97F-53motorhome

8/11/2019 97F-53motorhome

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Table of Contents

Introduction ...................................................... 1

Instrumentation ................................................ 9

Controls and Features .................................. 21

Starting ............................................................. 37

Driving ............................................................. 45

Roadside Emergencies .................................. 77

Maintenance and Care ................................. 99

Capacities and Specifications ................... 147

Customer Assistance ................................... 155

Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 163

Maintenance Schedule and Record .......... 169

Index ............................................................... 203


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1

Introduction

Fords Commitment to You

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is thecontinuous commitment to achieve the bestresult possible. It is dedication to learning whatyou want, determination to develop the rightconcept, and execution of that concept with care,precision, and attention to detail. In short,excellence means being the standard by whichothers are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

Quality comes first.For your satisfaction, thequality of our products and services must beour number one priority.

You are the focus of everything we do. Ourwork must be done with you in mind,providing better products and services thanour competition.

Continuous improvement is essential to oursuccess.We must strive for excellence ineverything we do: in our products in their

safety and value and in our services, ourhuman relations, our competitiveness, andour profitability.

Employee involvement is our way of life.We are a team. We must treat one anotherwith trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners.Wemust maintain mutually beneficialrelationships with dealers, suppliers, and ourother business associates.


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Integrity is never compromised. Our conductworldwide must be pursued in a manner thatis socially responsible and commands respectfor its integrity and for its positivecontributions to society.

Things to Know About UsingThis Guide

This guide will familiarize you with operational,maintenance and safety information about yournew vehicle. It is supplemented by a WarrantyInformation Booklet. We urge you to read thesepublications carefully and follow therecommendations to help assure enjoyable andsafe operation of your new vehicle.

This chassis is designed to fulfill an infinitevariety of personal and business transportationneeds. Of necessity, a vehicle capable of such amultitude of functions is much more than apassenger vehicle and will therefore look, feel,drive and function somewhat differently from apassenger vehicle. These characteristics will also,in part, be a result of the equipment you havechosen for your particular vehicle application(s).Therefore, it is very important that you read andthoroughly familiarize yourself and othersoperating your vehicle with this guide.

NOTES and WARNINGS

NOTESgive you additional information aboutthe subject matter you are referencing.

WARNINGSremind you to be especially carefulin those areas where carelessness can causedamage to your vehicle or personal injury toyourself, your passengers or other people. Pleaseread all WARNINGScarefully.


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R WARNING

Because subsequent owners require thisimportant information as well, these publicationsshould remain with the vehicle when it is sold.

Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you willprobably return to it when you have a specificquestion or need additional information. To helpyou find specific information quickly, you canuse the table of contents or the index.

This guide has a table of contents at the

beginning of the book to show chapter titles.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the bookand search in the alphabetical listing for theword that best describes the information youneed. If the word you chose is not listed, thinkof other related words and look them up. Wehave designed the Index so that you can findinformation under a technical term.

Canadian Owners French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from your

dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company ofCanada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.


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Your Maintenance Schedule andRecord Booklet

The Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet liststhe services that are most important for keepingyour vehicle in good condition. A record log isalso provided to help you keep track of allservices performed.

About the Warranties

Your vehicle is covered by four types ofwarranties:

Basic Vehicle Warranty

Extended Warranties on certain parts

Emissions Warranties

Noise Emissions Warranty Coverage;applicable only on vehicles over 10,000 GVW Gross Vehicle Weight in pounds.

Read your Warranty Information Bookletcarefullyto find out about your vehicles warranties andyour basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, youcan get a new one free of charge. Contact anyFord or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the

addresses and phone numbers on the first pageof this owner guide.


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Special Notice

The Ford F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis isnot suitable for producing ambulances or school

buses. In addition, Ford urges manufacturers to

follow the recommendations of the FordIncomplete Vehicle Manualand the Ford TruckBody Builders Layout Book(and otherpertinent supplements).

Your Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN)

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is thesame as the warranty number that appears onyour owner card. You should include thisnumber any time you write to Ford Motor

Company about your vehicle.


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The Vehicle Identification (VIN)is stamped on ametal tag attached to the chassis front endstructure. It is visible from outside the vehicleunder the hood.

Safety Compliance Certification Label

Youll also find the VINand other importantinformation on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label. It is required by the NationalHighway Traffic Safety Administration and ismade of special material. If someone tamperswith it, it will be destroyed and/or a destructionpattern will appear.

The label contains the name of the manufacturer,the month and year of manufacture, thecertification statement and the Vehicle

Identification Number. The label also containsGross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross AxleWeight Ratings, wheel and tire data andinformation codes for additional vehicle data.For further information about the SafetyCompliance Certification Label and theinformation contained on it, refer to the Index.

Incomplete Vehicles

On completed derivations of incomplete vehicles,the Safety Compliance Certification Label isaffixed at a location determined by a subsequentstage manufacturer of the completed vehicle. Inthese cases the completed vehicle ismanufactured in two (or more) stages by two (ormore) separate manufacturers, with themanufacture of the completed vehicle occurringat a later date than the manufacture of theincomplete vehicle. Consequently, the modelyear of the completed vehicle may be later thanthe model year of its chassis.


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Federal Highway AdministrationRegulation

Regulations such as those issued by the FederalHighway Administration or issued pursuant to

the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA),and/or state and local laws and regulations mayrequire additional equipment for the way youintend to use the vehicle. It is the responsibilityof the registered owner to determine theapplicability of such laws and regulations toyour intended use for the vehicle, and toarrange for the installation of requiredequipment. Your Ford dealer has informationabout the availability of many items ofequipment which may be ordered for yourvehicle.


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Breaking Your Vehicle In

Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment orbreak-in period during the first 1,000 miles(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in

period, you need to pay careful attention to howyou drive your vehicle.

Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehiclehas new brake linings, you should take thesesteps:

Watch traffic carefully so that you cananticipate when to stop.

Begin braking well in advance.

Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake liningslasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Wheel lug nuts must be retightened to propertorque specifications at 500 miles/800 km ofnew vehicle operation. Proper torquespecifications are provided in this guide. Alsoretighten to proper torque specification at 500miles/800 km after any wheel change or anyother time the wheel lug nuts have beenloosened.

Use only the type of engine oil that Fordrecommends. Dont add anti-frictioncompounds or special break-in oils during thefirst few thousand miles of operation. Theseadditives may prevent piston ring seating.


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Instrumentation

The instrument panel (dashboard) on yourvehicle is divided into several different sections.The illustrations on the following pages showthe major parts of the instrument panel that aredescribed in this chapter. Some items shownmay not be on all vehicles.

In your vehicle, the warning lights and gaugesare grouped together on the instrument panel.We call this grouping a cluster. Your vehicle hasa mechanical cluster.


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Mechanical/strippedchassiscluster


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The Mechanical Cluster

The following warning lights and gauges are onthe mechanical cluster. All of the warning lightsand gauges alert you to possible problems with

your vehicle. Some of the lights listed areoptional. The following sections detail what eachof these indicators means.

Brake System Warning Light

The warning light for the brakes can show twothings that the parking brake is not fullyreleased, or that the brake fluid level is low inthe master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level islow, the brake system should be checked byyour dealer or a qualified service technician.

This light comes on when you turn the ignitionkey to START to verify that the indicator bulb isworking. If the light stays on or comes on afteryou have released the parking brake fully, havethe hydraulic brake system serviced.

R WARNING

The BRAKE light indicates that the brakesmay not be working properly. Have thebrakes checked immediately.

Brake warning light symbols


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Safety Belt Warning Light

The warning light reminds you to fasten yoursafety belt. Each time the ignition is turned toON, the warning light comes on for four to

eight seconds to remind you to fasten yoursafety belt.

Safety belt warning light symbol

Check Engine Warning Light

The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II)system consists of the hardware and softwarenecessary to monitor the operation of thepowertrain. The OBD II system is designed tocheck the function of the vehicles powertraincontrol system during normal operation. If anemission problem is detected, the Check EngineWarning Light (in the cluster) is turned on.

