6.8L V10 gasoline engine
Refer to the6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplementfor diesel engine component locations.
1. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
5. Power distribution box
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Air filter assembly
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
11. Battery
12345
10987611
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
252
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The message center will indicate
the engine is overheating.
•TheService engine soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
265
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If yourCheck engine/Service engine
soonlight is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with theCheck engine/Service engine soonlight on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
276
Check the fluid level when it is at ambient temperature, 20°F–80°F
(-7°C–25°C):
1. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be between the arrows
in the FULL COLD range. Do not add fluid if the level is within this
range.
2. If the fluid level is low. Add fluid to bring fluid level up to be between
the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
3. Start the engine.
4. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
5. Turn the engine off.
6. Recheck the fluid level on the dipstick. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
7. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL COLD range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of your
brake system could be
compromised; seek service from
your authorized dealer immediately.
CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch fluid level. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
277
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change) - gas
engines
6
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)5.4L V8 and
6.8L V10
engines7.0 quarts
(6.6L)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change) - diesel
engineRefer to your6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement
Fuel tank N/A Mid-ship tank
(optional on
Chassis Cab)19.0 gallons
(71.9L )
Short box 30.5 gallons
(115.5L)
Long box 38.0 gallons
(143.9L)
Aft axle 40.0 gallons
(151.4L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to FULL
COLD range on
dipstick
Transfer case
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 vehicles 2.0 quarts
(1.9L)
Manual
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F6-speed manual 5.8 quarts
(5.5L)
4
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288
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
wheels ......................................242
wiper blades ............................244
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clutch
fluid ..........................................277
operation while driving ..........178
recommended shift speeds ....179
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ........................................67
overhead ....................................55
Controls
steering column ........................66
Coolant
checking and adding ..............260
refill capacities ................264, 287
specifications ..........................290
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................201
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................247
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................238
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............239
Getting roadside assistance ...201
Getting the service you
need .........................................232
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................240
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................235
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................278
engine oil .................................254
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........290
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................283
Driving under special
conditions ..................178, 191, 194
sand .........................................193
snow and ice ...........................195
through water .................193, 197
E
Electronic message center ...67, 69
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................224
Emergency Flashers .................202
Emission control system ..........274
Engine ................................293–294
cleaning ...................................242
coolant .....................................260
diesel ...........................................7
fail-safe cooling .......................265
idle speed control ...................258
lubrication specifications .......290
refill capacities ........................287
service points ..................251–252
starting after a collision .........203
Engine block heater .................170
Engine oil ..................................254
checking and adding ..............254
dipstick ....................................254
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
308
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