3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
279
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Front axle Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantF-250/350
(Dana 60 axle)6.3 pints (3.0L)
F-350/450/550
(Dana 60 axle)6.3 pints (3.0L)
Rear axle Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-250 /350
(10.50 inch
axle)
1
6.9 pints (3.3L)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-350 (DANA
80)
18.5 pints (4.0L)
Motorcraft SAE
75W–140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-450/550
(Dana S110)
114.0 pints (6.6L)
Brake fluid (and
clutch fluid-if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line or
step (for clutch)
on reservoir
Engine coolant -
gas engines
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)5.4L V8 engine
with A/C26.4 quarts
(25.0L)
6.8L V10 engine 27.5 quarts
(26.0L)
Engine coolant -
diesel engine
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Refer to your6.0 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)
Maintenance and Specifications
287
ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid and
clutch fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
or
WSS-M6C62-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA, OR
and NM),
VC-7-B (CA, OR
and NM)WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C930-A
and API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
Penetrating and
Lock LubricantXL-1 none
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
291
ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Transmission
/parking brake
linkages and
pivots, brake
and clutch pedal
shaft (if
equipped)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Steering linkage,
knuckle ball
joints
(F-450/550) and
trackbar ball
joint
(F-450/550)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KWSD-M1C227-A
Power steering
fluid and
transfer case
fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Manual
transmission
(6-speed)Motorcraft
MERCONAT F
2
XT-2-QDX MERCON
Automatic
transmission
TorqShift
(5–speed)Motorcraft
MERCONSP
AT F
2
XT-6–QSP MERCONSP
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Add 8 oz.(236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118-A for complete refill of limited
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
292
A
Accessory delay ..........................57
Air cleaner filter .......283–284, 286
Air conditioning ..........................36
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................107–108
and child safety seats ............109
description ..............................108
disposal ....................................111
driver airbag ............................110
indicator light .........................111
operation .................................110
passenger airbag .....................110
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................112
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................260
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................171
Audio system
(see Radio) ................20, 22, 25, 28
Automatic transmission ............174
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................176
fluid, adding ............................278
fluid, checking ........................278
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
Auxiliary power point .................56
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........290
refill capacities ........................287
traction lok ..............................173
B
Battery .......................................258
acid, treating emergencies .....258jumping a disabled battery ....224
maintenance-free ....................258
replacement, specifications ...286
servicing ..................................258
BeltMinder .................................103
Brakes ........................................170
anti-lock ...................................171
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................171
fluid, checking and adding ....277
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
fluid, specifications .................290
lubricant specifications ..........290
parking ....................................172
shift interlock ..........................174
trailer .......................................157
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................46
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....287
Cassette tape player .......20, 22, 25
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............117
child safety belts ....................117
Child safety seats ......................119
attaching with tether straps ..123
in front seat ............................121
in rear seat ..............................121
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............242
instrument panel ....................244
interior .....................................245
interior trim ............................245
plastic parts ............................244
safety belts ..............................245
washing ....................................241
waxing .....................................241
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 .........165
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 .............46, 48–53
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................45
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........171
speed control ............................63
Load limits .................................146
Loading instructions .................153
Locks
childproof ..................................81
Lubricant specifications ...........290
Lug nuts ....................................223
Lumbar support, seats ...............94
M
Manual transmission .................178
fluid capacities ........................287
reverse .....................................180
Message center ...............67, 69–70
english/metric button ...............74
system check button ................73warning messages .....................75
Mirrors .........................................55
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................58
fold away ...................................60
heated ........................................58
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 ............................172
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....286
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................61
Power adjustable foot pedals .....61
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................209
Power door locks ........................80
Power mirrors .............................58
Power point .................................56
Power steering ..........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....276
fluid, refill capacity ................287
fluid, specifications .................290
Power Windows ...........................56
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................174
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
310
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................157
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................283
Transmission
automatic operation .........55, 174
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....174
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................278
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................282
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
lubricant specifications ..........290
manual operation ....................178
Turn signal ..................................45
U
Upfitter controls .........................64
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................294Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................301
Vehicle loading
..........................146
Ventilating your vehicle
...........170
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......12
Washer fluid
..............................253
Water, Driving through
.............197
Windows
power
.........................................56
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................54
checking and adding fluid
.....253
replacing wiper blades
...........253
Wrecker towing
.........................230
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
312