2023 FORD F-150 Transmission Instructions

In the ever-changing world of car engineering, the 2023 Ford F-150 is a shining example of how far technology has come, and nowhere is this more clear than in its drive system. The transmission of the 2023 F-150 combines speed and accuracy in a way that shows how much Ford wants to make driving a great experience. You can use these transmission directions as a guide to get the most out of this amazing vehicle, whether you’re driving through the city or over rough terrain. From choosing the right gear to the best driving mode, this guide will give you the information you need to drive with confidence, making sure that every shift is a testament to how well engineering and driver engagement work together. As you read through these directions, you’ll learn about the art and science behind the 2023 F-150’s transmission, which was made to not only get you from place to place but also to improve the driving experience itself.

Automatic Transmission

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Apply the parking brake, shift into park (P), switch the ignition off and remove the key before you leave your vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury or death.

WARNING: When your vehicle is stationary, keep the brake pedal fully pressed when shifting gears. Failure to follow this instruction could result in personal injury, death or property damage.

WARNING: Do not apply the brake pedal and accelerator pedal simultaneously. Applying both pedals simultaneously for more than a few seconds will limit engine performance, which may result in difficulty maintaining speed in traffic and could lead to serious injury.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION POSITIONS
PARK (P)
WARNING: Shift into park (P) only when your vehicle is stationary.
In park (P) power is not transmitted to the driven wheels.

Note: A tone sounds if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the transmission in park (P).

Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) if the vehicle battery has run out of charge.

Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) if a fuse is blown.

Note: Your vehicle may not shift out of park (P) unless the key or remote control is inside your vehicle.

Note: The electronic parking brake could apply when the selector is in park (P). See
Automatically Releasing the Electric Parking Brake.

Note: Your vehicle could shift into park (P) if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the transmission in park (P). See How Does Automatic Return to Park (P) Work.

Note: A tone could sound when you select park (P).

REVERSE (R)
WARNING: Shift into reverse (R) only when your vehicle is stationary.
In reverse (R) power is transmitted to the driven wheels.

NEUTRAL (N)
WARNING: In neutral (N) your vehicle is free to roll.
In neutral (N) power is not transmitted to the driven wheels.

DRIVE (D)
In drive (D) power is transmitted to the driven wheels.

MANUAL (M)
In manual (M) you can select a specific gear. See Manually Shifting Gears .
Note: We recommend using this mode for driving on hilly or mountainous roads or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.

SHIFTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO
GEAR
Console Shifter
The transmission selector is on the center console.

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Move the lever to select a position.
   Note: The position illuminates on the transmission selector.
3. Press the manual (M) button when your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or exit a mode.

Column Shifter
The transmission selector is on the steering column.

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Move the lever to select a position.
3. Press the manual (M) button when your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or exit a mode.

SHIFTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO GEAR – RAPTOR
The transmission selector is on the center console.

1.  Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Move the lever to select a position.
   Note: The position illuminates on the transmission selector.
3. Press the manual (M) button when your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or exit a mode.

SHIFTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO GEAR – POLICE RESPONDER
The transmission selector is on the steering column.

1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Move the lever to select a position.
3. Press the manual (M) button when your vehicle is in drive (D) to enter or exit a mode.

MANUALLY SHIFTING GEARS
SHIFTING USING THE PADDLE SHIFTERS – RAPTOR
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle does not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle could shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.

Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Note: Drive modes could affect when the vehicle shifts into the requested gear.

Manually Shifting Gears in Drive (D)
Use this feature to temporarily change gears.
Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking or driving on hilly or mountainous roads.

• Pull any paddle to switch the feature on.
• Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
• Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
• Hold the (+) paddle for a few seconds to switch the feature off.

Note: The feature switches off after a short period of time if you do not pull either paddle.

Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.
Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking, driving on hilly or mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.

• Shift to manual (M) to switch the feature on.
• Pull the right (+) paddle to upshift.
• Pull the left (-) paddle to downshift.
• Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature off.

SHIFTING USING THE BUTTONS ON THE SELECTOR LEVER
Center Console Shifter
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle will not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle may shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.

Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Note: Drive modes could affect when the vehicle shifts into the requested gear.

Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.
Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking, driving on hilly or mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.

