2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY brake fluid

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety Belt Air Bag-Front
Air Bag-Side Child Seat
Child Seat Installation
Warning Child Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
Anchor Brake System
Anti-Lock Brake System Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Powertrain Malfunction Speed Control
Master Lighting Switch Hazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-Front Fuse Compartment
Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/Demist Rear Window
Defrost/Demist
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Introduction
10

Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Diesel engine, it has a unique cluster,
refer to Starting the engine in your 6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
Service engine soon: The Service
engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home’ operation.
Report the fault to a dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
On vehicles equipped with a message center, “ENGINE FAILSAFE
MODE” will be displayed, refer to Message Center in the Driver
Controls chapter.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
P!
BRAKE
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Instrument Cluster
13

The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. ENGINE TEMP
2. TRANS TEMP
3. OIL PRESSURE
4. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
5. DOOR AJAR
6. FUEL CAP
7. AIR FILTER (diesel only)
8. FUEL LEVEL
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
Autolocks
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
1. To disable/enable the autolock
feature, select this function from the
SETUP control for the current
display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the autolocks ON or OFF.
Autolamp delay
This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
1. To disable/enable the autolamp
delay feature, select this function
from the SETUP control for the
current display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to select
the new Autolamp delay values of >0, >10, >20, >30, >60, >90, >120 or
>180.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driver Controls
73

This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Reduced engine power Warning cannot be reset
Stop engine safely
Low fuel level Warning returns after 10 minutes
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Check engine temperature
Trailer disconnected
Water in fuel (diesel only)
Check air filter (diesel only)
Door ajar Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Check fuel cap
Engine failsafe mode
Check compass module
Trailer fault
TBC fault
DOOR AJAR. Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE. Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER. Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or
continues to come on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY. Displayed when the engine is overheating.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine. If the
warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or continues to come
on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL. Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driver Controls
75

LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Brake fluid
reservoir in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE. Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
dealership for service.
CHECK FUEL CAP. Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer to Fuel
filler cap under the Fuel Information section in the Maintenance and
Specifications chapter.
ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. Displayed when the engine has defaulted
to a ’limp-home’ operation. If the warning stays on or continues to come
on, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK COMPASS MODULE. Displayed when the compass is not
operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer as soon as possible.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped): Displayed when a trailer
connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally,
and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer to Intergrated
trailer brake controller in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for
more information.
TRAILER FAULT (if equipped): Displayed if there is a short circuit on
the electric brake output wire or the trailer brakes are drawing too much
current. Refer to Intergrated trailer brake controller in the Tires,
Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
TBC FAULT (if equipped): Displayed in response to faults sensed by
the TBC. In the event this message is seen, please take your vehicle to
an authorized Ford dealership for diagnosis and repair. Refer to
Intergrated trailer brake controller in the Tires, Wheels and Loading
chapter for more information.
WATER IN FUEL (diesel only): Refer to Instrumentation in your 6.0
Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement.
CHECK AIR FILTER (diesel only): Refer to Instrumentation in your
6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Driver Controls
76

DATA ERR. These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
• Odometer
• Fuel flow
• Fuel level
• Trans temp
• Fuel cap
• Engine sensor
• Brake fluid
• Auto lock
• Auto lamp delay
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
TAILGATE LOCK (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
tailgate lock designed to prevent
theft of the tailgate.
• Insert ignition key and turn to the
right to engage lock.
• Turn ignition key to the left to
unlock.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driver Controls
77

Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight exceeds the
limit of the towing system and could result in vehicle structural
damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 1
2
” (13 mm) of the reference point.
After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in
Step 2.
Note: Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
If you own a trailer with a hydraulic brake system, do not
connect the trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. The vehicle’s brake system is only designed to
carry the appropriate amount of brake fluid for the vehicle alone.
Connecting a hydraulic trailer braking system could adversely affect
your vehicle’s braking performance.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
170

Pull the right side of the release
lever to release the parking brake;
the release lever pulls at an angle
toward the driver’s door. To prevent
the pedal from releasing too quickly,
place your left foot on the parking
brake pedal, then pull the release
lever, making sure the pedal fully
releases. You may want to pull the
release lever again to make sure the
parking brake is full released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or in 1 (First) (manual transmission).
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, the engine
may be required to run while power accessories operate and the parking
brake is set. It is recommended that wheel chocks be used during this
operation.
If you’re parking your vehicle on a grade or with a trailer, press and hold
the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. There may be a little
vehicle movement as the parking brake sets to hold the vehicle’s weight.
This is normal and should be no reason for concern. If needed, press and
hold the service brake pedal down, then try reapplying the parking
brake. Chock the wheels if required. If the parking brake cannot hold the
weight of the vehicle, the parking brake may need to be serviced or the
vehicle may be overloaded.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
• Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the FULL COLD mark on the dipstick).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driving
185