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PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set
speed without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. You can use cruise
control when your vehicle speed is greater
than 20 mph (30 km/h).
USING CRUISE CONTROL WARNINGS
Do not use cruise control on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or when the
road surface is slippery. This could
result in loss of vehicle control, serious
injury or death. When you are going downhill, your
vehicle speed may increase above
the set speed. The system will not
apply the brakes but a warning displays.
Failure to follow this warning could result
in serious personal injury or death. Note:
Cruise control will disengage if the
vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph
(16 km/h) below the set speed while driving
uphill. The cruise controls are on the steering
wheel.
Switching Cruise Control On
Press and release
ON.
The indicator displays in the
instrument cluster.
Setting the Cruise Speed
1. Drive to desired speed.
2. Press and release
SET+ or SET-.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
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Changing the Set Speed
•
Press and release SET+ or SET-. When
You select km/h as the display
measurement in the information
display, the set speed changes in
approximately 2 km/h increments.
When you select mph as the display
measurement in the information
display, the set speed changes in
approximately 1 mph increments.
• Press the accelerator or brake pedal
until you reach the desired speed. Press
and release SET+ or SET-.
• Press and hold SET+ or SET-. Release
the control when you reach the desired
speed.
Canceling the Set Speed
Press and release
CNCL or tap the brake
pedal. The set speed does not erase.
Resuming the Set Speed
Press and release
RSM.
Switching Cruise Control Off
Press and release
OFF when the system
is in stand by mode or switch the ignition
off.
Note: You erase the set speed when you
switch the system off.
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STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power
steering system:
•
Never hold the steering wheel at its
furthest turning points (until it stops)
for more than three to five seconds
when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low
power steering pump fluid level (below
the MIN mark on the reservoir).
• Some noise is normal during operation.
If excessive, check for low power
steering pump fluid level before
seeking service by your dealer.
• Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused
by low power steering fluid. Check for
low power steering pump fluid level
before seeking service by your dealer.
• Do not fill the power steering pump
reservoir above the MAX mark on the
reservoir, 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 power steering system exhibits heavy
or uneven efforts, check for the following
before seeking service from your dealer:
• An improperly inflated tire.
• Overloading of front suspension.
• Uneven vehicle loading.
• Binding suspension components.
If the power steering system wanders or
pulls, check for:
• An improperly inflated tire.
• Uneven vehicle loading.
• Uneven tire wear.
• Loose or worn suspension
components.
• Loose or worn steering components. •
Improper vehicle alignment.
• High crosswinds.
If any steering components are serviced or
replaced, install new fasteners (many are
coated with thread adhesive or have
prevailing torque features which may not
be re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.
Torque fasteners to specifications.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds
may also make the steering seem to
wander or pull.
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LOAD LIMIT
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label. Do not use replacement tires
with lower load carrying
capacities than the original tires
because they may lower the
vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the
originals do not increase the
GVWR and GAWR limitations. Exceeding any vehicle weight
rating limitation could result
in serious damage to the vehicle
and/or personal injury. Every vehicle manufactured by
Ford Motor Company is supplied
with information on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label,
located on either the B-pillar or
the driver
’s door edge, listing the
maximum loading for the vehicle
(GVWR), and its axle systems
(GAWR) at the tire to ground
interface. Example only:
Under no circumstances should
your vehicle be loaded in excess
of the GVWR or GAWR. It is the
operator
’s responsibility to ensure
that neither the axle capacities,
spring capacities, tire capacities
nor the vehicle rated GVWR is
exceeded.
Unloaded or Lightly Loaded
Vehicles WARNING
When operating empty or
lightly loaded, sudden or hard
braking may induce wheel lockup
with loss of vehicle control and
the possibility of accident and
serious injury, especially on wet or
slippery road surfaces. The braking system has been
designed to safely stop your
vehicle when fully loaded to its
GVWR.
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AIR SUSPENSION (If Equipped)
Note: Do not operate your vehicle without
air in the suspension springs. Operating your
vehicle without air in the suspension springs
damages the suspension, degrades ride
performance and may cause property
damage.
The air suspension system automatically
adjusts to different loads to maintain a
constant frame height, allows for ease of
vehicle loading, provides improved vehicle
ride, and increased driver comfort.
Air Suspension Dump Button Note:
The suspension dumps air when the
ignition is in the accessory or on position,
but fills only when the ignition is in the on
position.
A button located on the instrument panel
controls the system. It operates only when
the ignition is in the accessory or on
position and the air tanks have sufficient
pressure to fill the air springs. When you
turn off the ignition, the suspension
remains in whatever state it was last set.
Pressing and holding the button for two
seconds exhausts air from the air springs,
lowering the frame for loading. Pressing
and holding the button for two seconds
fills the air springs so your vehicle remains
at normal ride height. System Indicator Light
The air suspension indicator light
illuminates when using the button to
release air pressure in the rear air springs.
Never drive your vehicle when the warning
lamp is illuminated and there is low (or no)
air pressure in the springs.
Connecting and Disconnecting a
Trailer with Air Suspension and Air
Suspension Dump Button
When connecting to a trailer:
•
Press and hold the button for two
seconds to exhaust air from the air
suspension system.
• Press and hold the button for two
seconds, and then raise the landing
gear after making the connection to
the trailer.
When disconnecting the trailer:
• Lower the landing gear, and then press
and hold the button for two seconds.
• Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side
and rear light connectors, then pull the
release lever on the fifth wheel.
You must fill the air springs before
operating with a trailer or operating in the
bobtail mode.
Suspension Conversions WARNING
When operating a loaded vehicle, the
driver must keep all adjustable axles
on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle ’s load. Failure to
do so can overload other axles, tires,
wheels, springs, steering components,
brakes and frames, resulting in early
component failure, loss of vehicle control,
possible property damage and personal
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We do not recommend performing, or
approve of, suspension conversions.
However, we understand that, on occasion,
others install aftermarket add-on
suspensions on the truck chassis that allow
operator control for weight transfer from
other axles (such as air lift axles).
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNINGS
Do not exceed the GVWR or
the GAWR specified on the
certification label. 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 may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See Fuses
(page 162).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle.
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.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in another chapter of this
manual. See
Load Limit (page
137).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online. RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
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RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Vehicles with gasoline engine
Maximum GCWR
Maximum GVWR
lb (kg)
Model
*
20500–
26000
(9299– 11792)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)
*
25600–
29000
(11612 –13154)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame
* 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 diesel engine
Maximum GCWR
Maximum GVWR
lb (kg)
Model
*
20500–
26000
(9299– 11792)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)
*
25600–
29000
(11612 –13154)
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame
*
25999– 37000
(11793– 16783)
F-750
* 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.
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