
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses
15% less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•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 toMaintenance Product
Specifications and Capacitiesin 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).
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
280

1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
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.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
286

Interior style
Consoles
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Lifestyle
Ash cup / smoker’s package
Bedliners and bedmats
Cargo organization and management
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Mobile-easehands-free communication system
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
Not all accessories are available for all models.
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems — such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by your authorized dealer.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Accessories
302

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
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
304

R
Radio ................................21, 23, 28
Relays ........................................211
Remote entry system .................88
illuminated entry ......................91
locking/unlocking doors ...........85
Reverse sensing system ...........188
Roadside assistance ..................208
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........112
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................101, 103–105
Safety defects,
reporting ............................246–247
Safety restraints ........101, 103–105
BeltMinder............................108
extension assembly ................112
for adults .........................103–105
for children .....................121–122
lap belt ....................................106
safety belt maintenance .........112
warning light and
chime ...............................107–108
Safety seats for children ..........125
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................299
Satellite Radio Information ........34
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............101
Seats ............................................94
child safety seats ....................125
cleaning ...................................253
Servicing your vehicle ..............256
Snowplowing .................8, 204–207Spark plugs,
specifications .....................293, 298
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Speed control ..............................66
Starting your vehicle .......172–173,
176
jump starting ..........................233
Steering wheel
controls ......................................69
tilting .........................................59
T
Tailgate ..................................83–84
Tilt steering wheel ......................59
Tires ...................................135–136
alignment ................................145
care ..........................................141
changing ..................................225
checking the pressure ............140
inspecting and inflating .........137
label .........................................152
replacing ..................................143
rotating ....................................145
safety practices .......................144
sidewall information ...............147
snow tires and chains ............153
spare tire .........................220, 222
terminology .............................136
tire grades ...............................136
treadwear ........................135, 142
Towing .......................................160
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............164
trailer towing ..........................160
wrecker ....................................238
Traction-lok rear axle ...............181
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
308

Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated
................164
Transfer case
fluid checking
.........................290
Transmission
automatic operation
.........60, 182
brake-shift interlock (BSI)
....182
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic)
.............................286
fluid, checking and adding
(manual)
.................................289
fluid, refill capacities
..............294
manual operation
....................185
Turn signal
..................................50
U
Upfitter controls
.........................69V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................299
Vehicle loading ..........................153
Ventilating your vehicle ...........177
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................260
Water, Driving through .............204
Windows
power .........................................62
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................59
checking and adding fluid .....260
replacing wiper blades ...........260
Wrecker towing .........................238
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
309