
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)

HEATER ONLY SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
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:
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents.
:Distributes outside air through the instrument panel vents and the
floor vents.
O (OFF):Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.
:Distributes outside air through the floor vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents,
floor vents and demister vents.
:Distributes outside air through the windshield defroster vents and
demister vents. Can be used to clear windshield of fog and thin ice.
Operating tips
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle during cold or warm
weather, do not drive with the air flow selector in the O (OFF)
position.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the air
flow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Modulate the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Climate Controls
71

The mirror will automatically return to the normal state whenever the
vehicle is placed in R (Reverse) (when the mirror is on) to ensure a
bright clear view when backing up.
Do not block the sensors on the front and back of the inside rear
view mirror since this may impair proper mirror performance.
Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED)
To adjust your mirrors:
1. Rotate the control clockwise to
adjust the right mirror and rotate
the control counterclockwise to
adjust the left mirror.
2. Move the control in the direction
you wish to tilt the mirror.
3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.
The spotter mirror below the main glass (if equipped) must be adjusted
manually.
Heated outside mirrors
(if equipped)
The main mirror glass is heated to
remove ice, mist and fog. To activate
the heated mirrors, press the heated
mirror control (
) located on the
climate control panel. The heated
mirrors will operate for 10 minutes,
then automatically shut off (or shut
off when the engine is turned off).
In cases of extreme ice and cold, the
heater control may need pressing
again after 10 minutes in order to
fully clear the glass. The spotter mirror below the main glass is not heated.
Do not remove ice from the mirrors with a scraper or attempt to
re-adjust the mirror glass if it is frozen in place. These actions
could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Fold-away mirrors
Fold the side mirrors in carefully before driving through a narrow space,
like an automatic car wash.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
100

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

To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use your heater
with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by your authorized dealer. If the vehicle has
continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by your authorized dealer.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking and the
brake pedal may suddenly travel a little farther as soon as ABS braking is
done and normal brake operation resumes. These are normal
characteristics of the ABS and should be no reason for concern.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned on. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
P!
BRAKE
ABS
P!
BRAKE
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
235

If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
1 Relay Blower motor/Variable blower control
(Dual Zone Climate Control)
2 Relay Electronic Shift-on-the-Fly (ESOF) Lo-Hi
3 Relay Heater mirror
4 — Not used
5 30A* Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)
6 40A* ABS module (Pump)
7 30A* Upfitter auxiliary switch #1
8 30A* Upfitter auxiliary switch #2
9 40A* ABS module (Coil)
10 20A* Cigar lighter
11 20A* Instrument panel power point
12 15A** Brake On/Off (BOO) relay feed
13 5A ** Brake switch, Brake switch relay coil, SJB
module, 4x4 module
14 — Not used
15 — Not used
16 Relay A/C clutch
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
274

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box Description
17 Relay Not used
18 Relay Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM), Fuel
injectors (Gasoline engines), Diesel Fuel
Control Module (DFCM) (Diesel engine)
19 Relay Back-up lamps, Reverse Sensing System
(RSS), Engine compartment fuse 63
20 Relay Trailer stop/turn (Left)
21 Relay Trailer stop/turn (Right)
22 Relay Stop lamps, Center High-Mounted Stop
Lamp (CHMSL), TBC, Customer access
23 15A** Heater mirror
24 40A* Blower motor relay
25 — Not used
26 30A* ESOF relay lo-hi
27 50A* Glow Plug Control Module (GPCM) #1
(Diesel engine only)
28 20A* Heated mirror relay
29 30A* Passenger power seat
30 10A** A/C clutch relay
31 15A** Power fold mirror relay
32 20A** Fuel pump relay
33 20A** Back-up lamp relay
34 25A** Trailer stop/turn relay
35 5A** ESOF relay coils
36 10A**Gasoline engines:Powertrain Control
Module (PCM) keep alive power, Canister
vent
Diesel engine:Engine Control Module
(ECM) keep alive power
37 10A** Transmission Control Module (TCM)
(Diesel engine only)
38 — Not used
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
275