2003 FORD SUPER DUTY tires

Seating and Safety Restraints 63
Seating 63
Safetyrestraints 68
Air bags 79
Child restraints 87
Driving 98
Starting 98
Brakes 102
Transmission operation 106
Trailer towing 127
Roadside Emergencies 152
Getting roadside assistance 152
Hazard flasher switch 153
Fuel pump shut-off switch 153
Fuses and relays 154
Changing tires 159
Jump starting 168
Wrecker towing 173
Customer Assistance 175
Reporting safetydefects (U.S. only) 183
Cleaning 184
Maintenance and Specifications 191
Engine compartment 193
Engine oil 194
Battery197
Fuel information 205
Air filter(s) 221
Part numbers 228
Refill capacities 228
Lubricant specifications 232
Table of Contents
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hold the brake pedal down, release the parking brake, then trypushing
the parking brake pedal further down. Chock the wheels if required. If
the parking brake cannot hold the weight of the vehicle, the parking
brake mayneed to be serviced.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an underinflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slipperysurfaces, particularlywhen
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
To reduce the risk of injury, never run the engine with one wheel
off the ground, such as when changing a tire.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utilityvehicles have a significantlyhigher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantlymore likely
to die than a person wearing a safetybelt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravitythan a passenger car.
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•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Shift strategy (4R100 automatic transmission)
To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your 4R100
automatic transmission electronicallycontrols the shift qualitybyusing
an adaptive learning strategy. The adaptive learning strategy is
maintained bypower from the battery. When the batteryis disconnected
or a new batteryis installed, the transmission must relearn its adaptive
strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers
(miles) of operation.
If the shift quality does not improve within a few hundred
kilometers (miles) of operation, or if the downshifts and other
throttle conditions do not function normally, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician as soon as possible.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steadypattern. Press lightlyon the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
The manual transmission has a starter interlock that prevents cranking
the engine unless the clutch pedal is fullydepressed.
To start the vehicle:
1. Make sure the parking brake is fullyset.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, then put the gearshift lever in the
neutral position.
1
24 R
L3D
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If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steadypattern. Press lightlyon the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fullyreleased, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes maynot be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergencysituation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel onlyas rapidlyand as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergencystop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt anysharp steering wheel movements.
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sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to speed and the
automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, tryto keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadilythrough the terrain. Applythe accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capabilitymaybe limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle maystall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectivelyas drybrakes. Drying can be improved bymoving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, applythe accelerator slowlyand avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
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After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Companyjoins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by“treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles maymake it necessaryto travel diagonallyup
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possiblyrolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibilityof stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Applyjust enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip,
spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
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Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originallyprovided byFord Motor Companybecause it can affect
the safetyand performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injuryor death.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions
regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4WD for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford Motor Companyrecommends, you should not use
these tires for highwaydriving.
If you use anytire/wheel combination not recommended byFord Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure.
Do not use “aftermarket lift kits” or other suspension modifications,
whether or not theyare used with larger tires and wheels.
These “aftermarket lift kits” could adverselyaffect the vehicle’s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highwaydriving because theyare more
likelyto blow out or fail.
You should carefullyobserve the recommended tire inflation pressure
found on the safetycompliance certification label attached to the left
front door lock facing or door latch post pillar. Failure to follow tire
pressure recommendations can adverselyaffect the wayyour vehicle
handles. Do not exceed the Ford Motor Companyrecommended pressure
even if it is less than the maximum pressure allowed for the tire.
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Each daybefore you drive, check
your tires. If one looks lower than
the others, use a tire gauge to check
pressure of all tires, and adjust if
required. Check tire pressure with a
tire gauge everyfew weeks
(including spare). Safe operation
requires tires that are neither
underinflated nor a vehicle which is
overloaded.
Periodicallyinspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or
other objects that maybe wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that maypermit air leakage from the tire and make necessary
repairs.
Inspect the tire side walls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If internal
damage to the tire is suspected, have the tire demounted and inspected
in case it needs to be repaired or replaced.
Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide both reasonablysafe, predictable performance
whether loaded or emptyand durable load carrying capability. For this
reason, Ford Motor Companystronglyrecommends that you do not make
modifications such as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or
stabilizer bars) or byusing replacement parts not equivalent to the
original factoryequipment.
Anymodifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravitycan make
it more likelythe vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Companyrecommends that caution be used with anyvehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properlymayvoid the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adverselyaffect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavyoff-road usage.
POWER TAKE OFF (PTO) CAPABILITY (IF EQUIPPED)
Some vehicles maybe equipped with Power Take Off (PTO) capability.
These vehicles have a special transmission case, internal components and
calibration for PTO usage.
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