Check engine warning light symbol


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Modification or additions to the vehicle maycause incorrect operation of the OBD II system.Additions such as burglar alarms, cellularphones, and CB radios must be carefullyinstalled. Do not install these devices by tapping

into or running wires close to powertrain controlsystem wires or components.

The light comes on briefly when you turn theignition key to ON, but it should turn off whenthe engine starts. If the light does not come onwhen you turn the ignition to ONor if it comeson and stays on when you are driving, haveyour vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Thisindicates a possible problem with one of thevehicles emission control systems. You do notneed to have your vehicle towed in.

If the light turns on and off at one (1) secondintervals while you are driving the vehicle, itmeans that the engine is misfiring. If thiscondition persists, damage could occur to theengine or catalytic convertor. Have your vehicleserviced at the first opportunity. You do notneed to have your vehicle towed in.

If the light turns on and off on rare occasionswhile you are driving, it means that amalfunction occurred and the condition correcteditself.

An example of a condition which corrects itselfoccurs when an engine running out of fuel

begins to misfire. In this case, the Check EngineWarning Light may turn on and will then set aDiagnostic Trouble Code indicating that theengine was misfiring while the last of the fuelwas being consumed. After refueling, the CheckEngine Warning Light will turn off after thevehicle has completed three consecutive warm


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up cycles without a misfire condition occurring.A warm up cycle consists of engine start from acold condition (engine at ambient temperature)and running until the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.

On the fourth engine start up, the Check EngineWarning Light will turn off as soon as theengine begins to crank. It is not necessary tohave the engine serviced.

Under certain conditions, the Check EngineWarning Light may come on if the fuel cap isnot properly installed. If the Check EngineWarning Light comes on and you suspect thatthe fuel cap is not properly installed, pull off theroad as soon as it is safely possible and turn offthe engine. Remove and replace the fuel cap,making sure it is properly seated.

After completing the three consecutive warm upcycles and on the fourth engine start up, theCheck Engine Warning Light should turn off. Ifthe light does not go off after the fourth enginerestart, have your vehicle serviced by yourdealer or a qualified technician.

Charging System Light

This light, shown as a battery symbol on yourcluster, indicates that your battery is not beingcharged and that you need to have the electricalsystem checked.

Charging system light


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This light comes on every time you turn theignition to the ON or START position (engineoff). The light should go off when the enginestarts and the alternator begins to charge.

If the light stays on or comes on when theengine is running, have the electrical systemchecked as soon as possible.

Battery Voltage Gauge (Voltmeter)

This gauge shows you the battery voltage whenthe ignition key is in the ON position.

If you are running electrical accessories (whenthe engine is off, or idling at a low speed), thepointer may move toward the lower end of thenormal band. If it stays outside the normal bandarea, have your vehicles electrical systemchecked as soon as it is safely possible.

If the battery is operating under cold weatherconditions, the pointer may indicate in the upperrange of the NORMAL band while the battery ischarging. If you are running electrical accessorieswith the engine off or idling at a low speed, orthe battery is not fully charged, the pointer maymove toward the lower end of the NORMAL

band.

If it stays outside the NORMAL band, have yourvehicles electrical system checked as soon as itis safely possible.

Battery voltage gauge


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Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

This gauge indicates the engines oil pressure,not the oil level. However, if your engines oillevel is low, it could affect the oil pressure. With

the engine running, the pointer should moveinto the NORMAL band. If the pointer dropsbelow the NORMAL band while the engine isrunning, you have lost oil pressure andcontinued operation will cause severe enginedamage.

If you lose engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Shut off the engine immediately or severeengine damage could result.

3. Check the engines oil level, following theinstructions on checking and adding engineoil. Refer to Engine oil in the Index. If youdo not follow these instructions, you orothers could be injured. To assure anaccurate reading, your vehicle should be onlevel ground.

4. If the level is low, add only as much oil asnecessary before you start the engine again.Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine ifthe pointer is below the NORMAL band,regardless of the oil level. Contact yournearest dealer for further service actions.

Engine oil pressure gauge


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High Beam Light

This light comes on when the headlamps areturned on high beam or when you flash thelights.

High beam indicator light

Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge displays approximately how

much fuel is in the fuel tank only when theignition switch is ON.

For a proper fuel gauge indication after addingfuel, the ignition switch should be in the OFFposition while the vehicle is being refueled.

The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly whenthe vehicle is in motion.

With ignition switch OFF, the fuel gaugeindicator may drift from the ignition switch ONposition.

Fuel gauge


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Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge tells you the temperature of theengine coolant, not the coolant level. If thecoolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the

gauge indicator will not be accurate.The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark intothe Normal band as the engine coolant warmsup. It is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuatewithin the Normal band under normal drivingconditions. Under certain driving conditions,such as heavy stop and go traffic or driving uphills in hot weather, the pointer may move tothe top of the Normal band.

If, under any circumstances, the pointer movesabove the NORMAL band, the engine coolant is

overheating and continued operation may causeengine damage.

If your engine coolant overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safelypossible.

2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop theengine as soon as safely possible, severeengine damage could result.

3. Let the engine cool. DO NOT REMOVECOOLANT SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL

THE ENGINE IS COOL.

4. Check the coolant level following theinstructions on checking and adding coolantto your engine, see Engine Coolantin theIndex. If you do not follow theseinstructions, you or others could be injured.

For instructions on checking and adding coolantto your engine, see Engine coolant in the Index. Ifyou do not follow these instructions, you orothers could be injured.


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Engine coolant temperature gauge

Speedometer

The speedometer tells you how many miles(kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving.

Your vehicle contains a speedometer whichreceives its input from a speed sensor. Thespeedometer is also used to provide a speedsignal for correct operation of the vehiclesElectronic Engine Control (EEC) module,electronic transmission, and speed control (if soequipped).

Speedometer


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Odometer/Trip Odometer

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) odometer is acombination trip odometer and total odometer.The total odometer is normally displayed. To see

the trip odometer, press and release the SELECTbutton on the upper right side of thespeedometer. To zero out the trip odometer,press and release the RESET button on theupper left side of the speedometer while the tripodometer is displayed. If the trip odometer isdisplayed, press and release the SELECT buttonto return the display to the total odometer value.


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Controls and Features

NOTE: The following section does not applyto Stripped Chassis vehicles. See yourBody Builders instructions for locationand operation of controls for climatecontrol systems, lamps and radio.

Turning On the Exterior Lights

To turn on your headlamps, parking lamps,marker lamps, license plate lamps and taillamps, use the headlamp switch to the left of thesteering column.

1. Pull the headlamp control knob toward you

to the first position. Parking lamps, taillamps and marker lamps are now on.

2. Pull the headlamp control knob toward youto the outer position. Headlamps are now onin addition to the above.


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Headlamp switch

Daytime Running Light System

(Canadian vehicles only)

The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system turnsthe high beam headlamps on, with a reducedlight output, when:

The headlamp system is in the OFF position,and

The vehicle is running, and

The vehicle has a fully released parkingbrake.

NOTE: You may notice that the lights flickerwhen the vehicle is turned on or off.This is a normal condition.


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Ignition

Understanding the Positions of the Ignition

The positions of the key in the ignition lock cylinder.

ON allows you to test your vehicles warninglights (except the brake system warning light) tomake sure they work before you start theengine. The key returns to the ON position oncethe engine is started and remains in this position

while the engine runs.

START cranks the engine. Release the key oncethe engine starts so that you do not damage thestarter. The key should return to ON when yourelease it. The START position also allows youto test the brake warning light.

OFF allows you to shut off the engine and allaccessories without locking the steering wheel orthe automatic transmission gearshift lever.

LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks thegearshift.

R WARNING

Always set the parking brake fully andmake sure the gearshift is latched in P(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever youleave your vehicle.


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LOCK is the only position that allows you toremove the key. The LOCK feature helps toprotect your vehicle from theft.

If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, movethe steering wheel left or right until the key

turns freely.

ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicleselectrical accessories such as the radio and thewindshield wipers to operate while the engine isnot running.

