2008 FORD F250 ignition

An infant in a rear-facing seat faces a high risk of serious or fatal
injuries from a deploying passenger airbag. Rear facing infant
seats should NEVER be placed in the front seats, unless the passenger
airbag is turned off.
Turning the passenger airbag back on
The passenger airbag remains OFF until you turn it back ON.
1. Insert the ignition key and turn
the switch to ON.
2. The OFF light will briefly
illuminate when the ignition is
turned to On. This indicates that the
passenger airbag is operational.
If the OFF light is illuminated when the passenger airbag switch
is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the
passenger airbag switch serviced at your authorized dealer
immediately.
The passenger side airbag should always be ON (the airbag OFF light
shouldnotbe illuminated) unless the passenger is a person who meets
the requirements stated either in Category 1, 2 or 3 of the
NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria which follows.
The safety belts for the driver and right front passenger seating
positions have been specifically designed to function together
with the airbags in certain types of crashes. When you turn OFF your
airbag, you not only lose the protection of the airbag, you also may
reduce the effectiveness of your safety belt system, which was
designed to work with the airbag. If you are not a person who meets
the requirements stated in the NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation
criteria turning OFF the airbag can increase the risk of serious injury
or death in a collision.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
189

TPMS reset tool
A special TPMS reset tool has been provided with your vehicle to reset
your TPMS after tire rotation. The tool is located with your Owner’s
Guide materials.
Please take the tool with the
provided Velcro
strip on the back
and mount it in the bottom right
corner of your Owner’s Guide case
(as shown) for safe keeping.
If you find that the reset tool was
not provided when delivered, has
been lost or no longer functions
(the battery is not replaceable),
please contact your authorized
dealer to obtain a replacement.
To verify that your TPMS reset tool is working, press and release the
button on the center of the TPMS tool. The red light should illuminate
and remain on for approximately five (5) seconds. If the light does not
illuminate, the tool needs to be replaced.
TPMS reset tips
To reduce the chances of interference from another vehicle, TPMS reset
should be performed at least three feet (one meter) away from another
Ford Motor Company vehicle undergoing the TPMS reset procedure at
the same time.
Do not wait more than two (2) minutes between resetting each tire
sensor or the system will timeout and the entire procedure will have to
be repeated on all four wheels.
A double horn chirp indicates the need to repeat the procedure.
TPMS reset procedure
Note:It is recommended that you read the entire procedure before
attempting.
Note:To enter the reset mode, Steps 1–5 MUST be completed within 60
seconds.
1. The key must be in the ignition and the ignition turned to OFF/LOCK.
Press and release the brake pedal.
2. Cycle the ignition from OFF/LOCK to RUN three (3) times ending in
the RUN position.DO NOTstart the engine.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
230

3. Press and hold the brake pedal for two (2) seconds, then release.
4. Turn the ignition to OFF/LOCK (DO NOTremove the key.)
5. Cycle the ignition from OFF/LOCK to RUN three (3) times ending in
RUN.DO NOTstart the engine.
If reset mode has been entered successfully, the horn will sound once,
the TPMS indicator will flash and the message center will displayTRAIN
LF TIRE.
If after repeated attempts to enter reset mode, the horn does not sound,
the TPMS indicator does not flash and the message center does not
display TRAIN LF TIRE, seek service from your authorized dealer.
TPMS reset sequence
The TPMS system needs to be reset starting with the left front tire in
the following clockwise order:
1. Left front tire
2. Right front tire
3. Right rear tire
4. Left rear tire
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
231

1.Left front tire:Place the TPMS reset tool against the left front tire
where the tire meets the rim, opposite from the valve stem (1) as shown.
This is where the sensor is located inside the rim.
The tool needs to be held against the tire sidewall opposite the
valve stem as illustrated with the arrow on the tool pointing
towards the rim; do not use the tool with the arrow pointing away
from the rim as it may not activate the sensor.
2. Press and release the green button and hold the tool to the tire
sidewall until the horn sounds. The red light on the TPMS reset tool will
illuminate while the tool is active. The horn will sound once within 10
seconds to indicate the process was successful.
Note:If a double horn chirp is heard, repeat the procedure. If a single
horn chirp is not heard, move the vehicle to rotate the wheels at least a
14-turn and repeat the procedure. If the horn does not sound while
attempting to reset any wheel, seek service from your authorized dealer.
3. Perform Steps 1 and 2 on the right front, right rear and finally the left
rear tires.
Successful completion of the reset procedure can be verified by turning
the ignition to OFF without the horn sounding. If two short beeps are
heard, the reset procedure was unsuccessful and must be repeated.
If after repeating the procedure two short beeps are heard when the key
is turned to OFF, seek assistance from your authorized dealer.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
232

