(March 11, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — An all-new Truck App in Ford F-Series features an industry-first in truck technology — a software application for safe and easy towing and off-roading.

With more than 50 percent of F-Series owners regularly towing a trailer, Ford developed the first application to walk drivers through the proper trailer connection process, among many other features.

The Truck App is available on F-Series’ class-exclusive LCD instrument cluster screen, a beefier version of the driver information display where traditional stats on fuel economy, vehicle settings and trip tracking also live.

“The 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen presents detailed information in an engaging, easy-to-use manner so customers get the most out of their Ford trucks for work and for play,” said Joseph Fodera, cluster applications engineer.

A checklist asks drivers a set of questions to help ensure the trailer is connected properly:

    • Ball coupler connected and locked?
    • Tongue jack raised?
    • Mirrors adjusted?
    • Electrical wiring connected?
    • Lights functioning correctly (running lights, left/right turn and brake lights)?
    • Trailer Brake Controller gain setting adjusted?
    • Wheel chocks removed?
    • Safety chains connected?

For those who own multiple trailers, Truck App allows drivers to name each trailer and collect and store accumulated mileage for each — for up to 10 different trailers, displaying helpful information such as accumulated miles for a particular unit, trailer brake gain (with available integrated brake controller) and output.

The Truck App also caters to the off-road enthusiast with unique information screens such as pitch-and-roll, which shows the angle of surface incline, the degree of tilt and steering angle.

The app on the F-150 SVT Raptor includes a specific screen that shows the status of Hill Descent Control™, off-road mode and the 4x4 system.

In addition to the Truck App software application, the more traditional screen menus include:

    • Gauge mode — includes real-time transmission oil temperature
    • Trip A/B — includes trip time and mileage information and tracks two trips
    • Fuel economy – tracks fuel consumption history and offers selectable displays for efficiency in miles to empty, average and instantaneous
    • Settings — allows the customer to turn features on or off, change autolamp time, set trailer brake setting and monitor oil life
    • Information — provides management of the MyKey® feature, a system check screen and key system warnings for trailer sway control, Hill Descent Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The F-150 productivity screen is standard on all FX2/FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum models. It is also available on XLT as part of the XLT Convenience Package.