1998 FORD F150 brake

on the following charts. This is the
maximum trailer weight your
vehicle can tow and must fall
below the maximum shown under
maximum trailer weight on the
chart.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through
standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or
brake capability may be limited
and if the ignition system gets wet,
your engine may stall. Water may
also enter your engine's air intake
and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the water, always try
the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while
applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
Driving
111

TOWING A TRAILER
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II
or III trailer provided the
maximum trailer weight is less
than or equal to the maximum
trailer weight listed for your engine
and rear axle ratio on the following
charts.
Your vehicle's load capacity is
designated by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an
additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transmission, axle, brakes,
tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any
towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Driving
112

3. Measure the height of a
reference point on the front and
rear bumpers at the center of the
vehicle.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle
and adjust the hitch equalizers so
that the front bumper height is
within 0±13 mm (0.5 in) of the
reference point. After proper
adjustment, the rear bumper
should be no higher than in Step 3.
5. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to ON.
Adjusting an equalizing
hitch so the rear bumper
of the vehicle is lower or higher
than it was unloaded will defeat
the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause
unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety
chains to the vehicle. To connect
the trailer's safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and
allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow
the instructions that the rental
agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual,
automatic or surge-type brakes are
safe if installed properly and
adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes
Driving
119

must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's
hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and
your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most
towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for
proper instructions and equipment
for hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with
an integral hitch and requires only
a ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch)
shank diameter. The bumper has a
2 270 kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight
and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the
trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must
be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h
(55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
Driving
120

²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear
when towing up or down steep
hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and
upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission
cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the Severe Duty Schedule
in your ªService Guideº for more
information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle trailer
combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer
wheels will clear curbs and
other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for
stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should
be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km
(50 miles), thoroughly check
your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift in P (Park)
Driving
121

Always replace a fuse with
one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse
with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage
and could start a fire.
Standard fuse amperage rating
and color
Fuse rating Color
5 amp Tan
7.5 amp Brown
10 amp Red
15 amp Light blue
20 amp Yellow
20 amp fuse link Light blue
25 amp Natural
30 amp Light green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp fuse link Green
50 amp fuse link Red
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Dark blue
Passenger compartment fuse
panel
The fuse panel is located below
and to the left of the steering
wheel by the brake pedal. Pull the
panel cover outward to access the
fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse
puller tool provided on the fuse
panel cover.
Roadside emergencies
133

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
5 15A Digital Transmission
Range (DTR) Sensor
(A/T), Backup Lamp
Switch (M/T), Daytime
Running Lights (DRL)
Module, Speed Control
Servo/Amplifier
Assembly, Heater-A/C
Control Assembly,
Blend Door Actuator
6 5A Shift Lock Actuator,
Generic Electronic
Module (GEM), Rear
Air Suspension (RAS)
Module
7 Ð Not Used
8 5A Radio, Main Light
Switch, Remote
Anti-Theft Personality
(RAP) Module
9 Ð Not Used
10 Ð Not Used
11 30A Washer Pump Relay,
Wiper Run/Park Relay,
Wiper Hi/LO Relay,
Windshield Wiper
Motor
12 5A Data Link Connector
(DLC)
13 15A Rear Anti-Lock Brake
System (RABS)
Module, Brake On/Off
(BOO) Switch, Brake
Pressure Switch
Roadside emergencies
135

Fuse/Relay Location Fuse Amp Rating Description
14 15A Battery Saver Relay,
Interior Lamp Relay
15 5A Generic Electronic
Module (GEM)
16 20A Instrument Cluster
(W/O DRL), Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)
Module, Hi-Beam
Headlamps (Power
supplied through
Multi-Function
Switch)
17 Ð Not Used
18 5A Park Lamp Relay,
Trailer Electronic
Brake Controller, Main
Light Switch, Trailer
Tow Run Relay, Front
Park/Turn Lamps,
License Lamps,
Stop/Park/Turn Lamps,
Tail/Side Marker
Lamps (Power
supplied through Main
Light Switch)
19 10A Instrument Cluster,
Air Bag Diagnostic
Monitor
20 5A Powertrain Control
Module (PCM),
Generic Electronic
Module (GEM)/Central
Timer Module (CTM)
Roadside emergencies
136