
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-Wheel driving capability (if applicable)
•Load leveling adjustment (if applicable)
When driving with the full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel additional
caution should be given to:
•Towing a trailer
•Driving vehicles equipped with a camper body
•Driving vehicles with a load on the cargo rack
Drive cautiously when using a full-size dissimilar spare tire/wheel and
seek service as soon as possible.
T-type/Mini-spare tire information (Harley-Davidson only)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a temporary spare tire. This spare
tire is considered “temporary”. Replace the temporary spare with a tire
of the same size, speed rating, and load carrying capacity as the other
road tires as soon as possible.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
•Exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
•Load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•Tow a trailer
•Use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the temporary spare
tire
•Use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
Use of a temporary spare tire at any one wheel location can lead to
impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
219

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

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
283

Tonneau covers
Wheels
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
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
299

A
Accessory delay ..........................61
Air cleaner filter .......287–288, 290
Air conditioning ..........................39
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................110–111
and child safety seats ............112
description ..............................111
disposal ....................................114
driver airbag ............................113
indicator light .........................114
operation .................................113
passenger airbag .....................113
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................115
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................264
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................174–175
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................20, 22, 27
Automatic transmission ............178
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................180
fluid, adding ............................283
fluid, checking ........................283
fluid, refill capacities ..............291
Auxiliary power point .................59
Axle
refill capacities ........................291
traction lok ..............................178
B
Battery .......................................262
acid, treating emergencies .....262
jumping a disabled battery ....230maintenance-free ....................262
replacement, specifications ...290
servicing ..................................262
BeltMinder...............................106
Brakes ........................................174
anti-lock ...........................174–175
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................175
fluid, checking and adding ....282
fluid, refill capacities ..............291
parking ....................................176
shift interlock ..........................178
trailer .......................................161
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................48
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....291
Cassette tape player .............20, 22
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............120
child safety belts ....................120
Child safety seats ......................123
attaching with tether straps ..127
in front seat ............................124
in rear seat ..............................124
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............246
instrument panel ....................248
interior .....................................249
interior trim ............................249
plastic parts ............................247
safety belts ..............................249
washing ....................................245
waxing .....................................245
wheels ......................................246
wiper blades ............................248
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
301

Roadside assistance ..................205
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........110
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............................99–103
Safety defects, reporting ..........244
Safety restraints ..................99–103
BeltMinder............................106
extension assembly ................109
for adults .........................100–103
for children .....................119–120
lap belt ....................................104
safety belt maintenance .........110
warning light and
chime ...............................105–106
Safety seats for children ..........123
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................296
Satellite Radio Information ........32
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............99
Seats ............................................92
child safety seats ....................123
cleaning ...................................250
Servicing your vehicle ..............253
Snowplowing .................8, 201–204
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................290, 295
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Speed control ..............................64
Starting your
vehicle ........................169–170, 173jump starting ..........................230
Steering wheel
controls ......................................69
tilting .........................................57
T
Tailgate ..................................81–82
Tilt steering wheel ......................57
Tires ...................................133–134
alignment ................................142
care ..........................................139
changing ..................................222
checking the pressure ............138
inspecting and inflating .........135
label .........................................149
replacing ..................................141
rotating ....................................143
safety practices .......................142
sidewall information ...............144
snow tires and chains ............149
spare tire .........................217, 219
terminology .............................134
tire grades ...............................134
treadwear ........................133, 140
Towing .......................................157
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............161
trailer towing ..........................157
wrecker ....................................236
Traction-lok rear axle ...............178
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................161
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................287
Transmission
automatic operation .........58, 178
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....178
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................283
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
305