Removing the Key From the Ignition

Procedures for removing your key from theignition are as follows:

Your vehi cl es gearshift l ever i s mount ed on

the column:

1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).

2. Set the parking brake fully before removingyour foot from the service brake. (This willavoid binding or loading the park gearif you park on a grade.)

3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.

4. Remove the key.

R WARNING


R WARNING

Do not leave children, unreliable adults,or pets unattended in your vehicle.


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The Turn Signal Lever

You can use the turn signal lever on the left sideof the steering column to:

operate the turn signals and cornering lamps

Turn Signals

Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Moveit down to signal a left turn. The correspondingindicator light in the instrument cluster willflash.

If the turn signal stays on after you turn, movethe lever back to the center (off) position.

Turn signal lever and functions

If the turn indicator light in the instrumentpanel does not illuminate or remains on (doesntflash) when you signal a turn, the turn signaling

system is malfunctioning. Have this conditioncorrected as soon as possible, but make sure thatyou use the accepted hand signals in themeantime.


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High Beams

To turn on the high beams, turn the headlampcontrol knob to the headlamp ON position andpush the turn signal lever away from you untilit latches. When the high beams are ON, the

high beam indicator light on the instrumentpanel comes on.

To turn off the high beams, pull the levertoward you until it latches. The high beamindicator light turns off.

Headlamp high beam switch and turn signal lever

Flashing the Lights

To flash the headlamps, pull the lever towardyou for a moment and then release it. Theheadlamps will flash whether the headlampknob is in the on or off position.


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Windshield Wipers and Washer

To turn on the windshield wipers, the ignitionkey must be turned to the ON or ACC position.

Turn the knob on the end of the turn signal

lever toward the front of the vehicle. You canturn it to either the LO or HI speed position.

Variable Interval Wipers

In addition to two speed wipers, your vehicle isequipped with wipers that you can set tooperate at varying intervals. For example, youcan set the interval so they wipe less often whenit drizzles or more often in heavier rain.

Interval wiper on turn signal lever

To set the interval wipers, rotate the knob at theend of the turn signal lever toward or awayfrom the instrument panel to the interval

operation you desire.Windshield Washer

To clean the windshield, push in the end of thewiper knob. For a constant spray, keep the knobpushed in. After you release the knob, thewipers operate for two to three cycles beforeturning off (if wipers were off) or returning tothe selected setting.


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Do not try to clean the windshield when thewasher fluid container is empty or activate thewashers at any time for more than 15 secondscontinuously. This could damage the washerpump system.

R WARNING

Always warm up the windshield with thedefroster before you use the washer fluid.In freezing weather, the washer solutionmay freeze on the windshield and obscureyour vision.

Hazard Flasher

The hazard flasher is used to alert other driversto hazardous situations.

The flashers will continue to flash with the brakepedal depressed.

The flashers work whether your vehicle isrunning or not. The flashers work for up to twohours when the battery is fully charged and ingood condition without draining the batteryexcessively. If the flashers run for longer thantwo hours or if the battery is not fully charged,the battery can be drained.

To use the hazard flasher:

1. Push in the flasher button; it will pop out

and the lamps will begin to flash.

2. To stop the flashers, push in the flasherbutton again.

NOTE: The flasher button will be sticking upslightly higher when on than when off.


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Hazard flasher

Horn

To sound the horn, push the center pad area ofthe steering wheel.

Horn location


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Tilt Steering

R WARNING

Never adjust the steering wheel when thevehicle is moving.

Turn signal and tilt release wheel lever

To change the position of the steeringcolumn/wheel, pull the release lever on thecolumn toward you. Tip the steering wheel tothe desired position. Release the lever to lock thesteering wheel in place.

Be sure the steering wheel locks in a notch. It isnot infinitely adjustable. Do not adjust thesteering wheel while the vehicle is in motion.

Speed Control

Your vehicle has speed control, so you canautomatically maintain a constant speed above30 mph (50 km/h). The switches to operate thespeed control are on the steering wheel.

Use of radio transmitting equipment that is notFederal Communications Commission (FCC) orin Canada the Canadian Radio andTelecommunications Commission (CRTC)approved may cause the speed control to


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malfunction. Therefore, use only properlyinstalled FCC (CRTC in Canada) approved radiotransmitting equipment in your vehicle.

The speed control switches

To set the speed control:

1. Press and release the ON switch.

2. Accelerate to the desired speed above

30 mph (50 km/h) using the acceleratorpedal.

3. Press the SET ACCEL switch and release itimmediately to set your speed. If you keepthis switch pressed, your speed will continueto increase.

4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Your vehicle will maintain the speed you set.

If you drive up or down a steep hill, yourvehicle may momentarily slow down or speedup, even though the speed control is on. This is

normal.


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NOTE: If your speed increases above your setspeed while driving in j (Overdrive)on a downhill grade, you may want todepress the transmission control switchlocated on the shift lever to turn offoverdrive to reduce vehicle speed.Speed control cannot reduce the vehiclespeed if it goes above your set speedon a downhill grade. For the best fueleconomy during normal drivingconditions, leave the shift select in j(Overdrive), or resume as soon aspractical.

R WARNING

Do not use the speed control in heavytraffic or on roads that are winding,slippery, or unpaved.

In mountainous areas, at higher elevations, orwhen pulling a trailer, the speed control maynot be able to maintain the preset speed withthe transmission in j (Overdrive).

R WARNING

Do not shift the transmission into N(Neutral) with the speed control on.

To maintain a preset speed under the aboveconditions, with electronically controlledtransmissions press the Transmission Control

Switch. The indicator light will turn on andilluminate the word OFF. This will cancelOverdrive. You can press the TransmissionControl Switch on or off at any speed. For the

best fuel economy during normal drivingconditions, press the Transmission ControlSwitch to turn off the light. This allowsoverdrive operation. After the vehicle has beenstopped and the engine has been restarted, the


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transmission will automatically reset withoverdrive operation. To cancel overdrive youmust press the Transmission Control Switchagain.

Transmission control switch and Indicator light

Accelerating With the Speed ControlOperating

You can use the accelerator pedal to speed up

momentarily. When you take your foot off theaccelerator, the vehicle will return to the setspeed.

Resetting the Speed Control

To reset the speed control to a lower speed,press and hold the COAST switch. Let yourvehicle slow down to the desired speed andrelease the COAST switch.

Your vehicle has a tap-down feature thatallows you to decrease your current speed inincrements of 1 mph (1.6 km/h) by a

momentary tap of the COAST switch. Multipletaps of the COAST switch will decrease yourvehicle speed 1 mph (1.6 km/h) for each tap.For example, if you are currently set at 65 mph(104 km/h) and tap the COAST switch 5 timesyour vehicle speed will decrease and set at60 mph (96 km/h).


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To reset the speed control to a higher speed,you can follow any of these procedures:

Accelerate to the desired speed using theaccelerator pedal, then press the SET ACCELswitch and release it immediately.

Press and hold the SET ACCEL switch untilthe vehicle accelerates to the desired speed,then release the switch.

Turning the Speed Control Off

You can cancel the speed control while you aredriving.

Press the OFF switch. The speed control isoff. If you want to resume speed control,press the ON switch and reset the speedcontrol by pressing the SET ACCEL button.

Press the brake pedal slightly. The speedcontrol is suspended, but you can reset it bypressing SET ACCEL or return to theprevious set speed with the RESUME switch.

In addition, the speed control is turned off eachtime you turn the vehicle ignition off.

Driving uphill or on a steep grade

When the speed control is on, your vehicle maysignificantly drop speed when driving uphill,especially with a heavy load. If the speed dropsmore than 8 to 14 mph (15 - 25 km/h) theautomatic speed control will, by design, be

canceled. You may have to temporarily resumemanual speed control while driving up a steepgrade in order to maintain the speed you desire.

Frequent shifting of an automatic transmission orspeed loss during speed control operation can beeliminated by shifting out of overdrive intodrive (or by pressing the Transmission ControlSwitch, if equipped). These conditions couldoccur in hilly terrain or at higher elevations.


