
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.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
372

A
Accessory delay ........................103
Air cleaner filter ...............380, 382
Air conditioning ..........................80
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................184
and child safety seats ............185
description ..............................184
disposal ....................................188
driver airbag ............................186
indicator light .........................187
operation .................................186
passenger airbag .....................186
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................188
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................356
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................260–261
Anti-theft system ......................159
arming the system ..................160
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................23, 25, 32
Automatic transmission ............265
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................267
fluid, adding ............................375
fluid, checking ........................375
fluid, refill capacities ..............383
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................40
Auxiliary power point ...............100
Axle
refill capacities ........................383
traction lok ..............................264
B
Battery .......................................354acid, treating emergencies .....354
jumping a disabled battery ....322
maintenance-free ....................354
replacement, specifications ...382
servicing ..................................354
Belt-Minder.............................179
Brakes ........................................260
anti-lock ...........................260–261
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................261
fluid, checking and adding ....374
fluid, refill capacities ..............383
parking ....................................261
shift interlock ..........................265
trailer .......................................246
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................91
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....383
Cassette tape player ...................23
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............193
child safety belts ....................193
Child safety seats ......................196
attaching with tether straps ..200
in front seat ............................197
in rear seat ..............................197
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............338
instrument panel ............340–341
interior .....................................342
plastic parts ............................340
safety belts ..............................342
washing ....................................337
waxing .....................................337
wheels ......................................338
wiper blades ............................340
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
392

autolock ...................................147
programming entry code .......157
Keys ...........................................160
positions of the ignition .........255
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................85
daytime running light ...............86
fog lamps ...................................85
headlamps .................................85
headlamps, flash to pass ..........86
instrument panel, dimming .....87
interior lamps ...........................91
replacing bulbs .............91, 93–97
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................90
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........261
Load limits .................................236
Loading instructions .................242
Locks
autolock ...................................147
childproof ................................150
Lug nuts ....................................321
Lumbar support, seats .............167
M
Manual transmission .................269
fluid capacities ........................383
reverse .....................................271
Message center .................120, 129
english/metric button .............132
system check button ..............132
warning messages ...........124, 135
Mirrors ...............................100, 103
fold away .........................105, 107heated ......................................105
side view mirrors (power) .....104
signal .......................................108
Moon roof ..................................115
Motorcraft parts ................362, 382
N
Navigation system .......................47
O
Octane rating ............................366
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................351
Overdrive .....................................99
P
Parking brake ............................261
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....382
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................108
Power adjustable foot pedals ...108
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................303
Power door locks ......................146
Power mirrors ...........................104
Power point ...............................100
Power steering ..........................263
fluid, checking and adding ....373
fluid, refill capacity ................383
Power Windows .........................102
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................264
R
Radio ................................23, 25, 32
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
395

Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................48
Rear video camera ....................274
Relays ........................................297
Remote entry system ...............151
illuminated entry ............155–156
locking/unlocking
doors ........................146, 151–152
Reverse sensing system ...........272
Roadside assistance ..................294
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........183
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........170, 172–174, 176
Safety defects, reporting ..335–336
Safety
restraints ...........170, 172–174, 176
Belt-Minder...........................179
extension assembly ................183
for adults .................172–174, 176
for children .....................192–193
lap belt ....................................178
safety belt maintenance .........183
warning light and
chime ...............................178–179
Safety seats for children ..........196
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................388
Satellite Radio Information ........44
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............170
Seats ..........................................162
child safety seats ....................196
cleaning ...................................343
heated ........................................80
memory seat ...................152, 168SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................159–160
Servicing your vehicle ..............346
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................28
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................34
Snowplowing .................8, 291–293
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................382, 387
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Speed control ............................109
Starting your vehicle ........255–257
jump starting ..........................322
Steering wheel
controls ....................................112
tilting .........................................99
T
Tailgate ......................................140
Tilt steering wheel ......................99
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....224
Tires ...................................206–208
alignment ................................216
care ..........................................212
changing ..........................310, 312
checking the pressure ............211
inflating ...................................209
label .........................................223
replacing ..................................214
rotating ....................................217
safety practices .......................215
sidewall information ...............219
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
396

snow tires and chains ............235
spare tire .........................308–309
terminology .............................208
tire grades ...............................207
treadwear ........................207, 213
Towing .......................................242
recreational towing .................253
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............246
trailer towing ..........................242
wrecker ....................................327
Traction control ........................262
Traction-lok rear axle ...............264
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................246
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................379
Transmission
automatic operation .........99, 265
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....265
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................375
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................378
fluid, refill capacities ..............383manual operation ....................269
Turn signal ..................................90
U
Upfitter controls .......................114
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................388
Vehicle loading ..........................236
Ventilating your vehicle ...........258
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................350
Water, Driving through .............290
Windows
power .......................................102
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................98
checking and adding fluid .....350
replacing wiper blades ...........350
Wrecker towing .........................327
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
397