trailer FORD F250 2003 Owner's Guide

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.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual transmissions).
•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
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 15 cm (6 inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
•Disconnect the trailer tow electrical connector to prevent blown fuses
caused by water entering into your trailer’s electrical wiring.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions and reliability.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants any time the axles have been
submerged in water. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
ALL REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) VEHICLES
This applies to all cars and 4x2 trucks/sport utilities with rear wheel
drive capability.
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged.
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
169

To remove a fuse use the fuse puller
tool provided on the fuse panel
cover.
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 15A* Adjustable pedals
2—Not used
3—Not used
4 20A* Power point - instrument panel
5—Not used
6 20A* Trailer tow turn/stop relay
7 30A* High beam headlamps/Flash to pass
8 15A* Backup lamps (Diesel engine only)
9 20A* Heated mirrors
10 10A* A/C clutch
11 20A* Radio (main)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
178

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
32 5A* Radio (start)
33 15A* Front wiper
34 10A* Brake on-off switch
35 10A* Instrument cluster
36 10A* PCM Memory
37 15A* Horn
38 20A* Trailer tow park lamps
39 15A* Trailer tow back-up lamps
40 20A* Fuel pump
41 10A* Instrument cluster
42 15A* Delayed accessory
43 10A* Fog lamps
44—Not used
45 10A* Ignition switch Run/Start feed
46 10A* Left-hand lowbeam
47 10A* Right-hand lowbeam
48—Not used
101 30A** Trailer tow electric brake
102 30A** Door locks/Body security module
103 50A** Ignition switch (gasoline engine
only), FICM power (Diesel engine
only)
104 40A** Heated backlight
105 30A** Fuel heater (Diesel engine only)
106 30A** Front wiper main
107 40A** Front blower motor
108—Not used
109 30A** Heated seats
110 50A** Ignition switch
111 30A** 4WD/Shift on the fly
112 30A** Left-hand power seats
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
180

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
113 30A** Starter motor
114 30A** Right-hand power seats
115 20A** Trailer tow battery charge
116 30A** Ignition switch
601 30A CB*** Window motors, Moonroof
602 60A** 4WABS module
210—Not used
211—Backup lamps relay (Diesel engine
only)
212—Not used
301—Front blower motor relay
302—Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
relay
303—Fuel heater relay (Diesel engine
only)
304—Heated backlight relay
305—Trailer tow battery charge relay
306—Delayed accessory relay
307—Starter relay
* Mini Fuses ** Maxi Fuses ***Circuit Breaker
Note: (Diesel engine only)The Fuel Injection Control Module (FICM)
logic 15A mini-fuse is located in the underhood relay block.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may
compromise the integrity of your tires.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
181

Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
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).
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
235

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA  CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
241

Travel equipment
Adjustable Towing System
Auto headlamp system with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Battery Warmer
Bed Tent
Box Aluminum Rack cargo storage systems (Trac Rac)
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature display
Fog lights
Highway safety and first aid kit
Off road lights
Pickup box rails
ROC2 hitch mounted bike courier
Running boards and tubular running bars
Running boards diamond plate
Seatback organizer
Speed control
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitch, Class IV &
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch mounted bike carrier
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Trailer wiring harness
Trailgate table
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
All weather vinyl floor mats
Bed mat
Bed hooks
Bed mats
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Accessories
271

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................102
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................238
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................211
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................40
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......192
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................71
Keys
positions of the ignition .........110
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................38
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................42
cargo lamps ...............................40
daytime running light ...............39
fog lamps ...................................39
headlamps .................................38
headlamps, flash to pass ..........40
instrument panel, dimming .....40
interior lamps .....................41–42
replacing bulbs ...................42–47
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................41
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........115
speed control ............................58
Load limits .................................145GAWR ......................................145
GVWR ......................................145
trailer towing ..........................145
Loading instructions .................146
Locks
autolock .....................................71
childproof ..................................66
Lubricant specifications ...257, 260
Lumbar support, seats ...............76
M
Manual transmission .................124
fluid capacities ........................254
lubricant specifications ..........260
reverse .....................................126
Message center ...........................59
english/metric button ...............60
menu button .............................60
Mirrors .........................................50
fold away ...................................55
heated ........................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......53
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts ................233, 253
O
Octane rating ............................232
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................218
Overdrive .....................................49
P
Parking brake ............................116
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....253
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................56
Power adjustable foot pedals .....56
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
277

Towing .......................................146
trailer towing ..........................146
wrecker ....................................197
Traction-lok rear axle ...............117
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................245
Transmission
automatic operation .........49, 118
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....118
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................241
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................244
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
lubricant specifications ..257, 260
manual operation ....................124
Turn signal ..................................41
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................260Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................269
Vehicle loading ..........................145
Ventilating your vehicle ...........114
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......12
Washer fluid
..............................218
Water, Driving through
.............144
Windows
power
.........................................52
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................48
checking and adding fluid
.....218
replacing wiper blades
.............48
Wrecker towing
.........................197
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
279