2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY tow

Seating and Safety Restraints 89Seating 89
Safety restraints 96
Air bags 107
Child restraints 116
Tires, Wheels and Loading 128Tire Information 132
Tire Inflation 133
Changing tires 137
Wheel lug nut torque 148
Vehicle loading 160
Trailer towing 167
Trailer Brake Controller-Integrated 171
Recreational towing 177
Driving 178Starting 178
Brakes 183
Transmission operation 187
Roadside Emergencies 213Getting roadside assistance 213
Hazard flasher switch 214
Fuel pump shut-off switch 214
Fuses and relays 215
Jump starting 224
Wrecker towing 229
Customer Assistance 231Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 239
Cleaning 240Table of Contents
2
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle for at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer or snowplowing.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. See Engine oil in the
Maintenance and Specifications chapter for more information on oil
usage.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Introduction
5

Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(automatic transmission):
Illuminates when the Tow/Haul
feature has been activated. Refer to
the Driving chapter for transmission function and operation. If the light
flashes steadily, have the system serviced immediately, damage to the
transmission could occur. ABS
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Instrument Cluster
14

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 to Special
Operating Conditions in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
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

17. LOAD: Press to load a CD, then
select a slot number using the radio
presets 1 through 6. If you don’t
select a slot within 5 seconds, the
radio shall choose the first available
slot for you. Press and hold for 2 seconds to auto load up to six CDs.
18. CD eject: Press to eject a CD,
then select the desired CD slot
using the radio presets 1 through 6.
If a slot is not selected within 5 seconds, the radio shall eject the current
disc. Press and hold for 2 seconds to auto eject all CDs present in the
radio mechanism.
19. CD slot: Insert a CD label side
up.
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
• Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
• Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
• Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
• Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
• Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
• Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Entertainment Systems
31

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select .
2. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
1. Fan speed adjustment: Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2. Temperature selection: Controls the temperature of the airflow in
the vehicle.
3. Air flow selections: Controls the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief description on each control.
MAX A/C: Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents and center console vents (if equipped) to cool the vehicle. This
re-cooling of the interior air is more economical and efficient.
Recirculated air may also help reduce undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle. The temperature selection control will not adjust airflow
temperature when in MAX A/C mode.
: Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and
center console vents (if equipped).
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Climate Controls
34

: Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents, floor
vents and center console vents (if equipped).
O (OFF): Outside air is shut out and the climate system is turned off.
: Distributes outside air through the floor vents.
: Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents,
floor vents and demister vents.
: Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents and
demister vents.
Operating tips
• To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the position.
• To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
air flow selector in the O (OFF) position.
• Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
• Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
• To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance (MAX A/C) in MAX A/C mode:
• Move the temperature control to the coolest setting.
• Set the fan to the highest speed initially, then adjust in order to
maintain comfort.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold weather:
1. Select .
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Climate Controls
35

• Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
• To improve the A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open
for 2–3 minutes after start up or until the vehicle has been “aired out.”
For maximum cooling performance in AUTO mode:
• Press AUTO control and set to desired temperature.
For maximum cooling performance using manual override modes:
• Press (panel), A/C, with recirculated air. Set the temperature to
60°F (16°C) and the fan to the highest setting.
To aid in side window defogging and demisting in cold weather:
1. Select .
2. Select A/C.
3. Set the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows. To
increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Climate Controls
38