Page 248 of 280

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
SERVICING YOUR TIRES
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km (3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label. Tire pressure information can also be found on the
Tire Information label located on the inside of the fuel filler door.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
248
Page 249 of 280

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
Page 251 of 280

•DRW–Six tire rotation
If your vehicle is equipped with dual
rear wheels it is recommended that
front and rear tires (in pairs) be
rotated only side to side, with the
rear tires maintaining original
vehicle position. After tire rotation,
inflation pressures must be adjusted
for the tires new positions in
accordance with vehicle
requirements.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads. Due to exposure to the
elements and exhaust you should
replace the spare tire when you
replace the other tires.
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 handling may be affected which can lead to loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and/or personal injury.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
251
Page 252 of 280

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
speed rating, load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All
Terrain”,“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with“high performance”tires or larger
size tires.
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.
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.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252
Page 257 of 280
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Spindle bearingHigh
Temperature
4X4 Front Axle
and Wheel
Bearing GreaseE8TZ-19590–A ESA-M1C198–A
Front axle
(4X4)Hypoid Gear Oil
SAE 90C6AZ-19580–E ESW-M2C105–A
Rear axleMotorcraft SAE
75W-140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lube
1
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192-A
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantXY-75W90–GLS–
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant
(Dana 135
axles)
1
XY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Brake fluid and
clutch fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
257
Page 260 of 280

ENGINE DATA
Engine* 5.4L V8 engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 330 415
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark plug gap1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.0:1 9.0:1
*Refer to the6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplementfor Motorcraft diesel engine service part
numbers.
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
F250–Regular and Super Cab
Dimension Body style
Regular
Cab 4x2Regular
Cab 4x4Super Cab
4x2Super Cab
4x4
(1) Overall
height1935 mm
(76.2 in)2005 mm
(78.9 in)1943 mm
(76.5 in)
b2008 mm
(79.0 in)b
(2) Track
(Front /
Rear)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729 mm
(68 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729.3 mm
(68 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729.3 mm
(68 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729.3 mm
(68 in)
(3) Overall
width2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)
(4)
Wheelbase3479.8 mm
(137 in)3479.8 mm
(137 in)3610.7 mm
(141.8 in)
a
4013.2 mm
(158 in)b
3610.7 mm
(141.8 in)a
4013.2 mm
(158 in)b
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
260
Page 261 of 280

Dimension Body style
Regular
Cab 4x2Regular
Cab 4x4Super Cab
4x2Super Cab
4x4
(5) Overall
length5756 mm
(226.6 in)5756 mm
(226.6 in)5878 mm
(231.4 in)
a
6289 mm
(247.6 in)b
5878 mm
(231.4 in)a
6289 mm
(247.6 in)b
a
Short Wheel Base (SWB)bLong wheel base (LWB)
F250-Crew Cab
Dimension Body style
Crew Cab
4x2/ Short
boxCrew Cab
4x4/ Short
boxCrew Cab
4x2/ Long
boxCrew Cab
4x4/ Long
box
(1) Overall
height1960 mm
(77.2 in)2027 mm
(79.8 in)1957 mm
(77.0 in)2022 mm
(76.6 in)
(2) Track
(Front /
Rear)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729 mm
(68.1 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729 mm
(68.1 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729 mm
(68.1 in)1736 mm
(68.3 in) /
1729 mm
(68.1 in)
(3) Overall
width2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)2031 mm
(79.9 in)
(4)
Wheelbase3967 mm
(156.2 in)3967 mm
(156.2 in)4379 mm
(172.4 in)4379 mm
(172.4 in)
(5) Overall
length6243 mm
(245.8 in)6243 mm
(245.8 in)6654 mm
(262 in)6654 mm
(262 in)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
261
Page 263 of 280

Dimension Body style
Chassis
Cab—
Regular
CabChassis
Cab—
Super CabRegular
Cab Style
SideSuper Cab
Style Side
(4)
Wheelbase3576 mm
(140.8 in)
4186 mm
(164.8 in)4110 mm
(161.8 in)3480 mm
(137.0 in)3602 mm
(141.8 in)
e/
4014 mm
(158.0 in)
f
(5) Overall
length5733 mm
(225.7
in)
a,b,c,d/
6343 (249.7
in)
b,d
6267 mm
(246.7 in)5756 mm
(226.6 in)5878 mm
(231.4 in)e/
6289 mm
(247.6 in)
f
a
4x2 Single rear wheel (SRW)b4x2 Dual rear wheel (DRW)c4x4 Single rear wheel (SRW)d4x4 Dual rear wheel (DRW)eShort boxfLong box
F350-Crew Cab
DimensionBody style
Crew chassis
CabCrew cab-short
boxCrew cab—
long box
(1) Overall
height1 929 mm
(75.9 in)
a/
1 941 mm
(76.4 in)
b/
2 026 mm
(79.8 in)
c/
2 038 mm
(80.2 in)
d
1 955mm
(77.0 in)a/
1998 mm
(78.6 in)
b/
1 958 mm
(77.1 in)
c/
2 033 mm
(80.0 in)
d
1 964 mm
(77.3 in)a/
1991 mm
(75.2 in)
b/
1 957 mm
(77.0 in)
c/
2 031 mm
(80.0 in)
d
(2a) Track
—Front1 736 mm
(68.3 in)1 736 mm
(68.3 in)1 736 mm
(68.3 in)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
263