Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
11
into four-wheel drive mode (if equipped), the traction control system will
be automatically disabled. Traction control operation will resume when
the vehicle is placed back into two-wheel drive mode.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control™
event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control™ switch,
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the climate control
system, has an indicator light that
illuminates when the system is off.
The Traction Control™ system will
automatically turn on every time the
ignition is turned off and on. The
Traction Control™ system should normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control™ system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control™ button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than three to five seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused by low power steering fluid.
Check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your dealer.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
263
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Refer to the6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplementfor diesel engine component
locations.
5.4L V8 gasoline engines
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Battery
3. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Power distribution box
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
348
6.8L V10 gasoline engine
1. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
2. Battery
3. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Air filter assembly
10. Power distribution box
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
349
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.
•Gasoline engine shown; diesel
engine similar. Refer to
Identifying components in the
engine compartmentin the6.0
and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke
Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner Guide Supplement.
Check the fluid level when it is at ambient temperature, 20°F–80°F
(-7°C–25°C):
1. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX range. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
2. If the fluid level is low. Add fluid to bring fluid level up to be between
the MIN and MAX range.
3. Start the engine.
4. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
5. Turn the engine off.
6. Recheck the fluid level in the reservoir. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the MIN and MAX range.
7. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it is between the MIN and MAX range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
373
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Hinges, latches, striker
plates, fuel filler door
hinge and seat tracks— Multi-Purpose GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylinders —Motorcraft Penetrating
and Lock LubricantXL-1 / None
Transmission / parking
brake linkages and
pivots, brake and clutch
pedal shaft (if
equipped)—Motorcraft Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K /
WSD-M1C227-A
Power steering fluidKeep fluid level
between MIN and
MAX on reservoirMERCONV Automatic
Transmission FluidXT-5-QMC / MERCON
V
Transfer case fluid 2.0 quarts (1.9L)Motorcraft Transfer Case
FluidXL-12 / —
Manual transmission
fluid5.8 quarts (5.5L)
4
Motorcraft Full Synthetic
Manual Transmission
FluidXT-M5-QM /
WSS-M2C200–C
Automatic transmission
fluid
3
17.5 quarts
(16.6L)
5(includes
remote filter
element change)Motorcraft MERCONSP
AT FXT-6–QSP/MERCONSP
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
385
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............80
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................34
AM/FM/CD .................................28
Clutch
fluid ..........................................375
operation while driving ..........269
recommended shift speeds ....270
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment
...............134
Console
......................................120
overhead
..................................100
Controls
power seat
...............................165
steering column
......................112
Coolant
checking and adding
..............356
refill capacities
................359, 383
Cruise control
(see Speed control)
..................109
Customer Assistance
................294
Ford accessories for your
vehicle
.....................................345
Ford Extended Service
Plan
..........................................333
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada
.....................334
Getting roadside assistance
...294
Getting the service you
need
.........................................329
Ordering additional owner’s
literature
.................................335
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program
...................................333D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................86
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................375
engine oil .................................351
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................380
Driving under special
conditions ..................269, 284, 288
sand .........................................286
snow and ice ...........................288
through water .................287, 290
DVD system .................................48
E
Electronic message
center .................................120, 129
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................322
Emergency Flashers .................296
Emission control system ..........370
Engine ........................................387
cleaning ...................................338
coolant .....................................356
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................360
idle speed control ...................354
refill capacities ........................383
service points ..................348–349
starting after a collision .........296
Engine oil ..................................351
checking and adding ..............351
dipstick ....................................351
filter, specifications ........353, 382
recommendations ...................353
refill capacities ........................383
Event data recording ....................6
Exhaust fumes ..........................258
F
Fail safe cooling ........................360
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
393
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