Ford E-150 (2011 year). Manual — part 46

• Be sure that the engine block heater, heater cord and extension cord

are solidly connected. A poor connection can cause the cord to
become very hot and may result in an electrical shock or fire. Be sure
to check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system
has been operating for approximately a half hour.

• Finally, have the engine block heater system checked during your fall

tune-up to be sure it’s in good working order.

How to use the engine block heater

Ensure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use. To clean
them, use a dry cloth.

Depending on the type of factory installed equipment, your engine block
heater system may consume anywhere between 400 watts or 1000 watts
of power per hour. Your factory installed block heater system does not
have a thermostat; however, maximum temperature is attained after
approximately three hours of operation. Block heater operation longer
than three hours will not improve system performance and will
unnecessarily use additional electricity.

Make sure system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving the
vehicle. While not in use, make sure the protective cover seals the
prongs of the engine block heater cord plug.

BRAKES

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.

Refer to Warning lights and
chimes in the Instrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.

Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.

P

!

BRAKE

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Using ABS

When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces. However,
the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.

ABS warning lamp

The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.

Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately by an authorized dealer.

Parking brake

To set the parking brake (1), press
the parking brake pedal down until
the pedal stops.

To release, pull the lever (2).

WARNING: Always set the
parking brake fully and

make sure that the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).

The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.

ABS

P

!

BRAKE

P

!

BRAKE

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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. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.

TRACTION CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

Your vehicle may be equipped with a traction control system (TCS). This
system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle,
especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow or ice-covered roads
and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction in these conditions.

During TCS operation, the traction
control active light will flash and the
engine will not “rev-up” when you
press further on the accelerator.
This is normal system behavior and
should be no reason for concern.

WARNING: Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe

personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a traction
control event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road. This may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.

The TCS switch, located on the
center console, has a TCS OFF light
that illuminates steadily in the
instrument cluster when the system
is off. The TCS will automatically
turn on every time the ignition is
turned off and on. The TCS should
normally be left on.

If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the TCS off. This may allow excess wheel spin to
“dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful “rocking” maneuver.
Remember to switch the TCS back on once the vehicle is no longer stuck.

If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light and the TCS
OFF light will illuminate steadily in the instrument cluster, the TCS

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button will not turn the system on or off and your vehicle should be
serviced by an authorized dealer.

ADVANCETRAC

姞 WITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROL™ (RSC姞)

STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)

The AdvanceTrac

威 with RSC威 system provides the following stability

enhancement features for certain driving situations:
• Traction control system (TCS), which functions to help avoid

drive-wheel spin and loss of traction.

• Electronic stability control (ESC), which functions to help avoid skids

or lateral slides

• Roll Stability Control™ (RSC威), which functions to help avoid a

vehicle roll-over.

WARNING: Vehicle modifications involving braking system,
aftermarket roof racks, suspension, steering system, tire

construction and/or wheel/tire size may change the handling
characteristics of the vehicle and may adversely affect the performance
of the AdvanceTrac

威 with RSC威 system. In addition, installing any

stereo loudspeakers may interfere with and adversely affect the
AdvanceTrac

威 with RSC威 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

威 with RSC威 sensors. Reducing the effectiveness

of the AdvanceTrac

威 with RSC威 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

威 with RSC威 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

威 with RSC威 system

activates, SLOW DOWN.

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