2004 FORD F150 tow

In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
²Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
²Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD (U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
²an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes.
²available free to owners and lessees of qualifying Ford Motor Company
vehicles.
Customer Assistance
209

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3±A), which is available
from your dealer.
²Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
²Never wash a vehicle that is ªhot to the touchº or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
²Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
²Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
²It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
²Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle's
paintwork and trim over time.
²Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
²Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
²If your vehicle is equipped with running boards, do not use
rubber, plastic and vinyl protectant products on the running
board surface, as the area may become slippery.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
²Wash the vehicle first.
²Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
²Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will ªgrayº or stain the parts over time.
Cleaning
Cleaning
216

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
²The mini message center (if
equipped) will indicate ªCheck
Gaugesº, refer toWarning Lights
and Chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
²The message center (if equipped) will indicate a system warning, refer
toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
²The ªService Engine Soonº indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
²The engine power will be limited.
²The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²The engine will completely shut down.
²Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Maintenance and Specifications
236

Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
²Close 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
244

2. Carefully separate the two halves
of the air filter housing.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the open end of the air filter
housing.
4. Install a new air filter element.
5. Reassemble the two halves of the air filter housing, aligning the notch
and slot found on the top of each half. Secure the clamp, making sure
not to crimp the air filter edges between the two halves of the air filter
housing. This could cause filter damage and allow unmetered air to enter
the engine if not properly seated.
²5.4L Engine
1. Release two retainer clamps.
2. Pull air filter tray assembly out
toward front of vehicle and lift air
filter element up and out of housing.
The air filter box needs to be free of any debris before installing a new
air filter.
Maintenance and Specifications
252

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
Peace of mind
Airbag anti-theft locks
First aid and safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Locking gas cap
Accessories
272

heating and air conditioning
system ...........................33, 35, 37
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage door
opener) ........................................69
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................66
Hood
..........................................223
I
Ignition
...............................144, 263
Infant seats
(see Safety seats)
.....................133
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
........................................246
Instrument panel
cleaning
...................................219
cluster
........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior
.......................................43
J
Jack
............................................195
positioning
...............................195
storage
.....................................195
Jump-starting your vehicle
......201
K
Keyless entry system
.................92
autolock
.....................................90
programming entry code
.........92
Keys
.............................................95
positions of the ignition
.........144L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................41
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................47
daytime running light ...............42
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps .................................41
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....43
interior lamps .....................45±46
replacing bulbs ...................47±51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................45
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........149
Load limits .................................171
GAWR ......................................171
GVWR ......................................171
trailer towing ..........................171
Loading instructions .................172
Locks
autolock .....................................90
childproof ..................................83
Lubricant specifications ...261, 263
Lumbar support, seats ...............99
M
Message center ...........................70
english/metric button ...............74
system check button ................74
warning messages .....................75
Mirrors ...................................53, 59
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................59
fold away ...................................61
programmable memory ....86, 100
side view mirrors (power) .......59
Index
277

Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................261, 263
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your
vehicle ........................144±145, 148
jump starting ..........................201
Steering wheel
controls ......................................64
tilting .........................................53
T
Tailgate ..................................79±80
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................32
Tilt steering wheel ......................53
Tires ...........................195, 253±254
changing ..................195±197, 201
checking the pressure ............254
replacing ..................................255
rotating ....................................255
snow tires and chains ............256
tire grades ...............................254
treadwear ................................253
Towing .......................................173
recreational towing .................182
trailer towing ..........................173
Traction-lok rear axle ...............151
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................250
Transmission .............................151brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................151±152
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................248
fluid, refill capacities ..............257
lubricant specifications ..261, 263
Trunk ...........................................83
Turn signal ..................................45
V
Vehicle dimensions ...........263, 268
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................268
Vehicle loading ..........................171
camper bodies ........................206
Ventilating your vehicle ...........148
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................226
Water, Driving through .............170
Windows
power .........................................58
power down back window .......58
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................52
checking and adding fluid .....226
replacing wiper blades .............52
Index
279