2008 FORD SUPER DUTY brake fluid

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

bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light description for additional information.
Note:Some Warning Lights are reconfigurable telltale (RTT) indicator
lights and will illuminate in the Message Center Display and function the
same as the warning light.
Check engine:TheCheck engine
indicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the RUN
position to check the bulb. Solid
illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer toOn
board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
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.
P!
BRAKE
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
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The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
SELECT/RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into two categories:
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-RUN cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Park brake engaged Warning returns after
10 minutes if condition
still exists. Check brake system
Driver door ajar Warning returns after
the ignition key is
turned from OFF to
RUN. Passenger door ajar
Rear left door ajar
Rear right door ajar
Low fuel level
Trailer fault (if equipped)
TBC fault (if equipped)
Trailer disconnected (if equipped)
Check air filter (Diesel engine only)
Low brake fluid level
Drain water separator (Diesel engine only)
DRIVER DOOR AJARDisplayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJARDisplayed when the passenger’s door is not
completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJARDisplayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJARDisplayed when the rear right door is not
completely closed.
LOW FUEL LEVEL
Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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PARK BRAKE ENGAGEDDisplayed when the parking brake is applied
(or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEMDisplayed when a fault has been detected by
the ABS module.
TRAILER FAULT (if equipped):Displayed if there is a short circuit on
the electric brake output wire or the trailer brakes are drawing too much
current. Refer toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TBC FAULT (if equipped):Displayed in response to faults sensed by
the trailer brake controller (TBC). In the event this message is seen,
please take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair.
Refer toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped):Displayed when a trailer
connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally,
and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer toIntegrated
trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
CHECK AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only):Refer toInstrument
Clusterin your6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVELIndicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
in theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
DRAIN WATER SEPARATOR (Diesel engine only)Displayed when
the water separator has reached a predetermined capacity and needs to
be drained. Refer to your6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection
Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplementfor more information.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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Warning messages that have been reset are divided into two categories:
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-RUN cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Park brake engaged Warning returns after
10 minutes if condition
still exists. Check brake system
Driver door ajar Warning returns after
the ignition key is
turned from OFF to
RUN. Passenger door ajar
Rear left door ajar
Rear right door ajar
Low fuel level
Trailer fault (if equipped)
TBC fault (if equipped)
Trailer disconnected (if equipped)
Check air filter (Diesel engine only)
Low brake fluid level
Drain water separator (Diesel engine only)
DRIVER DOOR AJARDisplayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJARDisplayed when the passenger’s door is not
completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJARDisplayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJARDisplayed when the rear right door is not
completely closed.
LOW FUEL LEVEL
Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel condition.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGEDDisplayed when the parking brake is applied
(or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEMDisplayed when a fault has been detected by
the ABS module.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
129

TRAILER FAULT (if equipped):Displayed if there is a short circuit on
the electric brake output wire or the trailer brakes are drawing too much
current. Refer toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TBC FAULT (if equipped):Displayed in response to faults sensed by
the trailer brake controller (TBC). In the event this message is seen,
please take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and repair.
Refer toIntegrated trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped):Displayed when a trailer
connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally,
and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer toIntegrated
trailer brake controllerin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
CHECK AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only):Refer toInstrument
Clusterin your6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVELIndicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
in theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
DRAIN WATER SEPARATOR (Diesel engine only)Displayed when
the water separator has reached a predetermined capacity and needs to
be drained. Refer to your6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection
Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplementfor more information.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
130

Loaded vehicles may handle differently than unloaded vehicles.
Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and increased stopping
distance, should be taken when driving a heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Note:The trailer towing charts in this section apply to vehicles equipped
with gasoline engines; for vehicles equipped with diesel engines, refer to
your6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s
Guide Supplement.
Your vehicle may tow a Conventional/Class IV trailer or fifth wheel trailer
provided the maximum trailer weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for your engine and rear axle ratio on the
following charts.
To calculate your maximum trailer weight:
For pickup trucks:Take curb weight, hitch hardware and the driver’s
weight, then subtract them from the GCWR listed for your vehicle series,
engine, transmission and drive axle ratio(refer to the chart/table in the
following text). This calculation will give you the maximum trailer
weight possible for your vehicle.
For chassis cabs and pickup trucks with aftermarket equipment:
Weigh your vehicle at a certified scale and subtract this actual curb
weight, hitch hardware, and the driver’s weight from the GCWR listed for
your vehicle series, engine, transmission and drive axle ratio(refer to
the chart/table in the following text). This calculation will give you the
maximum trailer weight possible for your vehicle.
The weight of all additional cargo and passengers must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight calculated above.
Further trailer/hitch restrictions and limitations exist depending on the
type of trailer and hitch used. These additional maximum trailer weight
and tongue load limitations are listed in the chart/table that follows the
listing of GCWRs.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully prior to and after any towing operation. Refer to
Transmission fluid temperature gaugein theInstrument Cluster
chapter for the transmission fluid temperature information.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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Note:Adjusting a weight distributing hitch so the rear bumper of the
vehicle is higher than it was unloaded will defeat the function of the
weight distributing hitch and may cause unpredictable handling.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
If you own a trailer with a hydraulic brake system, do not
connect the trailer’s hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle’s brake system. The vehicle’s brake system is only designed to
carry the appropriate amount of brake fluid for the vehicle alone.
Connecting a hydraulic trailer braking system could adversely affect
your vehicle’s braking performance.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Integrated trailer brake controller (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a fully integrated electronic Trailer
Brake Controller (TBC). When used properly, the TBC helps ensure
smooth and effective trailer braking by powering the trailer’s electric
brakes with a proportional output based on the towing vehicle’s brake
pressure.
The Ford TBC has only been verified to be compatible with
trailers having electric-actuated drum brakes (one to four axles)
and not hydraulic surge or electric-over-hydraulic types. It is the
responsibility of the customer to ensure that the trailer brakes are
adjusted appropriately, functioning normally and all electric
connections are properly made.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
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