Ford F-150 (2018 year). Manual - part 76

Four-wheel Drive Vehicles

You can only tow a four-wheel drive
vehicle with all wheels on the ground by
placing the transfer case in its neutral
position and engaging the
four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform
the steps outlined in the following section
after positioning your vehicle behind the
tow vehicle and properly securing them
together.

Note: Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.

Four-wheel-down Towing

1.

Put the ignition in the on position, but
do not start the engine. If your vehicle
has an ignition key, turn the key to on.
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine START/STOP button
once without pressing the brake pedal.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to

2H.

4. Shift the transmission to position N.

5. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch

from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five
times within seven seconds.

Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows NEUTRAL TOW
LEAVE IN N or NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED
LEAVE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.

Note: If you do not see the message in the
display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.

Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts into its neutral position.
This is normal.

6. Leave the transmission in position N

and turn the ignition as far as it will go
toward the off position (it will not turn
fully off when the transmission is in
position N). If your vehicle has an
ignition key, you must leave the key in
the ignition while towing. To lock and
unlock your vehicle, use the keyless
entry keypad or extra set of keys. If your
vehicle has intelligent access, press the
engine START/STOP button once
without pressing the brake pedal. You
do not need to leave your keys in the
vehicle. You can lock and unlock your
vehicle as you normally do.

7.

Release the brake pedal.

WARNINGS

Do not disconnect the battery during
recreational towing. Doing so will
prevent the transfer case from

shifting properly and may cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is in P
(Park).

Shifting the transfer case to its
neutral position for recreational
towing may cause the vehicle to be

able to roll even if the transmission is in P
(Park). The driver or others could be
injured. Make sure the foot brake is
depressed and the vehicle is in a secure
and safe position while the transfer case
is being shifted to its neutral position.

Failing to put the transfer case in its
neutral position will damage vehicle
components.

Note: You can check four-wheel-down
towing status at any time by opening the
driver's door or turning the ignition to the
accessory or on position and verifying the
NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED message
displays in the cluster.

To exit four-wheel-down towing and return
the transfer case to its 2H position:

1.

With your vehicle still properly secured
to the tow vehicle, put the ignition in
the on position, but do not start the
engine. If your vehicle has an ignition
key, turn the key to on. If your vehicle
has intelligent access, press the engine
START/STOP button once without
pressing the brake pedal.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Shift the transmission out of N and into

any gear.

4. Release the brake pedal.

Note: If completed successfully, the
instrument cluster displays 4X2, and
NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.

Note: If the indicator light and message do
not display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.

Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts out of its neutral
position. This is normal.

Note: If SHIFT DELAY PULL FORWARD
displays in the instrument cluster, transfer
case gear tooth blockage is present. See the
instructions after this section.

5. Apply the parking brake, and then

disconnect the vehicle from the tow
vehicle.

6. Release the parking brake, start the

engine, and shift the transmission to
position D to make sure the transfer
case is out of position N.

7.

If the transfer case does not
successfully shift out of position N, set
the parking brake until you can have
your vehicle serviced.

Resolving the SHIFT DELAY PULL
FORWARD Message

If the instrument cluster displays SHIFT
DELAY PULL FORWARD perform the
following:

1.

Press and hold the brake pedal.

2. Put the transmission into position N,

and then start the engine.

3. With the engine running, shift the

transmission to position D and let the
vehicle roll forward, up to 3 feet (1
meter). You may hear an audible noise
as the transfer case shifts out of its
neutral position. This is normal.

4. Make sure the instrument cluster

displays NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.

BREAKING-IN

You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.

Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km). Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.

Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi
(1,600 km).

ECONOMICAL DRIVING

Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.

You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
•

Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.

•

Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.

•

Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.

•

Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.

•

Close the windows for high-speed
driving.

•

Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).

•

Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.

•

Use the recommended engine oil.

•

Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.

Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
•

Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.

•

Revving the engine before turning it off.

•

Idle for periods longer than one minute.

•

Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.

•

Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.

•

Use the speed control in hilly terrain.

•

Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.

•

Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a
trailer.

•

Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).

•

Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.

Conditions
•

Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.

•

Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.

•

To maximize the fuel economy, drive
with the tonneau cover installed (if
equipped).

•

Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.

•

Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first
7,500–10,000 mi (12,000–16,000 km)
of driving.

•

Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.

•

Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.

•

Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.

•

Close the windows for high-speed
driving.

OFF-ROAD DRIVING

In addition to providing an excellent
on-road driving experience, your vehicle
excels at all types of off-road driving. The
truck has been designed and equipped to
allow you to explore those places where
the road doesn’t take you whether it’s a
forest trail or the open desert. Before going
off-roading, consult with your local
governmental agencies to determine
designated off-road trails and recreation
areas. Also, be sure to understand any
off-road vehicle registration requirements
for the area in which you plan on driving.

Tread Lightly is an educational program
designed to increase public awareness of
land-use regulations and responsibilities
in our nation’s wilderness areas. Ford joins
the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help
preserve our national forest and other
public and private lands by treading lightly.

Before taking your vehicle off-roading, a
basic vehicle inspection should be done to
make sure that the vehicle is in top working
condition.

It is always recommended that at least
two vehicles are used while off-roading.
The buddy system helps make sure that
help is close at hand should a vehicle
become stuck or damaged. It is also wise
to take supplies such as a first aid kit,
supply of water, tow strap, cell or satellite
phone with you any time an off-road
excursion is planned.

Basic Off-road Driving Techniques

•

Grip the steering wheel with thumbs
on the outside of the rim. This will
reduce the risk of injury due to abrupt
steering wheel motions that occur
when negotiating rough terrain. Do not
grip the steering wheel with thumbs
inside the rim.

•

Throttle, brake and steering inputs
should be made in a smooth and
controlled manner. Sudden inputs to
the controls can cause loss of traction
or upset the vehicle, especially while
on sloped terrain or while crossing
obstacles such as rocks or logs.

•

Look ahead on your route noting
upcoming obstacles, surface texture
or color changes or any other factors
which may indicate a change in
available traction, and adjust the
vehicle speed and route accordingly.
During pre-run, mark obstacles with
GPS markers to make sure appropriate
speeds are used to avoid potential
vehicle damage.

•

When driving off-road, if the front or
rear suspension is bottoming out
and/or excessive contact with the
skid-plates is encountered, reduce
vehicle speed to avoid potential
damage to the vehicle.

•

When running with other vehicles, it is
recommended that communication is
used, and the lead vehicle notify other
vehicles of obstacles that could cause
potential vehicle damage.