2004 FORD F250 wheel

4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate when driving in 2WD, contact your
Ford dealer as soon as possible.
•4x4- momentarily illuminates
after the engine is started.
Illuminates when 4H (4x4 High)
or 4L (4x4 Low) is engaged.
•LOW RANGE–momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position.
Illuminates when 4L (4x4 Low) is
engaged.
Using a manual 4WD system (if equipped)
Note:Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages.
This is normal.
2H (2WD High)–For general on-road driving. Sends power to the rear
wheels only.
4H (4WD High)–For winter and off-road conditions. Sends power to
front and rear wheels.
N (Neutral)–Only used when towing the vehicle.
4L (4WD Low)–For low-speed off-road applications that require extra
power such as steep grades, deep sand or pulling a boat out of the water.
Sends power to front and rear wheels.
4x4
LOW
RANGE
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
146

Shifting from 2H (2WD High) to 4H (4WD High)
Engage the locking hubs by rotating
the hub lock control from FREE to
LOCK, then move the transfer case
lever from 2H (2WD High) to 4H
(4WD High).
•For proper operation, make
sure that the arrow and the
indicator dot on the hub are
aligned, and that both hubs
are set to LOCK.
•Do not shift into 4H (4WD
High) with the rear wheels
slipping.
Shifting from 4H (4WD High) to 2H (2WD High)
Move the transfer case lever to 2H
(2WD High) at a stop or any
forward speed up to 55 mph (88
km/h).
With the vehicle at complete stop,
disengage the locking hubs
(optional) by rotating the hub lock
control from LOCK to FREE.
•For proper operation, make sure that the arrow and the
indicator dot on the hub are aligned, and that both hubs are set
to FREE
2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case neutral position overrides the transmission and
puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission gearshift
lever position. The vehicle can move forward or backwards.
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)
Positions of the electronic shift system
The electronic shift 4WD system is designed to allow up to 45
seconds before a shift command is performed. In the event that
conflicting shift commands are selected, allow up to 45 seconds
for the shift command to be performed prior to reporting any
shift concerns to your dealer.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages.
This is normal.
2H (2WD High)–For general on-road driving. Sends power to the rear
wheels only.
4H (4WD High)–For winter and off-road conditions. Sends power to
front and rear wheels.
4L (4WD Low)–For low-speed off-road applications that require extra
power such as steep grades, deep sand or pulling a boat out of the water.
Sends power to front and rear wheels.
2H
4H
4LN
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
149

Shifting from 2WD (2WD High) to 4x4 HIGH (4WD High)
Rotate the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH position at speeds up to 55
mph (88 km/h).
•The electronic shift 4WD
system is designed to engage
4x4 HIGH (4WD High) when
the vehicle is moving. If
shifted to 4x4 HIGH (4WD
HIGH) while at complete stop,
4x4 may not engage and the
4x4 indicator may not
illuminate until the vehicle is driven above 5 mph (8 km/h).
•Do not shift into 4x4 HIGH with the rear wheels slipping.
Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD High) to 2WD (2WD High)
Rotate the 4WD control to 2WD at
any forward speed. Disengagement
of the transfer case and front hubs
may be delayed due to torque bind
which is caused by driving on dry
hard surfaces or performing tight
turns while using the 4WD system.
•Yo udo notneed to operate the vehicle in R (Reverse) to disengage
your front hubs, but it will eliminate any torque bind and allow the
system to immediately disengage.
Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD High) to 4x4 LOW (4WD Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
150

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.
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
•Do 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.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be 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
•If 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.
•It 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.
•It 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.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
152

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.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Refer toTransmission temperature gaugein theInstrument Cluster
chapter for transmission fluid temperature information.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid“over-driving”your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
153

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.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. 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.
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.
4WD Systems
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode), uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
154

Power is supplied to all four wheels
through a transfer case. On 4WD
vehicles, the transfer case allows
you to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case
operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDriving
chapter. Information on transfer
case maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary clunk and ratcheting
sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to speed and the
automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
If you must reduce the tire pressure for whatever reason in sand, make
sure you re-inflate the tires as soon as possible.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
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