same time.

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The system uses radar sensors that are located inside the tail lamp on each side of your vehicle. Any dirt, mud and snow in front of the sensors or driving in heavy rain can cause system degradation. Also, other types of obstructions in front of the sensor can cause system degradation. This is referred to as a ‘blocked’ condition.

Note: Do not apply bumper stickers and/or repair compound to these areas, this can cause degraded system performance.

If the system detects a degraded performance condition, a message warning appears in the display screen. The alert indicators remain ON and the system no longer provides any warnings. You can clear the warning but the alert indicators remain illuminated.

A "blocked" condition can be cleared in two ways:

After the blockage in front of the sensors is removed or the rainfall/snowfall rate decreases or stops, drive for a few minutes in traffic to allow the sensors to detect passing vehicles.

By cycling the ignition from ON to OFF and then back ON.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a factory equipped trailer tow module and it is towing a trailer, the sensors will automatically turn the Blind Spot Information System off. If your vehicle has a tow bar but no factory equipped trailer tow module, it is recommended to turn the Blind Spot Information System off manually. Operating the Blind Spot Information System without the Blind Spot Trailer Tow package and a trailer attached will cause poor system performance.

The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow is designed to aid you in detecting vehicles that may have entered the detection area zone (A). 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 a trailer is attached and the customer has set up a Blind Spot Trailer, the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow becomes active when driving forward above 6 mph (10 km/h). See Trailer Reversing Aids (page 274).

The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow can be turned off in the instrument cluster. If the Blind Spot Information System is turned off, then the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow automatically turns off.

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Trailer length

Trailer width

Trailer hitch ball

You can set-up any trailer to work with the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow through the instrument cluster menu. See General Information (page 113).

While setting up a trailer, a sequence of screens appear asking for trailer information. The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow specific screens are described below:

Select type of trailer screen - Conventional, fifth wheel or gooseneck.

The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow only supports conventional trailers. If fifth wheel or gooseneck is selected, the system automatically turns off.

Do you want to set up BLIS with trailer screen?

If no, the Blind Spot Information System turns off.

If yes, the menu goes to the next screen.

Is the width less than 9 ft (2.7 m) and length less than 33 ft (10.1 m)?

If no, the Blind Spot Information System turns off.

If yes, the menu goes to the next screen.

Trailer width measurement:

The width of the trailer is measured at the front of the trailer. It is not measured at the widest point of the trailer. The maximum width at the front of the trailer that the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow can support is 8.5 ft (2.6 m).

Note: You do not need to enter an exact trailer width measurement; just measure that it is 8.5 ft (2.6 m) or less.

Trailer length measurement:

The trailer length is the distance between the trailer hitch ball and the rear of the trailer. The maximum length that the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow can support is 33 ft (10.1 m).

Enter length of trailer:

The default setting is 18 ft (5.5 m). Toggling up or down using the menu buttons will increase/decrease the measurement by 3 ft (1 m). Select the length so that the value is equal to or within 3 ft (1 m) of the actual measured length. For example, if the actual measured length is 25 ft (7.6 m), then toggle the length in the menu to 27 ft (8.2 m). When the length has been entered, the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow setup is saved.

If you do not set up a Blind Spot Trailer, a warning appears in the instrument cluster when a trailer is connected stating that the system has been turned off due to a trailer connect.

Note: If the trailer is actually a bike rack or cargo rack with electrical lighting, then the length will be 3 ft (1 m). Cross Traffic Alert will remain on for trailers 3 ft (1 m) or less.

Note: Proper measurement and measurement entry is required for Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow to function as designed.

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If you select a trailer in the display screen prior to connecting the trailer, the system will load that configuration and the information cluster displays a message when the trailer is connected. A second message appears stating Cross Traffic Alert has been turned off; the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow still functions normally when driving forward.

If no trailer has been set up and a trailer is connected, the instrument cluster provides a message indicating a trailer is connected followed by a message asking to select a trailer from the existing list of trailers or to add a trailer. In order for the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow to function, an existing trailer must be selected or a new trailer must be added. If the request is ignored or if you exit the screen, a message appears prompting you that the system has been turned off due to a trailer connect. This message may not appear until your vehicle speed reaches 22 mph (35 km/h).

The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow activates when driving forward for that particular trailer set up. If the ignition is cycled, the Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow continues to function using the last trailer selected.

The Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Tow is designed to work with any trailer whose front width is 8.5 ft (2.6 m) or less and total length from the trailer hitch ball to the rear of the trailer is 33 ft (10.1 m) or less. Different trailers may cause a slight change in performance as outlined below.

Large box trailers may cause false alerts to trigger when driving next to buildings or near parking cars. A false alert may also occur while making a 90-degree turn.

