New F-250

[Tom (mich)]

I'll be taking delivery in a couple of weeks on a new truck - F250 Crew cab, 4x4, 5.4l, etc. How many miles should I put on this before I tow? Do you "break in" a vehicle as you would an outboard?

[Da Bears]

For towing, probably about 500-1000 miles will be good. It is also a good idea to change the oil at 500 miles. On a new motor, you may sometimes get a few metal shavings in the oil as it works itself in, so changing it is a good idea. I would ask your dealer for sure, but for my F150, the dealer said after 500 miles, the motor is broken in!

Nice purchase! That truck will last you a long time. My '97 F150 still tows like a champ after 120k miles!

Mike

[NC]

Tom,
Most manuals will say to go 500 miles below a certain MPH (usually 55)to break in the motor. I would imagine if you do this then the motor would be more than ready to tow a boat as well.
Good luck and nice truck.
NC

[AquaMan]

Put 500 miles of city driving. Stop and go, etc. Try not to run at one PRM for an extended period of time. Extended would be 50 miles or more. The object is to get all your moving parts seated at the widest range of RPMs possible. The more you can vary your RPM under load the better for the first 500-700 miles. From there towing should also be done at a variety of higher RPMs till you reach 1000 miles. After that all parts should be seated nicely and you will enjoy years of service. Follow the service manual on recommended maintenance during that break in period. Oils, etc. Your dealer should have provided you with the first oil change on them. If not go get it from them. Glad to see another F250 rolling down the road! :-D

Tell me this, what did you have prior? Is the gas peddle on this new rig really touchy? I am still getting used to mine. I chirp the rear tires all the time.


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just turning cash into water!

[Tom (mich)]

Aquaman, I ordered the truck several weeks ago and don't have it yet. When I test drove, I did find the gas pedal on the "responsive" side. I've been towing a Yarcraft 1895 Storm for the past two years with a Cherokee Sport (I know, I know), so this will be a serious upgrade for me.

[AquaMan]

LOL, I thought I made a jump from the Burb, but really took a the leap. Bumper to bumper that F250 is 20 feet, 8 inches. It barely fit in my 22 foot garage. Can't close the garage if I have the hitch on.

The biggest deal is getting used to the vanishing hood. You have a LOT more room on the passanger side then you think. I was thinking about getting a whip antenna and mounting on the corner of the bumper till I got used to it's true location. I also mounted a tennis ball on a string and hung it from the rafters at the back of the garage to avoid bumping a hole into lower level bathroom. "Hey honey, I'm home!" <grin>

Anyway, have fun and enjoy. Lots of snappy power and you'll love the view up there!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just turning cash into water!

[Walteye]

I recently purchased a 2002 Ford F150, with the 4.6l small V-8. The gas pedal is very touchy, but I believe that is because it is a computer engine. The throttle is very different than my '94 Chevy K1500 with the 350 engine, with the throttle response something to get used to. I have not put a cap on the truck yet, but I am disappointed with the gas mileage so far, as I am getting the same as my Chevy, 13-15 MPG. That is the kind of mileage without pulling my Crestliner. I am thinking of going with a different exhaust and a high flow air cleaner, to see if I can get better fuel mileage. By the way, I went thru 2 water pumps and a clutch fan before 1400 miles.