2003 FORD F150 Owners Manual

The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires. The use of tire sealants
may also affect your tire pressure monitoring system (if equipped).
Spare tire information
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire that may be used as a spare or
a regular tire. The spare tire wheel may not match the road wheel, and is
not equipped with wheel trim. The wheel trim from the wheel/tire may
be used on the spare if the wheels match.
If your vehicle is equipped with 4WD, a spare tire of a different
size than the road tires should not be used. Use of such a tire
could result in damage to driveline components and an increased risk
of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury or death.
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system, refer to Tire Pressure Monitoring System (if equipped)
in the Maintenance and specifications section for important information
before changing your tires. If the tire pressure monitoring system
becomes damaged, it will no longer function.
Location of the spare tire and tools
The spare tire and tools for your vehicle are stowed in the following
locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack, lug nut wrench Regular cab: Under the seat on the
passenger side
Super Cab: Under the front or rear
seat on the passenger side
Super Crew cab: In the passenger
side rear storage compartment
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Tool Location
Jack handle On top of the radiator support at
the front of the engine
compartment
Key, spare tire lock In the glove box
Removing the spare tire
1. If equipped with a two piece lug wrench, assemble the lug wrench as
shown in the illustration.
•To assemble, screw the parts
together. To disassemble,
unscrew.
2. Attach the spare tire lock key (A)
to the jack handle (B).
3. Fully insert the jack handle
through the bumper hole and into
the guide tube. The key and lock
will engage with a slight push and
counterclockwise turn. Some
resistance will be felt when turning
the jack handle assembly.
4. Turn the handle counterclockwise
until tire is lowered to the ground,
the tire can be slid rearward and the
cable is slightly slack.
5. Remove the retainer from the spare tire.
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Tire change procedure
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be
sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
Refer to the instruction sheet (located with the jack) for detailed tire
change instructions.
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or in the
reverse gear (manual
transmission)and turn engine OFF.
3. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
4. Obtain the spare tire and jack
from their storage locations.
5. Use the tip of the lug wrench to
remove any wheel trim.
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6. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
7. Position the jack according to the following guides and turn the jack
handle clockwise until the wheel is completely off the ground.
When one of the rear wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the transmission is in P (Park) or in the reverse gear
(manual transmission). To prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change the tire, be sure that the parking brake is set and the
diagonally opposite wheel is blocked. If the vehicle slips off the jack,
someone could be seriously injured.
•Front (4x2)
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•Front (4x4)
•Rear
To lessen the risk of
personal injury, do not put
any part of your body under the
vehicle while changing a tire. Do
not start the engine when your
vehicle is on the jack. The jack is
only meant for changing the tire.
•Never use the front or rear
differential as a jacking point.
8. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
9. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making sure the valve stem is
facing outward. Reinstall the lug nuts until the wheel is snug against the
hub. Do not fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been lowered.
10. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.
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11. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
•Five lug nut wheel
•Seven lug nut wheel
12. Stow the flat tire. Refer toStowing the flat/spare tire.
13. Stow the jack and lug wrench. Make sure the jack is fastened so it
does not rattle when you drive.
14. Unblock the wheels.
Bolt size Wheel lug nut torque*
Nm Lb-ft
F-150 (five lug nut wheel):
M14 x 2.0200 150
F-150 with Heavy Payload
Package (seven lug nut
wheel): M12 x 1.75135 100
* Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and
rust. Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
1
4 3
2 5
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Stowing the flat/spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, per scheduled maintenance guide), or at any
time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injury or
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic converter may become damaged.
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Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fully update transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) booster cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
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