2003 FORD E SERIES tow

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
•If your vehicle is equipped with running boards, do not use
rubber, plastic and vinyl protectant products on the running
board surface, as the area may become slippery.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
170

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•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 specificationsin
this chapter.
•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).
Maintenance and Specifications
200

L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................55
cargo lamps ...............................54
daytime running light ...............53
headlamps .................................53
headlamps, flash to pass ..........54
instrument panel, dimming .....54
interior lamps ...........................55
replacing bulbs ...................55–60
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................54
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........114
speed control ............................69
Load limits .................................122
GAWR ......................................122
GVWR ......................................122
trailer towing ..........................122
Loading instructions .................124
Lubricant specifications ...217, 220
Lumbar support, seats ...............76
M
Mirrors
fold away ...................................67
side view mirrors (power) .......66
Motorcraft parts ................198, 212
O
Octane rating ............................197
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................179
P
Parking brake ............................115Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....212
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................144
Power door locks ........................71
Power point .................................65
Power steering ..........................115
fluid, checking and adding ....203
fluid, refill capacity ................213
fluid, specifications .........217, 220
Power Windows ...........................66
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................116
R
Radio ..........................15, 17, 20, 24
Relays ................................140, 147
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................74
locking/unlocking doors ...........71
Roadside assistance ..................137
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................80, 82–85
Safety defects, reporting ..........169
Safety restraints ..............80, 82–85
belt minder ...............................86
cleaning the safety belts ..........90
extension assembly ..................90
for adults .............................82–84
for children .........................95–96
lap belt ......................................85
warning light and chime ..........86
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................80
Index
230

Seats ............................................75
child safety seats ......................99
Servicing your vehicle ..............176
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................147
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................212, 220
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............6
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................217, 220
Speed control ..............................67
Starting your vehicle ........111–113
jump starting ..........................155
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................62
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ...........50, 52
Tires ...................................207–209
changing ..........................147–148
replacing ..........................150, 211
rotating ....................................210
snow tires and chains ............211
tire grades ...............................208
treadwear ................................207
Towing .......................................124
recreational towing .................136trailer towing ..........................124
wrecker ....................................160
Traction-lok rear axle ...............116
Transmission .............................117
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................204
fluid, refill capacities ..............213
lubricant specifications ..217, 220
Trunk ...........................................70
Turn signal ..................................54
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................220
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................222
Vehicle loading ..........................122
Ventilating your vehicle ...........114
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................178
Water, Driving through .............121
Windows
power .........................................66
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................61
checking and adding fluid .....178
replacing wiper blades .............61
Wrecker towing .........................160
Index
231