
6.8L V10 gasoline engine
Refer to the6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplementfor diesel engine component locations.
1. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
5. Power distribution box
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Air filter assembly
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
11. Battery
12345
10987611
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252

•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The message center will indicate
the engine is overheating.
•TheService engine soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
265

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
Check the fluid level when it is at ambient temperature, 20°F–80°F
(-7°C–25°C):
1. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be between the arrows
in the FULL COLD range. Do not add fluid if the level is within this
range.
2. If the fluid level is low. Add fluid to bring fluid level up to be between
the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
3. Start the engine.
4. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
5. Turn the engine off.
6. Recheck the fluid level on the dipstick. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
277

Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change) - diesel
engineRefer to your6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection
Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement
Fuel tank N/A Mid-ship tank
(optional on
Chassis Cab)19.0 gallons
(71.9L )
Short box 30.5 gallons
(115.5L)
Long box 38.0 gallons
(143.9L)
Aft axle 40.0 gallons
(151.4L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to FULL
COLD range on
dipstick
Transfer case
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 vehicles 2.0 quarts
(1.9L)
Manual
transmission fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F6-speed manual 5.8 quarts
(5.5L)
4
Automatic
transmission
fluid
3
Motorcraft
MERCONSP
AT FTorqShift
(5–speed)17.5 quarts
(16.6L)
5(includes
remote filter
element change)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.25 quarts
(4.0L)
1Add 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited
slip axles. Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant that does
not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water. Dana
rear axles also contain a synthetic lubricant but do require a change.
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor change intervals
on Dana rear axles.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288

ItemFord part name
or equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)
XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C930-A
and API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
Penetrating and
Lock LubricantXL-1 none
Transmission
/parking brake
linkages and
pivots, brake and
clutch pedal
shaft (if
equipped)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Steering linkage,
knuckle ball
joints
(F-450/550) and
trackbar ball
joint (F-450/550)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KWSD-M1C227-A
Power steering
fluid and transfer
case fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Manual
transmission
(6-speed)Motorcraft
MERCONAT F
2XT-2-QDX MERCON
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
291

wheels ......................................242
wiper blades ............................244
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clutch
fluid ..........................................278
operation while driving ..........180
recommended shift speeds ....180
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ........................................67
overhead ..............................55–56
Controls
steering column ........................66
Coolant
checking and adding ..............260
refill capacities ................264, 287
specifications ..........................290
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................202
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................248
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................238
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............239
Getting roadside assistance ...202
Getting the service you
need .........................................234
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................240
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................279
engine oil .................................254
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........290
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................283
Driving under special
conditions ..................179, 192, 196
sand .........................................194
snow and ice ...........................196
through water .................195, 198
E
Electronic message center ...68–69
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................226
Emergency Flashers .................204
Emission control system ..........275
Engine ........................................293
cleaning ...................................242
coolant .....................................260
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................265
idle speed control ...................258
lubrication specifications .......290
refill capacities ........................287
service points ..................251–252
starting after a collision .........204
Engine block heater .................172
Engine oil ..................................254
checking and adding ..............254
dipstick ....................................254
filter, specifications ........257, 286
recommendations ...................257
refill capacities ........................287
specifications ..........................290
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
306

K
Keyless entry system .................86
Keys
positions of the ignition .........167
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 ...................45–53
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................44
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........173
speed control ............................63
Load limits .................................148
Loading instructions .................155
Locks
childproof ..................................81
Lubricant specifications ...........290
Lug nuts ....................................225
Lumbar support, seats ...............95
M
Manual transmission .................180
fluid capacities ........................287
reverse .....................................181
Message center .....................68–70
english/metric button ...............74
system check button ................73
warning messages .....................75Mirrors .........................................55
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................60
heated ........................................59
side view mirrors (power) .......58
signal .........................................59
Moon roof ....................................66
Motorcraft parts ................266, 286
O
Octane rating ............................270
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................254
Overdrive .....................................55
P
Parking brake ............................173
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....286
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................61
Power adjustable foot pedals .....61
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................211
Power door locks ........................80
Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................56
Power steering ..........................174
fluid, checking and adding ....277
fluid, refill capacity ................287
fluid, specifications .................290
Power Windows ...........................57
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................175
R
Radio ..........................20, 22, 25, 28
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
308

Relays ........................................205
Remote entry system .................82
illuminated entry ......................86
locking/unlocking doors ...........80
Reverse sensing system ...........182
Roadside assistance ..................202
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .......97–101
Safety defects, reporting ..........240
Safety restraints ..................97–101
belt minder .............................104
extension assembly ................107
for adults ...........................98–101
for children .....................117–118
lap belt ....................................102
safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and
chime ...............................103–104
Safety seats for children ..........121
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................300
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............97
Seats ............................................90
child safety seats ....................121
cleaning ...................................246
Servicing your vehicle ..............249
Snowplowing .................8, 199–201
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................286, 293
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................290
Speed control ..............................61
Starting your vehicle .......167–168,
171
jump starting ..........................226
Steering wheel
controls ......................................66
tilting .........................................54
T
Tailgate ..................................78–79
Tilt steering wheel ......................54
Tires ...................................131–132
alignment ................................140
care ..........................................137
changing ..................................218
checking the pressure ............136
inspecting and inflating .........133
label .........................................147
replacing ..................................139
rotating ....................................141
safety practices .......................139
sidewall information ...............142
snow tires and chains ............148
spare tire .........................214, 216
terminology .............................132
tire grades ...............................132
treadwear ........................131, 138
Towing .......................................155
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............159
trailer towing ..........................155
wrecker ....................................232
Traction-lok rear axle ...............175
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................159
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
309