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If the speed control dropped out after yourclimb is completed, the speed of your vehiclecan be reset with the SET ACCEL switch, orreturned to the previous set speed with theRESUME switch, as long as you are driving over30 mph (50 km/h).

Cancelling and Resuming a Set Speed

If you press the brake pedal, the speed control iscancelled. You can return to the speed you set

by using the RSM switch, as long as you did notpress the OFF switch.

To resume the speed you had before, you mustbe driving at least 30 mph (50 km/h).

Press and release the RESUME switch. Yourvehicle gradually returns to the previously setspeed and then maintains it.

R WARNING

Do not use the speed control in heavytraffic or on roads that are winding,slippery, or unpaved.


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Notes


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Starting

Fuel-Injected EnginesClimate conditions and other factors play a largepart in deciding how you should go aboutstarting your vehicle. Read all the startinginstructions carefully, so youll be aware of thesefactors when you start your vehicle.

When starting a fuel-injected engine, the mostimportant thing to remember is to avoidpressing down on the accelerator before orduring starting.See Starting Your Engine in thischapter for details about when to use the

accelerator while you start your vehicle.

Starting your vehicle

Preparing to Start Your Vehicle

R WARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closedgarage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaustfumes can be toxic. Always open thegarage door before you start the engine.See Guardi ng Against Exhaust Fumes inthis chapter for more instructions.


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Before you start your vehicle, do the following:

1. Make sure you and all your passengersbuckle your safety belts.

2. Make sure the headlamps and other

accessories are turned off when starting.3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)

and the parking brake is set before you turnthe key.

Starting Your Engine

To start your engine:

1. Follow the steps under Preparing to StartYour Vehicleat the beginning of this section.

2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.

3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal whenstarting your engine. DO NOT use theaccelerator while the vehicle is parked.

4. Turn the key to the START position(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow thekey to return to the ON position after theengine has started.

If you have difficulty in turning the key,rotate the steering wheel slightly because itmay be binding.


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For a cold engine:

At temperatures 10F (-12C) and below: Ifthe engine does not start in fifteen (15)secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you

do not flood the engine, then try again.

At temperatures above 10F (-12C): If theengine does not start in five (5) seconds onthe first try, turn the key to OFF, waitapproximately ten (10) seconds so you do notflood the engine, then try again.

Do not hold the key in the START positionfor more than fifteen (15) seconds at a time.

For a warm engine:

Do not hold the key in the START position

for more than five (5) secondsat a time. Ifthe engine does not start within five (5)seconds on the first try, turn the key to theOFF position. Wait a few seconds after thestarter stops, then try again.

Whenever you start your vehicle, release the keyas soon as the engine starts. Excessive crankingcould damage the starter.

After you start the engine, let it idle for a fewseconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal andput the gearshift lever in gear. Release theparking brake. Slowly release the brake pedaland drive away in the normal manner.


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NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with abrake-shift interlock feature. Thisfeature prevents you from shiftingfrom P (Park) unless you have thebrake pedal depressed. (The ignitionmust be in the ON position.) If youcannot shift from P (Park) with thebrake pedal depressed:

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Remove the key.

4. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N(Neutral). (If the vehicle is shifted back to P[Park], you must repeat the previous steps.)

5. Start the vehicle.

If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the

alternate procedure described above, it ispossible that a fuse has blown and that your

brakelamps may also not be functional. Pleaserefer to the chapter titled Roadside Emergenciesinthis Owner Guide for instructions on checkingand replacing fuses.

R WARNING

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTILYOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPSARE WORKING.


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For cold or warm engines:

If the engine still does not start after twoattempts:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floorand hold it.

3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.

4. Release the ignition key when the enginestarts.

5. Release the accelerator gradually as theengine speeds up. Then drive away in thenormal manner.

If the engine still does not start, the fuel pumpshut-off switch may have been triggered. For

directions on how to reset the switch see FuelPump Shut-Off Switchin the index.

NOTE: When turning the ignition key fromthe OFF to the RUN position, asubtle humming may be heard for upto three seconds. This is the normalsound of an electronically controlledfuel pump, and indicates the operationor pre-pressurizing the EFI system forstarting.

If the engine idle speed does not slow downautomatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle

for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehiclechecked.

R WARNING

Extended idling at high engine speeds canproduce very high temperatures in theengine and exhaust system, creating therisk of fire or other damage.


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R WARNING

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle indry grass or other dry ground cover. Theemission system heats up the enginecompartment and exhaust system, whichcan start a fire.

Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes

Carbon monoxide, although colorless andodorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Takeprecautions to avoid its dangerous effects.

R WARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closedgarage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaustfumes can be toxic. Always open the

garage door before you start the engine.See Guardi ng Against Exhaust Fumes inthis chapter for more instructions.

R WARNING

If you smell exhaust fumes inside yourvehicle, have your dealer inspect yourvehicle immediately. Do not drive if yousmell exhaust fumes.

Have the exhaust and body ventilation systemschecked whenever:

your vehicle is raised for service

the sound of the exhaust system changes

your vehicle has been damaged in a collision

Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inletvents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.


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If the engine is idling while you are stopped inan open area for long periods of time, open thewindows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjustthe heating or air conditioning system to bringin outside air.

HEATING Set fan speed at MEDIUM orHIGH, the function selector knob on VENT,FLOOR, FLR DEF or DEFROST symbol andthe temperature control knob on any desiredposition.

AIR CONDITIONING Set the fan speed atMEDIUM or HIGH, the function selectorlever on NORM or VENT and thetemperature control knob on any desiredposition.

TAPPET NOISE

It is normal for the oil to drain down from thehydraulic tappets in your engine duringextended shutdown periods (overnight). As aresult, these tappets may clatter for a fewseconds after the engine starts until oil pressure

builds up. This momentary start-up noise isnormal and is not harmful to engine operation.


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Notes


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Driving

BrakesYour vehicle is equipped with the followingfeatures:

Front self-adjusting disc brakes.

Rear self-adjusting disc brakes.

Independent front and rear hydraulic brakecircuits with a common fluid reservoir andfluid level sensor in the master cylinder.

Hydro boost.

Parking brake.Front Disc Brakes

The front disc brakes are self-adjusting. They donot require service other than periodiclubrication of the caliper slide rails andinspection for pad wear.

Rear Disc Brakes

The rear disc brakes are self-adjusting. They donot require service other than periodiclubrication of the caliper slide rails andinspection for pad wear.

Hydraulic Power Brakes

The hydraulic brake system is made up of twoindependent hydraulic circuits. One hydrauliccircuit supplies fluid to the front disc brakes andthe other hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to therear disc brakes. These two circuits are supplied

by a common hydraulic brake fluid reservoir,with a fluid level sensor.


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The brake light in the instrument cluster willlight for low brake fluid in the common brakefluid reservoir.

R WARNING

An increase in pedal travel will result inreduced braking capability. The brakesystem should be checked immediately.

Hydraulic Brake Booster System(Hydro Boost)

The Hydro Boost system receives its source ofpower from the power steering system pump.

If Brakes Do Not Grip Well or Pedal isLow

If during normal operation the brake pedal

seems low, it may indicate the need for abrake system inspection and/or service. Youshould have your brakes checked as soon aspossible.

Occasional brake squeal during light to moderatestops does not affect the function of the brakesystem and is normal. However, if the squeal

becomes annoyingly loud or increasessignificantly in frequency of occurrence, returnthe vehicle to your dealer for inspection.

Stopping Distances

Stopping distances vary with different loads anddriving conditions. Use caution whenencountering new conditions and acquaintyourself with vehicle performance. Take fulladvantage of engine braking power whenslowing down.


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Applying the Brakes

Apply the brake pedal gradually. Use thesqueeze technique push on the brake pedalwith a steadily increasing force. This allows thewheels to continue to roll while you are slowing

down, which lets you steer properly.Do not drive with your foot resting on the brakepedal. This will increase your vehicles stoppingdistance and may also cause brake damage.

R WARNING

If you are driving down a long or steephill, shift to a lower gear. Do not applyyour brakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.

