2003 FORD F250 tow

Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual transmissions).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
•Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
•Disconnect the trailer tow electrical connector to prevent blown fuses
caused by water entering into your trailer’s electrical wiring.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants any time the axles have been
submerged in water. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
ALL REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) VEHICLES
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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•Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
•Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km/h (35 mph) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the driveshaft. Ford recommends the
driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your
local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
RWD vehicles with 4x4 electronic shift transfer case or All Wheel
Drive (AWD) vehicles with automatic transmissions:
Regarding recreational towing or having your vehicle towed, 4x4 vehicles
with electronic shift on the fly and AWD vehicles cannot be towed with
any wheels on the ground (with the exception of moving it as a disabled
vehicle off the road out of traffic).
SNOWPLOWING
Note:Do not use your vehicle to snowplow until it has been driven at
least 800 km (500 miles). Follow the severe duty schedule in your
scheduled maintenance guide for engine oil and transmission fluid
change intervals.
Note:Ford does not install snowplows.
For low speed snow removal, Ford offers a Snowplow Package Option on
select 4x4 vehicles. To assist Ford dealers and equipment installers
further prepare the vehicle for snowplowing, Ford includes instructions
in theFord Truck Body Builders Layout BookandFord Truck Source
Book. These instructions are available through your Ford dealer; they
include the list of vehicle models recommended for snowplowing and
snowplow weight limits. Use of the Snowplow Package Option, or its
equivalent, along with these instructions will help avoid possible
powertrain and chassis damage from snowplowing.
The front and rear GAWR, GVWR, Total Accessory Reserve Capacity
(TARC) and tire inflation pressures are found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on one of the vehicle’s door jambs. This label
is applied to all vehicles completed by Ford Motor Company. Incomplete
vehicles built by Ford Motor Company will have an Incomplete Vehicle
Label in place of the Safety Compliance Label. The TARC does not apply
to Incomplete Vehicles and will not be shown on the Incomplete Vehicle
Label. The weight of the vehicle with occupants must never exceed the
front and rear GAWR or the GVWR.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
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The TARC is the weight of the permanently attached equipment that can
be added to the vehicle without violating the vehicle’s Safety Compliance
Certification. This includes the snowplow mounting hardware but does
not include the removable portion of the snowplow assembly.
Installing the snowplow
Read the following instructions before installing a snowplow:
•Front GAWR must not exceed 63% of the GVW. Add ballast weight to
the back of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find your vehicle’s front GAWR.
•The Front Axle Accessory Reserve Capacity and the TARC listed on
the bottom right of the Safety Compliance Certification Label will
determine whether or not the addition of a snowplow will overload
your vehicle.
•The weight of the snowplow and supporting components distributed to
the front axle must not exceed the Front Axle Accessory Reserve
Capacity.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not exceed the TARC.
•The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must
not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
•The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be
considered part of the payload and must not exceed the GCWR for
towing.
•Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
•Tires have their maximum inflation pressure and associated load rating
imprinted on the tire sidewall. This pressure may or may not be the
same as that shown as recommended on the vehicle. The vehicle
operator may have to adjust the tire inflation pressure to
accommodate the snowplow and payload. Consult your dealer or
equipment installer for help with proper inflation pressures.
•Federal and some local regulations require additional exterior lamps
for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional
information.
•After installing a snowplow to the vehicle, ensure the vehicle’s front
toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if
required). These specifications are located in the vehicle’s Workshop
Manual.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA English(fus)
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GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or
60,000 km (36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury
vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•changing a flat tire
•jump-starts
•lock-out assistance
•limited fuel delivery
•towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company
dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the
nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement).
Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the
mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing or repossession).
Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for
information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
•towing of your disabled vehicle
•emergency travel expense reimbursement
•travel planning benefits
USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the
Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is
mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is
found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment.
U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance,
call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Emergencies
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To remove a fuse use the fuse puller
tool provided on the fuse panel
cover.
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 15A* Adjustable pedals
2—Not used
3—Not used
4 20A* Power point - instrument panel
5—Not used
6 20A* Trailer tow turn/stop relay
7 30A* High beam headlamps/Flash to pass
8 15A* Backup lamps (Diesel engine only)
9 20A* Heated mirrors
10 10A* A/C clutch
11 20A* Radio (main)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
32 5A* Radio (start)
33 15A* Front wiper
34 10A* Brake on-off switch
35 10A* Instrument cluster
36 10A* PCM Memory
37 15A* Horn
38 20A* Trailer tow park lamps
39 15A* Trailer tow back-up lamps
40 20A* Fuel pump
41 10A* Instrument cluster
42 15A* Delayed accessory
43 10A* Fog lamps
44—Not used
45 10A* Ignition switch Run/Start feed
46 10A* Left-hand lowbeam
47 10A* Right-hand lowbeam
48—Not used
101 30A** Trailer tow electric brake
102 30A** Door locks/Body security module
103 50A** Ignition switch (gasoline engine
only), FICM power (Diesel engine
only)
104 40A** Heated backlight
105 30A** Fuel heater (Diesel engine only)
106 30A** Front wiper main
107 40A** Front blower motor
108—Not used
109 30A** Heated seats
110 50A** Ignition switch
111 30A** 4WD/Shift on the fly
112 30A** Left-hand power seats
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
113 30A** Starter motor
114 30A** Right-hand power seats
115 20A** Trailer tow battery charge
116 30A** Ignition switch
601 30A CB*** Window motors, Moonroof
602 60A** 4WABS module
210—Not used
211—Backup lamps relay (Diesel engine
only)
212—Not used
301—Front blower motor relay
302—Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
relay
303—Fuel heater relay (Diesel engine
only)
304—Heated backlight relay
305—Trailer tow battery charge relay
306—Delayed accessory relay
307—Starter relay
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses ***Circuit Breaker
Note: (Diesel engine only)The Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM)
logic 15A mini-fuse is located in the underhood relay block.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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Spare tire information
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire that can be used as
either a spare or a regular tire. The spare tire is not equipped with wheel
trim. The wheel trim from the original wheel/tire may be used on the
spare.
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.
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 (pick-up trucks only) Under the vehicle, just forward of
the rear bumper
Jack Regular cab, crew cab and
SuperCab without rear bench seat:
Fastened to floor pan behind
rearmost seat on passenger side
SuperCab with rear bench seat:
Under rear bench on passenger
side
Jack handle and lug wrench On top of the radiator support at
the front of the engine
compartment
Key, spare tire lock In the glove box
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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