2006 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY maintenance

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

Notice to owners of diesel-powered vehicles
Read the 6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s
Guide Supplement for information regarding correct operation and
maintenance of your Diesel-powered light truck.
Notice to owners of pickup trucks and utility type vehicles
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than
other types of vehicles.
Before you drive your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Guide carefully.
Your vehicle is not a passenger car. As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury or death.
Be sure to read Driving off road in the Driving chapter.
Using your vehicle with a snowplow
For more information and guidelines for using your vehicle with a
snowplow, refer to the Driving chapter.
Using your vehicle as an ambulance
If your light truck is equipped with the Ford Ambulance Preparation
Package, it may be utilized as an ambulance. Ford urges ambulance
manufacturers to follow the recommendations of the Ford Incomplete
Vehicle Manual, Ford Truck Body Builder’s Layout Book and the
Qualified Vehicle Modifiers (QVM) Guidelines as well as pertinent
supplements. For additional information, please contact the Truck Body
Builders Advisory Service at 1–877–840–4338.
Use of your Ford light truck as an ambulance, without the Ford
Ambulance Preparation Package voids the Ford New Vehicle Limited
Warranty and may void the Emissions Warranties. In addition, ambulance
usage without the preparation package could cause high underbody
temperatures, overpressurized fuel and a risk of spraying fuel which
could lead to fires.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Introduction
8

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
13

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

Transmission fluid temperature gauge (automatic transmission
only): If the gauge is in the:
Normal area (normal) - the
transmission fluid is within the
normal operating temperature
(between “H” and “C”).
Yellow area (warning) — the
transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This
can be caused by special operation
conditions (i.e. snowplowing, towing
or off road use). Refer to Special
Operating Conditions in the
scheduled maintenance
information for instructions. Operating the transmission for extended
periods of time with the gauge in the yellow area may cause internal
transmission damage.
Altering the severity of the driving conditions is recommended to lower
the transmission temperature into the normal range.
Red area (over temperature) —
the transmission fluid is overheating.
Stop the vehicle to allow the
temperature to return to normal
range.
If the gauge is operating in the Yellow or Red area, stop the vehicle and
verify the airflow is not restricted such as snow or debris blocking airflow
through the grill. If the gauge continues to show high temperatures, see
your authorized dealer.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Instrument Cluster
19

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

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