
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control mayshut off
automaticallywhen you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling. (For additional information, refer to the
Understanding the positions of the 4–speed automatic
transmissionsection in this chapter.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage mayoccur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
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 efficiencyduring 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 bywater entering into your trailer’s electrical wiring.
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Exceeding these limits mayallow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants anytime 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).
•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 onlybya 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 flyand AWD vehicles cannot be towed with
anywheels 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 dutyschedule 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
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Additional equipment such as snowplow equipment mayeffect
the performance of the air bag sensors increasing the risk of
injury. Please refer to the Body Builders Lay out Book for instructions
about the appropriate installation of additional equipment.
Engine temperature while plowing
When driving with a snowplow, your engine may run at a higher
temperature than normal because the attached snowplow blade will
restrict airflow to the radiator.
If you are driving more than 24 km (15 miles) at temperatures above
freezing, angle the plow blade either full left or full right to provide
maximum airflow to the radiator.
If you are driving less than 24 km (15 miles) at speeds up to 64 km/h
(40 mph) in cold weather, you will not need to worry about blade
position to provide maximum airflow.
4WD operation while plowing
•Shift transfer case to 4x4 LOW (4WD Low) when plowing in small
areas at speeds below 8 km/h (5 mph).
•Shift transfer case to 4x4 HIGH (4WD High) when plowing larger
areas or light snow at higher speeds. Do not exceed 24 km/h
(15 mph).
•Do not shift the transmission from a forward gear to R (Reverse) until
the engine is at idle and the wheels are stopped.
•If the vehicle is stuck, shift the transmission in a steadymotion
between forward and reverse gears. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. The transmission and tires maybe damaged or
the engine can overheat.
It is the owner’s responsibility to avoid engine overheating which
can cause damage.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel
Description
12 20A* Cigar lighter/OBD II
13 5A* Power mirrors/switches
14 15A* Daytime running lamps (DRL)
15 10A* Not used
16 15A* Not used
17 15A* Exterior lamps
18 20A* Turn lamps/Brake on-off switch (high)
19 10A* Bodysecuritymodule/4x4 module
20 — Not used
21 25A* Not used
22 20A* Engine control
23 20A* Engine control (gasoline engine only)
24 15A* Not used
25 10A* 4-Wheel Anti-lock Brake System (4WABS)
module
26 10A* Air bags
27 15A* Ignition switch Run feed
28 10A* EATC module/Front blower relaycoil
29 10A* Customer access
30 15A* Highbeam headlamps
31 15A* Clutch interlock switch (manual transmissions
only), Transmission range sensor (automatic
transmissions only) then to starter relay coil
(all transmissions)
32 5A* Radio (start)
33 15A* Front wiper
34 10A* Brake on-off switch
35 10A* Instrument cluster
36 10A* PCM Keep-Alive
37 15A* Horn
38 20A* Trailer tow park lamps and backup lamps
39 — Not used
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3. Fullyinsert the jack handle
through the bumper hole and into
the guide tube. The keyand lock
will engage with a slight push and
counterclockwise turn. Some
resistance will be felt when turning
the jack handle assembly.
4. Turn the handle counterclockwise
and lower the spare tire until you
can slide the tire rearward and the
cable is slack.
5. Remove the retainer through the center of the wheel.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate
hazard flashers and set the parking
brake.
•Automatic transmission: Place
gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Manual transmission: Place
gearshift lever in R (Reverse).
•Electronic Shift On the Fly4WD:
Place transfer case in any
position.
•Manual shift transfer case 4WD:
Place transfer case in 2H, 4H or
4L.
To prevent the vehicle from
moving when you change a
tire, be sure the parking brake is
set, then block (in both
directions) the wheel that is
diagonallyopposite (other side
and end of the vehicle) to the tire
being changed.
2. Turn engine off and block the diagonallyopposite wheel (block not
provided).
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161

3. Remove the jack, jack handle, lug wrench and spare tire from the
stowage locations.
4. Use the tip of the lug wrench to remove anywheel trim.
5. Loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
When one of the rear wheels is off the ground, the transmission
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the transmission is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
or R (Reverse) (manual transmission). To prevent the vehicle from
moving when you change the tire, be sure that the parking brake is set
and the diagonallyopposite wheel is blocked.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriouslyinjured.
The following steps apply to F250/F350 only:
6. Insert the hooked end of the jack
handle into the jack and use the
handle to slide the jack under the
vehicle.
7. Position the jack according to the
following guides:
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162

2. Slide the wheel partiallyunder 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 significantlyand 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. Tryto 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 mayresult in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (everysix 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.
JUMP STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
The gases around the batterycan explode if exposed to flames,
sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result in injuryor
vehicle damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which can burn skin, eyes and
clothing, if contacted.
Do not attempt to push-start your vehicle. Automatic
transmissions do not have push-start capability; also, the
catalytic converter may become damaged.
Preparing your vehicle
When the batteryis disconnected or a new batteryis installed, the
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
mayhave firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is considered normal and
will not affect function or durabilityof the transmission. Over time, the
adaptive learning process will fullyupdate transmission operation.
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168

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
•We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessaryparts and service. Check yourWarranty Guide/Owner
Information Guideto find out which parts and services are covered.
Use onlyrecommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the batteryand all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
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191