• Shift to manual (M) to switch the feature on.
• Press the upper (+) button to upshift.
• Press the lower (-) button to downshift.
• Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature off.

Column Shifter
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle will not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle could shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.
Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Note: Drive modes could affect when the vehicle shifts into the requested gear.

Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.
Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking, driving on hilly or mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer.

• Shift to manual (M) to switch the feature on.
• Press the upper (+) button to upshift.
• Press the lower (-) button to downshift.
• Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature off.

SHIFTING USING THE BUTTONS ON THE SELECTOR LEVER -POLICE RESPONDER
The instrument cluster displays the current gear. The current gear flashes when your vehicle cannot shift into the requested gear. Your vehicle will not shift if the requested gear raises or lowers the engine speed beyond the limit.
Your vehicle may shift when you fully press the accelerator or brake pedal.

Note: Prolonged driving with high engine speed could cause vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

Note: Drive modes could affect when the vehicle shifts into the requested gear.

Manually Shifting Gears in Manual (M)
Use this feature to select a specific gear.

Note: We recommend using this feature for engine braking, driving on hilly or mountainous roads, or when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer .

• Shift to manual (M) to switch the feature on.
• Press the upper (+) button to upshift.
• Press the lower (-) button to downshift.
• Shift to drive (D) to switch the feature off.

TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE
WHAT IS TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE
This mode keeps your vehicle in neutral (N), for a limited time, when you exit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off.
Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.

HOW DOES TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE WORK
Use this mode to keep your vehicle in neutral (N) when you exit your vehicle or switch your vehicle off. For example, if you exit your vehicle before an automatic car wash.
Note: You do not need to use this mode at an automatic car wash if you stay in your vehicle with power on.

Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.

Note: Automatic return to park (P) is delayed when your vehicle is in this mode. See What Is Automatic Return to Park (P).

TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE LIMITATIONS
Your vehicle could shift to park (P) after 30 minutes, or when the vehicle battery charge level is low. Prolonged use of this mode can cause the 12 V battery to run out of charge.
Do not tow your vehicle in this mode. Failure to follow these instructions could result in vehicle damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.

ENTERING TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE

1. Bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Power your vehicle on.
4. Shift into neutral (N).
   Note: An instructional message appears.
5. Press the manual (M) button.
   Note: A confirmation message appears when your vehicle enters the mode.
6. Release the brake pedal.
   Note: Your vehicle is free to roll.
7. Switch your vehicle off.
   Note: Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
   Note: The neutral (N) indicator on the transmission selector may flash in this mode.

EXITING TEMPORARY NEUTRAL MODE

1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift into park (P), or power your vehicle on and shift into drive (D) or reverse (R).

USING PROGRESSIVE RANGE
SELECTION
Progressive range selection gives you the ability to lock out gears from the automatic shifting range. This could provide you with an improved driving experience by reducing transmission shifts, for example, in slippery conditions or steep slopes.
With the transmission in drive (D), press the – button to begin to switch the feature on.
Press the – button again to continue locking out higher gears. Beginning with the highest gear, the instrument cluster will indicate the current gear and highest gear available. For example, press the – button twice to lock out 10th and 9th gears.

Note: The instrument cluster will indicate the current gear and highest gear available.
Press the + button to unlock gears to allow the transmission to shift to higher gears.

Note: The transmission automatically shifts within the gear range you select.

AUTOMATIC RETURN TO
PARK (P)
WHAT IS AUTOMATIC RETURN TO PARK (P)
Your vehicle shifts into park (P) if you attempt to exit your vehicle without the transmission in park (P).

HOW DOES AUTOMATIC RETURN TO PARK (P) WORK
Your vehicle shifts into park (P) when your vehicle is stationary and any of the following occur:

• You switch the vehicle off.
• You open the driver door with your seatbelt unlatched.
• You unlatch the driver seatbelt when the driver door is open.

Note: Do not use automatic return to park (P) when your vehicle is moving, except in an emergency. See Starting and Stopping the Engine .

