•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•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.
•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 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
257
wheels ......................................230
wiper blades ............................231
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................34
AM/FM .......................................21
AM/FM/CD .................................25
AM/FM/Tape ..............................22
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................30
Clutch
fluid ..........................................261
operation while driving ..........140
recommended shift speeds ....140
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................72
Console ........................................69
overhead ....................................54
Coolant
checking and adding ..............244
refill capacities ................248, 284
specifications ..................287, 291
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................192
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................234
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................221
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............225
Getting roadside assistance ...192
Getting the service you
need .........................................219
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................226
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................222
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................225D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................42
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................262
engine oil .................................239
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........287
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................266
Driving under special
conditions ..................139, 153, 156
sand .........................................155
snow and ice ...........................157
through water .................155, 160
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................212
Emergency Flashers .................193
Emission control system ..........258
Engine ........................................291
cleaning ...................................230
coolant .....................................244
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe coolant ......................248
idle speed control ...................242
lubrication
specifications ..................287, 291
refill capacities ........................284
service points ..........................238
starting after a collision .........193
Engine block heater .................129
Engine oil ..................................239
checking and adding ..............239
dipstick ....................................239
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
306
