Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Engine coolant - 6.8L
V10 engine
2
27.5 quarts
(26.0L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine and fuel coolant
- diesel engineRefer to the6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement
Engine oil (includes
filter change) - 5.4L V8
and 6.8L V10 gas
engines
6
7.0 quarts (6.6L)Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Premium Synthetic
Blend Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
Super Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP (US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada) /
WSS-M2C930-A and API
Certification Mark
Engine oil (includes
filter change) - diesel
engine
6
Refer to the6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement
Fuel tank - Mid-ship
tank (optional on
Chassis Cab)19.0 gallons
(71.9L)——
Fuel tank - Short box30.5 gallons
(115.5L)——
Fuel tank - Long box38.0 gallons
(143.9L)——
Fuel tank - Aft axle40.0 gallons
(151.4L)——
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
353
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
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
354
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Windshield washer fluid 3.5 quarts (3.3L)Motorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A /
WSB-M8B16–A2
1Add 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification
EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited slip Ford axles. Ford design rear axles contain a
synthetic lubricant that does not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick blade or the dipstick handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being
added is of the correct type. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationto determine the
correct service interval.
Automatic transmissions that require MERCONSP should only use MERCONSP fluid.
Use of a dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCONSP may cause
transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause
transmission damage.4Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with
the vehicle on a level surface. The 6–speed manual transmission is equipped with an in-tank cooler.
Verify the fluid level after operating vehicle to ensure correct fluid level.5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
355
ENGINE DATA
Engine 5.4L V8 engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 330 415
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark plug gap1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)*1.02–1.28mm
(0.040–0.050 inch)*
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1 9.2:1
*The 5.4L 3V and 6.8L 3V spark plug gap CANNOT be adjusted.
Drivebelt routing
5.4L V8/6.8L V10 engines
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
356
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Compliance Certification Label
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration Regulations require
that a Safety Compliance
Certification Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe where the
Safety Compliance Certification
Label may be located. The Safety
Compliance Certification Label is
located on the structure by the
trailing edge of the driver’s door or
the edge of the driver’s door.
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number is
attached to a metal tag and is
located on the driver side
instrument panel. (Please note that
in the graphic XXXX is
representative of your vehicle
identification number.)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
357
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake type and gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR)
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a transmission/transaxle code on the vehicle Safety
Compliance Certification Label. The following table tells you which
transmission or transaxle each code represents.
Code Description
5 Six-speed manual, Dana (ZF S6–650)
7 Six-speed manual, Dana (ZF M6HD-W)
T Five-speed automatic, TorqShift (gas engines)
B Five-speed automatic, TorqShift (diesel engine)
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
358
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
recommendations ...................321
refill capacities ........................352
Exhaust fumes ..........................234
F
Fail safe cooling ........................328
Family entertainment system ....43
Fluid capacities .........................352
Foglamps .....................................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......248
description ..............................252
driving off road .......................254
electronic shift ................248, 252
indicator light .........................249
lever operated shift ................250
manual locking hubs ..............248
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................239
Fuel ............................................330
calculating fuel
economy ..........................124, 335
cap ...........................................332
capacity ...................................352
choosing the right fuel ...........333
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................338
detergent in fuel .....................334
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................330, 332, 335
filter, specifications ........330, 350
fuel pump shut-off switch .....267
improving fuel economy ........335
octane rating ...................334, 356
quality ......................................334
running out of fuel .................334
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................330
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......267
Fuses ..................................268–269G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............332
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................335
Gauges .........................................18
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................22
H
Hazard flashers .........................267
Head restraints .........................151
Headlamps ...................................80
aiming ..................................82, 84
autolamp system .......................80
daytime running lights .............81
flash to pass ..............................81
high beam .................................81
replacing bulbs .............86, 88–90
turning on and off ....................80
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................71–72, 75
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................112
Hood ..........................................315
I
Ignition ...............................231, 356
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................184
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................340
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................309
cluster ........................................12
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
363