2001 FORD F250 check engine

•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
Maintenance and care
234
ProCarManuals.com

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Service Engine Soon” light, charging system warning
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system
is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon” light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon” light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Maintenance and care
236
ProCarManuals.com

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps frequently:
•Headlamps
•High-mount brakelamp
•Brakelamps
•Turn signals
•License plate lamp
•Tail lamps
•Back-up lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they can be replaced immediately with
new ones. If a bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp housings and affect lamp performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs (aerodynamic)
1. Make sure that the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling rearward.
4. Remove bulb retainer ring by
turning it counterclockwise, then
slide the ring off the plastic base.
5. Without turning, carefully pull
bulb out of headlamp assembly.
Maintenance and care
237
ProCarManuals.com

A
Accessory delay ..........................80
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........................107
and child safety seats ............109
description ..............................107
disposal ....................................111
driver air bag ..........................109
indicator light ...................11, 111
operation .................................109
passenger air bag ...................109
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................112
Air cleaner filter .......217–218, 249
Air conditioning ..........................29
Ambulance packages ....................4
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................206
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................131–132
Audio system (see Radio) ...35, 56
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................137
fluid, adding ............................214
fluid, checking ........................214
fluid, refill capacities ..............249
fluid, specification ..................256
Auxiliary power point ...........29, 83
Axle
lubricant specifications ..253, 256
refill capacities ........................249
traction lok ..............................134
B
Battery .......................................219acid, treating emergencies .....219
charging system
warning light .............................13
jumping a disabled battery ....191
maintenance-free ....................219
replacement, specifications ...249
servicing ..................................219
voltage gauge ............................19
Belt minder ...............................103
Brakes ........................................131
anti-lock ...........................131–132
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........13, 132
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....204
fluid, refill capacities ..............249
fluid, specifications .........253, 256
lubricant specifications ..253, 256
parking ....................................133
pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................26
shift interlock ..........................136
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....249
Certification Label ....................261
Child safety restraints ..............117
child safety belts ....................117
Child safety seats ......................118
attaching with tether straps ..122
in front seat ............................119
in rear seat ..............................119
tether anchorage hardware ...122
Cleaning your vehicle ...............243
engine compartment ..............246
exterior ............................244–245
exterior lamps .........................246
Index
278
ProCarManuals.com

instrument cluster lens ..........247
instrument panel ....................247
interior .....................................247
plastic parts ............................246
safety belts ..............................248
washing ....................................244
waxing .....................................244
wheels ......................................245
wiper blades ............................247
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............29
Clock ..........................38, 45, 55, 69
Clutch
fluid ..........................................205
operation while driving ..........139
recommended shift speeds ....141
Compass, electronic ....................21
calibration .................................23
set zone adjustment .................22
Console ........................................83
Controls
power seat .................................90
Coolant
checking and adding ..............206
refill capacities ................210, 249
specifications ..................253, 256
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................72
Customer Assistance ................167
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................270
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................263
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................269
Getting roadside assistance ...167
Getting the service you
need .........................................263Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................275
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................265
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................269
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................25
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................214
engine oil .................................201
Doors
door ajar warning .....................14
lubricant specifications ..........253
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................219
Driving under special
conditions ..........................152–153
mud ..........................................152
sand .........................................152
snow and ice ...........................153
through water .................152, 156
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................191
Emission control system ..........235
Engine ........................................256
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................10
cleaning ...................................246
coolant .....................................206
diesel ...........................................3
Index
279
ProCarManuals.com

fail-safe coolant ......................211
idle speed control ...................219
lubrication
specifications ..................253, 256
refill capacities ........................249
service points ..........................200
starting after a collision .........168
Engine block heater .................129
Engine oil ..................................201
checking and adding ..............201
dipstick ....................................201
filter, specifications ........203, 249
recommendations ...................203
refill capacities ........................249
specifications ..................253, 256
Exhaust fumes ..........................129
F
Fail safe cooling ........................211
Fluid capacities .........................249
Foglamps .....................................26
Four-Wheel Drive
vehicles ................................13, 145
control trac ...............................27
description ..............................149
driving off road .......................151
electronic shift ..........27, 145, 149
indicator light ...................14, 146
lever operated shift ................147
manual locking hubs ..............146
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................135
Fuel ............................................227
calculating fuel economy .......232
cap ...........................................231
capacity ...................................249
choosing the right fuel ...........229comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................235
detergent in fuel .....................230
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................227, 231–232
filter, specifications ........231, 249
fuel pump shut-off switch .....168
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........232
low fuel warning light ..............10
octane rating ...................229, 256
quality ......................................230
running out of fuel .................230
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................227
Fuses ..................................170–171
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............231
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................232
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............19
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................18
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................154
calculating ...............................156
definition .................................154
driving with a heavy load ......154
location ....................................154
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................154
Index
280
ProCarManuals.com

calculating .......................154, 156
definition .................................154
driving with a heavy load ......154
location ....................................154
H
Hazard flashers .........................168
Headlamps ...................................24
aiming ......................................243
autolamp system .......................24
daytime running lights .............25
flash to pass ..............................25
high beam ...........................13, 25
replacing bulbs ...............237–238
turning on and off ....................24
warning chime ..........................15
Heating ........................................29
heater only system ...................29
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................31
Hood ..........................................199
I
Ignition .................................71, 256
removing the key ....................144
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................118
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................236
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................247
cluster ................................10, 247
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................26
location of components ............10J
Jack ............................................179
positioning ...............................179
storage .....................................179
Jump-starting your vehicle ......191
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition ...........71
removing from the ignition ....144
L
Lamps
autolamp system ...............24, 237
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................243
cargo lamps ...............................26
daytime running light ...............25
fog lamps ...................................26
headlamps .................................24
headlamps, flash to pass ..........25
instrument panel, dimming .....26
replacing bulbs ...............237–242
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................72
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................11
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....13, 132
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................14
cruise indicator .........................14
door ajar ....................................14
engine oil pressure ...................14
high beam .................................13
low fuel ......................................10
Index
281
ProCarManuals.com

safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................76
turn signal indicator .................13
Load limits .................................154
GAWR ......................................154
GVWR ......................................154
trailer towing ..........................154
Loading instructions .................155
Locks
childproof ..................................81
Lubricant specifications ...253, 256
Lumbar support, seats .........91–92
M
Manual transmission .................139
fluid capacities ........................249
lubricant specifications ..........256
reverse .....................................143
Message center ...........................19
english/metric button ...............20
menu button .............................20
Mirrors .........................................83
fold away ...................................82
heated ........................................83
side view mirrors (power) .......81
Motorcraft parts ................231, 249
O
Octane rating ............................229
Odometer .....................................18
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................201
Overdrive .....................................78P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................85
Parking brake ............................133
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....249
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................26
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................175
Power door locks ........................80
Power steering ..........................134
fluid, checking and adding ....213
fluid, refill capacity ................249
fluid, specifications .........253, 256
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................135
R
Radio ............................................35
Relays ........................................170
Remote entry system ...........84–85
illuminated entry ......................86
locking/unlocking doors ...........85
panic alarm ...............................85
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................87
replacing the batteries .............86
Reverse sensing system .............27
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................15, 93–97, 99
Safety defects, reporting ..........277
Safety restraints ..............93–97, 99
Index
282
ProCarManuals.com