2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY brakes

Seating and Safety Restraints 90Seating 90
Safety restraints 97
Airbags 108
Child restraints 117
Tires, Wheels and Loading 129Tire Information 132
Tire Inflation 133
Vehicle loading 148
Trailer towing 155
Trailer Brake Controller-Integrated 159
Recreational towing 165
Driving 167Starting 167
Brakes 172
Transmission operation 176
Roadside Emergencies 202Getting roadside assistance 202
Hazard flasher switch 204
Fuel pump shut-off switch 204
Fuses and relays 205
Changing tires 214
Lug Nut Torque 225
Jump starting 226
Wrecker towing 232
Customer Assistance 234Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 240
Cleaning 241Table of Contents
2
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)

3. Press the SET ACCEL control
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
5. The indicator light on the
instrument cluster will turn on.
Note:
• Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up and down a
steep hill.
• If the vehicle speed increases above the set speed on a downhill, you
may want to apply the brakes to reduce the speed.
• If the vehicle speed decreases more than 10 mph (16 km/h) below
your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage.
Resuming a set speed
Press the RES/RESUME control and
release it. This will automatically
return the vehicle to the previously
set speed. The RES/RESUME
control will not work if the vehicle
speed is not faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h).
Increasing speed while using speed control
There are two ways to set a higher
speed:
• Press and hold the SET ACCEL
control until you get to the
desired speed, then release the
control. You can also use the SET
ACCEL control to operate the
Tap-Up function. Press and
release this control to increase the vehicle set speed in small amounts
by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
• Use the accelerator pedal to get to the desired speed. When the
vehicle reaches that speed press and release the SET ACCEL control. R E S
S E T
A C C E L
C O A S T
R E S
S E T
A C C E L
C O A S T
R E S
S E T
A C C E L
C O A S T
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Driver Controls
62

MINI-MESSAGE CENTER (IF EQUIPPED)
With the ignition in the ON position, the mini message center, located on
your instrument cluster, displays text messages that alert you to possible
problems or malfunctions in your vehicle’s operating systems.
Note: The following warning messages will reappear after an ignition
OFF-ON cycle has been completed.
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 dealer 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).
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Driver Controls
68

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.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Driver Controls
77

2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
The front outboard and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front outboard passenger and
rear seat outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes
described below:
Vehicle sensitive mode
This is the normal retractor mode, which allows free shoulder belt length
adjustment to your movements and locking in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 5 mph (8
km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce
forward movement of the driver and passengers.
On SuperCab and Crew Cab models, the front seat belt system can also
be made to lock manually by quickly pulling on the shoulder belt.
Rear seat belts (if equipped) cannot be made to lock up by pulling
quickly on the belt.
Automatic locking mode
When to use the automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic
locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
This mode should be used any time a child safety seat is installed in a
passenger front or outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Children
12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat
whenever possible. Refer to Safety restraints for children or Safety
seats for children later in this chapter.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Seating and Safety Restraints
99

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) – is the maximum
allowable weight of the fully loaded
vehicle (including all options,
equipment, passengers and cargo).
The GVWR is shown on the Tire
Label or Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on
the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver’s door. The GVW must
never exceed the GVWR.
Exceeding the Tire Label or Safety Compliance Certification
Label vehicle weight rating limits could result in substandard
vehicle handling or performance, engine, transmission and/or structural
damage, serious damage to the vehicle, loss of control and personal
injury.
GCW (Gross Combined Weight) – is the weight of the loaded vehicle
(GVW) plus the weight of the fully loaded trailer.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) – is the maximum allowable
weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer – including all cargo and
passengers – that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.
(Important: The towing vehicles’ braking system is rated for operation at
GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the GCW of the towing
vehicle plus the trailer exceed the GVWR of the towing vehicle. The
GCW must never exceed the GCWR.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
152

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)
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
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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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Tires, Wheels and Loading
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