2005 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY trailer

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

Clearance lamps (if equipped)
Illuminates when the headlamps or
parking lamps are switched on.
This provides additional visibility of
your vehicle to other drivers on the
road.
Fold-away mirrors
The mirrors can be manually folded forward or backwards for narrow
spaces like driving through an automatic car wash or backing out of a
garage with the trailer tow mirror.
The telescoping feature (if equipped) allows the mirror to extend
approximately 3.15 inches (80 mm). This feature is especially useful to
the driver when towing a trailer.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driver Controls
61

Door ajar: Displays when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door is open.
Check fuel cap: Displays when the
fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this display on may cause the
Service engine soon warning light to
come on. Refer to Fuel filler cap under the Fuel Information section in
the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
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 Integrated
trailer brake controller in the Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for
more information.
TBC fault (if equipped): Displays
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 Integrated trailer brake controller in the
Tires, Wheels and Loading chapter for more information.
Note: The following warning messages will reappear on the display every
ten minutes.
Low fuel: Displays when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer to Fuel gauge in this
chapter).
Check gauge: Displays when any of
the following conditions has
occurred:
• The engine coolant temperature
is high.
• The engine oil pressure is low.
• The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus) Driver Controls
67

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 to Integrated trailer brake controller in the Tires,
Wheels and Loading chapter 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

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

When driving with the temporary spare tire do not:
• Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
• Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
• Tow a trailer
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the temporary spare
tire
• Use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
• Handling, stability and braking performance
• Comfort and noise
• Ground clearance and parking at curbs
• Winter weather driving capability
• Wet weather driving capability
Dissimilar spare tire/wheel information (if equipped)
Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel, then it is intended for temporary
use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should replace it as
soon as possible with a road tire/wheel that is the same size and type as
the road tires and wheels that were originally provided by Ford. If the
dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it should be replaced rather
than repaired.
When driving with the dissimilar spare tire/wheel, do not:
• Exceed 70 mph (113 km/h)
• Use more than one dissimilar spare tire/wheel at a time
• Use commercial car washing equipment
• Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare
tire/wheel
2005 F250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA_English (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
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