You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through 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.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
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VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
²Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
²Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
²GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each 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.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
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 designed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting 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 trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
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4WD ± Electronic shift transfer case
1. Place transmission in N (Neutral).
2. Shift the transfer case to 2H (2WD high).
3. Lockout the center disconnect by capping off one of the front axle
vacuum motor lines. See your dealer for assistance.
4. Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
5. Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the rear driveshaft. With the rear
driveshaft disconnected, the maximum speed is 88 km/h (55 mph) and
there are no mileage restrictions.
See your dealer for help with disconnecting the driveshaft.
SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends the following specifications for low speed, personal
use snow removal:
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.
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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 must not exceed the front accessory reserve capacity.
²The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not exceed the Total Accessory Reserve Capacity.
²The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
²The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be
considered part of the payload and must not exceed the Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for towing.
²Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
²After installing a snowplow to the vehicle, ensure the vehicle's front
toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if
required). These specifications are located in the vehicle's Workshop
Manual. Adherence to the toe, tire pressures and ride height
specification is important for proper tire wear, ride, handling and
headlight aim. Also, maintain the engine oil and transmission fluid
change intervals following the severe duty schedule.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Removing snowplow
Read the following instructions before removing a snowplow:
²After removing a snowplow from the vehicle, ensure the vehicle's front
toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if
required). These specifications are located in the vehicle's Workshop
Manual. Adherence to the toe and ride height specification is
important for proper tire wear, ride, handling and headlight aim.
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146
SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1 (First).
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
4.2L V6 engine
1. Battery
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Air filter assembly
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
9. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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170
4.6L V8/5.4L V8 engines
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
3. Power steering fluid reservoir
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Battery
10. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
11. Engine oil filler cap
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TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature (H) or ambient
temperature (C).
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
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