MAXIMIZING YOUR DRIVING RANGE
Driving in Cold Weather
Keep your vehicle charged before heading out into cold weather.
Use the heated seats and steering wheel for comfort along with moderate cabin temperature and fan settings to reduce energy needed for climate control.
Preconditioning Your Vehicle
You can precondition your vehicle by using departure and comfort settings to warm or cool your cabin and the high voltage battery when your vehicle is plugged in. By using energy from your charging source prior to your departure, battery temperature can be managed for best driving performance and less energy will be needed for heating or cooling of the cabin at the start of your drive. This helps maximize your driving range. See Setting the Charging Schedule and Preferences.
Note: You can also access departure and comfort settings using the FordPass App.
Note: Lower cabin temperature settings on the climate control system results in better trip range.
Parking Your Vehicle
At temperatures just above the freezing point and lower, plug your vehicle in when not in use to maintain high voltage battery performance.
When possible park your vehicle under a covered area or in a garage. This will help to moderate temperatures which affect performance of the high voltage battery and require energy to heat or cool the cabin.
Driving Style
Range is reduced when driving aggressively or at consistently high speeds. Aggressive driving for extended periods could also result in reducing your battery’s efficiency and lifespan. Use the trip application on your touchscreen to see your driving scores. See Trip Data.
DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER
Pack a small supply kit with a 12 V jump box, blanket, snow scraper and gloves during winter.
We recommend winter tires with sufficient tread depth for traction.
Clear snow and ice from the roof, hood, all windows and mirrors. Remove piled up snow or ice from the wipers and washer nozzles. Allow time for windows to defrost and interior controls to warm up before driving.
Preconditioning Your Vehicle
You can precondition your vehicle to warm or cool your cabin and the high voltage battery when your vehicle is plugged in. You can charge your vehicle to the targeted level and also make sure your vehicle is at a comfortable temperature for the occupants.
Note: You can precondition your vehicle prior to your departure using the FordPass App.
Keep your vehicle fully charged before heading out into cold weather.
Note: In extreme climates you could experience reduced drive ranges or performance due to heating of the battery and cabin to the preferred temperature.
Note: Using seat heaters is more efficient for warming occupants than using the heat from the climate control.
Note: Lower cabin temperature settings on the climate control system results in better trip range.
COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS
The functional operation of some components and systems can be affected at temperatures below approximately -13°F (-25°C).
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.
DRIVING IN SAND
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid area of the trail. Shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly and avoid excessive wheel slip. Do not drive your vehicle in deep sand for an extended period of time. This could overheat the system. A message appears in the information display. See All-Wheel Drive – Information Messages.
Note: If your vehicle gets stuck in sand, it could be rocked out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
PERFORMANCE VEHICLE PRECAUTIONS
- Verify correct tire pressures.
- Inspect wheels and tires for wear and damage. Replace any damaged wheels or tires.
- Do not operate your vehicle at high speeds with more than two passengers or while carrying cargo.
- It is recommended to cross speed bumps or driveway inclines slowly and at a 45° angle to reduce the risk of vehicle damage.
- Do not drive through car washes with the vehicle heavily loaded with passengers or luggage.
- Use only commercial car washes without mechanical tracks or hand wash to avoid potential damage.
- Put your vehicle in stay in neutral mode when entering an automatic car wash. See What Is Temporary Neutral Mode.
DRIVING ON HILLY OR SLOPING TERRAIN
Although natural obstacles could make it necessary to travel diagonally up or down a hill or steep incline, you should try to drive straight up or straight down.
Note: Avoid turning on steep slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and possible vehicle roll over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand the route you can use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse over a hill without the aid of an observer.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much power causes the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, and you could lose control of your vehicle. When descending a steep hill, do not descend the hill in neutral. Avoid sudden hard braking to keep the front wheels rolling and to maintain your vehicle’s steering.
Note: Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not pump the brakes.
DRIVING THROUGH MUD AND WATER
Mud
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you are driving in mud. Even all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles can lose traction in mud. If your vehicle slides, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain control of your vehicle. After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires. Excess residue can cause an imbalance that could damage drive components.
Note: If your vehicle gets stuck in mud, it could be rocked out by shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Water
If you must drive through water approach it cautiously. See Driving Through Shallow Water.
EMERGENCY MANEUVERS
In an unavoidable emergency where you must make a sudden sharp maneuver, turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid the emergency. Apply smooth pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake pedal as needed. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration and braking changes. Abrupt changes could increase the risk of vehicle roll over, loss of vehicle control and personal injury. If possible, use any available road surfaces to bring your vehicle under control.
DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE
 WARNING: If you are driving in slippery conditions that require tire chains or cables, then it is critical that you drive cautiously. Keep speeds down, allow for longer stopping distances and avoid aggressive steering to reduce the chances of a loss of vehicle control which can lead to serious injury or death. If the rear end of your vehicle slides while cornering, steer in the direction of the slide until you regain control of your vehicle. |
On ice and snow, you should drive more slowly than usual. Your vehicle has a four wheel anti-lock brake system, do not pump the brake pedal. See Anti-Lock Braking System Limitations.