Absurd owner's manual

[deeve]

I do not have the patience and more importantly the skill to find every mistake in the owner's manual but Ford should appreciate that someone took the time to do it and send it in.

I agree with above...in today's age an electronic manual based on your VIN should be available via the "infotainment" and the app. That would be a heck of a lot easier to update too. There probably still should be a paper version too.

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[Zaph]

I haven't opened the manual. Expect it to be pretty worthless. The only thing I'd want to know more about is Sync voice commands and I doubt that is to the extent that I am looking for that will help me work around the quirks of the system.

 

[r1ch999999]

I’ve written manuals, when you have a ton of changes it’s easier to say “See Oil Change Interval” because that name won’t change but the page number it references will. Then you only have to correct/check on one page. Granted, it’s probably a throwback to old software that wouldn’t auto update page numbers, but that’s why we did that.

My manual tells me how to shift manual transmissions. I would have loved a manual.

 

[mrphixit]

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.

The manual on line and in print are junk. Every other word is "this applies to some model/version you may not have. These added items make the manual twice as big as it needs to be. Hire a tech writer to create a manual for the $40k Lariat.

 

[J Haggerty (RADAR1)]

I always like to check the towing restrictions in the manual. Unfortunately, there are lots of contradictions in my manual regarding towing.

When towing a trailer:

- Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h) even if a country allows higher speeds under certain conditions. (I can only tow at 62 MPH or slower???)

- Reduce the stipulated maximum permitted gross combination mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).(I suspect this is a typo since the F-150 mentions 2% vs 10%) (My gross combination mass is 12,250 lbs, so a 40% reduction in Denver would drop that to 7,350 gross combination mass on my 6,050 GVWR truck and limit me to a 1,300 lb trailer if truck is loaded???)

- Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

- Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 mi (800 km). (Can't tow before 1,000 miles and can't exceed 62 MPH per prior notes, but it's OK to go faster than 70 MPH at 500 miles???)

 

[Mokume]

I always like to check the towing restrictions in the manual. Unfortunately, there are lots of contradictions in my manual regarding towing.

When towing a trailer:

- Do not exceed 62 mph (100 km/h) even if a country allows higher speeds under certain conditions. (I can only tow at 62 MPH or slower???)

- Reduce the stipulated maximum permitted gross combination mass by 10% for every additional 1,000 ft (300 m) in high altitude regions above 1,000 ft (300 m).(I suspect this is a typo since the F-150 mentions 2% vs 10%) (My gross combination mass is 12,250 lbs, so a 40% reduction in Denver would drop that to 7,350 gross combination mass on my 6,050 GVWR truck and limit me to a 1,300 lb trailer if truck is loaded???)

- Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).

- Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 mi (800 km). (Can't tow before 1,000 miles and can't exceed 62 MPH per prior notes, but it's OK to go faster than 70 MPH at 500 miles???)

You've obviously delved deeper into the manual than I have, the contradictions you've posted are hilarious. It's almost like those Asian descriptions of their products we've all seen on Amazon:

"You will be happy if you kindly do not go faster than 62 mph when towing please" "Many Happy results if you do not go faster than 70 mph at 500 miles"

and so on and so forth...I suspect Ford will someday need to re-write the entire publication

 

[Gerder]

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!

U did good not touching it cause of it‘s poor binding. Mine looses pages after using it 3 times...

 

[THLONE]

Truth in advertising went out the window long ago. You can haul xxxx amount in big letters and in tiny letters except la la la la. Your experience may differ from others Bla Bla Bla. Marketing bloats the figures and lawyers cover their butts.

 

[DMK45]

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.

Far from perfect?....tho better than others out there in midsize class!

 

[ALHO1966]

You sure do have a lot of time on your hands.

 

[Art S]

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?

The main error that really pissed me off and if m wondering maybe a class action law suit may be in order. The manual states that the #73 axle code is a limited slip axle. Well I found out it is not, it is actually an open axle. I wanted the limited slip and that was the be of my factors in buying the Ranger so I asked the salesman. Well he went threw the owners manual and said it’s definitely a limited slip axle. This is really not good for us Ford customers to say the least.

 

[Mokume]

The main error that really pissed me off and if m wondering maybe a class action law suit may be in order. The manual states that the #73 axle code is a limited slip axle. Well I found out it is not, it is actually an open axle. I wanted the limited slip and that was the be of my factors in buying the Ranger so I asked the salesman. Well he went threw the owners manual and said it’s definitely a limited slip axle. This is really not good for us Ford customers to say the least.

Curious here, where in the owner's manual are you referring to concerning the axle code? Yours is a 2019, I am reasonably certain that the 2020 owner's manual would state the same, unless Ford realized their mistake and removed it (highly doubtful).

My 2020 S/Cab is optioned with the FX-2 package, the electronic locking differential is included in this package, the vehicle information plate attached to the front edge of the left rear door states the axle code as "73". Inspection of the third member on my truck confirmed the existence of the ELD solenoid connector on the right side of the "pumpkin".

The 2019 shop manual also states (many Thanks Leafer!):

Axle Type The following lists the available axle ratios and associated codes:
71 - 3.73 ratio, Conventional differential
73 - 3.73 ratio, ELD

This confirms that axle code "73" is indeed a locking differential.

 

[J Haggerty (RADAR1)]

Curious here, where in the owner's manual are you referring to concerning the axle code? Yours is a 2019, I am reasonably certain that the 2020 owner's manual would state the same, unless Ford realized their mistake and removed it (highly doubtful).

My 2020 S/Cab is optioned with the FX-2 package, the electronic locking differential is included in this package, the vehicle information plate attached to the front edge of the left rear door states the axle code as "73". Inspection of the third member on my truck confirmed the existence of the ELD solenoid connector on the right side of the "pumpkin".

The 2019 shop manual also states (many Thanks Leafer!):

Axle Type The following lists the available axle ratios and associated codes:
71 - 3.73 ratio, Conventional differential
73 - 3.73 ratio, ELD

This confirms that axle code "73" is indeed a locking differential.

Too bad they don't have a 72 axle though; then it would be;
71 - 3.73 ratio, Conventional differential
72 - 3.73 ratio, Limited Slip
73 - 3.73 ratio, ELD

I have the 73 - ELD but it's just not the same as Limited Slip. It suits my needs though, which is to be able to pull my camper out of a slippery situation at slow speed if needed. Would also work well on a slippery boat ramp.

 

[Mokume]

How this "gem" of information concerning "type 2" taillight assembly's? Looks just like the ones my '81 F-150 Flareside had !

 

[RedlandRanger]

How this "gem" of information concerning "type 2" taillight assembly's? Looks just like the ones my '81 F-150 Flareside had !

I'm thinking those must be if you have a bed delete option - but that is just a guess.

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