
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Introduction
11

Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a
qualified technician.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
Refer toFilling the tankin the
Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Battery voltage gauge (manual
transmission only):Indicates the
battery voltage when the ignition is
in the ON position. If the pointer
moves and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated by
arrows), have the vehicle’s electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
18

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 toFuel filler capunder theFuel Information sectionin
theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
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 toIntegrated
trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toFuel gaugein 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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
68

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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
74

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
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. 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.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking
and adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
76

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 toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter 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 toFuel
filler capunder theFuel Information sectionin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
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 toIntergrated
trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 toIntergrated trailer brake controllerin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter 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 controllerin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter for more information.
WATER IN FUEL (diesel only):Refer toInstrumentationin your6.0
Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement.
CHECK AIR FILTER (diesel only):Refer toInstrumentationin your
6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
77

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16–A2.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 40° F (4.5°C),
use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
•If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
•Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
251