Ford E-350 2000 Owner's Manual
Ford E-350 2000 Operation Manual
Introduction
The following warning may be required by California law:
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
Indicates vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste cleaning and lubrication materials are significant steps towards protecting the environment. Indicates a message regarding child safety restraints. Refer to Seating and safety restraints for more information.
Indicates that this Owner Guide contains information on this subject. Please refer to the Index to locate the appropriate section which will provide you more information.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to give the moving parts a chance to break in.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at the time of printing. Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully. Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident.
Be sure to read Driving off road in the Driving chapter as well as the “Four Wheeling” supplement included with 4WD and utility type vehicles.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
If your light truck is equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation Package, it may be utilized as an ambulance. Ford urges ambulance manufacturers to follow the recommendations of the Ford Incomplete Vehicle Manual, Ford Truck Body Builder’s Layout Book and the QVM guidelines as well as pertinent supplements. For additional information, please contact the Light Truck Body Builders Advisory Service.
Use of your Ford light truck as an ambulance, without the Ford Ambulance Preparation Package voids the Ford New Vehicle Limited Warranty and may void the Emissions Warranties. In addition, ambulance usage without the preparation package could cause high underbody temperatures, overpressurized fuel and a risk of spraying fuel which could lead to fires.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation Package, it will be indicated on the Certification label. The label is located on the driver’s side door pillar or on the rear edge of the driver’s door. You can determine whether the ambulance manufacturer followed Ford’s recommendations by directly contacting that manufacturer. Ford Ambulance Preparation Package is only available on certain 7.3L Diesel engine equipped vehicles.
Notice to owners of diesel-powered vehicles
Read the 7.3 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement for information regarding correct operation and maintenance of your diesel-powered light truck.
Notice to owners of natural gas fueled vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the “Natural Gas Vehicle Owner’s Guide Supplement.” This book contains important operation and maintenance information.
Instrumentation WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position. Also illuminates if the parking brake is engaged. If the brake warning lamp does not illuminate at these times, seek service immediately. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light remains on, continues to flash or fails to illuminate, have the system serviced immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Service engine soon
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). The OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
The Service Engine Soon indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is started, one of the engine’s emission control systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require towing.
What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause your Service Engine Soon light to illuminate. Examples are:
- The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.)
- Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
- The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the Service Engine Soon light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If the Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Transmission control indicator light (TCIL)
Illuminates when the Transmission Control Switch (TCS), refer to Overdrive control in the Controls and Features chapter, has been pushed turning the transmission overdrive function OFF. When the TCIL (the word OFF on the gear shift) light is on, the transmission does not operate in the overdrive mode, refer to the Driving chapter for transmission function and operation.
The light may also flash steadily if a transmission malfunction is detected. If the light does not come on when the Transmission Control Switch is depressed or if the light flashes steadily, have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, damage to the transmission could occur.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For more information, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is turned to the ON position and the engine is off. The light also illuminates when the battery is not charging properly, requiring electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned ON. If the light fails to illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard lights are turned on. If one or both of the indicators stay on continuously, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer to Exterior bulbs in the Maintenance and care chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam headlamps are turned on.
Oil pressure/Engine coolant
This light will come on when the key is in the ON position and the:
- engine coolant temperature is very high
- engine oil pressure is low
The light serves as a notice that a system needs your attention and to check the engine coolant temperature gauge and the engine oil pressure gauge. Refer to Engine coolant temperature gauge and Engine oil pressure gauge in this chapter for more information.
Safety belt warning chime/buzzer
Sounds to remind you to fasten your safety belts. For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating temperature, the needle remains within the normal area (the area between the “H” and “C”). If it enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care chapter.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the oil pressure/engine coolant and Check Engine/Service Engine Soon indicators illuminate, refer to What you should know about fail-safe cooling in the Maintenance and care chapter.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure in the system. Sufficient pressure exists as long as the needle remains in the normal range (the area between the “L” and “H”).
If the gauge indicates low pressure, stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the oil level. Add oil if needed (refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and care chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified technician.
Battery voltage gauge
This shows the battery voltage when the ignition is in the ON position. If the pointer moves and stays outside the normal operating range (as indicated), have the vehicle’s electrical system checked as soon as possible.
HEADLAMP CONTROL
- Pull the headlamp control toward you to the first position to turn on the parking lamps, tail lamps, license plate lamps and marker lamps.
- Pull the headlamp control toward you to the outer position to turn on the headlamps (in addition to the previous lamps).
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output. To activate:
- the ignition must be in the ON position and
- the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking lamps position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during inclement weather. The Daytime Running Light (DRL) System does not activate your tail lamps and generally may not provide adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
- Push forward to activate.
- Pull toward you to deactivate.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the vehicle. On heater-only systems, the air cannot be cooled below the outside temperature.
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, avoid pressing 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 engine in this chapter.
