
9.Clock:Press to toggle between
station mode and clock mode. 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.
12.Shuffle (CD):Press to play
tracks in random order. Press again
to disable.
13.Compression (CD):Press to
bring soft and loud passages
together for a more consistent
listening level. A small“c”will
appear in the display to indicate that compression is enabled. Press again
to disable.
14.
Dolbynoise reduction:
Works in tape mode only. Reduces
tape noise and hiss; press to
activate/deactivate.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
30

FIND Program type:Allows you to search RDS-equipped stations for a
certain category of music format: Classic, Country, Info, Jazz, Oldies,
R&B, Religious, Rock, Soft, Top 40.
Show TYPE:Displays the station’s call letters and format.
Compression:In CD mode, press to bring soft and loud CD passages
together for a more consistent listening level.
Setting the clock:Press MENU until SELECT HOUR or SELECT MINS
is displayed. Use SEL to manually increase (
) or decrease () the
hours/minutes. Press MENU again to disengage clock mode.
10.Memory presets:To set a
station: Select frequency band
AM/FM; tune to a station, press and
hold a preset button until sound
returns. In CD mode, press to move between CDs.
This radio is equipped with six station memory preset controls which
allow you to set up to six AM stations and 12 FM stations (six in FM1
and six in FM2).
11.CD:Press to select CD mode.
Seamless play:In CD mode, the
transition between the end of one
CD and the beginning of another will not contain delay time unless SEEK
or a preset control is pressed.
12.AM/FM:Press to select a
frequency band in radio mode.
Autoset:Allows you to set the
strongest local radio stations without losing your original manually set
preset stations for AM/FM1/FM2 . Press and momentarily hold AM/FM.
AUTOSET will flash on the display. When the six strongest stations are
filled, the station stored in preset 1 will begin playing. If there are less
than six strong stations, the system will store the last one in the
remaining presets. Press again to disengage.
13.Power/volume:Press to turn
ON/OFF; turn to increase or
decrease volume levels.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Entertainment Systems
34

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
35

TRIP COMPUTER (IF EQUIPPED)
The trip computer tells you about the condition of your vehicle through
a constant monitor of vehicle systems. You may select display features on
the trip computer for a display of status.
The appearance of your vehicle’s trip computer may differ depending on
your vehicle’s option package, but the functions are the same.
The trip computer only operates with the ignition in the ON position.
Trip computer features are as follows:
Selectable features
English/metric display
Press this control to change the trip
computer display between English
and metric units.
Mode control
Each press of the MODE control will
display a different feature as follows:
Average fuel economy.The
display will indicate the vehicle’s
average fuel economy in miles/gallon
(or liters/100 km) since the average
fuel economy was last reset.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing gallons of fuel used by miles traveled (liters used by
kilometers traveled), your figure may be different than displayed for the
following reasons:
•your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
•differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
•variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
•rounding of the displayed values to the nearest liter (gallon)
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
70

To reset the average fuel economy:
1. Press the MODE control repeatedly until average fuel economy is
displayed (this is the only resettable display).
2. Press the E/M and MODE
controls simultaneously. The display
will illuminate the“AV G”indicator.
While the indicator is lit, release
both controls to reset the average
fuel economy.
Fuel range.This function estimates approximately how far you can
drive with the fuel remaining in your tank under normal driving
conditions. Remember to turn the ignition OFF when refueling to allow
this feature to correctly detect the added fuel.
The DTE function will flash for 5 seconds when you have approximately:
•50 miles (80 km) left before you run out of fuel
•25 miles (40 km )
•10 miles (16 km)
DTE is calculated using a running average fuel economy, which is based
on your recent driving history of 500 miles (800 km). This value is not
the same as the average fuel economy display. The running average fuel
economy is reinitialized to a factory default value if the battery is
disconnected.
Outside air temperature
The temperature can be displayed in
Centigrade or Fahrenheit by
pressing the E/M control.
If the outside temperature falls
below 38°F(3°C), the display will
alternate from“ICE”to the outside
temperature at a two second rate
for one minute.
Off.In this mode the display is off.
Compass
The compass display is contained in the overhead console. The vehicle
heading is displayed as one of N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
71

•Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).
2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
1
2
34
5
C
D
H
L
H
E
F
CH
BRAKEPRND2
SELECT
RESET
CHECK
GAGE THEFT
TRANS
TEMP
4x4
LOW
RANGERPMX1000
MPHkm/h0
20406080
00
20
40
60
3
2
1
5
4
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
128

•O/D (Overdrive) is automatically returned each time the key is turned
off regardless of last mode of operation.
2 (Second)
This position allows for second gear only.
•Provides engine braking.
•Use to start-up on slippery roads.
•To return to
(Overdrive), move the gearshift lever into the
(Overdrive) position.
•Selecting 2 (Second) at higher speeds will cause the transmission to
downshift to second gear at the appropriate vehicle speed.
1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in
(Overdrive) or Drive.
•Depress the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Shift strategy
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
136

Understanding the shift positions of the 5–speed automatic
transmission (if equipped-Diesel engines only)
This vehicle is equipped with an adaptive Transmission Shift Strategy.
Adaptive Shift Strategy offers the optimal transmission operation and
shift quality. When the vehicle’s battery has been disconnected for any
type of service or repair, the transmission will need to relearn the normal
shift strategy parameters, much like having to reset your radio stations
when your vehicle battery has been disconnected. The Adaptive
Transmission Strategy allows the transmission to relearn these operating
parameters. This learning process could take several transmission
upshifts and downshifts; during this learning process, slightly firmer
shifts may occur. After this learning process, normal shift feel and shift
scheduling will resume.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Depress the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
137