Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly. In Canada, premium grade fuel generally
contains more metallic additives than regular fuel. We recommend using
regular grade fuel. In Canada, many fuels contain metallic additives, but
fuels free of such additives may be available; check with your local fuel
dealer.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
with the recommended octane rating, see your authorized dealer to
prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems, try a different brand of unleaded gasoline. “Premium”
unleaded gasoline is not recommended for vehicles designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline because it may cause these problems to
become more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your authorized
dealer.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
87 (R+M)/2 METHOD
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
270
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
• Turn the engine/ignition off prior to refueling, an error in the reading
will result if the engine is left running.
• Use the same filling rate setting (low-medium-high) each time the
tank is filled.
• Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
• Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
• Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
• Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
• Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel economy:
Calculation 1: Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2: Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)Maintenance and Specifications
272
ENGINE DATA
Engine 5.4L V8 engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 330 415
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark plug gap 1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)* 1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)*
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1 9.2:1
*The 5.4L 3V and 6.8L 3V spark plug gap CANNOT be adjusted.
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
F–250 Regular Cab and SuperCab
Dimension Body style
Regular
Cab 4x2 –
inches
(mm) Regular
Cab 4x4 –
inches
(mm) SuperCab
4x2 –
inches
(mm) SuperCab
4x4 –
inches
(mm)
(1) Overall
height 76.5 (1943) 79.1 (2009) 76.8 (1951) b
79.4 (2017) b
(2) Track -
Front/Rear 68.3
(1734)/67.2
(1706) 68.3 (1736) /
67.2 (1706) 68.3 (1734) /
67.2 (1706) 68.3 (1736) /
67.2 (1706)
(3) Overall
width 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029) 79.9 (2029)
(4)
Wheelbase 137.0
(3480) 137.0 (3480) 141.8
(3602) a
158.0
(4013) b
141.8
(3602) a
158.0
(4013) b
(5) Overall
length 226.4
(5751) 226.4 (5751) 231.2
(5872) a
247.4
(6284) b
231.2
(5872) a
247.4
(6284) b
a
Short Box b
Long Box
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Maintenance and Specifications
293
Exhaust fumes ..........................171
F
Fail safe cooling ........................265
Fluid capacities .........................287
Foglamps .....................................40
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......184
description ..............................189
driving off road .......................191
electronic shift ................185, 189
indicator light .........................186
lever operated shift ................186
manual locking hubs ..............185
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................175
Fuel ............................................266
calculating fuel
economy ............................72, 271
cap ...........................................269
capacity ...................................287
choosing the right fuel ...........270
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................274
detergent in fuel .....................271
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................266, 269, 271
filter, specifications ........266, 286
fuel pump shut-off switch .....204
improving fuel economy ........271
octane rating ...................270, 293
quality ......................................270
running out of fuel .................271
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................266
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......204
Fuses ..................................205–206
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............269 Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................271
Gauges .........................................15
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
H
Hazard flashers .........................204
Head restraints ...........................90
Headlamps ...................................39
aiming ..................................41, 43
autolamp system .......................39
daytime running lights .............40
flash to pass ..............................41
high beam .................................41
replacing bulbs ...................47–50
turning on and off ....................39
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................33–34, 36
Hood ..........................................250
I
Ignition ...............................167, 293
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................121
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................276
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................244
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................41
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......226
2006 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus) Index
307
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 .....................75 Mirrors .........................................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