2000 FORD F250 trailer

5. Recheck the fluid level on the dipstick. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL COLD range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
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. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
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 or ambient
temperature.
Maintenance and care
189
ProCarManuals.com

•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and care
209
ProCarManuals.com

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Certification label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Certification Label be affixed
to a vehicle and prescribe where the
Certification Label may be located.
The Certification Label is located on
the front door latch pillar on the
driver’s side.
5
4
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
∇FOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXX
THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
Capacities and specifications
232
ProCarManuals.com

Comfort and convenience
Air conditioner
Bed web net
Cargo nets
Cargo organizers
Cargo storage bin
Cargo trays
Engine block heaters
Power sliding rear window
Tire step
Travel equipment
Auto headlamp system with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Bumper mounted bike courier
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Fog lights
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
Running boards and tubular running bars
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch, Class IV
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch mounted bike carrier
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Trailer wiring harness
Customer assistance
243
ProCarManuals.com

replacing
bulbs ............212,213,214,215,216
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................56
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....14,110
brake ..........................................13
charging system ........................14
check coolant ............................15
cruise indicator .........................15
door ajar ....................................15
engine oil pressure ...................15
high beam .................................14
low fuel ......................................10
safety belt .................................13
service engine soon .............10,11
turn signal indicator .................14
Load limits .................................132
GAWR ......................................132
GVWR ......................................132
trailer towing ..........................132
Loading instructions .................134
Locks
childproof ..................................64
Lubricant specifications ....225,227
Lumbar support, seats ...............75
Manual transmission .................117
fluid capacities ........................222
lubricant specifications ..........227
reverse .....................................121
Message center ...........................20
english/metric button ...............20
menu button .............................20
Mirrors .........................................66
fold away ...................................65
heated ........................................65
side view mirrors (power) .......64
Motorcraft parts .................206,222
Octane rating ............................204
Odometer .....................................18
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................176Overdrive .....................................61
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................68
Parking brake ............................111
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....222
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................152
Power door locks ........................63
Power steering ..........................112
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................222
fluid, specifications ..........225,227
Preparing to
drive your vehicle .....................113
Radio ............................................32
Relays ........................................147
Remote entry system ............67,68
illuminated entry ......................69
locking/unlocking doors ...........67
panic alarm ...............................68
replacement/additional
transmitters ..........................70,71
replacing the batteries .............68
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ...........16,75,77,78,79,81
Safety defects, reporting ..........246
Safety restraints ......75,77,78,79,81
belt minder ...............................84
cleaning the safety belts ...87,221
extension assembly ..................83
for adults .........................77,78,79
for children ..........................96,97
lap belt ......................................82
warning light
and chime ...................13,16,83,84
Safety seats for children ............98
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............75
Seats ............................................72
child safety seats ......................98
cleaning ...................................221
Servicing your vehicle ..............172
Index
250
ProCarManuals.com