3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your“Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon”light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Tire manufactures
maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at which the
maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is normally
higher than the manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure
which can be found on either the tire label or certification label which is
located on the structure by the trailing edge of the driver’s door or the
edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set
lower than the recommended pressure on the label.
Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not
required by federal law.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Additional information contained on the tire sidewall for“LT”type
tires
“LT”type tires have some additional
information than those of“P”type
tires; these differences are
described below:
1.LT:Indicates a tire, designated by
the Tire and Rim Association
(T&RA), that is intended for service
on light trucks.
2.Load Range/Load Inflation
Limits:Indicates the tires
load-carrying capabilities and its
inflation limits.
3.Maximum Load Dual kg (lbs.)
at kPa (psi) cold:Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a dual; a
dual is defined as when four tires are put on the rear axle (a total of six
or more tires on the vehicle).
4.Maximum Load Single kg (lbs.) at kPa (psi) cold:Indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single; a
single is defined as when two tires (total) are put on the rear axle.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
269
6. Visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other
objects embedded that could poke a hole in the tire and cause an air
leak.
7. Check the sidewalls to make sure there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or
other irregularities.
Tire inflation information
All tires with Steel Carcass Plies (if equipped):
This type of tire utilizes steel cords in the sidewalls. As such, they
cannot be treated like normal light truck tires. Tire service, including
adjusting tire pressure, must be performed by personnel trained,
supervised and equipped according to Federal Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. For example, during any
procedure involving tire inflation, the technician or individual must
utilize a remote inflation device, and insure that all persons are clear of
the trajectory area.
WARNINGAn inflated tire and rim can be very dangerous if
improperly used, serviced or maintained. To avoid serious injury,
never attempt to re-inflate a tire which has been run flat or seriously
under-inflated without first removing the tire from the wheel assembly
for inspection. Do not attempt to add air to tires or replace tires or
wheels without first taking precautions to protect persons and
property.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
272
A
Accessory delay ..........................56
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................104
and child safety seats ............106
description ..............................104
disposal ....................................108
driver air bag ..........................106
indicator light .........................108
operation .................................106
passenger air bag ...................106
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................109
Air cleaner filter ...............263, 277
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................240
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................129
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........19, 21, 23, 26, 30
Automatic transmission ............132
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................133, 135
fluid, adding ............................258
fluid, checking ........................258
fluid, refill capacities ..............278
fluid, specification ..................284
Auxiliary power point .................55
Axle
lubricant specifications ..281, 284
refill capacities ........................278
traction lok ..............................131
B
Battery .......................................238
acid, treating emergencies .....238jumping a disabled battery ....209
maintenance-free ....................238
replacement, specifications ...277
servicing ..................................238
BeltMinder ...................................99
Brakes ........................................128
anti-lock ...................................129
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................129
fluid, checking and adding ....256
fluid, refill capacities ..............278
fluid, specifications .........281, 284
lubricant specifications ..281, 284
parking ....................................129
shift interlock ..........................132
Bulbs ............................................44
C
Calculating load ........................162
Capacities for refilling fluids ....278
Cassette tape player ...................30
CD changer .................................33
Cell phone use ............................67
Certification Label ....................292
Child safety restraints ..............113
child safety belts ....................113
Child safety seats ......................116
attaching with tether straps ..120
in front seat ............................118
in rear seat ..............................118
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............226
instrument panel ....................228
interior .....................................228
interior trim ............................228
plastic parts ............................227
safety belts ..............................228
washing ....................................225
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
Index
299
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................116
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................255
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................228
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................42
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......209
K
Keyless entry system .................80
autolock .....................................79
Keys
positions of the ignition .........124
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................40
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................44
daytime running light ...............41
fog lamps ...................................41
headlamps .................................40
headlamps, flash to pass ..........42
instrument panel, dimming .....42
interior lamps .....................43–44
replacing bulbs ...................44–49
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................43
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........129
speed control ............................61
Load limits .................................159Loading instructions .................162
Locks
autolock .....................................79
childproof ..................................74
Lubricant specifications ...281, 284
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Manual transmission .................138
fluid capacities ........................278
lubricant specifications ..........284
reverse .....................................140
Message center ...........................67
english/metric button ...............68
menu button .............................68
Mirrors .........................................52
fold away ...................................58
heated ........................................57
side view mirrors (power) .......56
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ................250, 277
O
Octane rating ............................249
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................235
Overdrive .....................................51
P
Parking brake ............................129
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....277
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................59
Power adjustable foot pedals .....59
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................194
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
302
Power door locks ..................73, 79
Power point .................................55
Power steering ..........................130
fluid, checking and adding ....256
fluid, refill capacity ................278
fluid, specifications .........281, 284
Power Windows ...........................55
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................131
R
Radio ....................19, 21, 23, 26, 30
Relays ........................................193
Remote entry system .................75
illuminated entry ......................78
locking/unlocking doors ...........73
Reverse sensing system ...........141
Roadside assistance ..................191
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........103
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...91–95, 97
Safety defects, reporting ..........224
Safety restraints ....................91–97
belt minder ...............................99
extension assembly ................103
for adults .............................92–95
for children .............................113
lap belt ......................................98
safety belt maintenance .........103
warning light and chime ..........99
Safety seats for children ..........116
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............91
Seats ............................................84child safety seats ....................116
cleaning ...................................229
Servicing your vehicle ..............232
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................21
AM/FM/CD .................................26
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................30
Premium In-dash Six CD .........33
Snowplowing .................8, 187–190
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........199
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................277, 284
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
four-wheel drive vehicles .......189
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................281, 284
Speed control ..............................59
Starting your
vehicle ........................124–125, 127
jump starting ..........................209
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................51
T
Tailgate ........................................72
Tilt steering wheel ......................51
Tires ...........................................264
changing ..................199, 201, 208
snow tires and chains ............276
tire grades ...............................265
treadwear ................................264
Towing .......................................162
trailer towing ..........................162
wrecker ....................................214
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
303
Traction-lok rear axle ...............131
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................262
Transmission
automatic operation .........51, 132
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....132
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................258
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................261
fluid, refill capacities ..............278
lubricant specifications ..281, 284
manual operation ....................138
Turn signal ..................................43
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................284Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................293
Vehicle loading ..........................159
Ventilating your vehicle ...........128
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................235
Water, Driving through .............158
Windows
power .........................................55
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................50
checking and adding fluid .....235
replacing wiper blades .............50
Wrecker towing .........................214
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
304