2004 FORD F250 ECU

Locks and Security 75
Keys 75
Locks 75
Anti-theft system 77
Seating and Safety Restraints 85
Seating 85
Safety restraints 92
Air bags 105
Child restraints 114
Driving 125
Starting 125
Brakes 130
Transmission operation 133
Vehicle loading 161
Trailer towing 164
Recreational towing 188
Roadside Emergencies 192
Getting roadside assistance 192
Hazard flasher switch 193
Fuel pump shut-off switch 193
Fuses and relays 194
Changing tires 200
Jump starting 212
Wrecker towing 217
Customer Assistance 219
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 228
Table of Contents
2
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)

Four wheel drive low (if
equipped):Illuminates when
four-wheel drive low is engaged.
Four wheel drive indicator (if
equipped):Illuminates when
four-wheel drive is engaged.
Anti-theft system (if equipped):
Flashes when the Securilock

Passive Anti-theft System has been
activated.
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 ACCESSORY 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 3 mph (5
Km).LOW
RANGE
4x4
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

Overdrive cancel
(4–speed automatic
transmission) (if equipped)
To deactivate overdrive, press the
transmission control switch (TCS)
located on the gearshift. The OFF indicator light will illuminate on the
gearshift. The transmission will operate in all gears except overdrive.
Press the transmission control switch again to return to normal overdrive
mode. When you shut off and re-start your vehicle, the transmission will
automatically return to normal (Overdrive) mode.
For additional information about the gearshift and the transmission
control switch operation refer to theDrivingchapter.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (IF EQUIPPED)
The appearance of your vehicle’s overhead console will vary according to
your option package.
Storage compartment (if equipped)
Press the release on the door to
open the storage compartment.
The storage compartment may be
used to secure sunglasses or a
similar object.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
54

HOMELINKWIRELESS CONTROL SYSTEM WITH TRAVELNOTE
(IF EQUIPPED)
The HomeLinkWireless Control System, located on the driver’s visor,
provides a convenient way to replace up to three hand-held transmitters
with a single built-in device. This feature will learn the radio frequency
codes of most transmitters to operate garage doors, entry gate operators,
security systems, entry door locks, and home or office lighting.
When programming your HomeLinkWireless Control System to
a garage door or gate, be sure that people and objects are out of
the way to prevent potential harm or damage.
Do not use the HomeLinkWireless Control System with any garage
door opener that lacks safety stop and reverse features as required by
U.S. federal safety standards (this includes any garage door opener
model manufactured before April 1, 1982). A garage door which cannot
detect an object, signaling the door to stop and reverse, does not meet
current U.S. federal safety standards. For more information, contact
HomeLinkat:www.homelink.comor1–800–355–3515.
Retain the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as well as for
future programming procedures (i.e. new HomeLinkequipped vehicle
purchase). It is also suggested that upon the sale of the vehicle, the
programmed Homelinkbuttons be erased for security purposes, refer to
Programmingin this section.
Programming
Do not program HomeLinkwith the vehicle parked in the garage.
Note:Your vehicle may require the ignition switch to be turned to the
ACC position for programming and/or operation of the HomeLink.Itis
also recommended that a new battery be placed in the hand-held
transmitter of the device being programmed to HomeLinkfor quicker
training and accurate transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
1. Press and hold the two outside
buttons releasing only when the red
light begins to flash after 20
seconds.Do notrepeat step one to
program additional hand-held
transmitters to the remaining two
HomeLinkbuttons. This will erase
previously programmed hand-held
transmitter signals into HomeLink.
REC DEL PLAY
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
64

