2004 FORD F150 tow

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
2004 F150 Classic(p96)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
203

Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h) point
indicated on the speedometer.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
2004 F150 Classic(p96)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
226

Splash guards
Step bars
Tonneau covers
Truck caps
Wheels
Interior style
Cell phone holders
Consoles
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Interior trim kits
Leather wrapped steering wheels
Scuff plates
Speed control
Lifestyle
Bedliners and bedmats
Bed tents
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Diamond plate accessories
Engine block heaters and blankets
Rear seat entertainment systems
Toolboxes
Towing mirrors
TracRac and accessories
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
2004 F150 Classic(p96)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
241

Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................110
R
Radio ..........................17, 19, 22, 25
Relays ........................................143
Remote entry system .................56
illuminated entry ......................59
locking/unlocking doors ...........55
Roadside assistance ..................141
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............81
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .........70–75
Safety defects, reporting ..........174
Safety restraints ....................70–75
belt minder ...............................77
extension assembly ..................81
for adults .............................71–74
for children .........................89–90
lap belt ......................................76
safety belt maintenance ...........81
warning light and chime ....76–77
Safety seats for children ............93
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............70
Seats ............................................65
child safety seats ......................93
front seats .................................65
Servicing your vehicle ..............181
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................20
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................23
AM/FM/Tape ..............................17
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................27Snowplowing .........................7, 140
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........152
Spark plugs,
specifications .............227, 233–234
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................231, 233
Speed control ..............................51
Starting your
vehicle ........................103–104, 107
jump starting ..........................159
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Tailgate ........................................54
Tilt steering wheel ......................45
Tires ...........................151, 214–215
alignment ................................222
care ..........................................221
changing ..................151–152, 154
checking the pressure ............221
label .........................................220
replacing ..................................225
rotating ....................................222
safety practices .......................225
sidewall information ...............216
snow tires and chains ............226
spare tire .................................151
terminology .............................215
tire grades ...............................215
treadwear ........................214, 224
Towing .......................................133
recreational towing .................140
trailer towing ..........................133
2004 F150 Classic(p96)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
247