Ford F150 2003 Owners Manual
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•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 Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed from the water. 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. Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter vehicle components: •causing internal damage to the components. •affecting driveability, emissions and reliability. Replace the rear axle lubricant any time the axle has been submerged in water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or repair required. RECREATIONAL TOWING (ALL WHEELS ON THE GROUND) An example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a motorhome. Follow these guidelines if you have the need for recreational towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not damaged. 2WD vehicles: •Place the transmission in N (Neutral) •Maximum speed is 56 km (35 mph) •Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles) 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Driving 171
If a distance of 80 km (50 miles) or a speed of 56 km (35 mph) must be exceeded, the drive shaft will have to be removed before the vehicle is towed. Ford recommends the driveshaft be removed/installed only by a qualified technician. See your local dealer for driveshaft removal/installation. Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause transmission fluid loss, damage to the driveshaft and internal transmission components. 4WD vehicles electronic shift transfer case: 4x4 vehicles with electronic shift on the fly cannot be towed with any wheels on the ground. SNOWPLOWING Ford recommends the following specifications for low speed, personal use snow removal: •F-150 4x4 (except F-150 Supercrew, Lightning and Harley-Davidson models) •5.4L engine •Heavy-duty service package •Super engine cooling •Heavy-duty front suspension package •Automatic transmission with auxiliary automatic transmission fluid cooling •All-terrain tires •Limited slip and optional axle ratio. Do not install a snowplow and plow with your vehicle until it has been driven at least 800 km (500 miles). Installing the snowplow Read the following instructions before installing a snowplow: •Front GAWR must not exceed 63% of the GVW. Add ballast weight to the back of the vehicle, if necessary. Refer to the Safety Compliance Certification Label to find your vehicle’s front GAWR. •The Front Axle Accessory Reserve Capacity and the TARC listed on the bottom right of the Safety Compliance Certification Label will determine whether or not the addition of a snowplow will overload your vehicle. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Driving 172
•The weight of the snowplow and supporting components distributed to the front axle must not exceed the Front Axle Accessory Reserve Capacity. •The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must not exceed the TARC. •The weight of the installed snowplow and aftermarket equipment must not load the vehicle beyond the GAWR (front/rear) and GVWR listed on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. •The total weight of the snowplow and aftermarket equipment must be considered part of the payload and must not exceed the GCWR for towing. •Federal and most local regulations require additional exterior lamps for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional information. •Tires have their maximum inflation pressure and associated load rating imprinted on the tire sidewall. This pressure may or may not be the same as that shown as recommended on the vehicle. The vehicle operator may have to adjust the tire inflation pressure to accommodate the snowplow and payload. Consult your dealer or equipment installer for help with proper inflation pressures. •Federal and some local regulations require additional exterior lamps for snowplow-equipped vehicles. Consult your dealer for additional information. •After installing a snowplow to the vehicle, ensure the vehicle’s front toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if required). These specifications are located in the vehicle’s Workshop Manual. Note:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification label. Removing snowplow After removing a snowplow from the vehicle, ensure the vehicle’s front toe alignment and front ride height are within specification (reset if required). Snowplowing with your air bag equipped vehicle Your vehicle is equipped with a driver and passenger air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) The SRS is designed to activate in certain frontal and offset frontal collisions when the vehicle sustains sufficient longitudinal deceleration. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Driving 173
Careless or high speed driving while plowing snow which results in sufficient vehicle decelerations can deploy the air bag. Such driving also increases the risk of accidents. All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag (SRS) is provided. Never remove or defeat the “tripping mechanisms” designed into the snow removal equipment by its manufacturer. Doing so may cause damage to the vehicle and the snow removal equipment as well as possible air bag deployment. Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer. Additional equipment such as snowplow equipment may effect the performance of the air bag sensors increasing the risk of injury. Please refer to the Body Builders Layout Book for instructions about the appropriate installation of additional equipment. Engine temperature while plowing When driving with a plow, your engine may run at a higher temperature than normal because the attached snowplow blade will restrict airflow to the radiator. If you are driving more than 24 km (15 miles) at temperatures above freezing, angle the plow blade either full left or full right to provide maximum airflow to the radiator. If you are driving less than 24 km (15 miles) at speeds up to 64 km/h (40 mph) in cold weather, you will not need to worry about blade position to provide maximum airflow. Transmission operation while plowing •Shift transfer case to 4L (4WD Low) when plowing in small areas at speeds below 8 km/h (5 mph). •Shift transfer case to 4H (4WD High) when plowing larger areas or light snow at higher speeds. Do not exceed 24 km/h (15 mph). •Do not shift the transmission from a forward gear to R (Reverse) until the engine is at idle and the wheels are stopped. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Driving 174
