wheel FORD E-250 2004 User Guide
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If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
Understanding the shift positions of the 5–speed automatic
transmission (if equipped - diesel engines only)
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
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Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Drive) with Overdrive or D (Drive) without Overdrive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
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.
EMERGENCY MANEUVERS
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid“over-driving”your vehicle, i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
not more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or
brake pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are
called for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and/or personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the
vehicle to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
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Exceeding the Safety Certification Label vehicle weight rating
limits could result in substandard vehicle handling or
performance, engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious
damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight)–is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)–is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer–including all cargo and
passengers–that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle.The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight–is the highest possible weight of a
fully loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only
mandatory options, no cargo (internal or external), a tongue load of
10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lbs [68 kg]).Consult your dealership (or
theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your dealership) for
more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight–refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply
5,000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to
750 lbs. (227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lbs. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer,
multiply by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725
to 2,875 lbs. (782 to 1,304 kg)
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR -
lbs. (kg)Maximum
Loaded
Trailer Weight
- lbs. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
6.8L 3.7315000
(6804)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Extended Wagon (15–passenger) (9100 GVWR)
5.4L 3.5512000
(5443)5600 (2540) 60 (5.52)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)6600 (2994) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Extended Wagon (15–passenger) (9300 GVWR)
6.8L 3.7315000
(6804)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Cutaway (138”wheelbase, single rear wheel) (9600
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7900 (3583) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Cutaway (138”wheelbase, dual rear wheel) (10700
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7800 (3538) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR -
lbs. (kg)Maximum
Loaded
Trailer Weight
- lbs. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
E-350 Cutaway (158”wheelbase, dual rear wheel) (11500
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7700 (3493) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Cutaway (176”wheelbase, dual rear wheel) (11500
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7700 (3493) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.10/4.5618500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Chassis Cab (138”wheelbase, dual rear wheel) (10700
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7700 (3493) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (158”wheelbase, dual rear wheel)
(11500 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7600 (3447) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Chassis Cab (176”wheelbase, dual rear wheel) (11500
GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)7700 (3493) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.10/4.5618500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR -
lbs. (kg)Maximum
Loaded
Trailer Weight
- lbs. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (138”wheelbase) (9600 GVWR)
5.4L 3.55/4.1013000
(5897)8800 (3992) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (158”wheelbase) (9600 GVWR)
5.4L 3.55/4.1013000
(5897)8700 (3946) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (138”wheelbase) (10000 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)8500 (3856) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (158”wheelbase) (10000 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Chassis Cab (158”wheelbase) (11000 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (176”wheelbase) (10000 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)/Trailer Weights
EngineRear
axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR -
lbs. (kg)Maximum
Loaded
Trailer Weight
- lbs. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2
(m2)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-350 Stripped Chassis (176”wheelbase) (11000 GVWR)
5.4L 4.1013000
(5897)8400 (3810) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.1018500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-450 Cutaway and Chassis Cab (all wheelbases, all GVWRs)
6.8L 4.5620000
(9072)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
E-450 Stripped Chassis (all wheelbases, all GVWRs)
5.4L 4.5613000
(5897)8200 (3719) 60 (5.52)
6.8L 4.5618500
(8391)10000 (4536) 60 (5.52)
Maximum trailer weight for all cutaway (E-350 and E-450) vehicles
must be calculated by subtracting the weight of the vehicle (including
incomplete vehicle weight and payload which includes second unit
body weight, cargo and passengers) from the GCW. Otherwise,
maximum trailer weight is 10,000 lbs. (4536 kg).
For high altitude operation reduce GCWR by 2% per 1,000 ft. (300
meters) elevation.
To determine the maximum trailer weight designed for your particular
vehicle as equipped, follow the sectionCalculating the load your
vehicle can tow/carryearlier in this chapter.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Distribute the load so that only 10–15% of the total is on the tongue. Tie
down the load so that it does not shift and change the weight on the
hitch.
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Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a one inch (25.4 mm) shank diameter. The bumper has a 5,000
lbs. (2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lbs. (227 kg) tongue weight
capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may shut off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
towing and do not perform and fast accelerations from a stop during
this time.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they
may overheat and become less effective.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
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•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Maintenance and specificationschapter for the lubricant
specification.
•Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) after changing
the rear axle lube
•Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 500 miles (800 km) of
towing and do not perform and fast accelerations from a stop during
this time.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components:
•causing internal damage to the components.
•affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND)
An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle on a
trip behind a motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need
for recreational towing of your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission
is not damaged.
2WD vehicles (with automatic transmissions):
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral)
•Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h)
•Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km)
If a distance of 50 miles (80 km) or a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) must
be exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed.
Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified
technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal
transmission components.
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