1999 FORD F250 towing

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Low fuel
Illuminates as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge. The light comes on when
there is approximately 1/16th of a
tank indicated on the fuel gauge
(refer toFuel Gaugein this chapter for more information). The ignition
must be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position regardless of the fuel level.
Service engine soon (Federal only)
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD
I). This OBD I system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD I system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonindicator 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.
0
000000000
MPH20km/h
406080
100
120
140
160
010 20304050
60
70
80
90
100
LOW
FUEL
DOOR
AJAR BRAKE
LOW
RANGE
4 X 4
!ABS+ -
LEF
H
RPM1000X0123
5
6 4
PRN 218C 18
H
D
FUEL FILL
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
LOW
FUEL
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
8
ProCarManuals.com

What you should do if the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light
illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD I system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight 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.
These and other temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the
fuel tank with good quality fuel. After three driving cycles without these
or any other temporary malfunctions present, theCheck Engine/Service
Engine Soonlight should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional
vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Service engine soon (California only)
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as 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.
TheService Engine Soonindicator 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.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
9
ProCarManuals.com

Mode control
Each press of the MODE control will
display a different feature as follows:
Average fuel economy.The
display will indicate the vehicle’s
average fuel economy in liters/100
km (or miles/gallon) since the
average fuel economy was last reset.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing liters of fuel
used by 100 kilometers traveled
(miles traveled by gallons used), your figure may be different than
displayed for the following reasons:
•your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 liter (gallon)
To reset the average fuel economy:
1. Press the MODE control repeatedly until average fuel economy is
displayed (this is the only resettable display).
2. Press the E/M and MODE
controls simultaneously. The display
will illuminate the “AVG” indicator.
While the indicator is lit, release
both controls to reset the average
fuel economy.
Fuel range.This displays the approximate number of kilometers (miles)
left to drive before the fuel tank is empty. The indicated distance to
empty may be inaccurate:
•with sustained, drastic changes in fuel economy (such as trailer
towing), but will eventually recover.
MODE
E/M
MODE
E/M
Instrumentation
18
ProCarManuals.com

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N (Neutral),
the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal
down while in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving position for the
best fuel economy. Transmission
operates in gears one through four.
(Overdrive) can be deactivated
by pressing the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS) 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 (TCS) 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:
•driving with a heavy load.
•towing a trailer up or down steep hills.
•additional engine downhill braking is desired. If towing a trailer, refer
toDriving while you towin theTrailer towingsection.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the Transmission Control
Switch (TCS). 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.
OVERDRIVEOFF
OVERDRIVE
Driving
118
ProCarManuals.com

4. Move the transfer case shift lever
through N (Neutral) directly to 4H
(4WD High) or 4L (4WD Low).
Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case neutral position overrides the transmission and
puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission gearshift
lever position. The vehicle can move forward or backwards.
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
To prevent damage, the electronic shift 4WD system is designed
to allow up to 45 seconds before the shift command is performed.
In the event that conflicting shift commands are selected, allow
up to 45 seconds for the shift command to be performed prior to
reporting any shift concerns to your dealer.
2WD (2WD High)– Power to rear axle only.
4x4 HIGH (4WD High)– Power delivered to front and rear axles for
increased traction.
4x4 LOW (4WD Low)– Power to front and rear axles at low speeds.
2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
Driving
128
ProCarManuals.com

•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
Driving
133
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Driving
135
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Driving
136
ProCarManuals.com