
As in this example, the rear tires rotated to the front and properly
inflated to 50 psi (345 kPa) for the front axle would falsely illuminate the
low tire warning indicator as they are still trained for the rear positions
which require 80 psi (552 kPa).
Rotation, pressure adjustment
and successful completion of the
TPMS reset procedure
Sensor 1: 80 psi
Sensor 2: 80 psi
Sensor 3: 50 psi
Sensor 4: 50 psi
Tire rotation and air pressure
adjustment followed by sensor
resetting will ensure the system is properly programmed for vehicles
with different front and rear tire pressures and reduce the risk of a false
low tire warning.
In this situation, the TPMS warning light will be off.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used, as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Note: Do not place chains on the following tires sizes: P265/60R18,
P275/65R18, LT275/65R18, P275/55R20, and P275/45R22.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
236

•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
VEHICLE LOADING – WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your authorized dealer plus any aftermarket
equipment.
Payload– is the combined weight of cargo and passengers that the
vehicle is carrying. The maximum payload for your vehicle can be found
on the Tire Label on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door
(vehicles exported outside the US and Canada may not have a Tire
Label). Look for“THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND
CARGO SHOULD NEVER EXCEED XXX kg OR XXX lb.”for
maximum payload. The payload listed on the Tire Label is the maximum
payload for the vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If any aftermarket
or authorized-dealer installed equipment has been installed on the
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
237

When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above,do not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Try to repair the dissimilar spare tire
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location 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
3.Full-size dissimilar spare without label on wheel
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel,do not:
•Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
•Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
•Use commercial car washing equipment
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
The usage of a full-size 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)
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
308

Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................386
Satellite Radio Information ........48
Seats ..........................................158
child safety seats ....................196
cleaning ...................................336
heated ................................87, 162
memory seat ...................149, 161
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............155–156
Servicing your vehicle ..............339
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................28
AM/FM/CD .................................31
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................38
Snowplowing .................7, 293–294
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................380, 385
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
four-wheel drive vehicles .......295
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................381
Speed control ............................115
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......261
Starting your
vehicle ........................258–259, 261
jump starting ..........................315
Steering wheel
controls ....................................117
tilting .......................................103
T
Tailgate ..............................134–135Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................81
Tilt steering wheel ....................103
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....226
Tires ...........................211–212, 307
alignment ................................219
care ..........................................215
changing ..........................307, 310
checking the pressure ............215
inflating ...................................213
label .........................................225
replacing ..................................217
rotating ....................................219
safety practices .......................218
sidewall information ...............221
snow tires and chains ............236
spare tire .................................307
terminology .............................212
tire grades ...............................212
treadwear ........................211, 216
Towing .......................................243
recreational towing .................257
trailer towing ..........................243
Traction control ........................266
Traction-lok rear axle ...............268
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................376
Transmission .............................269
brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................269–270
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................372
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................375
fluid, refill capacities ..............381
lubricant specifications ..........381
manual operation ....................275
Turn signal ..................................95
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
396