When front or rear brake linings are replaced, it

is essential that authorized Ford servicereplacement or equivalent linings be installed.This will assure that the vehicle stoppingdistances are not adversely affected and willmaintain the proper balance between front andrear wheel braking.

Using the Parking Brake

The parking brake pedal is suspended just belowthe bottom of the instrument panel to the left ofthe service brake. To set the parking brake whileparking your vehicle, press the brake pedal withyour right foot and hold it while you push theparking brake pedal down firmly with your leftfoot.

The BRAKE warning light will go on as soon asyou start to move the parking brake pedal. The

brake will not prevent the vehicle from movingunless you push it down firmly and fully.Remove your foot from the service brake pedaland make sure there is no vehicle movement.


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Parking Brake

R WARNING

Always set the parking brake fully andmake sure the gearshift is latched in P(Park). Turn off the ignition whenever you

leave your vehicle.

To release the parking brake, press the servicebrake pedal with your right foot and pull theparking brake release lever.

R WARNING

If the parking brake is fully released, butthe Brake System light remains on, havethe brakes checked immediately. Theymay not be working properly.

The parking brake is not designed to stop amoving vehicle, but you can use the parking

brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency ifthe normal brakes fail. However, since theparking brake applies only the transmissionmounted parking brake assembly, the stoppingdistance will increase greatly and the handlingof your vehicle will be adversely affected.


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Checki ng Park i ng Br ake and Transmi ssi on

Park M echanism

Periodically check the holding ability of theparking brake by stopping on a steep hill andrestraining the vehicle by using only the parking

brake with the transmission in N (Neutral).Check the holding ability of the P (Park)mechanism (automatic transmissions) byreleasing all brakes after moving thetransmission selector lever to the P (Park)position.

Steering Your Vehicle

Your vehicle comes with power steering. Powersteering uses energy from the engine to helpsteer your vehicle.

If the amount of effort needed to steer yourvehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, havethe power steering system checked. If the powersteering system breaks down (or if the engine isturned off), you can steer the vehicle manually

but it takes more effort.

Never hold the steering wheel to the extremeright or left for more than five seconds if theengine is running. This can damage the powersteering pump.

NOTE: After any severe impact such asstriking large potholes, sliding into

curbs on icy roads, or a collisioninvolving the front end, observe thesteering wheel alignment. If the spokesof the steering wheel seem to be in adifferent position while going straightdown the road, have the frontsuspension and steering checked forpossible damage.


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Automatic TransmissionOperation (E4OD)The E4OD transmission is an electronicallycontrolled four speed automatic transmissionwith overdrive. Transmission operation is

controlled by the Powertrain Control Module(PCM).

The PCM will automatically adjust transmissionoperation to make up for varying conditions.Several sensors located on the engine andtransmission such as Throttle Position, EngineSpeed, Vehicle Speed and TransmissionTemperature are used by the PCM to shift thetransmission into a higher or lower gear whenrequired for the best performance and fueleconomy. For example, you may notice that thetransmission will upshift to a higher gear morequickly when the vehicle is first driven and hasnot reached normal operating temperature.

The PCM also controls the transmissions TorqueConverter Clutch to further raise vehicleperformance and fuel economy. The TorqueConverter Clutch will engage when thetransmission operating temperature and otherconditions determined by the PCM have beenmet. Engagement of the clutch may be noted asa decrease in engine speed after an upshift hascompleted or when the driver has depressed thethrottle while driving at a steady road speed.

To help in troubleshooting, the PCM continually

performs self-tests on the electronic controlsystem and if any faults are detected, will storethem in memory. The Transmission ControlIndicator Light (TCIL), which is located on thegearshift lever, may flash steadily if amalfunction has been detected. If the TCIL isflashing, contact your Ford dealer as soon aspossible. If this condition persists, damage to thetransmission could occur.


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R WARNING

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTILYOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPSARE WORKING.

R (Reverse)

With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,the vehicle will move backward. You shouldalways come to a complete stop before shiftinginto or out of R (Reverse).

Driving

When to usej (Overdrive)

This is the normal driving position. As thevehicle picks up speed, automatic upshifts tosecond, third and fourth gears will occur whenj Overdrive is chosen on the selector and thetransmission control switch has not beenpressed. The transmission will shift into thecorrect gear when the right speed is achieved,for the accelerator pedal position you havechosen.

W h e n t o u s e D r iv e

You will note that there isnt a drive position onyour gearshift indicator. However, you will finda Transmission Control Switch and an indicatorlight labeled Overdrive located on the end of

the gearshift lever. Press this switch and theword OFF will illuminate on the shift leverknob. With the word OFF illuminated, thetransmission will operate in gears one throughthree. Operating in the Overdrive OFF modegives more engine braking than Overdrive andis useful for descending hills or when towing.


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W h en t o u se 1 ( L o w )

Use 1 (Low) to provide maximum enginebraking on steep downgrades. Upshifts from 1(Low) can be made by manually shifting to 2(Second) or j (Overdrive). Selection of 1 (Low)

gear provides only low gear operation fromstart-up. Selection of 1 (Low) while at higherspeeds provides a shift to second gear, and ashift to first gear will occur after the vehicledecelerates to the proper speed.

P (Park)

Always come to a complete stop before you shiftinto P (Park). This position locks thetransmission and prevents the rear wheels fromturning. To securely latch the gearshift in the P(Park) position, pull it toward you, push it

completely counterclockwise against the stop,and then push it toward the instrument panel.

The gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) ifyou cannot rotate it in a clockwise directionwithout lifting it toward you.

R WARNING


R WARNING

Never leave your vehicle unattendedwhile it is running.


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Forced Downshifts

To gain extra acceleration in j Overdrive orDrive (O/D OFF), push the accelerator to thefloor. The transmission will automaticallydownshift to the appropriate gear: third, second

or first.

Power Braking

Increasing the engine speed above idle withoutvehicle movement (such as holding the brake) ina forward or reverse gear causes transmissionstall.

NOTE: Continued operation in the stallcondition can result in transmissionoverheat, malfunction or fluidexpulsion.

Trailer TowingAll vehicles may tow a Class I trailer providedthe Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is less thanor equal to the GVWR shown on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label. For heaviertrailer applications, refer to the towinginformation found later in this chapter.

Towing a trailer puts additional loads on yourvehicles engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tiresand suspension. For your safety and for thegood of your vehicle, use the right equipment

for the type of trailer you tow.Your trailer towing capability will vary based onthe standard and optional equipment on yourvehicle. Refer to the following VehicleLoading/Towing Information and the TrailerTowing Tables to determine the specific towingcapability of your vehicle.


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Stay within the load limits when you tow.

Carefully and thoroughly prepare yourvehicle for towing, making sure to use theright equipment and to attach it properly.(See Preparing to Towin this chapter.)

Use extra caution when driving your vehiclewhile you tow. (See Driving while you tow inthis chapter.)

Service your vehicle more frequently if youtow a trailer. (See Servicing your vehicle if youtowin this chapter.)

Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has beendriven at least 500 miles (800 km).

Vehicle Loading/TowingInformation

Your vehicles load capacity is designed byweight, not volume, so you cannot necessarilyuse all available space with large or heavy loads.Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire,rim sizes and inflation pressures are specified foryour vehicle on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label. A Safety ComplianceCertification Label was supplied by Ford MotorCompany to the Motorhome Manufacturer. Themanufacturer uses this information and suppliesa Compliance Certification Label which islocated inside the vehicle to the left of the

driver.


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R WARNING

It is extremely dangerous to ride in acargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.In a collision, people riding in these areasare more likely to be seriously injured orkilled. Do not allow people to ride in anyarea of your vehicle that is not equippedwith seats and safety belts. Be sureeveryone in your vehicle is in a seat andusing a safety belt properly.

R WARNING

Cargo should always be secured toprevent it from shifting and causingdamage to the vehicle or harm topassengers.

