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Driving – FORD 2004 F-550 v.2 User Manual

Page 186

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type (All-Season or All-Terrain) or is from a different manufacturer
other than the road tires on your vehicle, your spare tire is considered
“temporary”. Consult information on the spare tire label for limitations
when using.

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 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.

2004 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English
(fus)

Driving

186

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