Trailers that are 8.5 ft (2.6 m) wide at the front and have a total length greater than 20 ft (6 m) may have delayed alerts from passing vehicles when the vehicle is passing at high speed.

A box trailer whose front width is 8.5 ft (2.6 m) may cause early alerts when you are over taking a vehicle.

When towing a clam shell or V-Nose box trailer with a front width of 8.5 ft (2.6 m), delayed alerts on merging vehicles that are traveling the same speed as your vehicle may occur.

If the system senses a problem with the left or right sensor, the telltale illuminates and a message appears in the display screen. See Information Messages (page 129).

You can temporarily switch the Blind Spot Information System off in the display screen. See General Information (page 113). When the Blind Spot Information System switches off, you do not receive alerts and the display screen shows a system off message. The telltale in the cluster also illuminates. When you switch the Blind Spot Information System on or off, the alert indicators flash twice.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System remembers the last selected on or off setting.

You can also have the Blind Spot Information System switched off permanently at an authorized dealer. Once switched off permanently, the system can only be switched back on at an authorized dealer.

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Equipped)

Do not use the cross traffic alert system as a replacement for using the interior and exterior mirrors or

looking over your shoulder before reversing out of a parking space. The cross traffic alert system is not a replacement for careful driving.

Cross Traffic Alert turns on when you start the engine and you shift into reverse (R). Once shifted out of reverse (R), Cross Traffic Alert turns off.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to detect vehicles that approach the rear of your vehicle with a speed up to 37 mph

(60 km/h). Coverage decreases when the sensors are partially, mostly or fully obstructed. Reversing slowly helps

increase the coverage area and

Note: When a trailer is detected, Cross Traffic Alert automatically turns off.

Cross Traffic Alert is designed to warn you of vehicles approaching from the sides when the transmission is in reverse (R).

effectiveness.

In this first example, the left sensor is only partially obstructed; zone coverage to the right is nearly maximized.

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Zone coverage also decreases when parking at shallow angles. Here, the left sensor is mostly obstructed; zone coverage on that side is severely limited.

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The Cross Traffic Alert illuminates an amber alert indicator in the outside mirror on the side of your vehicle the approaching vehicle is coming from. Cross Traffic Alert also sounds an audible alert and a message appears in the display screen indicating a vehicle is coming from the right or left. Cross Traffic Alert works with the reverse sensing system that sounds its own series of tones. See Rear Parking Aid (page 235).

The system uses radar sensors that are located in the tail lamp on each side of your vehicle. Do not allow mud, snow or bumper stickers to obstruct these areas, this can cause degraded system performance. See Blind Spot Information System (page 252). If the Blind Spot Information System is blocked, Cross Traffic Alert is also blocked. A Cross Traffic Alert blocked message appears in the display screen when the transmission is shifted into reverse (R).

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Cross Traffic Alert has its limitations; situations such as severe weather conditions or debris build-up on the sensor area may limit vehicle detection and cause false alerts.

The following are other situations that may limit the Cross Traffic Alert performance:

Adjacently parked vehicles or objects obstructing the sensors.

Approaching vehicles passing at speeds greater than 37 mph (60 km/h).

Driving in reverse faster than 7 mph (12 km/h).

Backing out of an angled parking spot.

Note: If your vehicle has a tow bar with a factory equipped trailer tow module and it is towing a trailer, the sensors will automatically turn the Cross Traffic Alert off. If your vehicle has a tow bar but no factory equipped trailer tow module, it is recommended to turn the Cross Traffic Alert off manually. Operating Cross Traffic Alert with a trailer attached will cause poor Cross Traffic Alert performance.

Note: The system may illuminate the amber alert indicator and sound the audible alert during heavy rain even though no vehicle is approaching from left or right.

There may be certain instances when there is a false alert by the Cross Traffic Alert system that illuminates the alert indicator with no vehicle in the coverage zone. Some amount of false alerts are normal; they are temporary and self-correct.

If Cross Traffic Alert senses a problem with the left or right sensor a message appears in the display screen. See Information Messages (page 129).

Note: The Cross Traffic Alert switches on whenever the ignition is switched on and ready to provide appropriate alerts when the transmission is in reverse (R). Cross Traffic Alert will not remember the last selected on or off setting.

You can temporarily switch Cross Traffic Alert off in the information display. See General Information (page 113). When you switch Cross Traffic Alert off, you do not receive alerts and the display screen shows a system off message.

You can also have Cross Traffic Alert switched off permanently at an authorized dealer. Once switched off permanently, the system can only be switched back on at an authorized dealer.

To help prevent damage to the power steering system:

Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it stops) for more than three seconds when the engine is running.

Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level (below the MIN mark on the reservoir).

Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.

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Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused by low power steering fluid. Check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.

Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.

