2000 FORD E-450 weight

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
²Practice 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.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles 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,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Driving
125
ProCarManuals.com

Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and care
186
ProCarManuals.com

For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Customer assistance
220
ProCarManuals.com

engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
engine oil pressure gauge ........15
fuel gauge ..................................14
odometer ...................................16
speedometer .............................14
trip odometer ............................16
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....118
calculating ...............................120
definition .................................118
driving with a heavy load ......118
location ....................................118
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............118
calculating ........................118,120
definition .................................118
driving with a heavy load ......118
location ....................................118
Hazard flashers .........................128
Headlamps ...................................17
aiming ......................................193
bulb specifications ..................193
daytime running lights .............17
flash to pass ..............................18
high beam ............................13,17
replacing bulbs ................188,190
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................18
auxiliary heater and air
conditioner ................................23
heater only system ...................18
heating and
air conditioning system ............20
Hood ..........................................151
Ignition .......................................206
positions of the ignition ...........58
Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..95
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................187Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................197
cluster .................................10,197
lighting up
panel and interior .....................18
location of components ............10
Jump-starting your vehicle ......144
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........58
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................193
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........18
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps ...........................65
replacing bulbs ..188,190,191,192
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................59
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,110
brake ..........................................10
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................13
engine oil pressure ...................13
high beam .................................13
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................118
GAWR ......................................118
GVWR ......................................118
trailer towing ..........................118
Loading instructions .................119
Lubricant specifications ....203,206
Lumbar support, seats ...............73
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......67
Index
225
ProCarManuals.com