1999 FORD F250 engine

4. Move the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH or 4x4 LOW position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
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 “Four Wheeling” 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.
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
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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
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.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
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•GVWR (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.
•GAWR (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.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
•GCWR (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.
•Maximum 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.
•Maximum 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.
•Trailer 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.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver’s door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding
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weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the Front Axle Reserve
Capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the Total Axle Reserve Capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the Total Axle Reserve Capacity.
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and Front and Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR 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.
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.
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Driving through deep water where the transmission is submerged
may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
TOWING A TRAILER
Your vehicle may tow a
Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth
wheel 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.
2nd unit bodies are not included in
maximum trailer weight ratings.
Weight of additional “body” must be
subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
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
certification label.
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.
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Trailer towing tables
F-250 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 484 (16 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 8 165 (18 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-250 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 711 (17 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 8 165 (18 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-350 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 484 (16 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.10 8 392 (18 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
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F-350 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 711 (17 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-450 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 9 979 (22 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 9 979 (22 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-450 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 10 886 (24 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 11 794 (26 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-550
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 10 886 (24 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 11 794 (26 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
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Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice 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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants anytime the axles have been
submerged in water. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Recreational towing
If you may want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle, such as an
RV, follow these guidelines:
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