Trucks, unlike passenger cars, are basicallycustom vehicles designed to carry a load. Mostowners start with a base vehicle and addproduction and dealer installed and/oraftermarket components to suit their tastes andpurposes. Even trucks that are purchased forpersonal transportation only are likely to haveconsiderable optional equipment, such as step

bumpers and light bars, for example.

Each additional item of equipment affects howmuch cargo a vehicle can carry. If a vehicle isoverloaded, performance will suffer and serviceconcerns may arise.

Understanding Loading/TowingInformation

The following terms are used to describe theability to carry or tow a load:

Base Curb Weight

Payload

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)


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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)

Maximum Trailer Weight Rating

Maximum Trailer Weight

Trailer Weight Range

Base Curb Weight

The Base Curb Weight is the weight of thevehicle including fuel, coolants, lubricants,emergency tools, spare wheel and tire. It alsoincludes any equipment that is standardon thatmodel. It does not include passengers, cargo oroptional equipment installed by factory, dealer,aftermarket supplier or customer.

Payload

Payload is the combined, maximum allowableweight of cargo, occupants and optionalequipment that the truck is designed to carry. Itis Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the basecurb weight.

Gross Vehicle W ei ght (GVW)

If you add base curb weight and the weight of aload (including passengers, cargo and optionalequipment) being carried at a particular time,you get the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).

It is important to remember that GVW is not alimit or a specification.If an owner loads up avehicle and weighs it, thats the GVW at thatmoment. If the owner piles on more of a loadand weighs it again, that becomes the GVW.


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Gross Vehicle W ei ght Rati ng (GVWR)

To avoid overloading a vehicle, the ownershould observe the manufacturers specifiedGross Vehicle Weight Rating. The GVWR is themaximum total weight of base vehicle,

passengers, optional components and cargo thata particular vehicle was designed to carry.

G r o ss Ax l e W eig ht R a t in g ( G AW R )

We have all seen a car or a truck that is loadeddown in the rear and riding high in the front.This is a dangerous condition that usually meansthat the rear suspension components are undersevere strain and that vehicle handling isimpaired. There is more to carrying a load than

just payload or GVWR.

Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not

only gives the GVWR, it also gives the GrossAxle Weight Rating (GAWR) which is thecarrying capacity for each axle system. Fortrucks, the rear axle will be designed to carrymore weight than the front.

The rating is based on the carrying capacity ofthe lowest rated axle and suspension componentas well as other factors. This is why its soimportant to observe vehicle loading ratings.Overloading a vehicle punishes components andcan lead to shortened service life or outrightfailure.

The capacity of the tires is included as part ofthe axle and suspension system, which is to beconsidered when determining the lowest ratedcomponent. Tires are rated to carry a specificmaximum load at a specific maximum tirepressure.


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Passenger car type tires when installed on lighttrucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles arerated at 10% lower load carrying capacity due tothe differences in vehicle usages.

With the tires inflated to the specified pressure

the total weight of your vehicle must not exceedthe GVWR and GAWR specified on the SafetyCompliance Certification Label. This includes fullfuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants aswell as the cargo load.

GCWR (Gross Combi ned W eight Rati ng)

GCWR is the maximum combined weight of thetowing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)and the loaded trailer. The GCWR is specified

by the manufacturer to indicate the combinedmaximum loaded weight that the vehicle is

designed to tow.M a ximu m T r a il er W eig ht R a t in g

The maximum trailer weight rating is themaximum weight of a trailer the vehicle ispermitted to tow. It is specified by themanufacturer and is determined by subtractingthe vehicle curb weight for eachengine/transmission combination, any requiredoption weight for trailer towing and the weightof the driver from the GCWR for the towingvehicle.

M a ximu m T r a iler W eig ht

The maximum trailer weight is the maximumweight of a trailer the loaded vehicle ispermitted to tow. It is determined by subtractingthe weight of the loaded towingvehicle (including passengers and cargo) fromthe GCWR for the towing vehicle.


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Trail er W eight Range

The trailer weight range is a specified range byweight, which the trailer must fall within,ranging from zero to the maximum trailerweight rating.

Calculating The Load

To know how much weight your vehicle cancarry:

Obtain ratings from your Safety ComplianceCertification Label, and the Trailer towingspecifications in the owner guide (refer to theIndex)

Refer to the following sample illustrationto locate the various ratings on yourSafety Compliance Certification Label.

If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, donot include these ratings into yourcalculations.

Weigh your vehicle as you customarilyoperate the vehicle (without cargo).

Subtract the total weight of passengers, driverand optional equipment added by the factory,dealer or aftermarket supplier to determinehow much cargo weight you can carry.


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Sample label

If you suspect that your payload is excessive,have your vehicle weighed at a highway weighstation or appropriate commercial facility. Weighthe total vehicle and trailer (if applicable), thenseparately weigh the vehicle at the front andrear wheels. And finally, weigh the trailerseparately if applicable.


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Use this chart to perform your calculations.

NOTE: The Truck Safety Compliance

Certification Label has two weightrelated entries that sometimes causeconfusion.


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Front Axle Reserve Capacity in Pounds (kgs): Ifthis value is given as 83 pounds (38 kgs) on thelabel, does this mean that you are limited toadding only 83 pounds (38 kgs) of accessories tothe front end capacity? Not exactly. This saysthat you can load 83 pounds (38 kgs) of optionson the front axle, add 150 pound (68 kgs)passengers to all seating positions, and addevenly distributed cargo in the box withoutexceeding the GAWR F.

It is possible to hang heavier equipment on thefront as long as the vehicle owner/operatorcompensates. This can be accomplished, ifnecessary, by carrying fewer passengers, lesscargo or positioning cargo more toward the rear,which has the effect of reducing the load on thefront. Keep in mind that the GAWR F, GAWRR, nor the GVWR should ever be exceeded.

Total Accessory Reserve Capacity in Pounds(kgs): If, for example, this value is given as 112pounds (51 kgs), does this mean that you arelimited to adding 112 pounds (51 kgs) ofaccessories to your vehicle? Not exactly. This is anumber that is related to government crash teststandards, and only indirectly reflects on theamount of accessory weight that can be carried.

In the case of both these numbers (83 and 112pounds) (38 and 51 kgs), the important thing toremember is that for safe operation, anowner/operator should calculate the amount andthe distribution of all weights (passengers,accessory equipment and cargo). These combinedweights should fall below the vehicles GVWRand GAWR.


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Trailers

Towing a trailer safely means having the properweight on the tongue (usually 10% of the trailerweight). Load-equalizing hitches on large rigsmay transfer weight to each of the vehicles

axles. This weight must be included in capacitycalculations when determining if the vehicle isloaded within safe limits.

If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargofrom your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicleexceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the loador remove cargo accordingly.

R WARNING

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWRspecified on the Safety ComplianceCertification Label.

R WARNING

Towing trailers beyond the maximumrecommended gross trailer weight couldresult in engine damage, transmission/axledamage, structural damage, loss of control,and personal injury.

Use the Safety Compliance Certification Label tofind the axle code number and the engine typefor your vehicle.

Use the appropriate Maximum Gross CombinedWeight Rating (GCWR) chart to find theMaximum GCWR for your type engine and rearaxle ratio.

Subtract your Loaded Vehicle Weight from theMaximum GCWR found in the chart. This is themaximum trailer weight your vehicle can towand must fall below the maximum shown underTrailer Weight on the chart.


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Hitches

For towing trailers up to 2,000 lb (907 kg), use aweight carrying hitch and ball which uniformlydistributes the trailer tongue loads through theunderbody structure. Use a frame-mounted

weight distributing hitch for trailers over 2,000lb (907 kg).

Do not use single clamp bumper hitches orhitches which attach to the axle. Provisions formulti-clamp type temporary bumper hitch have

been provided (Class I, max. loading), if installedproperly. Follow towing instructions of areputable rental agency.

Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware areremoved, make sure all mounting holes in theunderbody are properly sealed to prevent

noxious gases or water from entering.Safet y chains

Always use safety chains between your vehicleand trailer. Cross chains under the trailer tongueand allow slack for turning corners. Connectsafety chains to the vehicle frame or hookretainers.Never attach chains to the bumper.

