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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
See Load limits in the Load Carrying
chapter for load specification terms found
on the tire label and Safety Compliance
label and instructions on calculating your
vehicle's load.
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle. You
must distribute the load in your trailer so
that 10-15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Do not attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
frame or hook retainers of your vehicle
hitch.
To connect the 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 collision greatly
increase. Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations. The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your 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).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
gearshift in position
P or position N to
aid engine and transmission cooling
and to help air conditioning
performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
grades.
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•
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.
• If your transmission is equipped with
the Tow/Haul feature, use this feature
when towing. This provides engine
braking and helps eliminate excessive
transmission shifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE 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 to connect your vehicle
securely to the tow vehicle and that the tow
vehicle ’s parking brakes are set before
releasing the disabled vehicle ’s spring
brakes.
Before moving the disabled vehicle, check
for adequate road clearance of vehicle
components. If possible, unload the
disabled vehicle before towing. This
reduces any abnormal load to the vehicle
components resulting from the towing
procedures. Before towing, make sure to
release the parking brake fully. You can
reset the spring-actuated type parking
brake by recharging the air system with at
least 64 psi (441 kPa) of air. If the brake
system does not retain air pressure, then
you must release the spring brakes
manually. See
Parking Brake (page 121). 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.
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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.
Removing Axle Shafts before Towing
1. Shift the main differential to the unlocked (disengaged) position; the
differential lock light turns off.
2. Remove the cap screws and washers or stud nuts and washers from flanges
of both axle shafts.
3. Loosen the tapered dowels in the flanges of both axle shafts by holding
a 1 ½-inch diameter brass drift or
hammer against the axle shaft center
and hitting it with a five or six pound
hammer.
Note: Do not use a chisel or wedge to
loosen the axle shafts and dowels. Use of
a chisel or wedge can damage the hub, axle
shafts and oil seals.
4. Remove the tapered dowels and both axle shafts from the axle assembly.
5. Assemble a cover over openings of both wheel ends to prevent loss of
lubricant and keep dirt away from the
wheel bearing cavities.
Note: One of the axle shafts has two sets
of splines. One set to engage with the
differential side gear and one set to engage
with the shift collar for the differential lock.
It may be necessary to rotate the shaft
slightly to align the gear spline teeth with
the shift collar teeth in order to remove the
axle shaft.
Installing the Axle Shafts
1. Remove the covers from the wheel ends.
2. Shift the differential lock to the unlocked (disengaged) position. 3. Install the axle shafts as outlined in
Steps 4 through 10.
4. Place the gaskets on the wheel hub studs.
5. Push the right-hand axle shaft and gasket into the wheel end and housing
until the shaft stops against the
differential shift collar.
6. Push down and in on the axle shaft flange and rotate the shaft until the
splines of the shaft and shift collar are
engaged.
7. Push the axle shaft further into the housing until the shaft stops against
the differential side gear.
8. Push down on the axle shaft flange and
rotate the shaft until the splines of the
shaft and side gear engage.
9. Push the axle shaft completely into the
housing until the axle shaft flange and
the gasket are flush against the wheel
hub.
10. Install the left-hand axle shaft and gasket into the wheel end.
11. If tapered dowels are required, install
them at each stud and into the flange
of the axle shaft. Use a punch or drift
and hammer, if needed.
12. Install the fasteners and tighten to correct torque value. See the
Workshop Manual.
FIFTH WHEEL OPERATION WARNINGS
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.
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WARNINGS
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.
4. Make sure the coupler release lever is in the locked position.
5. Charge the trailer brake system. Set the trailer brakes, with either the hand
valve or tractor protection valve. Pull
against the trailer for an extra check of
proper hook-up. Do not pull hard
enough to damage or strain the
equipment.
6. Set the tractor parking brakes and fully
raise the trailer landing gear. 7.
Check the operation of all trailer lights
and correct any lights that may be
faulty.
Un-hook
1. Try to keep the tractor and trailer in a straight line.
2. Apply the parking brakes.
3. Lower the trailer landing gear, making sure it is on solid, level ground. The
weight of the trailer is to be on the
landing gear.
4. Block the trailer wheels.
5. Disconnect the brake hoses and light cords. Be sure hoses and cords are
clear.
6. Pull coupler release lever to disengage
the fifth wheel jaws.
7. Release the tractor parking brakes.
8. Pull out from the trailer slowly, allowing
the landing gear to take the load
gradually.
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BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for
approximately 300 mi (480 km). During
this time, your vehicle may exhibit some
unusual driving characteristics.
Avoid driving too fast during the first
1,000 mi (1,600 km)
. Vary your speed
frequently and change up through the
gears early. Do not labor the engine.
Drive your new vehicle at least
500 mi
(800 km) before towing a trailer. Make
sure you use the specified engine oil. See
Capacities and Specifications
(page
261).
Do not add friction modifier compounds
or special break-in oils during the first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation.
These additives may prevent piston ring
seating.
GENERAL DRIVING POINTS
General Information
• Accelerate smoothly and evenly. Rapid
acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine
performance.
• When approaching a hill, press the
accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, and then shift
down as needed to maintain vehicle
speed.
• When going down a hill, or long steep
grades, prevent overspeeding of the
engine. Normally, choose the same
gear to descend the hill that you use to
ascend the hill. The engine governor
has no control over engine speed when
it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle. •
Do not operate in a gear that permits
an engine speed more than the
maximum governed speed or high-idle
RPM (no load).