If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:

an improperly inflated tire

uneven tire wear

loose or worn suspension components

loose or worn steering components

improper vehicle alignment

If any steering components are serviced or replaced, install new fasteners (many are coated with thread adhesive or have prevailing torque features which may not be re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.

Torque fasteners to specifications.

A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering seem to wander or pull.

Note: The adaptive steering system has diagnostic checks that continuously monitor the system. If a fault is detected a message displays in the information display. If a red warning message displays, stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. The message may clear if the fault is no longer present. If an adaptive steering system warning message appears each time you start your vehicle, have the system checked as soon as possible.

The adaptive steering system continually changes the steering ratio with changes to vehicle speed, optimizing the steering response in all conditions. The system also changes when you switch on the transmission tow/haul feature. When you select the tow/haul button, the adaptive steering system reduces vehicle sensitivity to steering inputs at higher vehicle speeds, while maintaining the ease of parking and maneuverability at low speeds.

Note: The adaptive steering system is designed with a locking device. With the lock engaged, the adaptive steering system remains mechanically locked at a fixed steering ratio. You may also notice a click when you switch the vehicle on or after you switch it off, as the lock disengages or engages.

Note: If your vehicle loses electrical power or detects a fault when you are driving, the system automatically shuts down and you retain normal steering function with a fixed steering ratio. During this time it is possible that the steering wheel may not be straight when the vehicle is driving straight ahead. In addition, the driver may notice that the steering wheel angle required to steer the vehicle may be different.

Note: During parking maneuvers, the adaptive steering system balances the driver work load for various steering wheel inputs and vehicle loading conditions. Under extreme operating conditions the system locking device may engage. This strategy prevents overheating and permanent damage to the adaptive steering system. Typical steering and driving maneuvers allow the system to cool and return to normal operation.

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(If Equipped)

This system is an extra driving aid. It does not replace your attention and judgment, or the need to apply the

brakes. This system does NOT automatically brake your vehicle. If you fail to press the brake pedal when necessary, you may collide with another vehicle.

The collision warning system with brake support cannot help prevent all collisions. Do not rely on this

system to replace your judgment and the need to maintain correct distance and speed.

Note: The system does not detect, warn or respond to potential collisions with vehicles to the rear or sides of your vehicle.

Note: The collision warning system is active at speeds above approximately 5 mph

(8 km/h).

Note: The collision warning system will be unavailable if you disable the electronic stability control. See Using Stability Control (page 231).

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The system alerts you of certain collision risks. The system's sensor detects your vehicle's rapid approach to other vehicles traveling in the same direction as your vehicle.

When your vehicle rapidly approaches another vehicle, a red warning light flashes and a tone sounds.

The brake support system assists you in reducing any collision speed by

pre-charging the brakes. If the risk of collision continues to increases after the audio-visual warning, the brake support prepares the brake system for rapid braking. The system does not automatically activate the brakes, but if the brake pedal is pressed even lightly, the brakes apply full stopping power.

The collision warning system’s brake support reduces collision speed only if you brake your vehicle before any

collision. As in any typical braking situation, you must press your brake pedal.

You can use your information display control to adjust the collision warning system's sensitivity or to turn the system On or Off. Your vehicle will remember these settings across key cycles. You may change the collision warning system sensitivity to any one of three possible settings. See General Information (page 113).

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Note: It is recommended that you turn the collision warning system off if a snow plow or similar object is installed in such a way that it may block the radar sensor. Your vehicle will remember the selected setting across key cycles.

Note: When possible, the manufacturer recommends using the highest sensitivity setting. If warnings are too frequent, you can reduce your system's sensitivity. Reduced sensitivity causes fewer and later system warnings. See General Information (page 113).

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If a blocked sensor message appears in the information display, dirt, water, or an object is blocking the sensor. The sensor is located behind a cover near the driver side of the lower grille. If anything blocks the sensor, your vehicle cannot see through the sensor, and the collision warning system will not work. Possible causes for the blocked sensor message and corrective actions are listed below.

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The collision warning system’s brake support only reduces collision speed if you first apply your brakes. You

must brake as you would in any typical braking situation.

Due to the nature of radar technology, there may be certain instances where vehicles do not provide a collision warning. These include:

Stationary vehicles or vehicles moving below 6 mph (10 km/h).

Pedestrians or objects in the roadway.

Oncoming vehicles in the same lane.

Severe weather conditions (see blocked sensor section).

Debris build-up on the grille near the headlamps (see blocked sensor section).

Small distance to vehicle ahead.

Large steering wheel and pedal movements (very active driving style).

Damage to the front end of your vehicle may alter the radar sensor's coverage area. This may result in missed or false collision warnings. Have an authorized dealer check your radar sensor for proper coverage and operation.

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