Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis (2017 year). Manual - part 9

Brake-Shift Interlock

WARNINGS

Do not drive your vehicle until you
verify that the brake lamps are
working.

If your brake lamps are not working
properly or if you have disconnected
the vehicle battery cables, the

vehicle brake lamps and hazard flashers
may not properly warn traffic of a vehicle
breakdown or approaching danger, which
can increase the risk of serious injury or
death. To minimize the risk of serious injury
or death, be aware of your surroundings,
use other hazard signaling devices if
available, and move the vehicle to a safe
location away from traffic as soon as
possible.

When doing this procedure, you will
be taking the vehicle out of park
which means the vehicle can roll

freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always fully set the parking
brake prior to doing this procedure. Use
wheel chocks if appropriate.

If the parking brake is fully released,
but the brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be

working properly. See your authorized
dealer.

Your vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift
interlock feature that prevents moving the
gearshift lever from park (P) when the
ignition is in the on position and the brake
pedal is not pressed.

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out
of park (P) position with the ignition in the
on position and the brake pedal pressed,
a malfunction may have occurred. It is
possible that a fuse has blown or your
vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating
properly.  See Fuse Specification Chart
(page 65).

If the fuse is not blown and the brake
lamps are working properly, the following
procedure will allow you to move the
gearshift lever from park (P):

1.

Apply the parking brake. Turn key to
the lock position, and then remove the
key.

2. Disconnect the negative (black)

battery cable from the battery.

3. Insert the key and turn to the off

position. Shift the transmission to
neutral (N).

4. Reconnect the negative (black) battery

cable to the battery.

5. Start the vehicle.

Note: See your authorized dealer as soon
as possible if this procedure is used.

If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mud
or Snow

Note: Do not rock your vehicle if the engine
is not at normal operating temperature or
damage to the transmission may occur.

Note: Do not rock your vehicle for more
than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the
engine may overheat.

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,
you may rock it out by shifting between
forward and reverse gears, stopping
between shifts in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each gear.

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 the
vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder
in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle 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 Cleaning the Alloy
Wheels (page 102).

E144522

See the Instrument Cluster
chapter 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

In the event the accelerator pedal
becomes stuck or entrapped, apply steady
and firm pressure to the brake pedal to
slow the 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 the
transmission into park (P), apply the
parking brake, and 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.

Hydraulic brake booster system
(Hydroboost or Hydromax)

The Hydroboost and Hydromax systems
receive fluid pressure from the power
steering pump to provide power assist
during braking.

The Hydromax booster receives backup
pressure from the reserve system electric
pump whenever the fluid in the power
steering system is not flowing. When the
engine is off, the pump will turn on if the
brake pedal is applied, or if the ignition is
turned to the on position.

The sound of the pump operating may be
heard by the driver, but this is a normal
characteristic of the system.

The reserve system provides reduced
braking power, so the vehicle should be
operated under these conditions with
caution, and only to seek service repair and
remove the vehicle from the roadway.

Note: For Hydromax-equipped vehicles
operating under normal conditions, the noise
of the fluid flowing through the booster may
be heard whenever the brake is applied. This
condition is normal. Vehicle service is not
required.

If braking performance or pedal response
becomes very poor, even when the pedal
is strongly pressed, it may indicate the
presence of air in the hydraulic system or
leakage of fluid. Stop the vehicle safely as
soon as possible and seek service
immediately.

HINTS ON DRIVING WITH
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

Note: When the system is operating, the
brake pedal may pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake
pedal. You may also hear a noise from the
system. This is normal.

The anti-lock braking system will not
eliminate the risks 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 the transmission
selector lever is placed in park (P).

Failure to set the parking brake and engage
park could result in vehicle roll-away,
property damage or bodily injury. Turn the
ignition to the lock position and remove
the key whenever you leave your vehicle.

Apply the parking brake whenever your
vehicle is parked.
•

For vehicles equipped with a foot
operated parking brake, press the pedal
downward to set the parking brake.

•

For vehicle equipped with a hand
operated parking brake, pull the
parking brake lever up to set the
parking brake.

E144522

The brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster illuminates
when the ignition is turned on

and the parking brake is applied.

The parking brake is not recommended to
stop a moving vehicle. However, if the
normal brakes fail, the parking brake can
be used to stop your vehicle in an
emergency. Your vehicle's stopping
distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.

To release the parking brake:
•

For vehicles equipped with a foot
operated parking brake, pull the
parking brake release lever.

•

For vehicles equipped with a hand
operated parking brake, push the
parking brake lever down.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Cruise control lets you maintain a set
speed without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. You can use cruise
control when your vehicle speed is greater
than 20 mph (30 km/h).

USING CRUISE CONTROL

WARNINGS

Do not use cruise control on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or when the
road surface is slippery. This could

result in loss of vehicle control, serious
injury or death.

When you are going downhill, your
vehicle speed may increase above
the set speed. The system will not

apply the brakes. Change down a gear to
assist the system in maintaining the set
speed. Failure to do so could result in loss
of vehicle control, serious injury or death.

Note: Cruise control will disengage if the
vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph
(16 km/h) below the set speed while driving
uphill.

E161518

The cruise controls are on the steering
wheel.

Switching Cruise Control On

Press and release ON.

E71340

The indicator displays in the
instrument cluster.

Setting the Cruise Speed

1.

Drive to desired speed.

2. Press and release SET ACCEL.

3. Take your foot off the accelerator

pedal.

Changing the Set Speed

•

Press and release SET ACCEL to
increase or COAST to decrease the set
speed. When You select km/h as the
display measurement in the
information display, the set speed
changes in approximately 2 km/h
increments. When you select mph as
the display measurement in the
information display, the set speed
changes in approximately 1 mph
increments.

•

Press the accelerator or brake pedal
until you reach the desired speed. Press
and release SET ACCEL.

•

Press and hold SET ACCEL to increase
or COAST to decrease the set speed.
Release the control when you reach
the desired speed.

Canceling the Set Speed

Tap the brake pedal. The set speed will
not erase.

Resuming the Set Speed

Press and release RES.

Switching Cruise Control Off

Press and release OFF when the system
is in stand by mode or switch the ignition
off.

Note: You erase the set speed when you
switch the system off.