Ford F-150 (2018 year). Manual - part 56

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

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 does not provide
hill hold at zero miles per hour (0
kilometers per hour). When stopped,

you must apply the parking brake or place
the vehicle in P (Park), or it may roll away.

Hill descent control allows you to set and
maintain vehicle speed while descending
steep grades in various surface conditions.

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 you cannot use the system to
set or maintain the descent speed.

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 provides a
warning in the message center and a tone
sounds when the system is about to
disengage for cooling. At this time,
manually apply the brakes as needed to
maintain descent speed.

USING HILL DESCENT
CONTROL

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Press and release the hill
descent button on the
instrument panel. A light in the

cluster illuminates and a tone sounds
when you switch this on.

To increase descent speed, press the
accelerator pedal until you reach the speed
you desire.  To decrease descent speed,
press the brake pedal until you reach the
speed you desire.

When accelerating or decelerating, once
you reach the descent speed you desire,
remove your feet from the pedals and the
hill descent control maintains the vehicle
speed you chose.

Note: You may observe a noise from the
ABS pump motor during hill descent control
operation. This is a normal characteristic of
the ABS and is no reason for concern.

Hill descent modes

•

At speeds between 2 mph (3 km/h)
and 20 mph (32 km/h): When you
press this button, the light flashes
indicating this feature is active. Your
vehicle maintains the speed you desire
while in this mode.

•

At speeds between 20 mph (32 km/h)
and 40 mph (64 km/h): When you
press this button, the light is solid and
a message appears in the information
display indicating this feature is active.
Your vehicle does not maintain the
speed you desire and you cannot set
your descent speed.

•

At speeds above 40 mph (64 km/h):
When you press this button, the system
turns this feature off and no light or
message appears in the information
display. You need to switch this feature
back on to use.

Refer to the Information Displays for
additional hill descent control messages.
See Information Messages (page 122).

 (If Equipped)

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

WARNINGS

To help avoid personal injury, always
use caution when in reverse (R) and
when using the sensing system.

The system may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb reflection.
Always drive with due care and

attention. Failure to take care may result
in a crash.

Traffic control systems, inclement
weather, air brakes, external motors
and fans may affect the correct

operation of the sensing system.This may
cause reduced performance or false alerts.

The system may not detect small or
moving objects, particularly those
close to the ground.

Note: Certain add-on devices installed
around the bumper or fascia may create
false beeps. For example, large trailer
hitches, bike or surfboard racks, license plate
brackets, bumper covers or any other device
that may block the normal detection zone
of the system. Remove the add-on devices
to prevent the false beeps.

Note: Keep the sensors, located on the
bumper or 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 or 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™, the sensing system cannot be
turned off when a MyKey™ is present.  See
Principle of Operation (page 62).

Note: When a trailer is connected to the
vehicle, the rear parking aid may detect the
trailer and therefore provide warnings. It is
suggested that you disable the system when
a trailer is connected to the vehicle to
prevent these warnings.

The sensing system warns the driver of
obstacles within a certain range of your
vehicle. The system turns on automatically
whenever you switch the ignition on.

When receiving a detection warning, the
radio volume reduces to a predetermined
level. After the warning goes away, the
radio volume returns to the previous level.

The system can be switched off through
the information display menu or from the
pop-up message that appears once you
shift the transmission into reverse (R).  See
General Information (page 111).

If a fault is present in the system, a warning
message appears in the information
display and you cannot switch the system
on through the pop-up message.  See
Information Messages (page 122).

REAR PARKING AID

 (If Equipped)

The rear sensors are only active when the
transmission is in reverse (R). As your
vehicle moves closer to the obstacle, the
rate of the audible warning increases.
When the obstacle is less than 12 in
(30 cm) away, the warning sounds
continuously. If the system detects a
stationary or receding object farther than
12 in (30 cm) from the corners of the
bumper, the tone sounds for only three
seconds. Once the system detects an
object approaching, the warning sounds
again.

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Coverage area of up to 6 ft (1.8 m) from
the rear bumper. There may be decreased
coverage area at the outer corners of the
bumper.

The system detects certain objects while
the transmission is in reverse (R) :
•

Your vehicle is moving toward a
stationary object at a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.

•

Your vehicle is not moving, but a
moving object is approaching the rear
of your vehicle at a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) or less.

•

Your vehicle is moving at a speed of
less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and a moving
object is approaching the rear of your
vehicle at a speed of less than 3 mph
(5 km/h).

The system provides audio warnings only
when your vehicle is moving or when your
vehicle is stationary and the detected
obstacle is less than 12 in (30 cm) away
from the bumper.

Obstacle Distance Indicator

 (If

Equipped)

The system provides obstacle distance
indication through the display screen.  See
Rear View Camera (page 233).

ACTIVE PARK ASSIST

 (If Equipped)

Parallel Parking Assist

WARNINGS

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.

The sensors may not detect objects
in heavy rain or other conditions that
cause interference.

Active park assist does not apply the
brakes under any circumstances.

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.

Note: The Blind Spot Information System
does not detect traffic alongside or behind
your vehicle during an Active Park Assist
maneuver.

The system detects an available parallel
parking space and automatically steers
your vehicle into the space (hands-free)
while you control the accelerator, gearshift
and brakes. The system visually and
audibly guides you when parking your
vehicle.

If you are uncomfortable with the proximity
to any vehicle or object, you may choose
to override the system by grabbing the
steering wheel or by pressing the active
park assist button.

The system may not correctly operate in
any of the following conditions:
•

You use a spare tire or a tire
significantly worn more than the other
tires.

•

One or more tires are improperly
inflated.

•

You try to park on a tight curve.

•

Something passes between the front
bumper and the parking space. For
example, a pedestrian or cyclist.

•

The edge of the neighboring parked
vehicle is high off the ground. For
example, a bus, tow truck or flatbed
truck.

•

The weather conditions are poor.  For
example, during heavy rain, snow or
fog.

Note:  Keep the sensors on the bumper or
fascia free from snow, ice and large
accumulations of dirt.  Covered sensors can
affect the system's accuracy.  Do not clean
the sensors with sharp objects.

Note: The sensors may not detect objects
with surfaces that absorb ultrasonic waves
or cause ultrasonic interference. For
example, motorcycle exhaust, truck air
brakes or horns.

Note: Following a change in tire size, the
system must recalibrate and operation may
be impaired for a short time.

Do not use the system if:
•

You have attached a foreign object
close to the sensors on the front or rear
of your vehicle. For example, a bike rack
or trailer.

•

You attach an overhanging object to
the roof. For example, a surfboard.

•

A foreign object damages or obstructs
the front or rear bumper or side
sensors.

•

The correct tire size is not in use on your
vehicle. For example, a mini-spare tire.

Using Active Park Assist - Parallel
Parking

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Press the active park assist
button to search for a parallel
parking space. The display

screen shows a message and a
corresponding graphic to indicate it is
searching for a parking space. Use the
direction indicator to indicate which side
of your vehicle you want the system to
search.

When driving at a speed less than 22 mph
(35 km/h), the system automatically scans
both sides of your vehicle for an available
parking space. The system displays a
message and a corresponding graphic to
indicate it is searching for a parking space.
Use the direction indicator to select
searching either to the left-hand side or
right-hand side of your vehicle.

Note: If the direction indicators are not
used, the system defaults to the passenger
side of your vehicle.