WARNING:When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
WARNING:Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is also electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum
driveability and performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
376
Lifestyle
Ash cup / smoker’s package
Bedliners and bedmats
Cargo organization and management
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Mobile-Ease™ hands-free communication system
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
Not all accessories are available for all models.
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems — such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by your authorized dealer.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
•To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
•Electrical or electronic accessories or components that are added to
the vehicle by the authorized dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Accessories
413
A
Accessory delay ........................110
Air cleaner filter ...............402, 404
Air conditioning ..........................84
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................193
and child safety seats ............195
description ..............................193
disposal ....................................197
driver airbag ............................195
indicator light .........................197
operation .................................195
passenger airbag .....................195
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................198
Ambulance packages ..................10
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................377
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................280–281
Anti-theft system ..............168, 171
arming the system ..........169, 171
disarming a triggered
system .....................................171
triggering .................................171
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................26, 28, 35
Automatic transmission ............285
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................287
fluid, adding ............................397
fluid, checking ........................397
fluid, refill capacities ..............405
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................42
Auxiliary power point ...............107
Axle
refill capacities ........................405B
Battery .......................................375
acid, treating emergencies .....375
jumping a disabled battery ....343
maintenance-free ....................375
replacement, specifications ...404
servicing ..................................375
Belt-Minder.............................189
Booster seats .............................221
Brakes ........................................280
anti-lock ...........................280–281
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................281
fluid, checking and adding ....396
fluid, refill capacities ..............405
parking ....................................281
shift interlock ..........................285
trailer .......................................267
Bulbs ............................................95
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....405
Cassette tape player ...................26
Cell phone use ..............................9
Child safety seats ......................206
attaching with tether
straps .......................................215
in front seat ....................207, 211
in rear seat ..............207, 211, 215
LATCH .....................................215
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................221
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............359
instrument panel ............361–362
interior .....................................363
plastic parts ............................360
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
414
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................115
Power adjustable foot pedals ...115
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................322
Power door locks ......................155
Power mirrors ...........................111
Power point ...............................107
Power steering ..........................283
fluid, checking and adding ....395
fluid, refill capacity ................405
Power Windows .........................108
Preparing to drive
your vehicle ...............................284
R
Radio ................................26, 28, 35
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Relays ........................................318
Remote entry system ...............159
illuminated entry ............164–165
locking/unlocking doors ........155,
160–161
replacing the batteries ...........162
Reverse camera .........................294
Reverse sensing system ...........292
Roadside assistance ..................315
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....181–186
Safety defects, reporting ..........356
Safety restraints ................181–186
Belt-Minder...........................189extension assembly ................192
for adults .........................182–186
for children .............................202
lap belt ....................................187
warning light and
chime ...............................188–189
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................215
Safety seats for children ..........206
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................410
Satellite Radio Information ........48
Seats ..........................................172
child safety seats ....................206
cleaning ...................................364
heated ........................................84
memory seat ...................161, 177
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................166
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............168–169
Servicing your vehicle ..............367
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................30
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................37
Snowplowing ...............10, 312–313
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................404, 409
Special notice ..............................11
ambulance conversions ............10
diesel-powered vehicles .............9
four-wheel drive vehicles .......314
utility-type vehicles ..................10
Speed control ............................116
Starting your vehicle ........275–277
jump starting ..........................343
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
418