Trailer Brakes

Separate trailer brakes are required on mosttowed vehicles weighing over 1,500 lb (680 kg).

R WARNING

Do not connect a trailers hydraulic brakesystem directly to your vehicles brakesystem. Your vehicle may not haveenough braking power and your chancesof having a collision greatly increase.


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T r a ile r la mp s

Make sure your trailer lamps conform to Federaland local regulations.

NOTE: Do not connect a trailer lighting systemdirectly to the lighting system of thevehicle. See your local recreationalvehicle dealer or rental trailer agencyfor correct type of wiring and relaysfor your trailer and heavy-dutyflashers. Incorrect installation mayresult in either a false warning or nowarning in the lamp outage warningsystem.

R WARNING

Always replace a fuse with one that hasthe specified amperage rating. Using a

fuse with a higher amperage rating cancause severe wire damage and could starta fire.

Driving While You Tow

Be especially careful when driving while youtow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country onhot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can

brake gradually.

If you use the speed control while you aretowing on very long, steep grades, the speed

control may shut off.If your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic4-Speed Automatic (E4OD) transmission, operatein Overdrive. Refer to the automatictransmission operation earlier in this chapter.

For normal driving conditions, operate inOverdrive. Refer to the E4OD transmissionoperation earlier in this chapter.


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When descending a steep grade with a trailer,operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. Ifadditional braking is needed, shift the automatictransmission gearshift into 2 (Second) gear or 1(Low).

Servicing your vehicle if you tow

If you tow a trailer for a long distance, yourvehicle will need to be serviced more frequentlythan usual. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule andRecordbooklet for additional information.

Trailer towing tips

Before starting on a trip, practice turning,stopping and backing in an area away fromheavy traffic. Get to know the feel of thevehicle/trailer combination.

Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, withsomeone outside at the rear of your trailer toguide you. Place your hand at the bottom of thesteering wheel and move it in the direction youwant the rear of the trailer to swing. Slightmovement of the steering wheel results in amuch larger movement of the rear of the trailer.

Allow more room for stopping with a trailerattached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,whether manually or automatically controlled,when approaching a stop.

For a good handling truck-trailer combination,

the trailer tongue load should be approximately10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.

Make a thorough check of your equipmentbefore starting out on the road. After you havetraveled about 50 miles (80 km) stop in aprotected area and double-check your hitch andelectrical connections. Also check trailer wheellug nuts for tightness.


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When turning, drive slightly beyond the normalturning point so the trailer wheels will clearcurbs or other obstructions.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of timein hot weather, place the gearshift selector lever

in P (Park) to increase the engine idle speed.This aids in engine cooling and air conditionerefficiency. If the engine overheats, move theFunction Selector Lever to VENT to stop thecompressor and increase the engine speed for ashort time.

Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on agrade. However, if you must park on a grade,place wheel chocks under the trailers wheels asfollows:

Apply the brake pedal and hold.

Have another person place the wheel chocksunder the trailer wheels.

With the chocks in place, release the brakepedal, making sure the chocks are holding.

Apply the parking brake by pressing thebrake pedal down firmly with your right footwhile applying the parking brake pedal withyour left foot.

Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).

To start, after being parked on a grade:

Apply the brake pedal and hold.

Start the engine.

Shift transmission into gear and release theparking brake.

Release the brake pedal and move the vehicleuphill to free the wheel chocks.

Apply the brake pedal and hold whileanother person retrieves the chocks.


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Driving Under Special Conditions

Tips for Safe Driving

As with any new vehicle, yours may drive andhandle differently from your previous vehicle.

Use care until you become accustomed to itsvarious features and driving characteristics.

Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, orcombinations of these maneuvers can cause avehicle to behave differently than anticipated.

Wheel Spin

Extreme acceleration can cause the rearwheels to spin, perhaps resulting in reducedsteering control.

If the wheels spin during vehicle start-up, shiftto a different gear:

Electronic 4-Speed Automatic TransmissionE4OD: use 2 (Second)

Move forward slowly and evenly. If this doesnot work, try rocking the vehicle.

High Speed Driving

Ford Motor Company recommends obeyingposted speed limits.

R WARNING

Driving too fast for conditions creates thepossibility of loss of vehicle control.Driving at very high speeds for extendedperiods of time may result in damage tovehicle components.


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Driving in Bad Weather

Sl i ppery roads

Drive cautiously on wet or snowy roads:

Do not quickly move the steering wheel

unless necessary.

Drive slower than you normally would.

Give your vehicle more distance to stop.

Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly toavoid locking your front wheels

To stop on ice, shift to N (Neutral) below 10mph (16 km/h) and gently pump brakes.

Consider using one of the lower gears.

R WARNING

To avoid skidding and losing control onslippery roads, do not downshift into 1(First) when you are moving faster than20 mph (30 km/h).

H ig h w a t e r

Never attempt to cross water that is fast flowingor of unknown depth.

Do not drive through flooded areas unless youare sure that the water is below the bottom ofthe wheel hubs.

If you must drive through high water, driveslowly. You may have limited traction or wet

brakes, so allow extra stopping distance becauseyour vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.

After you drive through the standing water,apply your brakes gently several times as yourvehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the

brakes.


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NOTE: If the transmission is submerged inwater, the fluid should be checked andchanged, if necessary.

NOTE: All rear axle lube quantities must bereplaced every 100,000 miles

(160,000 km) or if the axle has beensubmerged in water. Otherwise, thelube should not be checked or changedunless a leak is suspected or repairrequired.

Rocking the vehicle

If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mudor snow), you may rock it out of the spot. Shiftin a steady rhythm between forward and reversegears. Allow the transmission to fully engage,then press lightly on the accelerator. Do not rockthe vehicle for more than a few minutes. This

may overheat the engine and transmission,causing damage to both. In addition, othervehicle systems and components may also bedamaged.

R WARNING

Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph(55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure apassenger or bystander.


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Notes


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Roadside Emergencies

If the Engine Cranks but DoesNot Start or Does Not Start Aftera Collision

Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch

If the engine cranks but does not start or doesnot start even after a small collision, the fuelpump shut-off switch may have been activated.The shut-off switch is a device intended to stopthe fuel pump when your vehicle has beeninvolved in a substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is activated, you mustreset the switch by hand before you can startyour vehicle.

Fuel pump shut-off switch location


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R WARNING

If you see or smell fuel, do not reset theswitch or try to start your vehicle. Haveall the passengers get out of the vehicleand call the local fire department or atowing service.

If your engine cranks but does not start after acollision or substantial jolt:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.

3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the redreset button down. If the button is alreadyset, you may have a different mechanicalproblem.

4. Turn the ignition key to RUN for a fewseconds, then turn it OFF. (Do not start theengine.)

5. Check under the vehicle again for leakingfuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not startyour vehicle again.If you do not see orsmell fuel, you can try to start your vehicleagain.

6. Check all vehicle warning lights beforedriving your vehicle.

Reset button for fuel pump shut-off switch


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Fuses, Fuse Links and CircuitBreakers

Fuses, circuit breakers and fuse links protectyour vehicles electrical system from overloading.

If electrical parts in your vehicle are notworking, the system may have been overloadedand blown a fuse or tripped a circuit breaker.Before you replace or repair any electrical parts,check the appropriate fuses or circuit breakers.

The following charts tell you which fuses orcircuit breakers protect each electrical part ofyour vehicle. If a fuse blows or a circuit breakeropens a circuit, all the parts of your vehicle thatuse that circuit will not work.

Selected circuits, such as headlamps andwindshield wipers, are protected with circuit

breakers. A circuit breaker is designed to stopcurrent flow in case of a short-circuit oroverload. It will automatically restore currentflow after a few seconds, but will again interruptcurrent if the overload or short-circuit continues.This on-off cycle will continue as long as theoverload or short-circuit exists.

Once you have determined which fuses or circuitbreakers to check, follow the procedures underChecking and replacing fusesor Checking andreplacing circuit breakerslater in this chapter.


