towing FORD E250 2003 User Guide

Note:For E-550 vehicles, on all
two-piece flat wheel nuts, apply
motor oil between the flat washer
and the nut. Do not apply motor oil
to the wheel nut threads or the
wheel stud threads.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, per scheduled maintenance guide), or at any
time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.
2003 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
151

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service or, if you are a member of a roadside assistance program, your
roadside assistance service provider.
Ford recommends your vehicle be towed with a wheel lift or flatbed. Do
not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air dam and must be towed from the
front, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or
flatbed equipment to prevent damage to the air dam.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
2003 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
157

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Since this
information is subject to change, please ask your dealer for complete
details about Ford Extended Service Plan coverage options, or visit the
Ford ESP website at www.ford-esp.com.
2003 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Customer Assistance
160

Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/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
12–16 km (8–10 miles) 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.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
NOTE:Vehicles over 8500 GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) will not have
fuel economy information printed on the EPA window sticker.
2003 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
197

J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......152
K
Keys
positions of the ignition .........113
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................57
cargo lamps ...............................55
daytime running light ...............54
headlamps .................................54
headlamps, flash to pass ..........55
instrument panel, dimming .....55
interior lamps ...........................56
replacing bulbs ...................57–61
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................55
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........117
Load limits .................................124
GAWR ......................................124
GVWR ......................................124
trailer towing ..........................124
Loading instructions .................126
Lubricant specifications ...215, 218
Lumbar support, seats ...............78
M
Mirrors
fold away ...................................69
side view mirrors (power) .......68
Motorcraft parts ................194, 210O
Octane rating ............................193
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................176
P
Parking brake ............................117
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....210
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................141
Power door locks ........................73
Power point .................................67
Power steering ..........................118
fluid, checking and adding ....200
fluid, refill capacity ................211
fluid, specifications .........215, 218
Power Windows ...........................68
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................118
R
Radio ..........................16, 18, 21, 25
Relays ................................138, 143
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................76
locking/unlocking doors ...........73
Roadside assistance ..................135
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............92
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ........................83–85, 87
Safety defects, reporting ..........166
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
228

Safety restraints ....................83–87
belt minder ...............................89
extension assembly ..................92
for adults .............................84–85
for children .........................97–98
lap belt ......................................87
safety belt maintenance ...........92
warning light and chime ..........88
Safety seats for children ..........101
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............83
Seats ............................................77
child safety seats ....................101
Servicing your vehicle ..............173
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ....................................144
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................210, 218
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............6
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................215, 218
Speed control ..............................69
Starting your vehicle ........113–115
jump starting ..........................152
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................64
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ...........51, 53
Tilt steering wheel ......................64
Tires ...................................204–206
changing ..........................144–145
replacing ..........................147, 208rotating ....................................207
snow tires and chains ............209
tire grades ...............................205
treadwear ................................205
Towing .......................................126
recreational towing .................134
trailer towing ..........................126
wrecker ....................................157
Traction-lok rear axle ...............118
Transmission .............................119
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................201
fluid, refill capacities ..............211
lubricant specifications ..215, 218
Trunk ...........................................72
Turn signal ..................................55
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................218
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................220
Vehicle loading ..........................124
Ventilating your vehicle ...........116
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................175
Water, Driving through .............123
Windows
power .........................................68
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................63
checking and adding fluid .....175
replacing wiper blades .............63
Wrecker towing .........................157
2003 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
229