brakes FORD F250 1999 User Guide

Driving through deep water where the transmission is submerged
may allow water into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
TOWING A TRAILER
Your vehicle may tow a
Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth
wheel trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to
the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio
on the following charts.
2nd unit bodies are not included in
maximum trailer weight ratings.
Weight of additional “body” must be
subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
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.
Driving
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Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
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.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper hasa2270
kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
•Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transmission
damage and void your warranty coverage.
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2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specifications.
Refer toLubricant specificationsin theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch fluid level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide
for the service interval schedules.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toCapacities and specifications.
For vehicles equipped with the 5–speed manual transmission,
during normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, maintain the fluid level at the
step in the reservoir.
For vehicles equipped with the 6–speed manual transmission,
during normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir will drop
slightly. As this occurs, maintain the fluid level at the step in the
reservoir.
M
A
X
Maintenance and care
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AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The alignment of your headlamps should be checked by a qualified
service technician if:
•Oncoming motorists frequently signal you to deactivate your high
beams, and your high beams are not activated.
•The headlamps do not seem to provide enough light for clear night
vision.
•The headlamp beams are pointed substantially away from a slightly
down and to the right position.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories (such as antennas) and fold in the side
view mirrors before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied to the
vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the
wiper blades and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades
and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
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Accessory delay ..........................75
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........................92
and child safety seats ..............93
description ................................92
disposal ......................................96
driver air bag ............................94
indicator light ......................10,95
operation ...................................94
passenger air bag .....................94
passenger deactivation switch...96
Air cleaner filter .......................212
Air conditioning ..........................24
Ambulance packages ....................3
Automatic transmission ............116
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................117
fluid, refill capacities ..............212
fluid, specification ..................217
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........217
refill capacities ........................212
traction lok ..............................115
Battery .......................................187
acid, treating emergencies .....187
charging system warning light...12
jumping a disabled battery ....163
maintenance-free ....................187
replacement, specifications ...212
servicing ..................................187
voltage gauge ............................16
Brakes ........................................112
anti-lock .....................112,113,114
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ......................11,113
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....175
fluid, refill capacities ..............212
fluid, specifications ..........215,217
lubricant specifications ...215,217
parking ....................................114
shift interlock ..........................116Break-in period .............................2
Capacities for refilling fluids ....212
CD changer .................................62
Child safety restraints ..............101
child safety belts ....................101
child safety seats ....................102
Child safety seats ......................102
attaching with tether straps ..106
built-in child seat ...................102
in front seat ............................103
in rear seat ..............................103
tether anchorage hardware ...106
Cleaning your vehicle ...............208
engine compartment ..............209
exterior ....................................209
exterior lamps .........................210
instrument panel ....................210
interior .....................................210
plastic parts ............................210
safety belts ..............................211
washing ....................................208
waxing .....................................209
wheels ......................................209
wiper blades ............................210
Clock .............................33,39,49,59
Clutch
fluid ..........................................176
operation while driving ..........119
recommended shift speeds ....120
Compass, electronic ....................19
calibration .................................21
set zone adjustment .................20
Console ........................................76
Controls
power seat .................................83
Coolant ...............................178,180
checking and adding ..............178
refill capacities .................180,212
specifications ...................215,217
Customer Assistance ................223
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................230
Index
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GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....132
calculating ...............................134
definition .................................132
driving with a heavy load ......132
location ....................................132
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ..........................132
calculating ........................132,134
definition .................................132
driving with a heavy load ......132
location ....................................132
Hazard flashers .........................144
Headlamps ...................................22
aiming ......................................208
daytime running lights .............22
flash to pass .........................23,73
high beam .......................12,22,72
turning on and off ....................22
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................24
heater only system ...................24
heating and air
conditioning system .................26
Hood ..........................................171
Ignition .......................................217
positions of the ignition ...........66
removing the key ....................124
Infant seats (see Safety seats)...102
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................203
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................210
lighting up panel and interior....23
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......163
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............13
positions of the ignition ...........66
Lamps
autolamp system .....................203
cargo lamps ...............................23daytime running light ...............22
headlamps .................................22
headlamps, flash to pass .....23,73
instrument panel, dimming .....23
replacing
bulbs ............203,204,205,206,207
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................66
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,113
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................13
door ajar ....................................13
engine oil pressure ...................13
high beam .................................12
low fuel ........................................8
safety belt .................................11
service engine soon .................8,9
turn signal indicator .................12
Load limits .................................132
GAWR ......................................132
GVWR ......................................132
trailer towing ..........................132
Lubricant specifications ....215,217
Lumbar support, seats ...............84
Manual transmission .................119
fluid capacities ........................212
lubricant specifications ..........217
Message center ...........................17
english/metric button ...............17
menu button .............................18
Mirrors
fold away ...................................76
side view mirrors (power) .......75
Motorcraft parts .................198,212
Octane rating ............................196
Odometer .....................................15
Overdrive .....................................73
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ..................78
Index
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