2009 FORD F250 4WD

NOTICE TO UTILITY VEHICLE AND TRUCK OWNERS
Utility vehicles and trucks handle
differently than passenger cars in
the various driving conditions that
are encountered on streets,
highways and off-road. Utility
vehicles and trucks are not designed
for cornering at speeds as high as
passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed
to perform satisfactorily under
off-road conditions.
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death from a rollover or other crash you must:
•Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers;
•Drive at safe speeds for the conditions;
•Keep tires properly inflated;
•Never overload or improperly load your vehicle; and
•Make sure every passenger is properly restrained.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
All occupants must wear seat belts and children/infants must use
appropriate restraints to minimize the risk of injury or ejection.
Study yourOwner’s Guideand any supplements for specific information
about equipment features, instructions for safe driving and additional
precautions to reduce the risk of an accident or serious injury.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS
4WD and AWD Systems (if equipped)
A vehicle equipped with AWD or 4WD (when selected) has the ability to
use all four wheels to power itself. This increases traction which may
enable you to safely drive over terrain and road conditions that a
conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
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Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as
necessary. Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD
and AWD vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may
accelerate better than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction
situations, it won’t stop any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.
Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUV and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
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Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance informationthat comes with your vehicle) will
help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and
longer tire life.
•Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four Wheel Drive
(4WD)/All Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
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Shift according to the following shift speed charts:
Upshifts when accelerating
(recommended for best fuel economy)
6-speed transmission
Shift from: Transfer case position
1(if equipped)
2H or 4H 4L
LO-1 5 mph (8 km/h) 2 mph (3 km/h)
1-2 14 mph (23 km/h) 6 mph (10 km/h)
2-3 22 mph (35 km/h) 9 mph (14 km/h)
3-4 30 mph (48 km/h) 12 mph (19 km/h)
4-
D(Overdrive)40 mph (64 km/h) 15 mph (24 km/h)
Maximum downshift speeds1
6-speed transmission
Shift from: Transfer case position (if equipped)2
2H or 4H 4L
D(Overdrive) - 445 mph (72 km/h) 16 mph (26 km/h)
4-3 35 mph (56 km/h) 12 mph (19 km/h)
3-2 20 mph (32 km/h) 8 mph (13 km/h)
2-1 5 mph (8 km/h) 2 mph (3 km/h)
1-LO Only shift to LO when at a stop.
1Use 2H or 4H for 4WD equipped vehicles.2Downshift at lower speeds when driving on slippery surfaces.
Reverse
1. Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete stop before you shift into
R (Reverse). Failure to do so may damage the transmission.
2. Move the gearshift lever into the neutral position and wait at least
three seconds before shifting into R (Reverse).
Note:The gearshift lever can only be moved into R (Reverse) by moving
it from left of 3 (Third) and 4 (Fourth) before shifting into R (Reverse).
This is a lockout feature that protects the transmission from accidentally
being shifted into R (Reverse) from D (Overdrive).
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WARNING:Do not use the camera system with the tailgate
open.
If the back end of the vehicle is hit or damaged, then check with your
authorized dealer to have your rear video system checked for proper
coverage and operation.
Night time and dark area use
At night time or in dark areas, the camera system relies on the reverse
lamp lighting to produce an image. Therefore it is necessary that both
reverse lamps are operating in order to get a clear image in the dark. If
either of the lamps are not operating, stop using the camera system, at
least in the dark, until the lamp(s) are replaced and functioning.
Servicing
•If the image comes on while the vehicle is not in R (Reverse), have
the system inspected by your authorized dealer.
•If the image is not clear, then check if there is anything covering the
lens such as dirt, mud, ice, snow, etc. If the image is still not clear
after cleaning, have your system inspected by your authorized dealer.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, seePreparing to drive your vehiclein
this chapter.
When four–wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD can be selected when additional
driving power is desired.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so could
result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear
and decreased fuel economy.
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Manual Shift On Stop (MSOS) 4x4 system (if equipped)
The 4WD system is engaged or
disengaged by rotating the control
for both front wheel hub locks from
the FREE or LOCK position, then
manually engaging or disengaging
the transfer case with the
floor-mounted shifter. For increased
fuel economy in 2WD, rotate both
hub locks to the FREE position.
•For proper operation, make
sure that each hub is fully
engaged and that both hub locks are set to the same position
(both set to LOCK or both set to FREE). To engage LOCK,
turn the hub locks completely clockwise; to disengage the hubs
(FREE), turn the hub locks completely counterclockwise.
•Some vehicles may be equipped with wheel ornaments that cover the
4x4 manual hub lock. These ornaments must be removed to access
the manual hub locks.
Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) 4x4 system (if equipped)
If equipped with the electronic shift 4WD System, and the
instrument panel control is moved to 4X4 LOW while the vehicle
is moving above 5 mph (8 km/h), the system will not engage and
no damage will occur to the 4WD system. Before 4X4 LOW can be
engaged, the vehicle speed must be below 5 mph (8 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). If your vehicle is equipped with
a manual transmission, the clutch pedal also must be depressed.
The 4x4 Low indicator will flash continuously until these actions
are performed by the user. This vehicle is equipped with a
non-synchronous low range gearset which will not allow the
transfer case to shift into 4X4 LOW if vehicle speed is above
5 mph (8 km/h). It is recommended that a shift to 4X4 LOW is
performed while the vehicle is rolling at a speed below 5 mph
(8 km/h).
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The 4WD system:
•provides 4x4 High engagement and disengagement while the vehicle is
moving.
•is operated by a rotary control located on the instrument panel that
allows you select 2WD, 4x4 High or 4x4 Low operation.
•uses auto-manual hub locks that can be engaged and disengaged
automatically based on the 4x4 mode selected.
•auto-manual hub locks can be
manually overridden by rotating
the hub lock control from AUTO
to LOCK if desired.
•automatic operation of the
hub locks is recommended,and
will increase fuel economy
•For proper operation, make
sure that each hub is fully
engaged and that both hub
locks are set to the same position (both set to LOCK or both
set to AUTO). To engage LOCK, turn the hub locks completely
clockwise; to engage AUTO, turn the hub locks completely
counterclockwise.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights illuminate when driving in 2WD, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
•4x4 HIGH- momentarily
illuminates after the engine is
started. Illuminates when 4H (4x4
High) is engaged. Flashes when
shifting into or out of 4H (4x4 high) (ESOF systems only).
•4x4 LOW– momentarily
illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position.
Illuminates when 4L (4x4 Low) is
engaged. Flashes when shifting into or out of 4L (4x4 Low) or if the
range shift conditions are not met (ESOF systems only).
4x4
HIGH
4x4
LOW
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5. If shifting to 2H (2WD) with the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage
the locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK
to FREE.
Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case neutral position overrides the transmission and
puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission gearshift
lever position. The vehicle can move forward or backwards.
This position should only be used
when towing the vehicle.
WARNING:Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
Using the Electronic Shift On the Fly (ESOF) 4x4 system
(if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift system
Note:Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages.
This is normal.
2WD– For general on-road driving. Sends power to the rear wheels only.
4x4 HIGH– For winter and off-road conditions. Sends power to front
and rear wheels.This mode is not intended for use on dry
pavement.
4x4 LOW– For low-speed off-road applications that require extra power
such as steep grades, deep sand or pulling a boat out of the water. Sends
power to front and rear wheels.This mode is not intended for use on
dry pavement.
2H
4H
4LN
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