
Removing the key
Turn the ignition off, push the
release lever (located above the
ignition), then turn the key toward
you and remove the key.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Reverse Sensing System (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the R (Reverse) is selected and the
vehicle is moving at speeds less than 3 mph (5 km/h). The system is not
effective at speeds above 3 mph (5 km/h) and may not detect certain
angular or moving objects.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations of the reverse sensing system as contained in this
section. Reverse sensing is only an aid for some (generally large and
fixed) objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at “parking
speeds”. Inclement weather may also affect the function of the RSS;
this may include reduced performance or a false activation.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in
reverse and when using the RSS.
This system is not designed to prevent contact with small or
moving objects. The system is designed to provide a warning to
assist the driver in detecting large stationary objects to avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system may not detect smaller objects, particularly
those close to the ground.
Certain add-on devices such as large trailer hitches, bike or
surfboard racks and any device that may block the normal
detection zone of the RSS system may create false beeps.
P
U
S
H
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Driving
188

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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Driving
199

If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of theService engine soonlight (
), charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause the
indicator to illuminate.
Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel - the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel - the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
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3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water - the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel cap or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the
indicator should stay off
the next time the engine is started. A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If the
indicator remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some malfunctions detected by the
OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent, continued driving
with the
indicator on can result in increased emissions, lower fuel
economy, reduced engine and transmission smoothness, and lead to more
costly repairs.
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 the
indicator is on, refer to the
description in the Warning lights and chimes section of the Instrument
Cluster chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with the
indicator 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 thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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Maintenance and Specifications
283

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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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
304

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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USA(fus)
Index
307

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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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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
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
309