Parking
WARNING:When parking your vehicle, do not leave the
transmission in gear; if the key is in the on position and the
vehicle rolls, the engine could start. Failure to follow these instructions
could result in an unattended vehicle moving, possibly causing personal
injury or property damage.
Always use the parking brake. When parking on a grade, block the
wheels and turn the front wheels to one side so that if the vehicle rolls,
the front tires act against the curb to stop the vehicle. The front wheels
are more effective at stopping a rolling vehicle than the rear wheels.
Cold Weather
Note:Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal
operating temperature. Long periods of idling in cold weather can cause
a build-up of heavy deposits of carbon and rust on valve stems causing
them to stick which, in turn, can cause valvetrain damage.
Note:The use of winter fronts, or other air-restrictive devices mounted
in front of the radiator on vehicles with chassis-mounted charge air
coolers, are not recommended unless extremely cold weather conditions
exist. Airflow restriction can cause high exhaust temperatures, power
loss, excessive fan usage and a reduction in fuel economy. If you must
use a winter front, the device should have a permanent opening of at
least 120 square inches (774 square centimeters) directly in line with the
fan hub.
For best engine operation in temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower:
•Make sure the batteries are the correct type and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to make sure they are in optimum
condition.
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from freezing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with a water-fuel separator, drain it daily.
Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent
condensation in the fuel system.
•Use the proper engine oil and maintain it at its proper level.
•At temperatures of –4°F (–20°C) or below, it is recommended that
you use a crankcase-mounted coolant heater to improve cold engine
starting.
•If operating in arctic temperatures of –20°F (–29°C) or lower, consult
your truck dealer for information about special cold weather
equipment and precautions.
Driving Aids169
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Hot Weather
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent
condensation in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
•Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while
driving in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct
this problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting into
the next lower gear.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To help prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme
left for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the ADD mark on the MAX. COLD side of the power steering
reservoir dipstick.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive,
check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power
steering pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid
level before seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the FULL mark
on the MAX. HOT side of the power steering reservoir dipstick, as
this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•uneven vehicle loading
•high crown in center of road
•high crosswinds
•wheels out of alignment
•loose or worn suspension components.
170Driving Aids
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Second-unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings.
The weight of the additional body must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items so they are centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Model Maximum
GVWR - lb (kg)Maximum
GCWR
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)20500–26000
(9299–11792)
*
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame20500–29000
(9299–13154)*
F-750 25999–37000
(11793–16783)*
Towing175
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
*Specific GCWR and maximum trailer weight applicable to a given
F–650/750 model is dependent on many variables including transmission
capability. Check with your sales consultant for the exact rating on your
vehicle.
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See your
scheduled maintenance information.
For load specification terms found on the Tire Label and Safety
Compliance Certification Label and for instructions on calculating your
vehicle’s load, seeLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the
axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the total trailer weight is on the
tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING:Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not have
enough braking power and your chances of having a crash greatly
increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at
the GVWR not GCWR.
176Towing
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Trailer Lamps
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the
vehicle’s tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•Place the gearshift lever in positionP(if equipped) or neutral to aid
in engine and transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
FIFTH-WHEEL OPERATION
WARNING:Failure to follow the fifth-wheel manufacturer’s
instructions for hooking and unhooking as well as sliding the
fifth-wheel could result in an accident, personal injury or death.
WARNING:When the tractor and trailer are parked unattended,
the trailer brake hand control should never be used to apply the
brake, since air may leak from the system, allowing vehicle movement,
resulting in possible property damage, personal injury or death.
Towing177
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
WRECKER TOWING
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage when manually releasing the spring brakes, be sure to
block the wheels so the vehicle cannot move once the brakes are
released.
Note:Make sure the vehicle is securely connected to the tow vehicle
and that the tow vehicle’s parking brakes are applied before releasing the
disabled vehicle’s spring brakes.
Before moving the disabled vehicle, check for adequate road clearance of
vehicle components. It is recommended the disabled vehicle be unloaded
prior to being towed to reduce any abnormal load to the vehicle
components resulting from the towing procedures. Before towing, make
sure the parking brake is fully released. The spring-actuated type parking
brake can be reset by recharging the air system with at least 64 psi
(441 kPa) of air. If the brake system does not retain air pressure, then
the spring brakes must be released manually. SeeParking brakein the
Brakeschapter.
Towing the Vehicle with the Front Wheels Suspended
Note:To avoid transmission damage, vehicles should not be towed even
a short distance without suspending rear wheels or removing the axle
shafts or driveshaft.
Note:In the event the chassis is equipped with a tandem axle and the
vehicle is to be towed from the front, the forward rear axle may be
raised to clear the road surface and secured to the frame by chains or
U-bolts, allowing only the rear rear axle to contact the road surface. Axle
shafts must be removed from the rear rear axle assembly. The wheel hub
ends must be covered to prevent loss of axle lubricant and entrance of
contaminants. Use extreme care in securing the chains or U-bolts to
avoid possible damage to the brake lines, hoses or other components.
When it is necessary to tow a vehicle with the front wheels suspended,
extra precautions must be taken to avoid transmission or differential
damage:
•Remove the axle shafts from the axle assembly to prevent the wheels
from driving the differential and the transmission.
•The wheel hub ends must be covered to prevent loss of axle lubricant
and entrance of other contaminants. If the axle shafts are not
removed, removal of the driveshaft is required.
Towing179
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Towing the Vehicle with the Rear Wheels Suspended
Note:To avoid damage to the cab roof or air deflector when towing the
vehicle backward (rear wheels suspended), the air deflector must be
removed.
Whenever possible, it is preferable to tow a disabled vehicle from the
rear by raising the rear of the chassis. When towing a vehicle with the
rear of the chassis suspended, the front wheels must be locked in the
straight-ahead position.
Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission must have at least 1.0 pint
(0.5 liter) of transmission fluid drained from the case. This prevents the
transmission fluid from entering the clutch housing and saturating the
clutch discs. Make sure that the transmission fluid is replaced before the
vehicle is returned to service.
Towing Vehicles Equipped with a Driver-controlled Differential
Lock
Note:If the vehicle must be towed to a service facility with the drive
axle wheels on the ground, it is necessary to remove the axle shafts
before the vehicle is towed.
A. Side gear
B. Differential (plain) case half
C. Shift collar in the locked position
D. Actuator assembly and shift fork
E. Axle shaft
F. Interference between the shift
collar and housing
G. Shift collar in the unlocked
position
H. Outer splines: axle shaft to collar
I. Shift collar and differential case
splines
J. Inner splines: axle shaft to side
gear
E
D
CB
A
J
IH
G
F
180Towing
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs. Traction or brake capability
may be limited and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine, drive axles or the
transmission (through the breather ports).
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.
Driving Hints183
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)