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Fuses/circuitbreakersandtheirlocations


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Power Distribution Box

The high current fuses contained in the PowerDistribution Box protect your vehicles mainelectrical systems from overloads; these fusesprovide the connection between the battery andyour vehicles electrical systems.

The high current fuses are coded as follows: 30amp -light green, 40 amp - orange, 50 amp - red,60 amp -blue.

R WARNING

Always disconnect the battery beforeservicing high current fuses.

Ford recommends that high current fuses bereplaced by a qualified technician.


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R WARNING

Always replace the cover to the PowerDistribution Box before reconnecting thebattery or refilling fluid reservoirs.

A blown high current fuse may be replaced butwill continue to blow until the cause of theoverload condition is corrected.

R WARNING

Always replace a fuse with one that hasthe specified amperage rating. Using afuse with a higher amperage rating cancause severe wire damage and could starta fire.

Power Distribution Box


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Checking and Replacing Fuses

If you need to check a fuse, follow these steps:

1. Remove the fuse panel cover by squeezingtogether the cover release tabs as you applya slight pulling motion at the same time. Theunderside of the cover contains five sparefuses and a fuse pulling tool in case youneed to replace a blown fuse.

The spare fuses for your vehicle are color

coded as follows: 10 amp red, 15 amp light blue, 20 amp natural, 30 amp lightgreen.


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2. On the fuse panel cover, find the number ofthe fuse you want to check. The diagram onthe cover tells you where to locate the fuseon the panel.

The underside of the cover also contains a

fuse pulling tool in case you need to replacea blown fuse.

3. Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Lookthrough the clear side of the fuse to see ifthe metal wire inside is separated. If it is,the fuse is blown and should be replaced.

The side view of a fuse

4. Replace the fuse with one that has the rightamperage rating (see previous chart).

R WARNING

Always replace a fuse with one that hasthe specified amperage rating. Using afuse with a higher amperage rating cancause severe wire damage and could start

a fire.

5. Put the fuse panel cover back on.

Even after you replace a fuse, it will continue toblow if you do not find what caused theoverload. If the fuse continues to blow, haveyour electrical system checked.


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Preparing to Change the Tire

NOTE: To lift your vehicle by other than thefront or rear jacking points, be sure touse only hoist adapters with a widecontact surface.

1. Make sure that your vehicle will not moveor roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set theparking brake and block the wheel that isdiagonally opposite the tire that you arechanging.

On F-Super Duty vehicles, the parking brake ison the transmission. Therefore, the vehicle willnot be prevented from moving when a rearwheel is lifted, even if the vehicle is in Park andthe parking brake is applied. Be sure to block

both directions of the wheel that is diagonallyopposite to the wheel that is being lifted.

R WARNING

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you orsomeone else could be seriously injured.

R WARNING

Do not put any part of your body underthe vehicle. Do not start the engine whenyour vehicle is on the jack. Never raiseyour vehicle by using a bumper jack.

The jack is only for changing the tire inemergencies. The Ford F-Super Duty Jack isrecommended. Use safety stands if you want toservice the vehicle.

If an alternative jack is used, it must have acurved surface swivel head compatible with thestripped chassis jacking surfaces and must havea minimum load rating of 4 tons. Do not use a

button head type jack.


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R WARNING

Use of an improper jack could result inpersonal injury if jack slippage occurs.

2. To raise front wheels, position jack underbracket in front of axle, as shown.

3. To raise rear wheels, position jack underaxle, against edge of spring bracket.

Positioning the jack

NOTE: Remove wheelcover/hubcaps fromwheels as necessary to access the lugnuts.

Use a jack to raise the vehicle slightly. Loosenthe wheel lug nuts, but do not remove themuntil the tire is raised off the ground.

Raise the vehicle until the wheel is clear ofthe ground. Finish removing the wheel lugnuts and wheel.

F-Super Duty Motorhome Chassis usestwo-element swiveling lug nuts (and wheelsdesigned to accommodate such lug nuts).


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R WARNING

Never use wheels or lug nuts differentthan the original equipment as this coulddamage the wheel or mounting system.This damage could allow the wheels tocome off while the vehicle is beingdriven.

R WARNING

Do not use any type of wheel cover thatis installed between the lug nuts and thewheel. Use of this type of wheel cover cancause the wheel lug nuts to loosen andcould allow the wheel to come off whilethe vehicle is in motion.

The wheels are attached to the hubs withintegral two-element swiveling lug nuts.

Dual rear wheel nut

Lug nut tightening sequence


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Lower the vehicle until the tire touches theground, and tighten lug nuts in the samesequence to the specifications shown in thechart below.

Finish lowering the vehicle and replace any

wheel covers, ornaments, or hub caps thatyour vehicle has. Make sure that they aresnapped into place.

Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. (Makesure jack is securely fastened so it doesntrattle when you drive.)

R WARNING

Make sure the spare tire and jackingequipment are stowed and secured in theproper storage location.

Unblock the wheels.

Retighten the wheel lug nuts to the specifiedtorque at 100 miles (160 km), and again at 500miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation and atthe intervals specified in the Maintenance Scheduleand Recordbooklet.

Also retighten to the specified torque at 500miles (800 km) of operation after any wheelchange or any time the lug nuts are loosened.

R WARNING

Failure to retighten wheel lug nuts atmileages specified could allow wheels tocome off while the vehicle is in motion.


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Jump-Starting Your Vehicle

Your vehicles battery may die if you leave thelights on or any electrical equipment on afteryou turn the engine off. If this happens, youmay be able to jump-start your vehicle with a

booster battery.

R WARNING

The gases around the battery can explodeif exposed to flames, sparks, or litcigarettes. An explosion could result ininjury or vehicle damage.

R WARNING

To protect yourself when charging abattery, always shield your face and eyes.Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.

R WARNING

Applying too much pressure on the endswhen lifting a battery could cause acid tospill. Lift the battery with a carrier orwith your hands on the opposite corners.


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R WARNING

Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burnsskin, eyes, and clothing.

If the acid touches someones skin, eyes, orclothing, immediately flush the area with waterfor at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows theacid, have him or her drink lots of milk or waterfirst, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, orvegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.

To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,and to avoid injury to yourself, follow thesedirections for preparing your vehicle to

jump-start and connecting the jumper cables inthe order they are given. If in doubt, call forroad service.

Preparing Your Vehicle1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so

you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.You will damage your starting motor,ignition system, and other electrical parts ifyou connect them to a 24-volt power supply(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a24-volt generator set).

2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabledvehicle. You could damage the vehicleselectrical system.

3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood ofthe disabled vehicle. Make sure the vehiclesdo not touch each other. Set the parking

brake on both vehicles and stay clear of theengine cooling fan and other moving parts.


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4. Check all battery terminals and remove anyexcessive corrosion before you attach the

jumper cables.

5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.Turning on the fan helps protect the

electrical system from voltage surges. Turnoff all other switches and lights in bothvehicles to prevent possible damage to eithervehicles electrical systems.

Connect i ng t he j umper cables

1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable tothe positive (+) terminal of the discharged

battery. (You can connect either jumper cableto the positive (+) terminal, as long as youuse the same cable for both positiveterminals.) Most jumper cables have a red

cable and a black cable. The red cable isgenerally used for the positive terminals andthe black for the negative ones.

2. Connect the other end of the first cable tothe positive (+) terminal of the booster

battery.

3. Connect one end of the second cable to thenegative () terminal of the booster battery NOT to the discharged battery.

4. Connect the other end of the second cable toa good metallic surface on the engine or

frame of the disabled vehicle.


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R WARNING

Do not connect the end of the secondcable to the negative () terminal of thebattery to be jumped. A spark may causean explosion of the gases that surroundthe battery.

Attaching jumper cables

Jump-Starting

1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not inthe way of moving engine parts, then startthe booster vehicle. Run the engine at amoderate speed.

2. Let the discharged battery charge for a fewminutes and then start the disabled vehicle.It may take a couple of tries before thevehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start

after several attempts, there may be adifferent problem.

3. When both vehicles are running, let themidle for a few minutes to charge thedischarged battery.

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