• Always shift to a lower gear at high
altitudes to prevent engine smoking.
Backing Up WARNINGS
All vehicles have blind spots. To
reduce the risk of severe injury or
property damage, never move your
vehicle to the side or rear or change lanes
without being sure your way is clear on
both sides and to your rear. To reduce the risk of the possibility
of personal injury while backing up
the vehicle, always be sure your
vehicle ’s path is clear. Before backing up your vehicle, be sure you
can do so safely. If anything behind the cab
limits your view, do not rely on mirrors
alone to make sure that your intended path
is clear. If other people are in the vicinity,
have someone standing well behind your
vehicle and outside of your intended path
(visible through an exterior mirror) guide
you as you back up.
Although OSHA or some governmental
regulations may require the use of an
electrical or mechanical back up alarm to
warn bystanders, such an alarm does not
guarantee that the intended path is clear.
When in doubt, get out of your vehicle and
visually check the intended path is clear.
Back up slowly as to allow others time to
move, if necessary.
If you install an electrical back up alarm,
connect it to the backup lamp circuit.
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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.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size. •
Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving.
• Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 8– 10
miles (12 –16 kilometers) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
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COLD WEATHER
PRECAUTIONS
Note:
Idling in cold weather does not heat
the engine to its normal operating
temperature. Long periods of idling,
especially in cold weather, can cause a
buildup of deposits which can cause engine
damage.
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also
makes starting easier under these
conditions. Refer to Engine oil
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 256).
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperatures. Diesel fuel which has not
been properly formulated for the ambient
conditions may gel which can clog the fuel
filters. One indication that the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged is if the engine starts, stalls
after a short time, and then does not
restart. If you have been using biodiesel,
you may need to use a fuel with lower
biodiesel content, try another brand, or
discontinue using biodiesel. Do not use
alcohol based additives to correct fuel
gelling. This may result in damage to the
fuel injectors and system. Use the proper
anti-gel and performance improvement
product. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 256).
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel and
water separator that recirculates fuel from
the engine to help prevent fuel filter
clogging. To avoid engine fuel starvation
during cold weather operation of
32°F
(0°C) or below, we recommended that
the fuel level in your tank should not drop
below 1⁄4 full. This helps prevent air from
entering the fuel system and stalling the
engine. Your vehicle is equipped with a selective
catalyst reduction system that uses Diesel
Exhaust Fluid (DEF) to operate properly.
You need to replenish your vehicle
’s DEF
at certain intervals. When filling your
vehicle ’s DEF tank in cold weather, you
must take special care to prevent damage
to the tank. See
Selective Catalytic
Reduction System (page 95).
In cold weather below
32°F (0°C), the
engine may slowly increase to a higher idle
speed if left idling in park (P) or neutral
(N).
If you operate your vehicle in a heavy
snowstorm or blowing snow conditions,
snow and ice can clog the engine air
induction. If this occurs, the engine may
experience a significant reduction in power
output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow or ice away from inside the air
filter assembly. Remove the air cleaner
cover and the pleated paper filter, leaving
the foam filter in and remove any snow or
ice. Make sure you install the foam filter
correctly in place. Remove any debris,
snow or ice on the foam filter by brushing
the surface with soft brush. Once you have
cleared all of the debris, reinstall the air
filter and assembly.
Do not use water, solvents, or a hard brush
for cleaning the foam filter. WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage
and/or personal burn injuries do not
start your engine with the air filter
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running. 148
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In order to operate the engine in
temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower, read
the following instructions:
•
Make sure that the batteries are of
sufficient size and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to
make sure they are in optimum
condition
• Use the proper coolant solution at the
concentration recommended
protecting the engine against damage
from freezing
• Try to keep the fuel tank full as much
as possible at the end of operation to
prevent condensation in the fuel
system
• Make sure you use proper cold weather
engine oil and that it is at its proper
level. Also, if necessary, make sure to
follow the engine oil and filter change
schedule found under the Special
operating conditions section listed in
the scheduled maintenance
information
• At temperatures of -9°F (-23°C) or
below, it is recommended that you use
an engine block 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
The following cold weather idling
guidelines are recommended:
• You can use Motorcraft® cetane
improvers or non-alcohol-based
cetane improvers from a reputable
manufacturer as needed.
• Maintain the engine cooling system
properly. •
Avoid shutting the engine down after
an extensive idling period. Drive your
vehicle for several miles with the
engine at normal operating
temperatures under a moderate load.
• Consider using an engine block heater.
• For extended idle times use an
approved idle speed increase device.
Winter Operating Tips for Arctic
Operation -20°F (-29°C) and
Below
The following information is a guideline
only and is not to be the only source of
possible solutions in resolving extreme
cold temperature issues.
Starting Aids WARNING
Do not use starting fluid, such as
ether, in the air intake system (see
air filter decal). Such fluid could
cause immediate explosive damage to the
engine and possible personal injury. The use of the factory engine block heater
assists in engine starting in extreme cold
ambient temperatures. See
Engine Block
Heater (page 88).
Idle Control
Your vehicle may have a factory option for
a stationary elevated idle control through
dash-mounted upfitter switches that
allows the operator to elevate the idle rpm
for extended idle periods, as well as
aftermarket equipment such as PTO
operation. You must configure this feature
even if ordered from the factory. See your
authorized dealer for required upfitting.
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