How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
andsymbol will
illuminate.
•TheService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
228
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
