2003 FORD F250 light

3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
238

CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch fluid level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide
for the service interval schedules.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specification
ESA-M6C25–A. Refer toLubricant Specificationsin this chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant or rise slightly. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid
level to the step in the reservoir.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
240

Tire inflation information
All tires with Steel Carcass Plies (if equipped):
This type of tire utilizes steel cords in the sidewalls. As such, they
cannot be treated like normal light truck tires. Tire service, including
adjusting tire pressure, must be performed by personnel trained,
supervised and equipped according to Federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For example, during any
procedure involving tire inflation, the technician or individual must
utilize a remote inflation device, and insure that all persons are clear of
the trajectory area.
WARNINGAn inflated tire and rim can be very dangerous if
improperly used, serviced or maintained. To avoid serious injury,
never attempt to re-inflate a tire which has been run flat or seriously
under-inflated without first removing the tire from the wheel assembly
for inspection. Do not attempt to add air to tires or replace tires or
wheels without first taking precautions to protect persons and
property.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
The following procedure applies to vehicles equipped with single rear
wheel.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

Travel equipment
Adjustable Towing System
Auto headlamp system with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Battery Warmer
Bed Tent
Box Aluminum Rack cargo storage systems (Trac Rac)
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Fog lights
Highway safety and first aid kit
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
ROC2 hitch mounted bike courier
Running boards and tubular running bars
Running boards diamond plate
Seatback organizer
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
Trailgate table
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
All weather vinyl floor mats
Bed mat
Bed hooks
Bed mats
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
271

A
Accessory delay ..........................53
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................90
and child safety seats ..............92
description ................................90
disposal ......................................94
driver air bag ............................92
indicator light ...........................94
operation ...................................92
passenger air bag .....................92
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................95
Air cleaner filter ...............246, 253
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................223
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................115
Audio system
AM/FM .......................................19
Audio system
(see Radio) ................19, 21, 23, 27
Automatic transmission ............118
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................119, 122
fluid, adding ............................241
fluid, checking ........................241
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................260
Auxiliary power point .................52
Axle
lubricant specifications ..257, 260
refill capacities ........................254
traction lok ..............................117
B
Battery .......................................221acid, treating emergencies .....221
jumping a disabled battery ....192
maintenance-free ....................221
replacement, specifications ...253
servicing ..................................221
BeltMinder ...................................85
Brakes ........................................115
anti-lock ...................................115
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................115
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .........257, 260
lubricant specifications ..257, 260
parking ....................................116
shift interlock ..........................118
Bulbs ............................................42
C
Calculating load ........................146
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Cassette tape player ...................27
CD changer .................................31
CD-single premium .........19, 21, 23
Cell phone use ............................59
Certification Label ....................268
Child safety restraints ................99
child safety belts ......................99
Child safety seats ......................102
attaching with tether straps ..106
in front seat ............................104
in rear seat ..............................104
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............209
instrument panel ....................211
interior .....................................211
interior trim ............................211
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
Index
274

filter, specifications ........220, 253
recommendations ...................220
refill capacities ........................254
specifications ..................257, 260
Exhaust fumes ..........................114
F
Fail safe cooling ........................227
Fluid capacities .........................254
Foglamps .....................................39
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......129
description ..............................133
driving off road .......................135
electronic shift ................129, 133
indicator light .........................130
lever operated shift ................130
manual locking hubs ..............129
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................117
Fuel ............................................229
calculating fuel economy .......233
cap ...........................................231
capacity ...................................254
choosing the right fuel ...........231
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................236
detergent in fuel .....................232
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................229, 231, 233
filter, specifications ........233, 253
fuel pump shut-off switch .....175
improving fuel economy ........233
octane rating ...................232, 260
quality ......................................232
running out of fuel .................232
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................229
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......175
Fuses ..................................176–177G
Garage door opener ....................50
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............231
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................233
Gauges .........................................15
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................19
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....145
calculating ...............................146
definition .................................145
driving with a heavy load ......145
location ....................................145
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................145
calculating .......................145–146
definition .................................145
driving with a heavy load ......145
location ....................................145
H
Hazard flashers .........................175
Headlamps ...................................38
aiming ........................................40
autolamp system .......................38
daytime running lights .............39
flash to pass ..............................40
high beam .................................39
replacing bulbs ...................43–44
turning on and off ....................38
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................35–36
Hood ..........................................216
I
Ignition ...............................110, 260
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
276

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................102
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................238
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................211
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................40
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......192
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................71
Keys
positions of the ignition .........110
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................38
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................42
cargo lamps ...............................40
daytime running light ...............39
fog lamps ...................................39
headlamps .................................38
headlamps, flash to pass ..........40
instrument panel, dimming .....40
interior lamps .....................41–42
replacing bulbs ...................42–47
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................41
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........115
speed control ............................58
Load limits .................................145GAWR ......................................145
GVWR ......................................145
trailer towing ..........................145
Loading instructions .................146
Locks
autolock .....................................71
childproof ..................................66
Lubricant specifications ...257, 260
Lumbar support, seats ...............76
M
Manual transmission .................124
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........260
reverse .....................................126
Message center ...........................59
english/metric button ...............60
menu button .............................60
Mirrors .........................................50
fold away ...................................55
heated ........................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......53
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts ................233, 253
O
Octane rating ............................232
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................218
Overdrive .....................................49
P
Parking brake ............................116
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....253
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................56
Power adjustable foot pedals .....56
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
277

Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................177
Power door locks ..................65, 71
Power point .................................52
Power steering ..........................117
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 260
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................117
R
Radio ..........................19, 21, 23, 27
AM/FM .......................................19
Relays ........................................176
Remote entry system .................67
illuminated entry ......................70
locking/unlocking doors ...........65
Reverse sensing system ...........127
Roadside assistance ..................174
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............89
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................77, 79–81, 83
Safety defects, reporting ..........207
Safety restraints ..............77, 79–83
belt minder ...............................85
extension assembly ..................89
for adults .............................79–81
for children ...............................99
lap belt ......................................84
safety belt maintenance ...........89
warning light and chime ..........85
Safety seats for children ..........102Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................77
Seats ............................................72
child safety seats ....................102
cleaning ...................................212
Servicing your vehicle ..............215
Snowplowing .................8, 170–172
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........182
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................253, 260
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
four-wheel drive vehicles 172–173
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 260
Speed control ..............................56
Starting your vehicle .......110–111,
113
jump starting ..........................192
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................49
Stereo
AM/FM .......................................19
T
Tailgate ........................................64
Tilt steering wheel ......................49
Tires ...................................247–248
changing ..........................182, 184
checking the pressure ............248
replacing ..................................251
rotating ....................................249
snow tires and chains ............252
tire grades ...............................248
treadwear ................................247
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
278