Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly. In Canada, premium grade fuel generally
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.
87 (R+M)/2 METHOD
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Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in the Refill capacities
section of this chapter.
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 miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
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.
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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
Spark plug gap 1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)** 1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)**
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1 9.2:1
*Refer to the 6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement for Motorcraft diesel engine service part
numbers.
**The 5.4L 3V and 6.8L 3V spark plug gap CANNOT be adjusted.
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
height 76.5 (1943) 79.1 (2009) 76.8 (1951) b
79.4 (2017) b
(2) Track -
Front/Rear 68.3
(1734)/67.2
(1706) 68.3 (1736) /
67.2 (1706) 68.3 (1734) /
67.2 (1706) 68.3 (1736) /
67.2 (1706)
(3) Overall
width 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029)
(4) Wheelbase 137.0 (3480) 137.0 (3480) 141.8 (3602) a
158.0 (4013) b
141.8 (3602) a
158.0 (4013) b
(5) Overall
length 226.4 (5751) 226.4 (5751) 231.2
(5872) a
247.4 (6284) b
231.2 (5872) a
247.4 (6284) b
a
Short Box b
Long Box
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
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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 .................267 safety 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
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USA_English (fus)Index
304
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................243
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................41
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......224
K
Keyless entry system .................85
Keys
positions of the ignition .........178
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................39
daytime running light ...............40
fog lamps ...................................40
headlamps .................................39
headlamps, flash to pass ..........41
instrument panel, dimming .....41
interior lamps ...........................45
replacing bulbs ...... 45–46, 48–49,
51–53
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................44
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........183
speed control ............................64
Load limits .................................160
Loading instructions .................167
Locks
childproof ..................................80
Lubricant specifications ...286, 289
Lug nuts ....................................148
Lumbar support, seats ...............94 M
Manual transmission .................191
fluid capacities ........................283
lubricant specifications ..........289
reverse .....................................192
Message center ...............66, 68–69
english/metric button ...............73
system check button ................72
warning messages .....................74
Mirrors ...................................55, 59
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................59
fold away ...................................61
heated ........................................60
side view mirrors (power) .......59
signal .........................................60
Moon roof ....................................56
Motorcraft parts ................267, 282
O
Octane rating ............................266
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................251
Overdrive .....................................55
P
Parking brake ............................184
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....282
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................62
Power adjustable foot pedals .....62
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................221
Power door locks ........................79
Power mirrors .............................59
Power point .................................57
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Index
305