2007 FORD F250 brakes

Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as utility and
four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than vehicles with a
lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds as high as passenger cars any more
than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive speed and abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive cautiously could result in
an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal
injury and death.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Parking
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
4WD Systems
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode), uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case. On 4WD
vehicles, the transfer case allows you to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures can be
found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case maintenance
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Driving
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can be found in theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. You
should become thoroughly familiar with this information before you
operate your vehicle.
Normal characteristics
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4x4 while
the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary clunk and ratcheting
sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to speed and the
automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for concern.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even 4WD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
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Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
manually shift to a lower gear. Your
vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply
the brakes steadily. Do not “pump”
the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, avoid locking of the wheels. Use
a “squeeze” technique, push on the brake pedal with a steadily increasing
force which allows the wheels to brake yet continue to roll so that you
may steer in the direction you want to travel. If you lock the wheels,
release the brake pedal and repeat the squeeze technique. If your vehicle
is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), apply the
brake steadily. Do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of
this chapter for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock
brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is
not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
When driving through water, traction or brake capability may be limited.
Also, water may enter your engine’s air intake and severely damage your
engine or your vehicle may stall.Driving through deep water where
the transmission vent tube is submerged may allow water into the
transmission and cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends that the Super Duty F-Series used for snow removal
include a snow plow package option.
Installing the snowplow
Weight limits and guidelines for selecting and installing the snowplow can
be found in theFord Truck Body Builders Layout Book,Snowplow
section, found at www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas. A typical installation
affects the following:
•Certification to government safety laws such as occupant protection
and airbag deployment, braking, and lighting. Look for an “Alterer’s
Label” on the vehicle from the snowplow installer certifying that the
installation meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS).
•The Total Accessory Reserve Capacity (TARC) is shown on the lower
right side of the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
applies to Ford-completed vehicles of 10,000 lb. (4,536 kg) GVWR or
less. This is the weight of permanently-attached auxiliary equipment,
such as snowplow frame-mounting hardware, that can be added to the
vehicle and satisfy Ford compliance certification to FMVSS. Exceeding
this weight may require the auxiliary equipment installer additional
safety certification responsibility. The Front Accessory Reserve
Capacity (FARC) is added for customer convenience.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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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.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For
MEDICAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION, contact a physician or
Poison Control Center immediately; on Ford-Motorcraft products call:
1-800-959-3673 (FORD). Failure to follow these instructions may result
in personal injury.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant or rise slightly. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid
level to the step in the reservoir.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................63
Air cleaner filter .......290–291, 293
Air conditioning ..........................41
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................113
and child safety seats ............114
description ..............................113
disposal ....................................117
driver airbag ............................115
indicator light .........................116
operation .................................115
passenger airbag .....................115
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................117
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................267
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................178
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................21, 23, 28
Automatic transmission ............182
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................183
fluid, adding ............................286
fluid, checking ........................286
fluid, refill capacities ..............294
Auxiliary power point .................61
Axle
refill capacities ........................294
traction lok ..............................181
B
Battery .......................................265
acid, treating emergencies .....265
jumping a disabled battery ....233maintenance-free ....................265
replacement, specifications ...293
servicing ..................................265
BeltMinder
...............................108
Brakes ........................................177
anti-lock ...................................178
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................178
fluid, checking and adding ....285
fluid, refill capacities ..............294
parking ....................................179
shift interlock ..........................182
trailer .......................................164
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................51
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....294
Cassette tape player .............21, 23
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............122
child safety belts ....................122
Child safety seats ......................125
attaching with tether straps ..129
in front seat ............................126
in rear seat ..............................126
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............249
instrument panel ....................251
interior .....................................252
interior trim ............................252
plastic parts ............................250
safety belts ..............................252
washing ....................................248
waxing .....................................248
wheels ......................................249
wiper blades ............................251
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Index
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K
Keyless entry system .................92
Keys
positions of the ignition .........172
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................44
daytime running light ...............45
fog lamps ...................................45
headlamps .................................44
headlamps, flash to pass ..........46
instrument panel, dimming .....46
interior lamps ...........................50
replacing bulbs ...................51–58
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........178
speed control ............................68
Load limits .................................153
Loading instructions .................159
Locks
childproof ..................................87
Lug nuts ....................................232
Lumbar support, seats ...............99
M
Manual transmission .................185
fluid capacities ........................294
reverse .....................................187
Message center ...............72, 74–75
english/metric button ...............79
system check button ................78warning messages .....................80
Mirrors .........................................60
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................63
fold away ...................................65
heated ........................................64
side view mirrors (power) .......64
signal .........................................65
Moon roof ....................................71
Motorcraft parts ................273, 293
O
Octane rating ............................277
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................261
Overdrive .....................................60
P
Parking brake ............................179
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....293
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................66
Power adjustable foot pedals .....66
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................217
Power door locks ........................85
Power mirrors .............................64
Power point .................................61
Power steering ..........................180
fluid, checking and adding ....283
fluid, refill capacity ................294
Power Windows ...........................62
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................181
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Index
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