2003 FORD F250 spare tire

When a wheel is installed, always remove any corrosion, dirt or
foreign materials present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel
or the surface of the front disc brake hub and rotor that contacts the
wheel. Installing wheels without correct metal-to-metal contact at the
wheel mounting surfaces can cause the wheel nuts to loosen and the
wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in loss of
control.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
Note:Failure to follow spare tire stowage instructions may result in
failure of cable or loss of 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.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
191

INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have a rating on them called
Tire Quality Grades. The Quality
grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For
example:
•Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger
cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

•Four tire rotation
•Five tire rotation
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
temporary or a conventional spare
tire. If the spare tire is different in
size (diameter and/or width), tread
type (All-season or All-Terrain) or is
from a different manufacturer other
than the road tires on your vehicle,
your spare tire is considered
“temporary”.
If road tire replacement is
necessary, replace it with a tire of
the same size, tread, speed rating
and load carrying capacity as soon
as possible. Temporary spare tires
should not be used in a five-tire rotation.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
250

•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

Bedliners
Carpet floor mats
Cap (hard, color keyed–Leer supplier branded)
Cap (commercial–Leer supplier branded)
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Diamond plate bed rail caps
Diamond plate front box protection
Diamond plate splash guards
Diamond plate tool box
Door edge guards
Fender flares
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full)
Hood deflectors
Leather wrap steering wheel
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Rear window deflector
Side window air deflectors
Spare tire lock
Stainless steel grill insert
Step bumpers
Tailgate covers (Diamond plate)
Tonneau cover (soft)
Tonneau cover (hard, color keyed–Leer supplier branded)
Touch-up paint
Truck cover (full vehicle)
Universal floor mats
Wheels
Wheel covers
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
272

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