Gate Operator & Canadian Programming
During programming, your
hand-held transmitter may
automatically stop transmitting—
not allowing enough time for
HomeLinkto accept the signal
from the hand-held transmitter.
After completing steps 1 and 2
outlined in the“Programming”
section, replace step 3 with the following:
Note:If programming a garage door opener or gate operator, it is
advised to unplug the device during the“cycling”process to prevent
overheating.
•Continue to press and hold the HomeLinkbutton (note step 3 in the
“Programming”section) while you press and release—every two
seconds(“cycle”) your hand-held transmitter until the frequency
signal has been accepted by the HomeLink. The indicator light will
flash slowly and then rapidly after HomeLinkaccepts the radio
frequency signal.
•Proceed with step 4 in the“Programming”section.
Operating the HomeLinkWireless Control System
To operate, simply press and release
the appropriate HomeLinkbutton.
Activation will now occur for the
trained product (garage door, gate
operator, security system, entry
door lock, or home or office lighting
etc.). For convenience, the
hand-held transmitter of the device
may also be used at any time. In the event that there are still
programming difficulties, contact HomeLinkatwww.homelink.comor
1–800–355–3515.
REC DEL PLAY
REC DEL PLAY
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
66

3. While a message is being recorded, the indicator light will be a solid
red.
4. If the message exceeds the available memory space, two tones will
sound, the indicator light will flash amber and recording will end.
The indicator light will flash amber and an“error”tone will sound if the
RECbutton is pressed when memory is full.
To play a message:
1. Press and release thePLAY
button to play the message.
2. Press and hold thePLAYbutton
to hear all the messages in
consecutive order starting with the
most recent.
3. If thePLAYbutton is pressed while a message is being listened to,
TravelNotewill skip to the beginning of the next message.
4. During allPLAYfunctions, the indicator light will be a solid green.
The indicator light will flash amber and an“error”tone will sound if the
PLAYbutton is pressed but no message is currently in memory.
To delete a message:
1. Press and release theDELbutton
while listening to a message or
shortly after. The indicator light will
flash green twice.
2. To delete all recorded messages,
simultaneously press and release the
PLAYandRECbuttons at the same time. The indicator light will flash
green twice.
If theDELbutton is inadvertently pressed or the time allotted (five
seconds) has passed, the indicator light will flash amber and an“error”
tone will sound.
REC DEL PLAY
REC DEL PLAY
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
68

CENTER CONSOLE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment with
cassette/CD holder
•Coin holder
•Pen holder
•Writing surface
Use only soft cups in the
cupholder. Hard objects can
injure you in a collision.
CELL PHONE USE
The use of Mobile Communications Equipment has become increasingly
important in the conduct of business and personal affairs. However,
drivers must not compromise their own or others’safety when using
such equipment. Mobile Communications can enhance personal safety
and security when appropriately used, particularly in emergency
situations. Safety must be paramount when using mobile communications
equipment to avoid negating these benefits.
Mobile Communication Equipment includes, but is not limited to cellular
phones, pagers, portable email devices, in vehicle communications
systems, telematics devices and portable two-way radios.
A driver’s first responsibility is the safe operation of the vehicle.
The most important thing you can do to prevent a crash is to
avoid distractions and pay attention to the road. Wait until it is safe to
operate Mobile Communications Equipment.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
69

KEYS
The key operates all locks on your vehicle. You should always carry a
second key with you in a safe place in case you require it in an
emergency.
Your keys are programmed to your vehicle; using a non-programmed key
will not permit your vehicle to start. If you lose your dealer supplied
keys, replacement keys are available through your authorized dealer.
POWER DOOR LOCKS (IF EQUIPPED)
Press control to unlock all doors.
Press control to lock all doors.
Smart locks (if equipped)
This feature prevents you from locking yourself out of the vehicle if your
key is still in the ignition.
When you open the driver’s door and you lock the vehicle with the
power door lock control, all the doors will lock, then the driver’s door
will automatically unlock reminding you that your key is still in the
ignition.
The vehicle can still be locked, with the key in the ignition, using the
manual lock button on the door, locking the driver’s door with a key, by
simultaneously pressing button 7•8 and the 9•0 controls on the
remote entry keypad (if equipped), or using the lock button on the
remote entry transmitter (if equipped).
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Locks and Security
Locks and Security
75