Introduction 4
Instrument Cluster 12
Warning lights and chimes 12
Gauges 18
Entertainment Systems 22
AM/FM stereo 22
AM/FM stereo with CD 24
AM/FM stereo with in-dash six CD 30
Auxiliary input jack 36
Satellite radio information 40
Navigation system 43
Family entertainment system 43
Climate Controls 71
Heater only 71
Manual heating and air conditioning 72
Dual automatic temperature control 75
Lights 80
Headlamps 80
Turn signal control 85
Bulb replacement 85
Driver Controls 94
Windshield wiper/washer control 94
Steering wheel adjustment 95
Power windows 98
Mirrors 99
Speed control 104
Upfitter controls 109
Moon roof 110
Message center 116
Tailgate 131
Table of Contents
1
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
(IF EQUIPPED)
•Manual heating and air
conditioning system
•Manual heating and air
conditioning system with heated
mirrors
•Manual heating and air
conditioning system with heated
mirrors and heated seats
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
72
1.Fan speed adjustment:Controls the volume of air circulated in the
vehicle.
2.Temperature selection:Controls the temperature of the airflow in
the vehicle.
3.Air flow selections:Controls the direction of the airflow in the
vehicle. See the following for a brief description on each control.
MAX A/C:Distributes recirculated air through the instrument panel
vents only to cool the vehicle. This re-cooling of the interior air is more
economical and efficient. Recirculated air may also help reduce
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents.
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents and the floor
vents.
O (OFF):Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
:Distributes air through the floor vents.
:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and floor
vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents. Can
be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
4.
Recirculated air:Press to activate/deactivate air recirculation
in cabin. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time to cool down
the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired odors
from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculation engages
automatically with selection of MAX A/C or can be engaged manually in
any other airflow selection except defrost. Recirculation may turn off
automatically in all airflow selections except MAX A/C.
5.A/C:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. Engages
automatically in MAX A/C,
and.
6.
(Heated mirrors):Press to turn the heated mirrors on and off.
The heated mirrors turn off automatically after 10 minutes.
7.
(Heated seats):Press to turn the heated seats on and off. The
heated seats automatically shut off after 10 minutes. The heated seats
turn off when the ignition is turned off.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
73
4.Recirculation control:Press to activate/deactivate air
recirculation in cabin. Recirculated air may reduce the amount of time to
cool down the interior of the vehicle and may also help reduce undesired
odors from reaching the interior of the vehicle. Recirculation can be
engaged manually in any other airflow selection except
(defrost).
Recirculation may turn off automatically in all airflow selections except
MAX A/C.
5.A/C control:Press to activate/deactivate air conditioning. Use with
recirculated air to improve cooling performance and efficiency. Engages
automatically in AUTO,
(defrost) and(floor/defrost).
6.
:Distributes air through the windshield defroster vents and floor
vents.
7.
:Distributes air through the floor vents.
8.
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents and the floor
vents.
9.
:Distributes air through the instrument panel vents.
10.Manual override controls:Allows you to manually select where
airflow is directed. To return to full automatic control, press AUTO.
11.
Fan speed control:Press to manually increase or decrease the
fan speed. To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTO.
12.EXT:Press to display outside temperature. Press again to display
cabin temperature settings.
13.OFF:Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
14.Driver temperature control:Press to increase/decrease the driver
side temperature in the vehicle cabin.
15.AUTO:To engage automatic temperature control, press AUTO and
select the desired temperature using the temperature control. The
system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow location, A/C on
or off, and outside or recirculated air, to heat or cool the vehicle to reach
the desired temperature.
16.
Heated seat controls:Press to turn the heated seats on and off.
The heated seats automatically turn off after 10 minutes, or when the
ignition is turned off.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
77
Usually, when something affects the compass readings, the compass will
correct itself after a few days of operating your vehicle in normal
conditions. If the compass still appears to be inaccurate, a manual
calibration may be necessary. Refer toCompass zone/calibration
adjustment.
Most geographic areas (zones) have a magnetic north compass point that
varies slightly from the northerly direction on maps. This variation is four
degrees between adjacent zones and will become noticeable as the
vehicle crosses multiple zones. A correct zone setting will eliminate this
error. Refer toCompass zone/calibration adjustment.
Compass zone/calibration adjustment
1. Determine your magnetic zone by
referring to the zone map.
2. Turn ignition to the RUN position.
3. Start the engine.
4. From the SETUP menu, press
and release the RESET control until
the message center display changes
to show the current zone setting
(XX).
5. Press and release the RESET control repeatedly until the correct zone
setting for your geographic location is displayed on the message center.
The range of zone values are from 1 to 15 and “wraps” back to 1.
6. To exit the zone setting mode, and to “lock in” your change:
•press and release the SETUP control or,
•press INFO control to exit or,
•wait 4 seconds and the zone will be “locked in”.
Perform compass calibration in an open area free from steel structures
and high voltage lines. For optimum calibration, turn off all electrical
accessories (heater/air conditioning, wipers, etc.) and make sure all
vehicle doors are shut.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
127
Note:If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still
fails to start, press the accelerator to the floor and try again; this will
allow the engine to crank with the fuel shut off in case the engine is
flooded with fuel.
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,it will have a
computer assisted cranking system. This feature assists in starting the
engine. If the ignition key is turned to the 4 (START) position, and then
released when the engine begins cranking, the engine may continue
cranking for up to 10 seconds or until the vehicle starts
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
USING THE ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
Use of an engine block heater is
strongly recommended if you live in
a region where temperatures reach
-10°F (-23°C) or below. For best
results, plug the heater in at least
three hours before starting the
vehicle. The heater can be plugged
in the night before starting the
vehicle. The plug for the block
heater is exposed in the front of the
vehicle, beneath the grille. Vehicles
equipped with a gasoline engine have the plug exposed on the driver
side of the vehicle; vehicles equipped with a Diesel engine have the plug
exposed on the passenger side of the vehicle.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
234
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The message center will indicate
the engine is overheating.
•TheCheck engineindicator
(
) will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
329
A
Accessory delay ..........................99
Air cleaner filter ...............348–350
Air conditioning ..........................75
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................171–172
and child safety seats ............173
description ..............................172
disposal ....................................175
driver airbag ............................174
indicator light .........................175
operation .................................174
passenger airbag .....................174
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................176
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................324
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................235
Anti-theft system ......................148
arming the system ..................149
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................22, 24, 30
Automatic transmission ............240
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................241
fluid, adding ............................343
fluid, checking ........................343
fluid, refill capacities ..............352
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................36
Auxiliary power point .................96
Axle
refill capacities ........................352
traction lok ..............................239
B
Battery .......................................322acid, treating emergencies .....322
jumping a disabled battery ....290
maintenance-free ....................322
replacement, specifications ...350
servicing ..................................322
Belt-Minder.............................167
Brakes ........................................235
anti-lock ...................................235
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................235
fluid, checking and adding ....342
fluid, refill capacities ..............352
parking ....................................236
shift interlock ..........................240
trailer .......................................223
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................85
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....352
Cassette tape player ...................22
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............181
child safety belts ....................181
Child safety seats ......................184
attaching with tether straps ..188
in front seat ............................185
in rear seat ..............................185
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............307
instrument panel ....................309
interior .....................................310
plastic parts ............................309
safety belts ..............................310
washing ....................................306
waxing .....................................306
wheels ......................................307
wiper blades ............................309
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
361