
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA, OR and NM),
VC-7–B (CA, OR and NM), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 and VC-3
(US) or CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification
WSS-M97B44–D with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft
Speciality Orange Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life
product with your factory filled coolant can result in degraded
corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
259

coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
260

Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30
km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
276

washing ....................................240
waxing .....................................240
wheels ......................................241
wiper blades ............................243
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clutch
fluid ..........................................274
operation while driving ..........191
recommended shift speeds ....191
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................70
Console ........................................66
overhead ....................................56
Controls
steering column ........................65
Coolant
checking and adding ..............257
refill capacities ................261, 283
specifications ..................286, 289
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................62
Customer Assistance ................213
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................246
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................237
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............238
Getting roadside assistance ...213
Getting the service you
need .........................................231
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................238
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................234
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................236D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................275
engine oil .................................251
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........286
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................279
Driving under special
conditions ..................190, 203, 207
sand .........................................205
snow and ice ...........................208
through water .................206, 209
E
Electronic message center ...66, 68
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................224
Emergency Flashers .................214
Emission control system ..........271
Engine ........................................289
cleaning ...................................241
coolant .....................................257
diesel ...........................................7
fail-safe coolant ......................262
idle speed control ...................255
lubrication specifications ......286,
289
refill capacities ........................283
service points ..................249–250
starting after a collision .........214
Engine block heater .................182
Engine oil ..................................251
checking and adding ..............251
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Index
303

dipstick ....................................251
filter, specifications ........254, 282
recommendations ...................254
refill capacities ........................283
specifications ..................286, 289
Exhaust fumes ..........................183
F
Fail safe coolant ........................262
Fluid capacities .........................283
Foglamps .....................................40
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......195
description ..............................200
driving off road .......................202
electronic shift ................196, 200
indicator light .........................197
lever operated shift ................197
manual locking hubs ..............196
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................186
Fuel ............................................263
calculating fuel
economy ............................71, 267
cap ...........................................265
capacity ...................................283
choosing the right fuel ...........266
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................270
detergent in fuel .....................267
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................263, 265, 268
filter, specifications ........267, 282
fuel pump shut-off switch .....214
improving fuel economy ........267
octane rating ...................266, 289
quality ......................................266
running out of fuel .................267safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................263
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......214
Fuses ..................................215–216
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............265
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................267
Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
H
Hazard flashers .........................214
Head restraints ...........................89
Headlamps ...................................39
aiming ..................................41, 43
autolamp system .......................39
daytime running lights .............40
flash to pass ..............................41
high beam .................................41
replacing bulbs .............46, 48–49
turning on and off ....................39
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................33–34, 36
Hood ..........................................248
I
Ignition ...............................178, 289
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................119
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................272
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Index
304