
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage (kilometer) intervals listed in thescheduled maintenance
information. The coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50
coolant and distilled water, which equates to a freeze point of -34°F
(-36°C). Coolant concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or
antifreeze tester (such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester,
014–R1060). The level of coolant should be maintained at the “FULL
COLD” level or within the “COLD FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir.
If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions in theAdding
engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
264

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
277

1Add 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification
EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited slip axles. Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic
lubricant that does not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water. Dana rear
axles also contain a synthetic lubricant but do require a change. Refer to yourscheduled
maintenance informationfor change intervals on Dana rear axles.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service
interval.
MERCON, MERCONV and MERCONSP are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix
MERCON, MERCONV and MERCONSP. Use of dual usage fluids in an automatic
transmission application requiring MERCONSP may cause transmission damage. Use of
a transmission fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.4Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with
the vehicle on a level surface. The 6–speed manual transmission is equipped with an in-tank cooler.
Verify the fluid level after operating vehicle to ensure correct fluid level.5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
294

Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............39
Clutch
fluid ..........................................282
operation while driving ..........182
recommended shift speeds ....183
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................74
Console ........................................70
overhead ..............................58–59
Controls
steering column ........................69
Coolant
checking and adding ..............264
refill capacities ................268, 291
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................64
Customer Assistance ................205
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................252
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................242
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................243
Getting roadside assistance ...205
Getting the service you
need .........................................238
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................243
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................241
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................43
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................283engine oil .................................258
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................287
Driving under special
conditions ..................182, 195, 198
sand .........................................197
snow and ice ...........................199
through water .................197, 201
E
Electronic message center ...70, 72
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................230
Emergency Flashers .................207
Emission control system ..........278
Engine ........................................295
cleaning ...................................246
coolant .....................................264
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................269
idle speed control ...................262
refill capacities ........................291
service points ..................254–255
starting after a collision .........207
Engine block heater .................174
Engine oil ..................................258
checking and adding ..............258
dipstick ....................................258
filter, specifications ........261, 290
recommendations ...................261
refill capacities ........................291
Exhaust fumes ..........................173
F
Fail safe cooling ........................269
Fluid capacities .........................291
Foglamps .....................................43
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
302

L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................42
daytime running light ...............43
fog lamps ...................................43
headlamps .................................42
headlamps, flash to pass ..........44
instrument panel, dimming .....44
interior lamps ...........................48
replacing
bulbs .................. 48–50, 52, 54–56
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................48
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........175
speed control ............................66
Load limits .................................150
Loading instructions .................156
Locks
childproof ..................................85
Lug nuts ....................................229
Lumbar support, seats ...............97
M
Manual transmission .................182
fluid capacities ........................291
reverse .....................................184
Message center ...............70, 72–73
english/metric button ...............77
system check button ................76
warning messages .....................78
Mirrors .........................................58
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................61
fold away ...................................63
heated ........................................62
side view mirrors (power) .......61signal .........................................62
Moon roof ....................................69
Motorcraft parts ................270, 290
O
Octane rating ............................274
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................258
Overdrive .....................................58
P
Parking brake ............................176
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....290
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................64
Power adjustable foot pedals .....64
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................214
Power door locks ........................83
Power mirrors .............................61
Power point .................................59
Power steering ..........................177
fluid, checking and adding ....281
fluid, refill capacity ................291
Power Windows ...........................60
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................178
R
Radio ................................20, 22, 27
Relays ........................................208
Remote entry system .................86
illuminated entry ......................89
locking/unlocking doors ...........83
Reverse sensing system ...........185
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
304