Absurd owner's manual

[Mokume]

I've been thumbing through my 2020's printed owner's manual and have found it to riddled with mistakes and misinformation to the point of contacting Ford directly for an explanation.

Is it just me, or have other members noticed this as well?
Have you taken any steps for resolving this issue as I am considering?

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[Msfitoy]

Such as? I'm curious...I haven't read the manual

 

[dmeyer302]

Here’s a handful of errors

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I've been thumbing through my 2020's printed owner's manual and have found it to riddled with mistakes and misinformation to the point of contacting Ford directly for an explanation.

Is it just me, or have other members noticed this as well?
Have you taken any steps for resolving this issue as I am considering?

I have read the entire 2019 manual...There are errors and some omissions, but nothing as sever as you indicate. Wonder if 2020 is different. I was responsible for the owners manual sign off when head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering. It was an arduous task.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[Mokume]

I have read the entire 2019 manual...There are errors and some omissions, but nothing as sever as you indicate. Wonder if 2020 is different. I was responsible for the owners manual sign off when head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering. It was an arduous task.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

My point is that just the existence of a single error casts doubt about the accuracy of the entire publication. It appears that this manual was printed for global models and some poor soul(s) had the task of cutting and pasting information as it applies to US models.

For example, the section of the 2020 manual referred to as "Information Displays" pages 95-115 occasionally references footnote "1", yet in this entire section, there is no explanation given for this footnote. If it is there it's doing an excellent job of hiding...lol

I am compiling a list of what I have found and report back.

 

[Mokume]

considering most people dont read it, why put in the effort to have a perfect manual?
The trucks far from perfect.

I personally am too busy to desire placing the call to Ford to complain. God I wish I had nothing to do so that would be the highlight of my day.
My manual only comes out when common sense fails me and I can't figure it out with google.

You do as you please and I as well Sir...

 

[John Lyman]

Another reason to use things like this forum over an owners manual

 

[FULLSCALE]

I've never even opened my manual but I did read the quick reference book... might have to do that now though to try and find the errors!

 

[AzScorpion]

Another reason to use things like this forum over an owners manual

That's what I do. I've never read an owners manual,I just get in and start messing with stuff and if/when I can't figure it out I hop on a forum or YouTube.

 

[rang19ca]

I do read the manual but I always see some incorrect things and i expect I always will. The most blatant is the wrong filter numbers listed for the vehicle. In the past i have found incorrect engine air filter or HVAC filter numbers for other Ford vehicles.

 

[NVHoonigan]

I was honestly surprised when I actually got a hard copy manual. I was expecting it to be only available online like most other things these days.

 

[Tracy Bowman]

When I got my 2013 Hyundai Accent, I read the whole manual. No problem. When I got my beautiful 2019 Ford Ranger, I sat down to read my manual and felt like my brain was going to explode! Absolutely too much for this particular brain to take in. TMI(for me)!!!!! So much technology! Don't get me wrong...I love it! I'm just NOT a technical genius, mechanic, or engineer. Thank the Lord I do have a genius, technical, mechanic son who can help me out.

 

[John Lyman]

Do you remember back when the manual was thin and allowed for common sense - then lawyers and power stuff.

 

[Mokume]

When I got my 2013 Hyundai Accent, I read the whole manual. No problem. When I got my beautiful 2019 Ford Ranger, I sat down to read my manual and felt like my brain was going to explode! Absolutely too much for this particular brain to take in. TMI(for me)!!!!! So much technology! Don't get me wrong...I love it! I'm just NOT a technical genius, mechanic, or engineer. Thank the Lord I do have a genius, technical, mechanic son who can help me out.

Indeed, you are correct in the tremendous amount of 411 presented in the manual and for having such an asset as your son.
The last new Ford owner's manual I had to read was for my 2000 Ranger S/Cab.
About the only technology that "wowed" (and which I could truly understand) me on that thing were the "Battery Saver" feature and the timer which allowed you to operate accessories after shutting the ignition off.

Now, if you will excuse me it's time to grab a cold one and get back to that "space shuttle" manual...lol

 

[RedlandRanger]

I have to say, writing user friendly manuals does not seem to be Ford's strong point. Or maybe it is just they don't make the info easy to find. One thing that I never understood - in an index, when you look up something, why on earth does it refer you to something else? Why can't they just put a page number reference? Like I want to look for engine oil, I look for Oil Check and it says "See Engine Oil Check" - how hard is it to just put the page number for the "Engine Oil Check" under Oil Check? They knew people would be looking for it there. Geez..... Sorry for the rant.

Stuff like that, coupled with errors and omissions and sometimes just poorly written instructions makes the manual not terribly useful for me.

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