2000 FORD F150 weight

Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
SuperCab
4.6L 3.31/16 in 4 763 (10 500) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 5 216 (11 500) 2 994 (6 600)
4.6L 3.55/17 in 4 990 (11 000) 2 767 (6 100)
5.4L 3.31/16 in 5 443 (12 000) 3 130 (6 900)
5.4L 3.55/16 in 5 897 (13 000) 3 583 (7 900)
5.4L 3.55/17 in 5 670 (12 500) 3 357 (7 400)
5.4L 3.73/16 in 6 124 (13 500) 3 765 (8 300)
4x4 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.31/16 in 2 948 (6 500) 862 (1 900)
4.2L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 452 (3 200)
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 944 (6 500) 816 (1 800)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 538 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100)
SuperCab
4.6L 3.31/16 in 2 948 (6 500) 726 (1 600)
4.6L 3.55/16 in 3 533 (7 800) 1 315 (2 900)
Trailer frontal area considerations:
²Not to exceed towing vehicle front area without Class III trailer towing
package
²Not to exceed 5.52 square meters (60 square feet) with Class III
trailer towing package
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Driving
167

Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle's bumper or attach to the
axle. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that 10%±15% of the
total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 0±13 mm (0.5 in) of the reference
point. After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher
than in Step 3.
Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle
is lower or higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function
of the load equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Driving
168

Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper hasa2270
kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
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.
Driving
169

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up 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 no more than 10±15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
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) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). 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.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Recreational towing (all wheels on the ground)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind
a Motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need for
recreational towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Driving
170

Installing the snowplow
Removing the blocker beam without installing snowplow
attachment hardware may affect air bag deployment in a crash.
Do not operate the truck unless either the blocker beam or snowplow
attachment hardware is installed on the vehicle.
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.
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
certification label.
Driving
172

Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
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.
²To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
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.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
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.
Maintenance and care
234

Underbody vehicle lighting
Universal floor mats
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 or cause the transmission to be
damaged or operate improperly. 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.
ORDERING ADDITIONAL OWNER'S LITERATURE
To order the publications in this portfolio:
Make checks payable to:
HELM, INCORPORATED
P.O. Box 07150
Detroit, Michigan 48207
For a free publication catalog, order toll free: 1-800-782-4356
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST,
for credit card holders only
Customer assistance
270

check engine/
service engine soon light .........11
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................206
fail-safe coolant ......................211
idle speed control ...................218
lubrication
specifications ..................251, 253
refill capacities ........................248
service points ..................199±200
starting after a collision .........176
Engine block heater .................136
Engine oil ..................................200
checking and adding ..............200
dipstick ....................................200
filter, specifications ........203, 247
recommendations ...................203
refill capacities ........................248
specifications ..................251, 253
Exhaust fumes ..........................137
F
Fail safe cooling ........................211
Floor mats ...................................81
Fluid capacities .........................248
Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel
Drive vehicles ......................14, 153
control trac ...............................23
description ..............................156
driving off road .......................157
electronic shift ..................23, 156
indicator light ...................14, 154
lever operated shift ................154
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................143
Fuel ............................................227
calculating fuel economy .......231cap ...........................................230
capacity ...................................248
choosing the right fuel ...........229
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........234
detergent in fuel .....................230
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................227, 230, 232
filter, specifications ........231, 247
fuel pump shut-off switch .....176
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........231
low fuel warning light ..............10
octane rating ...................229, 253
quality ......................................229
running out of fuel .................230
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................227
Fuses ..................................177, 179
G
Garage door opener ....................74
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............230
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................231
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............18
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....160
calculating ...............................162
definition .................................160
Index
275