
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.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly”is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by“treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
217

engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
SNOWPLOWING
For F–150 snowplow applications, Ford recommends the F–150 4x4
Regular Cab and SuperCab equipped with the 5.4L engine, Heavy Duty
Payload Package and Snow Plow Prep Package. F–150 SuperCrew is not
available, or recommended, for snowplowing.
Installing the snowplow
Weight limits and guidelines for selecting and installing the snowplow can
be found in the Ford Truck Body Builders Layout Book, Snowplow
section, found at www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas. A typical installation
affects the following:
•Certification to government safety laws such as occupant protection
and air bag deployment, braking, and lighting. Look for anAlterer’s
Labelon the vehicle from the snowplow installer certifying that the
installation meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS).
•The Total Accessory Reserve Capacity (TARC) is shown on the lower
right side of the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label. This is the weight
of permanently-attached auxiliary equipment, such as snowplow
frame-mounting hardware, that can be added to the vehicle and satisfy
Ford compliance certification to FMVSS. Exceeding this weight may
require the auxiliary equipment installer additional safety certification
responsibility. The Front Accessory Reserve Capacity (FARC) is added
for customer convenience
•Rear ballast weight behind the rear axle may be required to prevent
exceeding the FGAWR, and provide front-to-rear weight balance for
proper braking and steering.
•Front wheel toe may require re-adjustment to prevent premature
uneven tire wear. Specifications are found in the Ford Workshop
Manual.
•Headlight aim may require re-adjustment.
•The tire air pressures recommended for general driving are found on
the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label. The maximum cold inflation
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driving
220

PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
•Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
ALUMINUM WHEELS AND WHEEL COVERS
Aluminum wheels and wheel covers are coated with a clearcoat paint
finish. In order to maintain their shine:
•Clean weekly with Motorcraft Wheel and Tire Cleaner (ZC-37–A),
which is available from your dealer. Heavy dirt and brake dust
accumulation may require agitation with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly
with a strong stream of water.
•Never apply any cleaning chemical to hot or warm wheel rims or
covers.
•Some automatic car washes may cause damage to the finish on your
wheel rims or covers. Chemical-strength cleaners, or cleaning
chemicals, in combination with brush agitation to remove brake dust
and dirt, could wear away the clearcoat finish over time.
•Do not use hydrofluoric acid-based or high caustic-based wheel
cleaners, steel wool, fuels or strong household detergent.
•To remove tar and grease, use Motorcraft Bug and Tar Remover
(ZC-42), available from your dealer.
ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal. When washing:
•Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause
damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser (ZC-20) on all parts
that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean.
•Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water damage when cleaning
the engine.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Cleaning
248

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
•We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
•We provide a scheduled maintenance guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
the necessary parts and service. Check yourWarranty Guide/Owner
Information Guideto find out which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught in moving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burning (cigarettes) material away
from the battery and all fuel related parts.
Working with the engine off
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
•Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1
(First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the engine on
•Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and shift to P (Park).
2. Block the wheels.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
Maintenance and Specifications
254

A
Accessory delay ..........................65
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................128
and child safety seats ............129
disposal ....................................131
driver air bag ..................129–130
indicator light .........................131
operation .........................129–130
passenger air bag ...........129–130
Air cleaner filter ...............288, 290
Air conditioning ....................39, 42
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................265
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................196
Armrests ....................................105
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........18, 20, 23, 26, 30
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................202
fluid, adding ............................283
fluid, checking ........................283
fluid, refill capacities ..............291
fluid, specification ..................297
Axle
lubricant specifications ..295, 297
refill capacities ........................291
traction lok ..............................198
B
Battery .......................................263
acid, treating emergencies .....263
jumping a disabled battery ....232
maintenance-free ....................263replacement, specifications ...290
servicing ..................................263
Bed extender ..............................87
Brakes ........................................195
anti-lock ...................................196
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................196
fluid, checking and adding ....282
fluid, refill capacities ..............291
fluid, specifications .........295, 297
lubricant specifications ..295, 297
parking ....................................197
shift interlock ..................199–200
Bulbs ............................................52
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....291
Cell phone use ............................63
Certification Label ....................302
Changing a tire .........................158
Child safety restraints ..............135
child safety belts ....................135
Child safety seats ......................138
attaching with tether straps ..145
in front seat ....................139, 142
in rear seat ..............139, 142, 145
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............248
instrument panel ....................251
interior .....................................251
interior trim ............................251
plastic parts ............................250
safety belts ..............................251
washing ....................................247
waxing .....................................247
wheels ......................................248
wiper blades ............................250
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
Index
307

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................138
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................280
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................251
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................48
J
Jack ............................................158
positioning ...............................158
storage .....................................158
Jump-starting your vehicle ......232
K
Keyless entry system .................99
autolock .....................................97
programming entry code .........99
Keys ...........................................102
positions of the ignition .........190
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................46
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................52
daytime running light ...............47
fog lamps ...................................47
headlamps .................................46
headlamps, flash to pass ..........48
instrument panel, dimming .....48
interior lamps .....................50–51
replacing bulbs .............52, 54–56
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Lights, warning and indicator ....10anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........196
Load limits .................................174
Loading instructions .................179
Locks
autolock .....................................97
childproof ..................................90
Lubricant specifications ...295, 297
Lug nuts ....................................164
Lumbar support, seats .............106
M
Manual transmission .................205
reverse .....................................207
Message center ...........................76
english/metric button ...............80
system check button ................80
warning messages .....................82
Mirrors ...................................58, 65
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................65
fold away ...................................67
heated ........................................66
programmable memory ....93, 107
side view mirrors (power) .......65
signal .........................................66
Moon roof ....................................71
Motorcraft parts ................275, 290
O
Octane rating ............................274
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................259
P
Parking brake ............................197
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....290
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
310

tilting .........................................58
T
Tailgate ........................................86
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................36
Tilt steering wheel ......................58
Tires ...........................153–154, 158
alignment ................................171
care ..........................................170
changing ..........................158, 160
checking the pressure ............156
inspecting and inflating .........155
label .........................................169
replacing ..................................158
rotating ....................................172
safety practices .......................171
sidewall information ...............165
snow tires and chains ............174
spare tire .................................158
terminology .............................154
tire grades ...............................154
treadwear ........................153, 170
Towing .......................................179
recreational towing .................188
trailer towing ..........................179
Traction-lok rear axle ...............198
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................287
Transmission .............................199brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................199–200
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................283
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................286
fluid, refill capacities ..............291
lubricant
specifications ..................295, 297
manual operation ....................205
Turn signal ..................................50
V
Vehicle dimensions ...........298, 302
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................302
Vehicle loading ..........................174
Ventilating your vehicle ...........195
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................259
Water, Driving through .............219
Windows
power .........................................63
power down back window .......64
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................57
checking and adding fluid .....259
replacing wiper blades .............57
REVIEW COPY
2005 F150(f12), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
312