Ford F150 2003 Owners Manual

							•Rear seats (SuperCrew only)
If the tether strap is clipped
incorrectly, the child safety
seat may not be retained properly
in the event of a collision.
5. Refer to theInstalling child
safety seats in combination lap
and shoulder belt seating
positionssection of this chapter for
further instructions to secure the
child safety seat.
6. Tighten the child safety seat
tether strap according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a collision greatly increases.
Tether strap attachment rear SuperCab only
There are three loops of webbing just above the back of the rear seat
(along the bottom edge of the rear window) in the SuperCab. These
loops are to be used as both routing loops and anchor loops for child
safety seat tether straps. For example, the center loop can be used as a
routing loop for a child safety seat in the center rear seat and as an
anchoring loop for child seats installed in the outboard rear seats.
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
131 
						

							Many tether straps cannot be tightened if the tether strap is hooked to
the loop directly behind the child seat. To provide a tight tether strap:
1. Route the tether strap through
the loop directly behind the child
seat.
2. Attach the strap hook onto the
loop behind an adjacent seating
position.
3. Install the child safety seat tightly
using the safety belts. Follow the
instructions in this chapter.
4. Tighten the tether strap
according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
132 
						

							Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children) attachments for child seat anchors (if equipped)
Some child safety seats have two rigid or webbing mounted attachments
that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of child seat eliminates the need to use seat belts to attach the
child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the tether strap must also be
attached to the proper tether anchor. SeeAttaching safety seats with
tether strapsin this chapter.
Your vehicle may be equipped with LATCH anchors for child seat
installation at the following seating positions:
•F150 Regular Cab
•F150 Supercab
•F150 SuperCrew
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
133 
						

							•F150 SuperCrew with Quad Buckets
The anchors on both sides of the center of the SuperCrew rear seat are
provided only for child seats at the outboard seats. These anchors are
further apart than the pairs of lower anchors for child seat installation at
other seats. DO NOT install child seats with LATCH attachments (rigid
or mounted on belt webbing) to the lower anchors at the center rear
seat. If you install a child seat at the center rear position, use the vehicle
lap belt and the top tether anchor.
Connectors on the LATCH child seat
and the child seat instructions may
use the symbol shown here. Your
vehicle seat may have plain buttons,
instead of this symbol, to indicate the location of the LATCH lower
anchors.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two
child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or
death.
The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the seat between the
cushion and seat back. The LATCH
anchors are below the locator
buttons (if provided) on the seat
back.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
134 
						

							If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
135 
						

							STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For
vehicle equipped with a manual
transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever to release the
key.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the
steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from the P (Park) position
without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
3
1
2
5
4
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
Driving
136 
						

							Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and Safety Restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
137 
						

							•Make sure the parking brake is
set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual
transmission:
1. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2. Push the clutch pedal to the floor.
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
138 
						

							•Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
1
2
34
5
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
139 
						

							Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START). If
there is difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel until the
key turns freely.
2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and heater/defroster performance. Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-23° C (-10° F) or below. For best results, plug the heater in at least
three hours before starting the vehicle. The heater can be plugged in the
night before starting the vehicle.
1
2
34
5
2003 F150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
140