Four-Wheel Drive for Your Ford Kuga SUV Second Generation (2013-2018)

Four-Wheel Drive(If Equipped)  
Note: It is recommended that you reinstall  
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION  
the repaired tire or replace the tire as soon  
as possible. Major dissimilar tire sizes  
between the front and rear axles could  
cause system damage or default the system  
to front-wheel drive.  
This system is a proactive system. It has  
the ability to anticipate wheel slip and  
transfer torque to the rear wheels before  
slip occurs. Even when wheel slip is not  
present, the system is continuously making  
adjustments to the torque distribution, in  
an attempt to improve straight line and  
cornering behavior, both on and off road.  
The system gives your vehicle some limited  
off-road capabilities. Operating your  
vehicle in conditions other than moderate  
sand, snow, mud or rough roads could  
subject it to excessive stress and heat  
which could result in system damage. This  
will not be covered by your vehicle  
warranty.  
The system automatically turns on every  
time you switch the ignition on.  
All components of the system are sealed  
and do not require maintenance.  
USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE  
Note: When a system malfunction is  
present, a warning message will be  
displayed in the information display. See  
Information Messages (page 75). This  
means the system is not functioning  
correctly and has defaulted to front-wheel  
drive only. Have your vehicle checked by an  
authorized dealer.  
A graphic will be displayed in the  
information display to advise you of the  
power distribution between the front and  
rear wheels. The more the area is filled the  
more power is being distributed to that  
wheel.  
Note: A message will be displayed in the  
information display when the system  
overheats and switches to front-wheel drive.  
This condition may occur if you operate your  
vehicle in extreme high load conditions or  
with excessive wheel slip, (i.e. deep sand).  
To resume four-wheel drive function as soon  
as possible, stop your vehicle in a safe  
location and switch the ignition off. After  
the system cools and normal four-wheel  
drive functionality resumes, a message will  
be displayed for approximately five seconds.  
Driving in Special Conditions With  
Four-Wheel Drive  
Four-wheel drive vehicles are suitable for  
driving on sand, snow, mud and rough  
roads and have operating characteristics  
that are somewhat different from  
conventional vehicles, both on and off the  
freeway.  
Note: If a warning message appears in the  
information display when using the spare  
tire, it should turn off after reinstalling the  
repaired or replaced road tire and you switch  
the ignition on.  
Note: It may be useful to switch Traction  
control off. This allows for more wheel spin  
and engine torque in certain off road  
conditions or if your vehicle becomes stuck.  
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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing  
Four-Wheel Drive(If Equipped)  
When driving at slow speeds off road under  
in loss of vehicle control. Apply smooth  
pressure to the accelerator pedal or brake  
pedal when changes in vehicle speed are  
required. Avoid abrupt steering,  
high load conditions, use a low gear when  
possible. Low gear operation will maximize  
the engine and transmission cooling  
capability.  
acceleration and braking. This could result  
in an increased risk of vehicle roll over, loss  
of vehicle control and personal injury. Use  
all available road surface to bring your  
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.  
Under severe operating conditions, the air  
conditioning may cycle on and off to  
prevent the engine from overheating.  
Basic Operating Principles  
In the event of an emergency stop, avoid  
skidding the tires and do not attempt any  
sharp steering wheel movements.  
If your vehicle goes from one type of  
surface to another (i.e. from concrete to  
gravel) there will be a change in the way  
your vehicle responds to a maneuver (i.e.  
steering, acceleration or braking).  
Drive slower in strong crosswinds which  
can affect the normal steering  
characteristics of your vehicle.  
When driving your vehicle on surfaces  
made slippery by loose sand, water,  
gravel, snow or ice proceed with care.  
If Your Vehicle leaves the Road  
Sand  
If your vehicle leaves the road, reduce your  
vehicle speed and avoid severe braking.  
When your vehicle speed has been reduced  
ease your vehicle back onto the road. Do  
not turn the steering wheel sharply while  
returning your vehicle to the road.  
It may be safer to stay on the shoulder of  
the road and slow down gradually before  
returning to the road. You may lose control  
if you do not slow down or if you turn the  
steering wheel too sharply or abruptly.  
It may be less risky to strike small objects,  
such as freeway reflectors, with minor  
damage to your vehicle rather than  
attempt a sudden return to the road which  
could cause your vehicle to slide sideways  
out of control or roll over. Remember, your  
safety and the safety of others should be  
your primary concern.  
When driving over sand, try to keep all four  
wheels on the most solid area of the trail.  
Avoid reducing the tire pressures but 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 will cause  
the system to overheat. A message will be  
displayed in the information display. See  
Information Messages (page 75).  
To resume operation, switch the ignition  
off and allow the system to cool down for  
a minimum of 15 minutes. After the system  
has cooled down, a message will be  
displayed briefly in the information display.  
See Information Messages (page 75).  
When driving at slow speeds in deep sand  
under high outside temperatures, use a low  
gear when possible. Low gear operation  
will maximize the engine and transmission  
cooling capability.  
Emergency Maneuvers  
In an unavoidable emergency situation  
where a sudden sharp turn must be made,  
remember to avoid over-driving your  
vehicle (i.e. turn the steering wheel only as  
rapidly and as far as required to avoid the  
emergency). Excessive steering can result  
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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing  
Four-Wheel Drive(If Equipped)  
Avoid driving at excessive speeds, this  
Driving on Hilly or Sloping Terrain  
causes vehicle momentum to work against  
you and your vehicle could become stuck  
to the point that assistance may be  
Although natural obstacles may make it  
necessary to travel diagonally up or down  
a hill or steep incline, you should always  
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 will 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.  
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start  
in a lower gear rather than downshifting to  
a lower gear from a higher gear once the  
ascent has started. This reduces strain on  
the engine and the possibility of stalling.  
If your vehicle stalls, do not try to turn  
around because this could cause vehicle  
roll over. It is better to reverse back to a  
safe location.  
required from another vehicle. Remember,  
you may be able to back out the way you  
came if you proceed with caution.  
Mud and Water  
Mud  
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle  
speed or direction when you are driving in  
mud. Even four-wheel drive vehicles can  
lose traction in slick mud. If your vehicle  
does slide, 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 mud stuck on tires and rotating  
driveshafts can cause an imbalance that  
could damage drive components.  
Water  
If you must drive through high water, drive  
slowly. Traction or brake capability may  
be limited.  
When driving through water, determine the  
depth and avoid water higher than the  
bottom of the wheel rims. If the ignition  
system gets wet, your vehicle may stall.  
Apply just enough power to the wheels to  
climb the hill. Too much power will cause  
the tires to slip, spin or lose traction,  
resulting in loss of vehicle control.  
Once through water, always try the brakes.  
Wet brakes do not stop your vehicle as  
effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be  
improved by applying light pressure to the  
brake pedal while moving slowly.  
Note: Driving through deep water may  
damage the transmission. If the front or rear  
axle is submerged in water, the axle  
lubricant and power transfer unit lubricant  
should be checked and changed if  
necessary.  
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Kuga (CBS) Vehicles Built From: 08-09-2014 Vehicles Built Up To: 31-05-2015, CG3585en enGBR, Edition date: 08/2014, Second Printing