If you install an electrical back up alarm, connect it to the backup lamp
circuit.
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 your vehicle rolls,
the front tires act against the curb to stop your 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:We recommend against using winter fronts, or other air-restrictive
devices mounted in front of the radiator on vehicles with
chassis-mounted charge air coolers, 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.
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•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.
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, air
conditioning condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
•You may experience above normal coolant temperatures while driving
in a transmission gear ratio that lugs the engine. To correct this
problem, increase engine speed 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 your 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 your 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 an authorized dealer.
•Low power steering pump fluid levels may cause heavy or uneven
steering efforts. Check the power steering pump fluid level before
seeking service from an 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 your vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
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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 designation is 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.
You must subtract the weight of the extra body from the maximum
trailer weight.
Towing a trailer places an extra 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 your vehicle when
driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items 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.
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RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Vehicles with diesel engine
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 Frame20940–29000
(9498–13154)*
F-750 25999–37000
(11793–16783)*
*
Specific GCWR and maximum trailer weight applicable your vehicle is
dependent on many variables including transmission capability. Check
with your sales consultant for the exact rating on your vehicle.
Vehicles with gasoline engine
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 Frame20940–29000
(9498–13154)*
*
Specific GCWR and maximum trailer weight applicable your vehicle 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.
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•Place the gearshift lever in positionP(if equipped) or neutral to aid
in engine and transmission cooling and air conditioning 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.
Before hook-up, make sure:
•The fifth wheel jaws are fully open.
•The fifth wheel is fully tilted back to prevent body damage when the
tractor is backed under a trailer.
•You block the trailer wheels and adjust and apply the trailer spring
brakes. Never chase a trailer.
•The brake hoses and light cords are clear of the fifth wheel.
Hook-up
1. Back the tractor squarely under the trailer, engaging the fifth-wheel
jaws on the kingpin. Always back up slowly; make sure the trailer is
neither too high nor too low. Avoid backing under the trailer from an
angle.
2. Connect the service and emergency brake hoses and trailer light
connector.
3. Inspect the jaws of the fifth wheel to be sure they have fully closed
on the trailer kingpin and the trailer plate is resting securely on the
fifth wheel.
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Towing the Vehicle with the Front Wheels Suspended
Note:To avoid transmission damage, do not tow your vehicle even a
short distance without suspending rear wheels or removing the axle
shafts or driveshaft.
Note:When towing a vehicle equipped with a tandem axle from the
front, raise the forward rear axle so it can clear the road surface and
secure it to the frame with chains or U-bolts, allowing only the rear rear
axle to contact the road surface. Remove axle shafts from the rear rear
axle assembly. Cover the wheel hub ends 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,
take extra precautions 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.
•Cover the wheel hub ends to prevent loss of axle lubricant and
entrance of other contaminants. If you do not remove the axle shafts,
removal of the driveshaft is required.
Towing the Vehicle with the Rear Wheels Suspended
Note:To avoid damage to the cab roof or air deflector when towing your
vehicle backward (rear wheels suspended), remove the air deflector.
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, you must lock the front wheels 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 to replace the transmission fluid before returning
your vehicle to service.
Towing Vehicles Equipped with a Driver-controlled Differential
Lock
Note:If you have to tow your vehicle to a service facility with the drive
axle wheels on the ground, it is necessary to remove the axle shafts
before towing your vehicle.
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if you do not know the depth. 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.
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Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have push-start capability. Attempting to
push-start a vehicle with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
Six-speed TorqShift transmissions have an adaptive shift strategy. When
you disconnect the battery or install a new battery, the automatic
transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the transmission
may have firm soft shifts, firm shifts or both. This operation is normal
and does not affect function or durability of the transmission. Over time,
the adaptive learning process fully updates transmission operation.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note:Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
1. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehicles do not touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
2. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion
before you attach the battery cables. Make sure that vent caps are
tight and level.
3. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING:Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
Note:Do not attach the negative (-) cable to fuel lines, engine rocker
covers, the intake manifold or electrical components as grounding points.
Note:In the illustration, the vehicle on the bottom is used to designate
the assisting (boosting) battery.
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