1998 FORD F250 towing

the On Board Diagnostics System
(OBD II). This OBD II system
protects the environment by
ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service
technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is
first turned to the ON position to
check the bulb. If it comes on after
the engine is started, one of the
engine's emission control systems
may be malfunctioning. The light
may illuminate without a
driveability concern being noted.
The vehicle will usually be drivable
and will not require towing.
What you should do if the
check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause
yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been
properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
Instrumentation
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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
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control switch on the end of the
gearshift lever.
The transmission control indicator
light (TCIL) (the word OFF) on
the end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate.
Drive± Not shown on the display.
Activate by pressing the
transmission control switch on the
end of the gearshift lever with the
gearshift in the
position. The
TCIL (the word OFF) will
illuminate on the gearshift lever.
Transmission operates in gears one
through three.
(Drive) provides
more engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down
steep hills
²additional engine downhill
braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while
you towin theTowing a trailer
chapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode,
press the transmission control
switch. The TCIL (the word OFF)
will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started,
the transmission will automatically
return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off
and restarted, you must press the
transmission control switch to
cancel overdrive operation if
driving in overdrive is not desired.
OVERDRIVE
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transmission and puts the
vehicle in neutral regardless of
transmission gearshift lever
position. The vehicle can move
forward or backwards. Make
sure the parking brake is
applied and the vehicle is never
left unattended with the
transfer case in neutral.
This position should only be used
when towing the vehicle. Refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not leave the vehicle
unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the
ignition when leaving the vehicle.
Using the electronic shift 4WD
system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift
system
2H (2WD High)± Power to rear
axle only.
4H (4WD High)± Power
delivered to front and rear axles
for increased traction.
4L (4WD Low)± Power to front
and rear axles at low speeds.
2H
4H
4L N
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vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the
driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating): Carrying capacity for
each axle system. The GAWR is
specific to each vehicle and is
listed on the Safety Compliance
Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating): Maximum
combined weight of towing
vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) and the trailer. The
GCWR indicates the maximum
loaded weight that the vehicle is
allowed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating: Maximum weight of a
trailer the vehicle is permitted
to tow. The maximum trailer
weight rating equals the vehicle
curb weight for each
engine/transmission
combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing
and the weight of the driver
from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight:
maximum weight of a trailer the
loaded vehicle (including
passengers and cargo) is
permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the
weight of the loaded trailer
towing vehicle from the GCWR
for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range:
Specified weight range that the
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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.
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Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight could result
in engine damage,
transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Trailer towing tables
F-150 4x2 with automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.08 4 077 (9 000) 2 177 (4 800)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 261 (7 200)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 948 (6 500)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 268 (8 000)
SuperCab
4.2L 3.08 4 077 (9 000) 2 086 (4 600)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 491 (5 500)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 171 (7 000)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 857 (6 300)
5.4L 3.55 4 983 (12 700) 3 628 (8 000)
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Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 2 993 (6 600) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 721 (6 000) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 492 (7 700) 5.52 (60)
F-150 4x4 manual transmission
Trailer towing table (F-150 4x4 manual transmission)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 861 (1 900) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 451 (3 200) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 816 (1 800) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-150
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 771 (1 700) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 360 (3 000) 5.52 (60)
F-250 4x2 automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 630 (5 800) 5.52 (60)
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