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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.
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”).
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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14.Load:Press to load a CD.
SELECT SLOT will appear in the
display. Select from 1–6onthe
memory presets. MOVING TO # and then LOAD CD# will appear in the
display. Insert the CD into the system, label side up. Press and hold to
load up to six discs.
15.Shuffle:In CD mode, press to
play tracks in random order. Press
SHUF to cycle through SHUF TRAC,
SHUF DISC or SHUF OFF.
16.Scan:Press to hear a brief
sampling of all listenable stations or
CD tracks. Press again to stop.
17.Disc/Tune:Radio: Press
orto manually tune down or up
the frequency band.
CD: Press
orto select the previous or next CD.
18.CD door:Insert a CD label side
up.
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
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CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Allow tapes which have been subjected to extreme heat, humidity or
cold to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Clean the cassette player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after
10–12 hours of play to maintain good sound/operation.
Don’t:
•Expose tapes to direct sunlight, extreme humidity, heat or cold.
•Leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not being
played.
CD/CD PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Inspect discs before playing. Clean only with an approved CD cleaner
and wipe from the center out.
Don’t:
•Expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods
of time.
•Insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer magazine.
•Clean using a circular motion.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 12 cm (4.75
in) audio compact discs only. Due to technical incompatibility,
certain recordable and re-recordable compact discs may not
function correctly when used in Ford CD players. Irregular
shaped CDs, CDs with a scratch protection film attached, and CDs
with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should not be inserted
into the CD player. The label may peel and cause the CD to
become jammed. It is recommended that homemade CDs be
identified with permanent felt tip marker rather than adhesive
labels. Ball point pens may damage CDs. Please contact your
dealer for further information.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
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•To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been“aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C) in MAX A/C mode:
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
For maximum cooling performance in panel (
) and panel/floor ()
modes:
•Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
•Select A/C and recirculated air . Use recirculated air with A/C to
provide a cooler airflow.
•Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
To allow side window defogging and demisting while warming up the
vehicle cabin:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Climate Controls
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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.
A
A
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
Lights
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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.
In autolamp mode, the foglamps
won’t be operational until lighting
conditions warrant the activation of the headlamp/parklamp lighting.
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,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or parking lamp position and
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
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.
A
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
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High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parklamp operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by a qualified service technician.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
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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 any
door is not completely closed, 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.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
44