•If the vehicle is stuck, shift the transmission in a steady motion between forward and reverse gears. 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 rock the vehicle if the engine is not at operating temperature. Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute. The transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine may overheat. Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (55 km/h). The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Driving 175
GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is available: •24–hours, seven days a week • for the New Vehicle Limited Warranty period of three years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles), whichever occurs first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln vehicles. Roadside assistance will cover: •changing a flat tire •jump-starts •lock-out assistance •limited fuel delivery •towing of your disabled vehicle to the nearest Ford Motor Company dealership, or your selling dealer if within 56.3 km (35 miles) of the nearest Ford Motor Company dealership (one tow per disablement). Even non-warranty related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in the mud or snow, are covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing or repossession). Canadian customers refer to your Owner Information Guide for information on: •coverage period •exact fuel amounts •towing of your disabled vehicle •emergency travel expense reimbursement •travel planning benefits USING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Complete the roadside assistance identification card and place it in your wallet for quick reference. In the United States, this card is found in the Owner Guide portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles and is mailed to you if you own a Mercury or Lincoln. In Canada, the card is found in the Owner Information Guide in the glove compartment. U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicle customers who require roadside assistance, call 1–800–241–3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Roadside Emergencies Roadside Emergencies 176
Canadian customers who require roadside assistance, call 1–800–665–2006. If you need to arrange roadside assistance for yourself, Ford Motor Company will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain reimbursement information, U.S. Ford or Mercury vehicles customers call 1-800-241-3673; Lincoln vehicle customers call 1–800–521–4140. Canadian customers who need to obtain reimbursement information, call 1–800–665–2006. ROADSIDE COVERAGE BEYOND BASIC WARRANTY In the United States, you may purchase additional roadside assistance coverage beyond this period through the Ford Auto Club by contacting your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer. Similarly in Canada, for uninterrupted Roadside Assistance coverage, you may purchase extended coverage prior to your Basic Warranty’s Roadside Assistance expiring. For more information and enrollment, contact 1–877–294–2582 or visit our website at www.ford.ca. HAZARD FLASHER The hazard flasher is located on the steering column, just behind the steering wheel. The hazard flashers will operate when the ignition is in any position. Push in the flasher control and all front and rear direction signals will flash. Press the flasher control again to turn them off. Use it when your vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists. Note:With extended use, the flasher may run down your battery. FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH FUEL RESET This device stops the electric fuel pump from sending fuel to the engine when your vehicle has had a substantial jolt. After an accident, if the engine cranks but does not start, this switch may have been activated. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Roadside Emergencies 177
This switch is located in the front passenger’s footwell, by the kick panel access cover. To reset the switch: 1. Turn the ignition OFF. 2. Check the fuel system for leaks. 3. If no leaks are apparent, reset the switch by pushing in on the reset button. 4. Turn the ignition ON. 5. Wait a few seconds and return the key to OFF. 6. Make another check of leaks. FUSES AND RELAYS Fuses If electrical components in the vehicle are not working, a fuse may have blown. Blown fuses are identified by a broken wire within the fuse. Check the appropriate fuses before replacing any electrical components. Note:Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire damage and could start a fire. 15 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Roadside Emergencies 178
Standard fuse amperage rating and color COLOR Fuse ratingMini fusesStandard fusesMaxi fusesCartridge maxi fusesFuse link cartridge 2A Grey Grey — — — 3A Violet Violet — — — 4A Pink Pink — — — 5A Tan Tan — — — 7.5A Brown Brown — — — 10A Red Red — — — 15A Blue Blue — — — 20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue 25A Natural Natural — — — 30A Green Green Green Pink Pink 40A — — Orange Green Green 50A — — Red Red Red 60A — — Blue — Yellow 70A — — Tan — Brown 80A — — Natural — Black Passenger compartment fuse panel The fuse panel is located below and to the left of the steering wheel by the brake pedal. Remove the panel cover to access the fuses. To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided on the fuse panel cover. 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Roadside Emergencies 179
The fuses are coded as follows. Fuse/Relay LocationFuse Amp RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse Panel Description 1 15A Audio 2 5A Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Cluster 3 20A Cigar lighter, Data link connector 4 5A Power mirror switch, Mirror turn signal relays 5 15A Speed control module, Reverse lamp, Climate mode switch, Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) relay, Digital Transmission Range (DTR) sensor 6 5A Cluster, Brake shift interlock solenoid, GEM FUSE1 12 22 21323 617 27 718 28 819 29 930 20 31 21 11 10 RELAY 5 RELAY 4 RELAY 3 RELAY 2 RELAY 1 31424 41525 51626 2003 F150(f12) Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) USA English(fus) Roadside Emergencies 180