•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle’sscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
2006 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
273
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