engine FORD F250 1998 Owner's Guide

Towing trailers beyond the
maximum recommended
gross trailer weight could result
in engine damage,
transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of
control, and personal injury.
Trailer towing tables
F-150 4x2 with automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle ratio Maximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)
Regular Cab
4.2L 3.08 4 077 (9 000) 2 177 (4 800)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 582 (5 800)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 261 (7 200)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 948 (6 500)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 268 (8 000)
SuperCab
4.2L 3.08 4 077 (9 000) 2 086 (4 600)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 540 (5 600)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 491 (5 500)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 171 (7 000)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 857 (6 300)
5.4L 3.55 4 983 (12 700) 3 628 (8 000)
Driving
113
ProCarManuals.com

F-150 4x2 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 1 041 (2 300) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 630 (3 600) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 997 (2 200) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 587 (3 500) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 951 (2 100) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 540 (3 400) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 907 (2 000) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1496 (3 300) 5.52 (60)
F-150 4x4 automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.08 4 077 (9 000) 1 995 (4 400) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 4 530 (10 000) 2 449 (5 400) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 404 (5 300) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 3 084 (6 800) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 721 (6 000) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 492 (7 700) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-150
4.6L 3.08 4 530 (10 000) 2 313 (5 100) 5.52 (60)
Driving
114
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
4.6L 3.55 5 209 (11 500) 2 993 (6 600) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.08 4 983 (11 000) 2 721 (6 000) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.55 5 753 (12 700) 3 492 (7 700) 5.52 (60)
F-150 4x4 manual transmission
Trailer towing table (F-150 4x4 manual transmission)
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-150
4.2L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 861 (1 900) 5.52 (60)
4.2L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 451 (3 200) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 816 (1 800) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-150
4.6L 3.08 2 944 (6 500) 771 (1 700) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.55 3 533 (7 800) 1 360 (3 000) 5.52 (60)
F-250 4x2 automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 630 (5 800) 5.52 (60)
Driving
115
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of
trailer-m
(ft)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 311 (7 300) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 265 (7 200) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 946 (8 600) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756 (10 500) 2 585 (5 700) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 5 436 (12 000) 3 265 (7 200) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5 436 (12 000) 3 220 (7 100) 5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6 115 (13 500) 3 900 (8 600) 5.52 (60)
F-250 4x2 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 1 179 (2 600) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 451 (3 200) 5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 1 133 (2 500) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 406 (3 100) 5.52 (60)
Driving
116
ProCarManuals.com

F-250 4x4 automatic
transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756
(10 500)2 449
(5 400)5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 5 436
(12 000)3 129
(6 900)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5 436
(12 000)3 084
(6 800)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6 115
(13 500)3 764
(8 300)5.52 (60)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 4 756
(10 500)2 449
(5 400)5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 5 436
(12 000)3 129
(6 900)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.31 5 436
(12 000)3 084
(6 800)5.52 (60)
5.4L 3.73 6 115
(13 500)3 764
(8 300)5.52 (60)
F-250 4x4 manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
Regular Cab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 952 (2 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700) 5.52 (60)
Driving
117
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
trailer
weight-kg
(lbs.)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer-m
(ft)
SuperCab F-250
4.6L 3.31 3 261 (7 200) 952 (2 100) 5.52 (60)
4.6L 3.73 3 533 (7 800) 1 224 (2 700) 5.52 (60)
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for
towing a trailer, and make sure it
is properly attached to your
vehicle. See your dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require
assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto
the vehicle's bumper or attach to
the axle. You must distribute the
load in your trailer so that 10 to
15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a
load equalizing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a
level surface. With the ignition on
and all doors closed, allow the
vehicle to stand for several
minutes so that it can level.
2. Turn the air suspension (if
equipped) control to OFF.
Driving
118
ProCarManuals.com

(automatic transmissions) or 1
(First) (manual transmissions)
and increase idle speed. This
aids engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles 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
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break
higher than 15 cm (six inches)
above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.
If the rear axle is submerged in
water, the rear axle lubricant
should be checked and changed, if
necessary. The rear axle is filled
with a synthetic lubricant and does
not normally require a lubricant
change for the life of the vehicle.
Rear axle lubricant quantities
should not need to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Driving
122
ProCarManuals.com

²F-150/F±250 4WD Regular Cab
long wheelbase
²4.6L or 5.4L engine
²Heavy duty service package
²Super engine cooling
²Heavy duty front suspension
package
²Automatic transmission with
auxiliary automatic transmission
fluid cooling
²All-terrain tires
Do not install a snowplow and
plow with your vehicle until it has
been driven at least 800 km (500
miles).
Installing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before installing a snowplow:
²Front GAWR must not exceed
63% of the GVW. Add ballast
weight to the back of the
vehicle, if necessary. Refer to
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to find Front
GAWR.
²The Front Axle Accessory
Reserve Capacity and the Total
Accessory Reserve Capacity
listed on the bottom right of the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label will determine whether or
not the addition of a snowplow
will overload your vehicle.
²The weight of the snowplow and
supporting components
distributed to the front axle
Driving
125
ProCarManuals.com

maintain the engine oil and
transmission fluid change
intervals.
Do not exceed the GVWR
or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Removing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before removing a snowplow:
²After removing a snowplow from
the vehicle, ensure the vehicle's
front toe alignment and front
ride height are within
specification (reset if required).
These specifications are located
in the vehicle's Workshop
Manual. Adherence to the toe
and ride height specification is
important for proper tire wear,
ride, handling and headlight aim.
Snowplowing with your air bag
equipped vehicle
Your vehicle is equipped with
driver and passenger air bags. The
air bags are designed to deploy in
a collision with a solid barrier at a
range of 13 to 23 km/h (8 to 14
mph) or a parked car at a range of
25 to 45 km/h (16 to 28 mph).
Careless or high speed driving
while plowing snow which results
in vehicle decelerations equivalent
Driving
127
ProCarManuals.com

to or greater than the air bag
deployment impact speeds listed
above can deploy the air bag. Such
driving also increases the risk of
accidents.
All occupants of the
vehicle, including the
driver, should always wear their
safety belts.
Never remove or defeat the
ªtripping mechanismsº designed
into the snow removal equipment
by its manufacturer. Doing so may
cause damage to the vehicle and
the snow removal equipment as
well as possible air bag
deployment.
Do not attempt to service,
repair, or modify the Air
Bag Supplemental Restraint
System or its fuses. See your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Engine temperature while
plowing
When driving with a plow, your
engine may run at a higher
temperature than normal because
the attached snowplow blade will
restrict airflow to the radiator.
If you are driving more than 24 km
(15 miles) at temperatures above
freezing, angle the plow bladeH
C
Driving
128
ProCarManuals.com