2005 FORD F250 instrument cluster

Transmission fluid temperature gauge (automatic transmission
only):If the gauge is in the:
Normal area(normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
Yellow area(warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer toSpecial
Operating Conditionsin the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidefor
instructions. Operating the transmission for extended periods of time
with the gauge in the yellow area may cause internal transmission
damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area(over temperature) —
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your Ford dealer.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
19

TILT STEERING WHEEL (IF EQUIPPED)
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull and hold the steering wheel
release control toward you.
2. Move the steering wheel up or
down until you find the desired
location.
3. Release the steering wheel
release control. This will lock the
steering wheel in position.
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.
TRANSMISSION CONTROL
Tow/Haul feature
(5–speed automatic transmission) (if equipped)
To activate, press the transmission
control switch (TCS) located on the
gearshift. The TOW/HAUL indicator
light will illuminate in the
instrument cluster. The transmission
will operate in all gears. Press the
transmission control switch again to deactivate Tow/Haul mode. When
you shut off and re-start your vehicle, the transmission will automatically
return to normal mode with Tow/Haul feature deactivated, refer to the
Drivingchapter for more information.
ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED)
Lift the mirror cover to turn on the
visor mirror lamps.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
55

3. Press the SET ACCEL control
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator
light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
•Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
•If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
•If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Resuming a set speed
Press the RES/RESUME control and
release it. This will automatically
return the vehicle to the previously
set speed. The RES/RESUME
control will not work if the vehicle
speed is not faster than 30 mph (48
km/h).
Increasing speed while using speed control
There are two ways to set a higher
speed:
•Press and hold the SET ACCEL
control until you get to the
desired speed, then release the
control. You can also use the SET
ACCEL control to operate the
Tap-Up function. Press and
release this control to increase the vehicle set speed in small amounts
by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
•Use the accelerator pedal to get to the desired speed. When the
vehicle reaches that speed press and release the SET ACCEL control.
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2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
63

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.
MINI MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position, the mini message center, located on
your instrument cluster, displays text messages that alert you to possible
problems or malfunctions in your vehicle’s operating systems.
Note:The following warning messages will reappear after an ignition
OFF-ON cycle has been completed.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
66

Check trailer (if equipped):
Displayed when a trailer connection
becomes disconnected, either
intentionally or unintentionally, and
has been sensed during a given
ignition cycle. Refer toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
Language
The language options are English and French. The feature works as
follows:
1. If present language is English,
press and hold the SELECT/RESET
button for 15 seconds or greater to
convert the language selection to
French. The word
FRENCH
will be
displayed for 4 seconds as a confirmation that language has been
changed.
2. If present language is French,
press and hold the SELECT/RESET
button for 15 seconds or greater to
convert the language selection to
English. The word
ENGLISH
will
be displayed for 4 seconds as a confirmation that language has been
changed.
MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position,
the message center, located on your
instrument cluster, displays
important vehicle information
through a constant monitor of
vehicle systems.You may select
display features on the message center for a display of status preceded
by a brief indicator chime. The system will also notify you of potential
vehicle problems with a display of system warnings followed by a long
indicator chime.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
68

Selectable features
Reset
Press this control to select and reset
functions shown in the INFO menu
and SETUP menu.
Info menu
This control displays the following
control displays:
•Odometer/Compass
•Trip odometer/Odometer/Compass
•Distance to
Empty/Odometer/Compass
•Average Fuel
Economy/Odometer/Compass
•Engine hour meter/Odometer/Compass
Odometer/Trip odometer
Refer toGaugesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Compass display
The compass heading is displayed as one of N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and
NW in the message center display.
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna. Magnetic
or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also affect
compass accuracy.
Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will
correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
conditions. If the compass still appears to be inaccurate, a manual
calibration may be necessary. Refer toCompass zone/calibration
adjustment.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
69

Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle (the buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is coming
from). To lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits
snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.
•2nd row center seating position (if equipped)
The lap belt will not adjust automatically. To fasten, grasp the tongue,
and with a continuous motion, pull out enough webbing to buckle the
tongue into the correct buckle. If you did not pull out enough webbing to
reach the buckle, allow the tongue to retract fully before trying to pull it
out again.
Safety belt warning light and indicator chime
The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
102

Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light
illuminates 1-2 minutes and the
warning chime sounds 4-8 seconds.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.
BeltMinder
The BeltMinderfeature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt
warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the
driver that the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently
sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the
instrument cluster.
If... Then...
The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the vehicle has
reached at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
and 1-2 minutes have elapsed
since the ignition switch has
been turned to ON...The BeltMinderfeature is activated -
the safety belt warning light illuminates
and the warning chime sounds for 6
seconds every 30 seconds, repeating for
approximately 5 minutes or until safety
belt is buckled.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled while the safety belt
indicator light is illuminated and
the safety belt warning chime is
sounding...The BeltMinderfeature will not
activate.
The driver’s safety belt is
buckled before the ignition
switch is turned to the ON
position...The BeltMinderfeature will not
activate.
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
103