1998 FORD F150 suspension

oil pressure gaugein this chapter
for more information.
Four wheel drive low (if
equipped)
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is selected.
Four wheel drive indicator (if
equipped)
Illuminates when 4x4 range is
selected.
Check air suspension (if
equipped)
Illuminates briefly when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position and the engine is OFF.
The light also illuminates when the
air suspension system requires
servicing.
For information, refer toAir
suspension systemin theDriving
chapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door is open.
LOW
RANGE
4x4
CHECK
SUSP
DOOR
AJAR
Instrumentation
11

normal driving and should not be
noticeable to the driver.
To avoid injury, never run
the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when
changing a tire.
AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM (IF
EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system is
designed to improve ride, handling
and general vehicle performance
for static, on and off-road driving
conditions.
²The load leveling feature of the
air suspension automatically
keeps the vehicle at a constant
level if a load is added or
removed from the vehicle.
²The height adjustment feature
automatically controls the
vehicle height over a range of
approximately 5 cm (2 inches)
based on vehicle speed, ignition
position and selection of two or
four-wheel drive modes.
Driving
87

The air suspension shut-off switch
is located behind an access panel
underneath the passenger side
instrument panel.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Automatic transmission
operation
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift from being
moved from P (Park) unless the
brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift
out of P (Park) with the brake
pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to
OFF. Apply the brake pedal and
shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above
procedure to move the gearshift, it
AIR SUSPENSION
SWITCH
INTERRUPTEUR DE
LA SUSPENSION
PNEUMATIQUE
OFF
Driving
88

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

Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 952 (2 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700) 5.52 (60)
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle's bumper or attach to
the axle. You must distribute the
load in your trailer so that 10 to
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a
load equalizing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a
level surface. With the ignition on
and all doors closed, allow the
vehicle to stand for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to OFF.
Driving
118

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

²F-150/F±250 4WD Regular Cab
long wheelbase
²4.6L or 5.4L engine
²Heavy duty service package
²Super engine cooling
²Heavy duty front suspension
package
²Automatic transmission with
auxiliary automatic transmission
fluid cooling
²All-terrain tires
Do not install a snowplow and
plow with your vehicle until it has
been driven at least 800 km (500
miles).
Installing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before installing a snowplow:
²Front GAWR must not exceed
63% of the GVW. Add ballast
weight to the back of the
vehicle, if necessary. Refer to
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find Front
GAWR.
²The Front Axle Accessory
Reserve Capacity and the Total
Accessory Reserve Capacity
listed on the bottom right of the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label will determine whether or
not the addition of a snowplow
will overload your vehicle.
²The weight of the snowplow and
supporting components
distributed to the front axle
Driving
125

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