2004 FORD F150 wheel

Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), press
the parking brake pedal down until
the pedal stops.
To release, pull the lever (2).
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
The BRAKE warning lamp will
illuminate and will remain
illuminated until the parking brake
is released.
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a moving vehicle.
However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop
your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
²Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do 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:
²an improperly inflated tire
²uneven tire wear
²loose or worn suspension components
²loose or worn steering components
²improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
!
BRAKE
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TRACTION-LOK AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Traction-Lok axle functions like a standard rear axle.
PREPARING TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely
to die than a person wearing a safety belt.
Your vehicle has larger tires and increased ground clearance, giving the
vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger car.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
Loaded vehicles, with a higher center of gravity, may handle
differently than unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as
slower speeds and increased stopping distance, should be taken when
driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock - column-shift transmission
This vehicle is equipped with a park/brake-shift interlock feature that
prevents the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the
ignition is in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed, it is possible that a fuse
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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 fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Understanding the gearshift positions of the 4±speed automatic
transmission
Your vehicle's automatic transmission is equipped with a special shift
strategy that insures maximum heater performance during cold weather
operation.
When ambient temperature is ±5É C (23É F) or below and the engine
coolant temperature is below 38É C (100É F), light throttle upshifts may
be slightly delayed. Once the engine coolant temperature reaches 71É C
(160É F) the normal shift strategy will resume. This is normal operation
and will not affect the function or the durability of the transmission.
If the normal shift strategy does not resume once the engine
coolant temperature reaches the normal operating temperature,
or if the downshifts and other throttle conditions do not function
normally, see your dealer or a qualified service technician as soon
as possible.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
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illuminates when the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate a failure in
the RSS. The RSS will remain off until either the RSS control is pushed
again or the ignition switch is recycled.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear bumper/fascia) free
from snow, ice and large accumulations of dirt (do not clean the
sensors with sharp objects). If the sensors are covered, it will
affect the accuracy of the RSS.
If your vehicle sustains damage to the rear bumper/fascia, leaving
it misaligned or bent, the sensing zone may be altered causing
inaccurate measurement of obstacles or false alarms.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
For important information regarding safe operation of this type
of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein this chapter.
Four±wheel drive (4WD) supplies power to all four wheels. 4WD should
not be operated on dry pavement; driveline damage may occur.
If equipped with the Electronic Shift 4WD System, and 4WD Low
is selected while the vehicle is moving, the 4WD system will not
engage. This is normal and should be no reason for concern.Refer
toShifting to/from 4WD Lowfor proper operation.
System indicator lights
²4X4 HI- Momentarily illuminates
when the engine is started.
Illuminates when 4H is selected.
²4X4 LOW± Momentarily
illuminates when the engine is
started. Illuminates when 4L is
selected.
4x4 HI
4x4
LOW
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Using a manual 4WD system (if equipped)
2H (2WD High)± Power to the rear wheels only; used for street and
highway driving. Provides optimal smoothness and fuel economy at high
speeds.
4H (4WD High)± Used for extra traction such as in snow or icy roads
or in off-road situations. Not intended for use on dry pavement.
N (Neutral)± No power to either front or rear wheels.
4L (4WD Low)± Uses extra gearing to provide maximum power to all
four wheels at reduced speeds. Intended only for off-road applications
such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects. 4L (4WD Low)
will not engage while the vehicle is moving; this is normal and should be
no reason for concern. Refer toShifting to/from 4L (4WD Low)for
proper operation.
Shifting between 2H (2WD high) and 4H (4WD high)
²Move the transfer case lever between 2H (2WD High) and 4H (4WD
High) at a stop or any forward speed up to 88 km/h (55 mph).
Note:Do not perform this operation at speeds above 72 km/h (45 mph)
if the outside temperature is below 0ÉC (32ÉF).
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Shifting to/from 4L (4WD Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral); on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, depress the clutch.
2H
4H
4L N
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4. Move the transfer case lever through N (Neutral) directly to the
desired position.
²If the transfer casedoes notengage, repeat steps 1 through 4.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case N (Neutral) position overrides the transmission
and puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission
gearshift lever position. The vehicle can move forward or
backward.
This position should only be used when towing the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn
off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
Using the electronic shift 4WD system (if equipped)
2H (2WD High)- Power to the rear wheels only; used for street and
highway driving. Provides optimal smoothness and fuel economy at high
speeds.
4H (4WD High)- Used for extra traction such as in snow or icy roads
or in off-road situations. Not intended for use on dry pavement.
4L (4WD Low)- Uses extra gearing to provide maximum power to all
four wheels at reduced speeds. Intended only for off-road applications
such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects. 4L (4WD Low)
will not engage while the vehicle is moving; this is normal and should be
no reason for concern. Refer toShifting to/from 4L (4WD Low)for
proper operation.
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Shifting between 2H (2WD High) and 4H (4WD High)
²Move the 4WD control between 2H and 4H at any forward speed up to
88 km/h (55 mph).
Note:Do not perform this operation at speeds above 72 km/h (45 mph)
if the outside temperature is below 0ÉC (32ÉF).
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Shifting to/from 4L (4WD Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop
2. Depress the brake
3. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral); on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, depress the clutch.
4. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
²If shifting into 4L (4WD Low), wait for the 4X4 LOW light in the
instrument cluster to turnonindicating the shift is complete.
²If shifting out of 4L (4WD Low), wait for the 4X4 LOW light in the
instrument cluster turn turnoffindicating the shift is complete.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Driving off-road with truck and utility vehicles
4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
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Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Basic operating principles
²Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose
surfaces.
²Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
²Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
²If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
²It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
²It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
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