The shoulder belt should cross the chest, resting snugly on the center of
the shoulder. The lap belt should rest low and snug across the hips,
never up high across the stomach.
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition.
The importance of shoulder belts
Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is best to use a booster
seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat- the safest place for children
to ride.
Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the
booster seat.
Never put the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the
back because it eliminates the protection for the upper part of
the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a collision.
Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child. They can
slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death in a
collision.
SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN
Child and infant or child safety seats
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the
child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the
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93
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, press the
parking brake pedal down until the
pedal stops. The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument cluster
illuminates and remains illuminated
until the parking brake is released.
To release the brake, pull the
release lever. to prevent the pedal
from releasing too quickly, place
your left foot on the parking brake
pedal, then pull the release lever,
making sure the pedal fully releases.
You may want to pull the release
lever again to make sure the parking
brake is full released.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, the engine
may be required to run while power accessories operate and the parking
brake is set. It is recommended that wheel chocks be used during this
operation.
If you’re parking your vehicle on a grade or with a trailer, press and hold
the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. There may be a little
vehicle movement as the parking brake sets to hold the vehicle’s weight.
This is normal and should be no reason for concern. If needed, press and
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hold the brake pedal down, release the parking brake, then try pushing
the parking brake pedal further down. Chock the wheels if required. If
the parking brake cannot hold the weight of the vehicle, the parking
brake may need to be serviced.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at it’s furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an underinflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
To reduce the risk of injury, never run the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when changing a tire.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
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The PTO can be used during mobile and stationary
continuous/intermittent applications.
PTO operation is disabled while the vehicle is in Overdrive (the TCIL will
not be illuminated), in N (Neutral), during engine cranking. Transmission
upshift and downshift schedules will be reduced by about 15% and will
have a firmer shift feel during PTO mobile applications.
The PTO cannot be disabled while the transmission is in D (Drive)
(Overdrive position with Overdrive canceled), 2 (Second) or 1 (First).
Refer to theBody Builder’s Layout Bookfor recommended electrical
installation.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.Driving through deep
water where the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow
water into the transmission and cause internal transmission
damage.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum allowable total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
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•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCW (Gross Combined Weight):The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo) and the loaded trailer.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum allowable
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer
•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 occupants 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 range of trailer weight from zero to
the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
The Safety Certification Label, located on the driver’s door pillar, lists
vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding any additional equipment,
refer to these limitations.
Always ensure that the weight of occupants, cargo and equipment is
within the weight limitations, including both gross vehicle weight and
front and rear gross axle weight rating limits.
Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could result in
serious damage to the vehicle loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover, and/or personal injury.
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.
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Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehiclesection in
this chapter.
Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum GCWR chart (in theTrailer Towing
section in this chapter) for your type of engine and rear axle ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. To obtain correct weights, take your
vehicle to a shipping company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded weight from the maximum GCWR in the chart.
This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. It must be
below the maximum trailer weight shown in the chart.
TRAILER TOWING
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. The
weight of the 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 prior to and after any towing operation. The
following trailer towing charts apply to vehicles equipped with gasoline
engines; for Diesel engines, refer to the7.3 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Supplement.
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Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could result in
engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
F-250 Regular Cab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3583 (7900)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4264 (9400)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4899 (10800)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6486 (14300)
4x2 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3629 (8000)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4309 (9500)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 5171 (11400)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6532 (14400)
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F-250 Regular Cab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x4 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3357 (7400)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4037 (8900)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4672 (10300)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6260 (13800)
4x4 with automatic transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3402 (7500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 3.73 7711 (17000) 4944 (10900)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
6.8L (with
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 6305 (13900)
F-250 SuperCab Pickup
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR -
kg (lbs.)Maximum
trailer weight -
kg (lbs.)
4x2 with manual transmission
5.4L 3.73 6123 (13500) 3402 (7500)
5.4L 4.10 6804 (15000) 4082 (9000)
6.8L 3.73 7484 (16500) 4717 (10400)
6.8L
(without
fifth wheel)4.30 9072 (20000) 5670 (12500)
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