Board membership
The Board consists of:
•Three consumer representatives
•A Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the
DSB brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application
form. Some states will require you to use certified mail, with return
receipt requested.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
•The file number assigned to your application.
•The toll-free phone number of the DSB’s independent administrator.
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative will then be
asked to submit statements.
To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
•Legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case.
•The year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license.
•The date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s).
•The current mileage.
•The name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle.
•A brief description of your unresolved concern.
•A brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company.
•The names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s).
•A description of the action you expect to resolve your concern.
You will receive a letter of explanation if your application does not
qualify for Board review.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
223
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guide. The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the“FULL COLD”level or
within the“COLD FILL RANGE”in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls
below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolant
section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
244
Tire Replacement Requirements
Your vehicle is equipped with tires designed to provide safe ride and
handling capability.
Only use replacement tires and wheels that are the same size
and type (such as P-metric versus LT-metric or all-season versus
all-terrain) as those originally provided by Ford. Use of any tire or
wheel not recommended by Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could result in an increased risk of
loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Additionally the use of non-recommended tires and wheels could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case/power transfer unit failure. If
you have questions regarding tire replacement, see an authorized Ford
or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design, brand, load-carrying capacity and speed rating because it
can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result
in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
You should replace the spare tire when you replace the other road tires
due to the aging of the spare tire.
Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly spin the
tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an explosion. A tire
can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property
damage. Do not allow anyone to stand near, directly ahead or
behind the spinning tire.
Never spin the tires in excess of the 35 mph (55 km/h) point
indicated on the speedometer.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
281
filter, specifications ........241, 283
recommendations ...................241
refill capacities ........................284
specifications ..................287, 291
Exhaust fumes ..........................129
F
Fail safe cooling ........................248
Fluid capacities .........................284
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......144
description ..............................149
driving off road .......................151
electronic shift ................145, 149
indicator light .........................146
lever operated shift ................146
manual locking hubs ..............144
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................132
Fuel ............................................250
calculating fuel economy .......254
cap ...........................................252
capacity ...................................284
choosing the right fuel ...........252
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................257
detergent in fuel .....................254
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................250, 252, 254
filter, specifications ........254, 283
fuel pump shut-off switch .....193
improving fuel economy ........254
octane rating ...................253, 291
quality ......................................253
running out of fuel .................254
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................250
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......193
Fuses ..................................194–195G
Garage door opener ....................55
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................64
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............252
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................254
Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
H
Hazard flashers .........................193
Head restraints ...........................85
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................43
autolamp system .......................41
daytime running lights .............42
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
replacing bulbs ...................46–47
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................38–39
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................64
Hood ..........................................237
I
Ignition ...............................125, 291
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
307