Page 2 of 280
Locks and Security 65
Keys 65
Locks 65
Anti-theft system 67
Seating and Safety Restraints 72
Seating 72
Safety restraints 77
Air bags 90
Child restraints 99
Driving 110
Starting 110
Brakes 115
Transmission operation 118
Trailer towing 146
Roadside Emergencies 174
Getting roadside assistance 174
Hazard flasher switch 175
Fuel pump shut-off switch 175
Fuses and relays 176
Changing tires 181
Jump starting 192
Wrecker towing 197
Customer Assistance 199
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 207
Cleaning 208
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Table of Contents
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Page 10 of 280
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
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Page 11 of 280
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Introduction
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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
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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
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Page 18 of 280

Transmission fluid temperature gauge (automatic transmission
only):If the gauge is in the:
White area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between“H”and“C”).
Yellow area(warning)—the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer toSpecial
Operating Conditionsin the
scheduled maintenance guide for
instructions. Operating the
transmission for extended periods of
time with the gauge in the yellow
area may cause internal transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area(over temperature)—
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the
Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle
and verify the airflow is not
restricted such as snow or debris
blocking airflow through the grill. If
the gauge continues to show high
temperatures, see your Ford dealer.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Page 20 of 280
4.Memory preset buttons:To set
a station: Select frequency band
AM/FM; tune to a station, press and
hold a preset button until sound returns.
5.Power/volume:Press to turn
ON/OFF; turn to increase or
decrease volume levels.
6.Tone:Press TONE until the
desired level—Bass, Treble, Fade
appears on the display. Turn the
volume control to raise/lower the
levels, or to move the audio sound
from the right to left or the front to
back (if equipped).
7.CLK (Clock):To set the hour,
press and hold CLK until CLOCK
SET appears in the display. Press
SEEK to decrease
or
increase
the hours.
To set the minute, press and hold CLK until CLOCK set appears in the
display. Press TUNE to decrease
or increasethe minutes.
1234
TONE
CLK
VOL
PUSH
ON
TONE
CLK
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
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Page 25 of 280
CD:Press to start CD play. With the
dual media audio, press CD to
toggle between single CD and CD
changer play (if equipped).
7.Mute:Press to MUTE playing
media; press again return to playing
media.
8.Auto:Press to set first six
strongest stations (if available) into
AM, FM1 or FM2 memory buttons;
press again to return to normal
stations.
9.Clock:Press and hold to set the
clock. Press the
SEEK to
decrease hours or SEEK
to
increase hours. Press the
TUNE
to decrease minutes or TUNE
to
increase minutes. If your vehicle has a stand alone clock this control will
not function.
10.Balance:Press BAL; then press
SEL
/to shift sound to the
left/right speakers.
Fade:Press FADE; then press
SEL
/to shift sound to the
rear/front speakers.
11.Memory preset buttons:To
set a station: Select frequency band
AM/FM, tune to a station, press and
hold a preset button until sound returns.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
25