
Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 12
Warning and control lights 12
Gauges 16
Entertainment Systems 20
AM/FM stereo 20
AM/FM stereo with CD 22
AM/FM stereo cassette with CD 25
AM/FM stereo with in-dash six CD 28
Climate Controls 33
Heater only 33
Manual heating and air conditioning 34
Automatic temperature control 36
Lights 39
Headlamps 39
Turn signal control 45
Bulb replacement 46
Driver Controls 54
Windshield wiper/washer control 54
Steering wheel adjustment 54
Power windows 56
Mirrors 58
Speed control 61
Upfitter controls 64
Moon roof 66
Message center 67
Table of Contents
1
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
1.Fan speed adjustment:Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2.Temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the airflow in
the vehicle.
3.Air flow selections:Controls the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief description on each control.
MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents and center console vents (if equipped) to cool the vehicle. This
re-cooling of the interior air is more economical and efficient.
Recirculated air may also help reduce undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle. The temperature selection control will not adjust airflow
temperature when in MAX A/C mode.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and
center console vents (if equipped).
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
34

AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Press the AUTO and
(floor/defrost) controls at the same time and
hold for one second to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
1.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate
air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling
performance and efficiency. Engages automatically in AUTO,
(defrost), and(floor/defrost).
2.Recirculated air:Press to
activate/deactivate air recirculation
in cabin. Recirculated air may
reduce the amount of time to cool down the interior of the vehicle and
may also help reduce undesired odors from reaching the interior of the
vehicle. Recirculation can be engaged manually in any other airflow
selection except
(defrost). Recirculation may turn off automatically
in all airflow selections.
3.Defrost:
Distributes outside
air through the windshield defroster
vents and demister vents. Can be
used to clear windshield of fog and thin ice.
4.Fan speed:Press the respective
control in order to manually
increase or decrease the fan speed.
To return to automatic fan
operation, press AUTO.
5.
(Floor/defrost): Distributes air through the instrument panel
vents, floor vents and demister vents.
OFFAUTOEXT TEMP
A/CF
AUTO
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
36

degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the
vehicle crosses multiple zones. A correct zone setting will eliminate this
error. Refer toCompass zone/calibration adjustment.
Compass zone/calibration adjustment
1. Determine your magnetic zone by
referring to the zone map.
2. Turn ignition to the ON position.
3. Start the engine.
4. From Info menu, press and hold
the SETUP and RESET controls
simultaneously until the message
center display changes to show the
current zone setting (XX).
5. Press the SETUP control
repeatedly until the correct zone
setting for your geographic location
is displayed on the message center.
The range of zone values are from
01 to 15 and “wraps” back to 01.
6. To exit the zone setting mode,
and to “lock in” your change, press
and release the RESET control.
Perform compass calibration in an open area free from steel structures
and high voltage lines. For optimum calibration, turn off all electrical
accessories (heater/air conditioning, wipers, etc.) and make sure all
vehicle doors are shut.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
71

Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
USING THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in
a region where temperatures reach
-10°F (-23°C) or below. For best
results, plug the heater in at least
three hours before starting the
vehicle. The heater can be plugged
in the night before starting the
vehicle. The plug for the block
heater is exposed in the front of the
vehicle, beneath the grille. Vehicles
equipped with a gasoline engine have the plug exposed on the driver
side of the vehicle; vehicles equipped with a Diesel engine have the plug
exposed on the passenger side of the vehicle.
To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by your authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by your authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
P!
BRAKE
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
170

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

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

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