2003 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS load capacity

If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designed by weight, not volume, so you
cannot necessarily use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire, rim sizes and inflation
pressures are specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. A Certification Label was supplied by Ford Motor
Company to the Motorhome Manufacturer. The manufacturer uses this
information and supplies a Certification Label which is located inside the
vehicle to the left of the driver.
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. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Certification
Label, located near the driver’s seat or on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Certification Label, located near the driver’s seat or on the driver’s
door pillar.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
Driving
31

amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
Maintenance and specifications
74

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., “All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle, and increase the risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
The tires on your vehicle have been match mounted to the original
equipment wheels. Replacement tires should be mounted so that the
match mount mark on the tire aligns with the small dimple in the face of
the wheel rim.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Maintenance and specifications
87

Engine block heater ...................23
Engine oil ....................................57
checking and adding ................57
dipstick ......................................57
filter, specifications ............58, 88
recommendations .....................58
refill capacities ..........................89
specifications ......................91–92
Exhaust fumes ............................23
F
Fail safe cooling ..........................66
Fluid capacities ...........................89
Fuel ..............................................67
calculating fuel economy .........73
capacity .....................................89
choosing the right fuel .............69
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates ...................76
detergent in fuel .......................70
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..............................67, 73
filter, specifications ............71, 88
fuel pump shut-off switch .......36
improving fuel economy ..........73
octane rating .......................69, 92
quality ........................................70
running out of fuel ...................70
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .......................67
Fuses ............................................38
G
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ............................73
Gauges .........................................11
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ............................31
calculating .................................32
definition ...................................31driving with a heavy load ........31
location ......................................31
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ............................31
calculating ...........................31–32
definition ...................................31
driving with a heavy load ........31
location ......................................31
H
Hazard flashers ...........................36
Headlamps ...................................14
daytime running lights .............14
flash to pass ..............................15
high beam .................................14
turning on and off ....................14
I
Ignition ...................................20, 92
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ................................77
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................8
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................15
J
Jack ..............................................45
positioning .................................45
storage .......................................45
Jump-starting your vehicle ........48
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........20
L
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................15
Index
95

daytime running light ...............14
headlamps .................................14
headlamps, flash to pass ..........15
instrument panel, dimming .....15
replacing bulbs .........................15
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............25
Load limits ...................................31
GAWR ........................................31
GVWR ........................................31
trailer towing ............................31
Lubricant specifications .......91–92
M
Motorcraft parts ....................71, 88
O
Octane rating ..............................69
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................57
P
Parking brake ..............................26
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......88
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................41
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ......78
fluid, refill capacity ..................89
fluid, specifications .............91–92
R
Relays ....................................38, 44
S
Safety defects, reporting ............93
Servicing your vehicle ................55
Spark plugs, specifications ...88, 92
Special notice ..........................5, 53Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................91–92
Speed control ..............................17
Starting your vehicle ............20–22
jump starting ............................48
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................16
T
Tires .................................45, 84–86
changing ....................................45
replacing ..............................46, 87
rotating ......................................86
snow tires and chains ..............87
tire grades .................................85
treadwear ..................................84
Towing .........................................33
trailer towing ............................33
wrecker ......................................52
Transmission ...............................27
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................81
fluid, refill capacities ................89
lubricant specifications ......91–92
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............................................92
Vehicle loading ............................31
Ventilating your vehicle .............23
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through ...............30
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................16
Wrecker towing ...........................52
Index
96