4. Driving through deep water - the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel cap or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the
indicator should stay off
the next time the engine is started. A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If the
indicator remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some malfunctions detected by the
OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent, continued driving
with the
indicator on can result in increased emissions, lower fuel
economy, reduced engine and transmission smoothness, and lead to more
costly repairs.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If the
indicator is on, refer to the
description in the Warning lights and chimes section of the Instrument
Cluster chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with the
indicator on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
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.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
340
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
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................82
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......290
K
Keyless entry system ...............146
autolock ...................................136
programming entry code .......146
Keys ...........................................149
positions of the ignition .........231
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................80
daytime running light ...............81
fog lamps ...................................80
headlamps .................................80
headlamps, flash to pass ..........81
instrument panel, dimming .....82
interior lamps ...........................85
replacing bulbs ....... 85–86, 88–93
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................85
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........235
Load limits .................................212
Loading instructions .................218
Locks
autolock ...................................136
childproof ................................140
Lug nuts ....................................289
Lumbar support, seats .............155
M
Manual transmission .................244fluid capacities ........................352
reverse .....................................245
Message center .................116, 122
english/metric button .............126
system check button ..............125
warning messages ...........119, 128
Mirrors ...................................96, 99
fold away .................100, 102–103
heated ......................................100
side view mirrors (power) .....100
signal .......................................103
Moon roof ..................................110
Motorcraft parts ................330, 350
N
Navigation system .......................43
O
Octane rating ............................334
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................319
Overdrive .....................................95
P
Parking brake ............................236
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....350
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................104
Power adjustable foot pedals ...104
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................273
Power door locks ......................136
Power mirrors ...........................100
Power point .................................96
Power steering ..........................238
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
364
fluid, checking and adding ....340
fluid, refill capacity ................352
Power Windows ...........................98
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................239
R
Radio ................................22, 24, 30
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................43
Relays ........................................268
Remote entry system ...............141
illuminated entry ............144, 146
locking/unlocking doors .........136
Reverse sensing system ...........246
Roadside assistance ..................265
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........170
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........158, 160–162, 164
Safety defects,
reporting ............................304–305
Safety
restraints ...........158, 160–162, 164
Belt-Minder...........................167
extension assembly ................170
for adults .................160–162, 164
for children .....................180–181
lap belt ....................................166
safety belt maintenance .........170
warning light and
chime ...............................166–167
Safety seats for children ..........184
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................357Satellite Radio Information ........40
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............158
Seats ..........................................151
child safety seats ....................184
cleaning ...................................311
heated ........................................75
memory seat ...................142, 156
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................148–149
Servicing your vehicle ..............314
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................25
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................31
Snowplowing .................8, 262–264
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................350, 356
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............8
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Speed control ............................104
Starting your vehicle ........231–233
jump starting ..........................290
Steering wheel
controls ....................................107
tilting .........................................95
T
Tailgate ......................................131
Tilt steering wheel ......................95
Tires ...................................194–195
alignment ................................204
care ..........................................200
changing ..........................279, 282
checking the pressure ............199
inflating ...................................196
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
365
label .........................................211
replacing ..................................202
rotating ....................................204
safety practices .......................203
sidewall information ...............206
snow tires and chains ............211
spare tire .................................278
terminology .............................195
tire grades ...............................195
treadwear ........................194, 201
Towing .......................................219
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............223
trailer towing ..........................219
wrecker ....................................296
Traction control ........................237
Traction-lok rear axle ...............239
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................223
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................348
Transmission
automatic operation .........95, 240
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....240
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................343
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................347fluid, refill capacities ..............352
manual operation ....................244
Turn signal ..................................85
U
Upfitter controls .......................109
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................357
Vehicle loading ..........................212
Ventilating your vehicle ...........234
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................318
Water, Driving through .............262
Windows
power .........................................98
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................94
checking and adding fluid .....318
replacing wiper blades ...........318
Wrecker towing .........................296
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
366