2005 FORD F250 towing

Seating and Safety Restraints 89
Seating 89
Safety restraints 96
Air bags 107
Child restraints 116
Tires, Wheels and Loading 128
Tire Information 132
Tire Inflation 133
Changing tires 137
Wheel lug nut torque 148
Vehicle loading 160
Trailer towing 167
Trailer Brake Controller-Integrated 171
Recreational towing 177
Driving 178
Starting 178
Brakes 183
Transmission operation 187
Roadside Emergencies 213
Getting roadside assistance 213
Hazard flasher switch 214
Fuel pump shut-off switch 214
Fuses and relays 215
Jump starting 224
Wrecker towing 229
Customer Assistance 231
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 239
Cleaning 240
Table of Contents
2
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? 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 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle for at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer or snowplowing.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Introduction
5

Transmission fluid temperature gauge (automatic transmission
only):If the gauge is in the:
Normal area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
Yellow area(warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer toSpecial
Operating Conditionsin the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidefor
instructions. Operating the transmission for extended periods of time
with the gauge in the yellow area may cause internal transmission
damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area(over temperature) —
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your Ford dealer.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
19

Clearance lamps (if equipped)
Illuminates when the headlamps or
parking lamps are switched on.
This provides additional visibility of
your vehicle to other drivers on the
road.
Fold-away mirrors
The mirrors can be manually folded forward or backwards for narrow
spaces like driving through an automatic car wash or backing out of a
garage with the trailer tow mirror.
The telescoping feature (if equipped) allows the mirror to extend
approximately 3.15 inches (80 mm). This feature is especially useful to
the driver when towing a trailer.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
61

The usage of a dissimilar spare tire/wheel can lead to impairment of the
following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional caution
should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a dissimilar spare tire/wheel and seek
service as soon as possible.
Location of the spare tire and tools
If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire, jack and associated tools,
refer to the following table for their locations:
Tool Location
Spare tire (pick-up
trucks only)Under the vehicle, just forward of the rear
bumper
Jack Regular cab, Super Cab without rear bench seat
and Crew Cab: Fastened to floor pan behind
rearmost seat on passenger side
SuperCab with rear bench seat: Under rear bench
on passenger side
Jack handle and lug
wrenchRegular cab: Fastened to floor behind front seat
Super Cab: Fastened to floor under rear seat
Crew Cab: Fastened to floor behind rear seat
Key, spare tire lock In the glove box
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
139

The following steps apply to all vehicles:
19. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown. Refer toWheel lug nut
torque specificationslater in this
chapter for the proper lug nut
torque specification.
8–lug nut torque sequence
10–lug nut torque sequence
20. Stow the flat tire. Refer toStowing the spare tireif the vehicle is
equipped with a spare tire carrier.
Note:Do not stow Harley-Davidson flat tire and wheel using the spare
tire winch mechanism; store the flat in the bed of the truck.
21. Stow the jack, jack handle and lug wrench. Make sure the jack is
securely fastened so it does not rattle when driving.
22. Unblock the wheels.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
147

Stowing the flat/spare tire
Note:Failure to follow spare tire stowage instructions may result in
failure of cable or loss of spare tire.
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, perScheduled Maintenance Guide),or at
any time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.
WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
On vehicles equipped with single rear wheels, retighten the lug nuts to
the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km) after any wheel disturbance
(tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
On vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels, retighten the wheel lug nuts
to the specified torque at 100 miles (160 km), and again at 500 miles
(800 km) of new vehicle operation and after any wheel disturbance (tire
rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
148

Example only:
Cargo Weight– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
162