
contains more metallic additives than regular fuel. We recommend using
regular grade fuel. In Canada, many fuels contain metallic additives, but
fuels free of such additives may be available; check with your local fuel
dealer.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular”unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as“Regular”that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline.“Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular”unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
253
ProCarManuals.com 

The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255
ProCarManuals.com 

ENGINE DATA
Engine 5.4L V8 engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 330 415
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.0:1 9.0:1
*Refer to the6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplementfor Motorcraft diesel engine service part
numbers.
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
F–250 Regular Cab and SuperCab
Dimension Body style
Regular
Cab 4x2–
inches
(mm)Regular
Cab 4x4–
inches
(mm)SuperCab
4x2–
inches
(mm)SuperCab
4x4–
inches
(mm)
(1) Overall
height76.2 (1935) 78.9 (2005) 76.5 (1943)
b79.0 (2008)b
(2) Track -
Front/Rear68.3
(1736)/68.0
(1729)68.3 (1736) /
68.0 (1729)68.3 (1736) /
68.0 (1729)68.3 (1736) /
68.0 (1729)
(3) Overall
width79.9 (2031) 79.9 (2031) 79.9 (2031) 79.9 (2031)
(4)
Wheelbase137.0
(3479.8)137.0
(3479.8)141.8
(3610.7)
a
158.0
(4013.2)b
141.8
(3610.7)a
158.0
(4013.2)b
(5) Overall
length227.0
(5767)227.0 (5767) 231.9
(5889)a
248.0
(6300)b
231.9
(5889)a
248.0
(6300)b
a
Short Wheel Base (SWB)bLong Wheel Base (LWB)
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
291
ProCarManuals.com 

filter, specifications ........241, 283
recommendations ...................241
refill capacities ........................284
specifications ..................287, 291
Exhaust fumes ..........................129
F
Fail safe cooling ........................248
Fluid capacities .........................284
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......144
description ..............................149
driving off road .......................151
electronic shift ................145, 149
indicator light .........................146
lever operated shift ................146
manual locking hubs ..............144
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................132
Fuel ............................................250
calculating fuel economy .......254
cap ...........................................252
capacity ...................................284
choosing the right fuel ...........252
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................257
detergent in fuel .....................254
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................250, 252, 254
filter, specifications ........254, 283
fuel pump shut-off switch .....193
improving fuel economy ........254
octane rating ...................253, 291
quality ......................................253
running out of fuel .................254
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................250
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......193
Fuses ..................................194–195G
Garage door opener ....................55
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................64
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............252
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................254
Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
H
Hazard flashers .........................193
Head restraints ...........................85
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................43
autolamp system .......................41
daytime running lights .............42
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
replacing bulbs ...................46–47
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................38–39
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................64
Hood ..........................................237
I
Ignition ...............................125, 291
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
307
ProCarManuals.com 

Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................117
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................259
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................232
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................43
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......212
K
Keyless entry system .................82
autolock .....................................81
Keys
positions of the ignition .........125
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................41
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................45
daytime running light ...............42
fog lamps ...................................42
headlamps .................................41
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....43
interior lamps .....................44–45
replacing bulbs ...................45–51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................44
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........130
speed control ............................63
Load limits .................................161Loading instructions .................164
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................76
Lubricant specifications ...287, 291
Lug nuts ....................................211
Lumbar support, seats ...............90
M
Manual transmission .................140
fluid capacities ........................284
lubricant specifications ..........291
reverse .....................................141
Message center ...........................70
english/metric button ...............70
menu button .............................70
Mirrors .........................................54
fold away ...................................60
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......59
Moon roof ....................................55
Motorcraft parts ................254, 283
O
Octane rating ............................253
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................239
Overdrive .....................................53
P
Parking brake ............................131
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....283
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................61
Power adjustable foot pedals .....61
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
308
ProCarManuals.com