wheel FORD F350 1999 User Guide

•automatic hub locks can be
manually overridden by rotating
the hub lock control from AUTO
to LOCK.
Manual 4x4 system (if equipped)
The 4WD system is engaged or
disengaged by rotating the front
wheel hub lock control from FREE
to LOCK, then manually engaging
the transfer case with a
floor-mounted shifter.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate during normal driving, have your
vehicle serviced.
•4x4-illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and when
4H (4x4 High) is selected.
•LOW RANGE–illuminates when
the ignition is turned on or when
4L (4x4 Low) is selected.
Using a manual 4WD system (if equipped)
2H (2WD High)– Power to rear axle only.
4H (4WD High)– Power to front and rear axles.
N (Neutral)– No power to either axle.
4L (4WD Low)– Power to front and rear axles at reduced speed.
4x4
Driving
126
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting from 2H (2WD high) to 4H (4WD high)
Engage the locking hubs by rotating
the hub lock control from FREE to
LOCK, then move the transfer case
lever from 2H (2WD High) to 4H
(4WD High).
Do not shift into 4H (4WD High)
with the rear wheels slipping.
Shifting from 4H (4WD high) to 2H (2WD high)
Move the transfer case lever to 2H
(2WD High) at a stop or any
forward speed up to 88 km/h (55
mph).
With the vehicle at complete stop,
disengage the locking hubs
(optional) by rotating the hub lock
control from LOCK to FREE.
Shifting from 4H (4WD high) to 4L (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or
depress the clutch (manual transmission).
2H
4H
4LN
2H
4H
4LN
Driving
127
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting from 2WD (2WD high) to 4x4 HIGH (4WD high)
Rotate the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH position at speeds up to 88
km/h (55 mph).
•Do not shift into 4x4 HIGH with
the rear wheels slipping.
Shifting from 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) to 2WD (2WD high)
Rotate the 4WD control to 2WD at
any forward speed. You do not need
to put the gearshift in R (Reverse)
to disengage your front hubs.
To prevent damage, the electronic
shift 4WD system is designed to
allow up to 45 seconds before the
shift command is performed. In the
event that conflicting shift
commands are selected, allow up to
45 seconds for the shift command to
be performed prior to reporting any shift concerns to your dealer.
Shifting between 4x4 HIGH (4WD high) and 4x4 LOW (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N (Neutral) (automatic transmission) or depress
the clutch (manual transmission).
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
2WD4X4
LOW
Driving
129
ProCarManuals.com

4. Move the 4WD control to the 4x4
HIGH or 4x4 LOW position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the “Four Wheeling” supplement in
your owner’s portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
2WD4X4
LOW4X4
HIGH
Driving
130
ProCarManuals.com

Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant should
be replaced.
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes. You could lose traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely. Know the conditions on the
other side of a hill before driving over the crest.
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear rather than downshifting
to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has started. This
reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
When descending a steep hill, avoid sudden braking. Shift to a lower gear
when added engine braking is desired.
When speed control is on and you are driving uphill, your vehicle speed
may drop considerably, especially if you are carrying a heavy load.
Driving
131
ProCarManuals.com

If vehicle speed drops more than 16 km/h (10 mph), the speed control
will cancel automatically. Resume speed with accelerator pedal.
If speed control cancels after climbing the hill, reset speed by pressing
and holding the SET ACCEL button to resume speeds over 50 km/h
(30 mph).
Automatic transmissions may shift frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting by shifting out of
(Overdrive) into
a lower gear.
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Rear Anti-lock Brake System (RABS),
you should be careful when braking. Front brake lock-up, on any surface,
causes loss of steering control.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), apply the brakes as you normally would. In order to allow the
ABS to operate properly, keep steady pressure on the brake pedal.
When driving on snow or ice with either braking system, allow more
stopping distance and drive slower than usual. Consider using one of the
lower gears.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight: Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include passengers or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload: Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, passengers
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
Driving
132
ProCarManuals.com

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
135
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer towing tables
F-250 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 484 (16 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 8 165 (18 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-250 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 711 (17 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 8 165 (18 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-350 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 484 (16 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.10 8 392 (18 500) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
Driving
136
ProCarManuals.com

F-350 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
5.4L 3.73 6 124 (13 500) 4 536 (10 000)
5.4L 4.10 6 804 (15 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 3.73 7 711 (17 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 4.30 9 072 (20 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-450 with manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 9 979 (22 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 9 979 (22 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-450 with automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 10 886 (24 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 11 794 (26 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
F-550
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum GCWR-kg
(lbs.)Maximum trailer
weight-kg (lbs.)
1
6.8L 4.88 10 886 (24 000) 4 536 (10 000)
6.8L 5.38 11 794 (26 000) 4 536 (10 000)
1Conventional/Class IV trailer hitch only. Fifth wheel trailer maximum
weights can be calculated by subtracting GVW from GCWR.
Driving
137
ProCarManuals.com

Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance guide
for more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area 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.
•When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmissions) or N (Neutral)
(manual transmissions). This aids engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
•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 and
•Do 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.
Replace front and rear axle lubricants anytime the axles have been
submerged in water. Axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked
unless a leak is suspected.
Recreational towing
If you may want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle, such as an
RV, follow these guidelines:
Driving
140
ProCarManuals.com