Page 10 of 400
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAirbag - Front
Airbag - SideChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemParking Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedParking Aid System
Stability Control SystemSpeed Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 14 of 400

Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the RUN
position when the engine is not running, or in a position between RUN
and START, or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned
to the RUN position. If the brake system warning light does not
illuminate at this time, seek service immediately from your authorized
dealer. Illumination after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected immediately by
your servicing authorized dealer.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer immediately. Driving extended
distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake failure and
the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system:If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to RUN, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will also sound
when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14
ProCarManuals.com
Page 18 of 400

•Low oil pressure
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake on warning chime:Sounds when the parking brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph (5
km). If the warning remains on after the parking brake is off, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Turn signal chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has been
activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is driven
more than 2 miles (3.2 km).
Message center activation chime:Sounds when some warning
messages appears in the message center display for the first time.
Overspeed chime (if equipped):Sounds when the vehicle speed
reaches 75 mph (120 km/h) or higher.
Airbag secondary warning chime:Sounds to inform the driver, in the
event that the airbag readiness warning lamp is inoperable, that there is
a fault in the supplemental restraint system
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
18
ProCarManuals.com
Page 86 of 400
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the on position,
•the headlamp control is in the
(OFF) or parking lamp position
and
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash-to-pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
OFF
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
86
ProCarManuals.com
Page 108 of 400
Mirror mounted side turn signal indicator (if equipped)
When the vehicle turn signals are
activated, the outer portion of the
mirror housing will blink amber.
The turn signal feature can be seen
by other drivers who may approach
from the rear of the vehicle.
Clearance lamps (if equipped)
Illuminates when the headlamps or
parking lamps are switched on.
This provides additional visibility of
your vehicle to other drivers on the
road.
POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDALS (IF EQUIPPED)
The accelerator and brake pedal
should only be adjusted when the
vehicle is stopped and the gearshift
lever is in the P (Park) position.
Press and hold the rocker control to
adjust accelerator and brake pedal
toward you or away from you.
The adjustment allows for approximately 2.75 inches (70 mm) of
maximum travel.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
108
ProCarManuals.com
Page 125 of 400

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
125
ProCarManuals.com
Page 137 of 400
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
137
ProCarManuals.com
Page 181 of 400

Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an airbag” Airbags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
Do not sit on tope of a buckled safety belt or insert a latchplate
into the buckle to avoid the Belt-Minderchime. To do so may
adversely affect the performance of the vehicle’s air bag system
One-time disable
Any time the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an
ignition ON cycle, the Belt-Minderwill be disabled for that ignition
cycle only.
Deactivating/activating the Belt-Minderfeature (Driver only)
Read Steps1-5thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The Belt-Minderfeature can be deactivated/activated by performing the
following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that the following conditions
are met:
•the parking brake is set
•the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission)
•the ignition switch is in the OFF position
•all vehicle doors are closed
•the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled
•the parklamps/headlamps are in the OFF position (If the vehicle is
equipped with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure)
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
181
ProCarManuals.com