Page 12 of 280

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Service engine soon:TheService
engine soonindicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Check fuel cap (if equipped):
Illuminates when the fuel cap may
not be properly installed. Continued
driving with this light on may cause
the Service engine soon warning
light to come on. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
12
Page 13 of 280

Check gage:Illuminates when any
of the following conditions has
occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
CHECK
GAGE
ABS
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13
Page 15 of 280
Four wheel drive indicator
(if equipped):Illuminates when
four-wheel drive is engaged.
Door ajar:Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door is open.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake ON warning chime:Sounds when the parking brake
is set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than
5 Km (3 mph).
GAUGES4x4
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15
Page 17 of 280

Battery voltage gauge (manual
transmission only):Indicates the
battery voltage when the ignition is
in the ON position. If the pointer
moves and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated by
arrows), have the vehicle’s electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between“L”and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle
checked at your dealership or by a
qualified technician.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
Refer toFilling the tankin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
17
Page 38 of 280

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for approximately 20
seconds after the ignition switch is
turned to OFF.
To change the delay time of the
autolamp feature, do the following:
1. Start with the ignition in OFF and the autolamps selected.
2. Deselect the autolamps.
3. Put the ignition in RUN.
4. Put the ignition in OFF.
5. Select the autolamps. Steps 2 through 5 must be performed within a
10 second period. At this point, the headlamps and parking lamps will
turn on.
6. Deselect the autolamps after the desired autolamp delay time
(maximum of 3 minutes). At this point, the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn off.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
Lights
38
Page 39 of 280

Foglamp control (if equipped)
The headlamp control also operates
the foglamps. The foglamps can be
turned on only when the headlamp
control is in the
,or
position and the high beams are not
turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate when the switch is pulled and the
parklamps are on.
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, parking lamp or autolamp
position.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate with 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 the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
39
Page 41 of 280
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
COURTESY/READING LAMPS (IF EQUIPPED)
The dome lamp lights when the
control is in the DOOR (left)
position, any door is open, the
instrument panel switch is pushed
past the detent and when any of the
remote entry controls are pressed
while the ignition is off.
The reading lamps can be turned on
by pressing the rocker controls next
to each lamp.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
41
Page 53 of 280
One touch down
Allows the driver’s window to open
fully without holding the control
down. Press completely down on
AUTO and release quickly. Press
again to stop.
Window lock (if equipped)
The window lock feature allows only
the driver to operate the power
windows.
To lock out all the window controls
except for the driver’s press the left
side of the control. Press the right
side to restore the window controls.
Accessory delay (if equipped)
With accessory delay, the window switches may be used for up to ten
minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or until
any door is opened.
POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED)
To adjust your mirrors:
1. SelectLto adjust the left mirror
orRto adjust the right mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to
disable the adjust function.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
53