Maintenance and Specifications 249Engine compartment 251
Engine oil 254
Battery 258
Engine Coolant 260
Fuel information 266
Air filter(s) 284
Part numbers 286
Refill capacities 287
Lubricant specifications 290
Accessories 302
Index 305
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Copyright © 2005 Ford Motor Company Table of Contents
3
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (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
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of driving, maintain speeds below
70 mph (112 km/h) and vary speeds frequently. This is recommended to
give the moving parts a chance to break-in.
Do not tow a trailer or use your vehicle to snowplow until it has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km). Refer to Trailer towing in the Tires,
Wheels and Loading chapter for more information on towing a trailer
and Snowplowing in the Driving chapter.
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.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Introduction
5
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic Alarm Engine Oil
Engine Coolant Engine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When Hot Battery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or Sparks Battery Acid
Explosive Gas Fan Warning
Power Steering Fluid Maintain Correct Fluid
Level MAX
MIN
Emission System Engine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter Jack
Check Fuel Cap Low Tire Pressure
Warning
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Introduction
11
Amarillo instrument cluster
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 authorized dealer.
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 to Filling the tank in 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, have the vehicle’s
electrical system checked as soon as
possible.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Instrument Cluster
18
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.
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.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Driver Controls
69
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
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Driver Controls
73
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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Driver Controls
76
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