These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety Belt Airbag-Front
Airbag-Side Child Seat
Child Seat Installation
Warning Child Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
Anchor Brake System
Anti-Lock Brake System Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Powertrain Malfunction Speed Control
Master Lighting Switch Hazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-Front Fuse Compartment
Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/Demist Rear Window
Defrost/Demist
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Introduction
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Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, it has a unique cluster,
refer to Starting the engine in your 6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
Service engine soon: The Service
engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home’ operation.
Report the fault to an authorized
dealer at the earliest opportunity.
On vehicles equipped with a message center, “ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE”
will be displayed, refer to Message Center in the Driver Controls chapter.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will momentarily
illuminate when the ignition is turned
to the ON position when the engine
is not running, or in a position between ON and START, or by applying the
parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake
system warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service
immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should
be inspected immediately by your servicing authorized dealer.
P!
BRAKE
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Instrument Cluster
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1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
Engine hour meter
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display the accumulated
running time of the engine.
Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
• System Check
• Units (English/Metric)
• Autolock
• Autolamp Delay
• Language
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
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
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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 authorized
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 authorized 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 authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL. Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
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USA (fus)Driver Controls
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LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer to Checking
and adding brake fluid 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
authorized dealer 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 authorized 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 authorized 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 Integrated
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 Integrated 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 dealer for diagnosis and repair. Refer to Integrated 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.
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USA (fus) Driver Controls
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DATA ERR. These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
• Odometer
• Fuel flow
• Fuel level
• Trans temp
• Fuel cap
• Engine sensor
• Brake fluid
• Auto lock
• Auto lamp delay
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible if these messages
occur on a regular basis.
TAILGATE LOCK (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
tailgate lock designed to prevent
theft of the tailgate.
• Insert ignition key and turn to the
right to engage lock.
• Turn ignition key to the left to
unlock.
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Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully prior to and after any towing operation. Refer to
Transmission temperature gauge in the Instrument Cluster chapter
for the transmission fluid temperature information.
The following trailer towing charts apply to vehicles equipped with
gasoline engines; for vehicles equipped with diesel engines, refer to your
6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement .
Note: Do not exceed the GCWR listed for your vehicle on the following
chart/table, or the GVWR, GAWR or tire ratings specified on the Tire
Label or Safety Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended trailer
weight which exceeds the limit of the vehicle’s GCWR, GVWR,
GAWR or tire ratings could result in engine damage, transmission
damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and
personal injury.
Maximum GCWR - lb. (kg.)
Engine Rear axle ratio Manual
transmission Automatic
transmission
F–250/F–350 Single Rear Wheel (SRW)
5.4L 3.73 15000 (6804) 16000 (7257)
4.10 17000 (7711) 18000 (8165)
6.8L (F-250) 4.10 20000 (9072) 21000 (9525)
4.30 22000 (9979) 22500 (10206)
6.8L (F-350) 4.10 20000 (9072) 21000 (9525)
4.30 22000 (9979) 23000 (10433)
F–350 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW)
5.4L 3.73 15000 (6804) 16500 (7484)
4.10 17500 (7938) 18500 (8391)
6.8L 4.10 20500 (9299) 21500 (9752)
4.30 22500 (10206) 23000 (10433)
F–450/F–550
6.8L 4.88/5.38 26000 (11793) 26000 (11793)
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Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight exceeds the
limit of the towing system and could result in vehicle structural
damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
Load equalizing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a load equalizing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that
the front bumper height is within 1
2
” (13 mm) of the reference point.
After proper adjustment, the rear bumper should be no higher than in
Step 2.
Note: Adjusting an equalizing hitch so the rear bumper of the vehicle is
higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe
if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
If you own a trailer with a hydraulic brake system, do not
connect the trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. The vehicle’s brake system is only designed to
carry the appropriate amount of brake fluid for the vehicle alone.
Connecting a hydraulic trailer braking system could adversely affect
your vehicle’s braking performance.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
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