2008 FORD F350 check oil

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
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Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder

chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder
chime feature.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer toEngine oil
in theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Low tire pressure warning
(if equipped):Illuminates when
your tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter. When the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will
illuminate for 3 seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does
not turn on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For
more information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Powertrain malfunction/Reduced
power/Electronic throttle
control (RTT):Displays when the
engine has defaulted to a
“limp-home” operation or when a
transmission problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. If the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Traction Control™ (RTT)
(if equipped):Displays when the
Traction Control™ system is active.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Standard instrument cluster
Harley-Davidson instrument
cluster
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your authorized dealer.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the RUN position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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Warning display Status
Low tire pressure (if equipped) Warning can be cleared by pressing
the RESET button. Warning can
reappear if the condition is still
present. Warning will reappear on the
next ignition key-cycle if the condition
still exists. Tire Monitor Fault (if
equipped)
Tire Sensor Fault (if equipped)
Check air filter (diesel engine
only)
Drain water separator (diesel
engine only)
Stop safely now (diesel engine
only)
Engine warming please wait
xx(diesel engine only)
OK to drive (diesel engine
only)
Engine turns off in xx (diesel
engine only)
Engine turned off (diesel
engine only)
Drive to clean exhaust system
(diesel engine only)
Cleaning exhaust filter (diesel
engine only)
Exhaust filter drive complete
(diesel engine only)
Oil change required/Engine oil
change soon (diesel engine
only)
Oil life ok (diesel engine only)
PARK BRAKE ENGAGEDDisplayed when the parking brake is applied
(or not fully released).
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT (if equipped):Displayed when a
tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, have the system inspected by your
authorized dealer.
CHECK AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only):Refer toInstrument
Clusterin your6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
DRAIN WATER SEPARATOR (Diesel engine only)Displayed when
the water separator has reached a predetermined capacity and needs to
be drained. Refer to your6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct
Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplementfor more
information.
STOP SAFELY NOW (Diesel engine only)Displayed when the
vehicle exhaust system temperature exceeds intended operating range. If
this warning occurs, the engine power is reduced and the engine will
shutdown when the vehicle speed is below 3 mph (5 km/h).Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possibleand contact your authorized dealer.
Depending on the severity of the over-temperature condition, the vehicle
may or may not restart after cycling the ignition off. If the vehicle
restarts, there may be limited power, or there could be full function. If
the exhaust over-temperature condition reoccurs the message center will
display, STOP SAFELY NOW, the chime will sound, the engine power will
be reduced again and shut down below 3 mph (5km/h).
ENGINE TURNS OFF IN XX (Diesel engine only).Displayed when
the vehicle is in the final 30 seconds of a countdown to where the engine
will intentionally be turned off by the PCM. The diesel engine shutdown
is a (Regulatory) requirement which may be required of a particular
diesel vehicle for sale in States requiring this feature.
ENGINE TURNED OFF (Diesel engine only).Displayed after the 30
second countdown.
ENGINE WARMING PLEASE WAIT XX (Diesel engine only).
Displayed in extremely cold weather; typically around –15°F (–26°C).
The accelerator pedal will not respond to pressing; this is done so the
engine oil can be properly circulated to avoid engine damage from lack
of lubrication. A timer will begin a countdown from 30 seconds, then OK
TO DRIVE will display once the counter has reached 0 (zero) and the
accelerator pedal will respond to pressing.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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Warning display Status
Check air filter (diesel engine
only)
Drain water separator (diesel
engine only)
Stop safely now (diesel engine
only)
Engine warming please wait
xx(diesel engine only)
OK to drive (diesel engine
only)
Engine turns off in xx (diesel
engine only)
Engine turned off (diesel
engine only)
Drive to clean exhaust system
(diesel engine only)
Cleaning exhaust filter (diesel
engine only)
Exhaust filter drive complete
(diesel engine only)
Oil change required/Engine oil
change soon (diesel engine
only)
Oil life ok (diesel engine only)
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the parking brake is
applied (or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when a fault has been detected
by the ABS module.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger’s door is not
completely closed.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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Note:Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades
and the windshield; refer toWindows and wiper bladesin the
Cleaningchapter.
Note:To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended
to scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil dipstick.
•5.4L/6.8L gasoline engines only;
for diesel engine information,
refer to the6.0 and 6.4 Liter
Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
•Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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