towing FORD F250 2006 Owner's Guide

Note:Towing an a 4x2 or an ESOF 4WD vehicle with the rear wheels on
the ground for more than 50 miles (80 km) and/or in excess of 35 mph
(56 km/h) may cause damage to the automatic transmission.
Note:On Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) vehicles, an outer rear wheel must be
removed prior to using a wheel lift wrecker.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
233

UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM
(CANADA ONLY)
In those cases where you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford of
Canada and the authorized dealer to resolve a factory-related vehicle
service concern have been unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in
an impartial third party mediation/arbitration program administered by
the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and relatively speedy alternative
to resolve a disagreement when all other efforts to produce a settlement
have failed. This procedure is without cost to you and is designed to
eliminate the need for lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party arbitrators conduct
hearings at mutually convenient times and places in an informal
environment. These impartial arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, when appropriate, render awards to resolve
disputes. CAMVAP decisions are fast, fair, and final as the arbitrator’s
award is binding both to you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all Canadian territories and provinces.
For more information, without charge or obligation, call your CAMVAP
Provincial Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
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. 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 authorized 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 4,600 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada authorized dealers.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Customer Assistance
238

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle’sscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] 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
8–10 miles (12–16 km) 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.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized 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 MPG (L/100 km)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
274

Tonneau covers
Wheels
Interior style
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Speed control
Lifestyle
Bedliners and bedmats
Bed tents
Bike racks
Sport Liner
Toolboxes
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
First aid and highway safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Keyless entry
Locking gas cap
Mobile-Easehand-free communication system
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Accessories
303

Relays ........................................205
Remote entry system .................82
illuminated entry ......................86
locking/unlocking doors ...........80
Reverse sensing system ...........182
Roadside assistance ..................202
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .......97–101
Safety defects, reporting ..........240
Safety restraints ..................97–101
belt minder .............................104
extension assembly ................107
for adults ...........................98–101
for children .....................117–118
lap belt ....................................102
safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and
chime ...............................103–104
Safety seats for children ..........121
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................300
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............97
Seats ............................................90
child safety seats ....................121
cleaning ...................................246
Servicing your vehicle ..............249
Snowplowing .................8, 199–201
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................286, 293
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................290
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle .......167–168,
171
jump starting ..........................226
Steering wheel
controls ......................................66
tilting .........................................54
T
Tailgate ..................................78–79
Tilt steering wheel ......................54
Tires ...................................131–132
alignment ................................140
care ..........................................137
changing ..................................218
checking the pressure ............136
inspecting and inflating .........133
label .........................................147
replacing ..................................139
rotating ....................................141
safety practices .......................139
sidewall information ...............142
snow tires and chains ............148
spare tire .........................214, 216
terminology .............................132
tire grades ...............................132
treadwear ........................131, 138
Towing .......................................155
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............159
trailer towing ..........................155
wrecker ....................................232
Traction-lok rear axle ...............175
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................159
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
309

Transfer case
fluid checking .........................283
Transmission
automatic operation .........55, 176
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....176
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................279
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................282
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
lubricant specifications ..........290
manual operation ....................180
Turn signal ..................................44
U
Upfitter controls .........................64
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................293Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................300
Vehicle loading ..........................148
Ventilating your vehicle ...........171
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......12
Washer fluid
..............................253
Water, Driving through
.............198
Windows
power
.........................................57
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................54
checking and adding fluid
.....253
replacing wiper blades
...........254
Wrecker towing
.........................232
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
310