2004 FORD F150 tow

Locks and Security 82
Keys 82
Locks 82
Anti-theft system 85
Seating and Safety Restraints 97
Seating 97
Safety restraints 102
Air bags 118
Child restraints 129
Driving 144
Starting 144
Brakes 149
Transmission operation 151
Trailer towing 173
Roadside Emergencies 186
Getting roadside assistance 186
Hazard flasher switch 187
Fuel pump shut-off switch 187
Fuses and relays 188
Changing tires 195
Jump starting 201
Wrecker towing 206
Customer Assistance 207
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 215
Cleaning 216
Table of Contents
2

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury and prevent possible
damage to others, your vehicle and its equipment? In this guide, answers
to such questions are contained in comments highlighted by the warning
triangle symbol. These comments should be read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed to allow parts to adjust
themselves to other parts.
Drive your new vehicle at least 800 km (500 miles) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand kilometers (miles) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
Introduction
5

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
²Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
²Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
²Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
²Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
²Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
²Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
²Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10±12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don't:
²Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
²Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
²Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
²Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don't:
²Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
²Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
²Clean using a circular motion.
Entertainment Systems
30

HEATER ONLY SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
1.Fan speed adjustment:Controls
the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2.Temperature selection:
Controls the temperature of the
airflow in the vehicle.
3.Air flow selections:Controls the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief description on each control.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and the
floor vents.
O (OFF):Outside air is shut out and the climate system is turned off.
:Distributes outside air through the floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents and
floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents.
OPERATING TIPS
²To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
²Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the air
flow to the back seats.
²To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive in the
OFF position.
²Under normal weather conditions, do not leave the airflow selector in
OFF. This allows the vehicle to breathe using the outside air inlets.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
Climate Controls
Climate Controls
32

4.Recirculated air: Used to manually enable or disable
recirculated air operation. When activated, recirculates air in the cabin
thereby reducing the amount of time to cool down or warn up the
interior of the vehicle. May also help reduce undesired odors from
reaching the interior of the vehicle. Engages automatically with MAX A/C
or can be engaged manually in any mode except Defrost. Recirculation
may turn off automatically in all airflow selections except MAX A/C.
5.A/C (if equipped):Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use
with recirculated air to improve cooling performance. Engages
automatically in MAX A/C, Defrost and Floor/Defrost.
6.Fan speed adjustment:Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
OPERATING TIPS
²To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
²Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
²To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive in
recirculated air mode without the A/C running.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
2. Select A/C
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Climate Controls
34

11.Recirculation control:Press to activate/deactivate air
recirculation in the cabin. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of
time to cool down the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce
undesired odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculation
can be engaged manually in any other airflow selection except Defrost.
Recirculation may turn off automatically in all airflow selections.
12.A/C control:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance. Engages automatically
in AUTO, Defrost and Floor/Defrost.
13.OFF:Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
14.Temperature control:Press to increase/decrease the temperature
in the vehicle cabin.
15.Auto:Press to engage automatic temperature control. Select the
desired temperature using the temperature control. The system will
automatically determine fan speed, airflow location, A/C on or off, and
outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle to reach the
desired temperature.
OPERATING TIPS
²To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
²Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
²To reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle, do not drive in
recirculated air mode without the A/C running.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
2. Select A/C
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Climate Controls
39

Foglamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the foglamps. The foglamps can be
turned on only when the headlamp
control is in the
,or
position and the high beams are not
turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate if
the ignition is in the Run and Key
On position.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
In order for the DRLs to function:
²the ignition must be in the ON position and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF, parking lamp or autolamp
position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with your tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
A
Lights
42

Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
Move the control to the full down
position, past detent, to prevent the
interior lights from illuminating
when the doors are opened.
VERTICAL AIM ADJUSTMENT
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface approximately 7.6 meters (25 feet)
from a vertical wall or screen directly in front of it.
²(1) Eight feet
²(2) Center height of lamp to ground
²(3) Twenty-five feet
Lights
43