AUTOMATIC RETURN TO PARK (P) LIMITATIONS
Automatic return to park (P) may not work if the door ajar sensor or seatbelt sensor are malfunctioning.
See an authorized dealer if any of the following occur:

• Seatbelt indicator illuminates or tone sounds with the seatbelt fastened.
• Door ajar indicator does not illuminate with the driver door open.
• Door ajar indicator illuminates with the driver door closed.
• Transmission not in park message appears with the driver door closed, after you shift out of park (P).

STOWING THE SELECTOR LEVER – EXCLUDING: RAPTOR
Press the stow button to fold down the selector lever. Press the button again to release the selector lever from the stow position to use.

The stow function allows the shifter to lay flat in the console, enabling the use of the working surface tray.

Note: Do not store objects in the selector lever stow bin, and be sure that the bottom selector lever tray mat is flat inside the selector lever stow bin.
Note: If there are objects in the stow bin while stowing the selector lever, the selector lever could come back to the upright park (P) position.

STOWING THE SELECTOR
LEVER – RAPTOR
Press the stow button to fold down the selector lever. Press the button again to release the selector lever from the stow position to use.

The stow function allows the shifter to lay flat in the console, enabling the use of the working surface tray.

Note: Do not store objects in the selector lever stow bin, and be sure that the bottom  selector lever tray mat is flat inside the selector lever stow bin.

Note: If there are objects in the stow bin while stowing the selector lever, the selector lever could come back to the upright park (P) position.

MANUAL PARK RELEASE WHAT IS MANUAL PARK RELEASE
Manual park release allows you to shift your vehicle out of park (P) in the event of an electrical malfunction or emergency.

MANUAL PARK RELEASE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheels chocks if appropriate.

WARNING: If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. Have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

WARNING: Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the stop lamps are working.

Use the manual park release to move your transmission from the park (P) position in the event of an electrical malfunction or emergency. See Emergency Towing.
Note: Do not engage the manual park release with the engine on.

USING MANUAL PARK RELEASE
Activating the Manual Park Release Cable

• Apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake.
  Note: If vehicle battery is dead, for example, no electrical power available, an external power source may be required to apply the parking brake.
• Locate the manual park release cable access cover at the bottom of the driver dash lower panel, under the steering wheel.
  
• Carefully open the hinged access cover using a plastic type wedge or pry tool at the upper edge of the panel. If done correctly, the panel will swing downward.
  Note: Do not activate the override lever until you are in the driver’s seat. If damage occurs when access cover is opened, contact your authorized Ford Dealer for a replacement.
• Switch ignition on, but do not start your vehicle.
• Once in the driver seat, fully apply the brake pedal and hold. Do not release. Pull the tether straight out toward the driver seat until engaged. If done correctly, a message will appear in the instrument cluster.
  Note: Do not use excessive force when using the manual park release handle, as it could result in damage to the handle.
  Note: Your vehicle is now out of the park (P) position and is free to roll.
  
• With your foot still fully applied on the brake pedal, disengage the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake .
• Your vehicle remains in neutral (N) for emergency towing purposes.
• Turn off the ignition.
•  Once safe to do so, and there is no risk that your vehicle will roll, disconnect the negative (black) battery cable from the battery.

Returning Your Vehicle to Normal Mode

1. Once it is safe to do so, reconnect the negative (black) battery cable to the battery.
2. Apply the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake .
   Note: If vehicle battery is dead, for example, no electrical power available, an external power may be required to apply the parking brake.
   Note: Do not pull the tether until you are in the driver seat.
3. Once in the driver seat, fully apply the brake pedal and hold, do not release. Using the tether, pull the handle towards the driver seat until you hit a hard stop.
4. Pull the lever toward the floor until it hits a hard stop, before returning to the stowed position.
   Note: Maintain tension on the strap until the lever reaches the stowed position.
5. Return the manual park release cable lever to the stowed position and install the access cover.
6. With your foot fully applied on the brake pedal, start your vehicle. Confirm that your vehicle is in the park (P) position and that the instrument cluster indicates park (P).
   Note: If the instrument cluster is not displaying the park (P) position or the instrument cluster displays an error message, apply the parking brake before exiting your vehicle.
7. Close the access cover.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUDIBLE WARNINGS
Transmission Not In Park (P) Audible Warning
Sounds if you open the driver door before shifting into park (P).

FAQs