F-250 Light Duty (1999 year). Manual — part 33

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.

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• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) : Maximum total weight of

the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver’s door pillar.

• GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) : Carrying capacity for each

axle system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver’s door pillar.

• GCW (Gross Combined Weight) : The combined weight of the

towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.

• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) : Maximum combined

weight of towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the
trailer. The GCWR indicates the maximum loaded weight that the
vehicle is designed to tow.

• Maximum Trailer Weight Rating : Maximum weight of a trailer the

vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.

• Maximum Trailer Weight : maximum weight of a trailer the loaded

vehicle (including passengers and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.

• Trailer Weight Range : Specified weight range that the trailer must

fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.

Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.

Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.

The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver’s door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding

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weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the Front Axle Reserve
Capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).

You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the Total Axle Reserve Capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the Total Axle Reserve Capacity.

Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and Front and Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.

Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow

1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.

2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.

3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.

If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs.

Once through the 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.

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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.

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