Integrated hitch rating
The standard integrated hitch has two ratings depending on mode of
operation:
•Weight carrying- requires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
•Weight distributing- requires an aftermarket weight distributing
system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. The vertical tongue load of the trailer is distributed between
the truck and the trailer by this system.
Hitch TypeMaximum
Gross Trailer
Weight — lb.
(kg)Maximum
Tongue Weight
— lb. (kg)
6.8L DRW Pickup
2.5” ID without
adapter (requires
2.5” drawbar)Weight carrying 8000 (3629) 800 (363)
Weight
distributing15000 (6804) 1500 (680)
6.8L DRW Pickup
2.5” ID with
adapter (requires
2” drawbar)Weight carrying 6000 (2721) 600 (272)
Weight
distributing12500 (5670) 1250 (567)
All SRW Pickups
and 5.4L DRW
Pickups
2” receiverWeight carrying 6000 (2721) 600 (272)
Weight
distributing12500 (5670) 1250 (567)
Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight exceeds the
limit of the towing system and could result in vehicle structural
damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
Weight distributing hitch
When hooking up a trailer using a weight distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and
all doors closed, allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes so that it
can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers
at the center of the vehicle.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
245

The Ford TBC has only been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles)
and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made.
The TBC user interface consists of
the following:
1.+/- (GAIN adjustment
buttons):Pressing these buttons
will adjust the TBC’s power output
to the trailer brakes (in 0.5
increments). The GAIN setting can
be increased to a maximum of 10.0
or decreased to a minimum of 0 (no
trailer braking). Pressing and
holding a button will raise or lower the setting continuously.
2.Trailer connection indicator:This lamp indicates trailer electrical
connection status.
•When a successful trailer connection is detected, the indicator will be
green.
•If the electrical connection is lost, the indicator will flash red. If the
connection is lost while the vehicle is stationary, the indicator will turn
off after 30 seconds. If the connection is lost while the vehicle is
moving, the indicator will flash until the ignition is turned off, then on
again or if there is a reconnection.
•If no electrical connection is detected after the ignition is turned on,
pressing a GAIN adjustment button will display the GAIN setting.
Sliding the manual control will display the GAIN setting, OUTPUT bar
graph and light the trailer indicator red.
3.GAIN setting display:Shows the current GAIN setting. This will
illuminate when a trailer is connected, flash if the trailer becomes
disconnected, or remain off if no trailer is connected.
4.OUTPUT bar graph:When the vehicle’s brake pedal is pushed, or
when the manual control is activated, green bar indicators will illuminate
to indicate the amount of power going to the trailer brakes relative to
the brake pedal or manual control input.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
247

6. If the trailer wheels lock-up (indicated by squealing tires), reduce the
GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the GAIN setting is at a point just below
trailer wheel lock-up. If towing a heavier trailer, trailer wheel lockup may
not be attainable even with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.
Explanation of instrument cluster messages:
The TBC interacts with the instrument cluster message center. These
messages, accompanied by a single chime, will be displayed when the
TBC determines a malfunction in the trailer connection, TBC system, or
in the trailer. These messages are listed below:
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped with message center) or
CHECK TRAILER (if equipped with mini message center):This
message is displayed when a trailer connection was determined and then
a disconnection, either intentionally or unintentionally, has been sensed
during a given ignition cycle. It is also displayed if a trailer fault occurs
causing the trailer to appear disconnected. This message is also
displayed during manual activation without a trailer connected.
TBC FAULT:This message is displayed in response to faults sensed by
the TBC. In the event this message is seen, please take your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair. The TBC may still function,
but performance may be degraded.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER:The TBC is capable of determining
certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system. These
faults do not mean there is anything wrong with the TBC. This message
is displayed when one of the following faults has occurred:
•Short circuit on the electric brake output wire:If the TRAILER
FAULT message is displayed with no trailer connected, the problem is
with the vehicle wiring from the TBC to the 7–pin connector in the
bumper. If the message is only displayed with a trailer connected, the
problem is related to the trailer wiring; consult your trailer dealer for
assistance. This can be a short to ground (i.e., chaffed wire) or a short
to voltage (i.e., pulled pin on trailer emergency break-away battery) or
trailer brakes drawing too much current.
Note:Your TBC can be diagnosed by your authorized dealer to
determine exactly which trailer fault has occurred; however, if the fault
is with the trailer this diagnosis isnotcovered under your Ford
warranty.
Points to Remember:
•Remember to adjust gain setting before using the TBC for the first
time.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
249

•Readjust GAIN setting on the TBC (according to procedure above)
whenever road, weather and trailer or vehicle loading conditions
change from those that existed when the gain was initially set.
•The sliding lever on the TBC should be used only for manual
activation of trailer brakes to assist with proper adjustment of the
GAIN. Misuse, such as application during trailer sway, could cause
instability of trailer and/or tow vehicle.
•Avoid towing in adverse weather conditions. The TBC does not
provide anti-lock control of the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can
lock-up on slippery surfaces, resulting in reduced stability of trailer
and tow vehicle.
•The TBC interacts with the brake system of the vehicle, including
ABS, in order to reduce the likelihood of trailer wheel lockup.
Therefore, if these systems are not functioning properly the TBC may
not function at full performance.
•When the vehicle is turned off, the TBC Output is disabled and the
display is shut down. Reactivation of the ignition from 3 (OFF) to 4
(ON) will awaken the TBC module.
•The TBC is only a factory or dealer installed item. Ford is not
responsible for warranty or performance of the TBC due to misuse or
customer installation.
•Do not attempt removal of the TBC without consulting the
Workshop Manual.Damage to the unit may result.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a one inch (2.5 cm) shank diameter. The bumper has a 5,000
lb. (2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lb. (227 kg) tongue weight capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
250