Page 3 of 419
Customer Assistance 350
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 356
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 356
Cleaning 357
Maintenance and Specifications 367
Engine compartment 369
Engine oil 372
Battery 375
Engine coolant 377
Fuel information 383
Air filter(s) 402
Part numbers 404
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 405
Engine data 409
Accessories 412
Index 414
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including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright © 2009 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Page 13 of 419
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
13
Page 131 of 419

5. AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)
6. DOOR AJAR
7. BRAKE SYSTEM
8. TBC GAIN = XX.X
NO TRAILER (if equipped and no trailer connected)
9. TBC GAIN = XX.X
OUTPUT = ////// (if equipped and trailer connected)
10. XX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL XXX
Oil Life XXX% HOLD RESET = NEW
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
(approximately 7,500 miles [12,000 km] or six months) perform the
following:
1. Press and release the SETUP
control to display “OIL LIFE XXX%
HOLD RESET = NEW”.
2. Press and hold the RESET
control for two seconds and release.
Oil life is set to 100% and “OIL LIFE
SET TO 100%” is displayed.
Note:To change oil life 100% miles value from 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
or six months to another value, proceed to Step 3.
3. Once “OIL LIFE SET TO XXX%” is displayed, release and press the
RESET control switch to change the Oil Life Start Value. Each release
and press will reduce the value by 10%.
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
131
Page 133 of 419

Warning display Status
Check air filter
(diesel engine only)
Drain water separator
(diesel engine only)
Stop safely now
(diesel engine only)
Engine warming please wait xx
(diesel engine only)
OK to drive
(diesel engine only)
Engine turns off in xx
(diesel engine only)
Engine turned off
(diesel engine only)
Drive to clean exhaust filter
(diesel engine only)
Cleaning exhaust filter
(diesel engine only)
Exhaust filter drive complete
(diesel engine only)
Oil life change soon
(gas engine only)
Oil change required
(gas engine only)
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is
applied (or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when a fault has been detected
by the ABS module.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger’s door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
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DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel engine only)—
Displayed when the engine control module detects the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) is full of particulates and that the vehicle is not being
operated in a manner to allow automatic cleaning. The vehicle operator
has to drive the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) for at least 20 minutes
to clean the DPF. This will continue to be displayed until an adequate
drive cycle is completed. This message is NORMAL.Note:
Power-Take-Off (PTO) and/or Stationary Elevated Idle (SEIC) must be
disabled in order to initiate Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) cleaning.
CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel engine only)— Displays
continuously when the vehicle has entered the cleaning mode normally;
or when cleaning the filter after a DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER
message was previously displayed. When this message is displayed
various engine actions will raise the exhaust temperature in the DPF to
clean the exhaust filter. After the exhaust filter is cleaned, the exhaust
temperature will fall back to normal levels. This message is NORMAL.
WARNING:When the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER message
appears in the message center do not park near flammable
materials, vapors and structures until filter cleaning is complete.
EXHAUST FILTER DRIVE COMPLETE (Diesel engine only)—
Displayed when the vehicle has completed the adequate drive cycle to
clean the DPF. This message is NORMAL.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
XX% OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON (Gas engine only)— Displayed
when an oil change will soon be required and shows the percentage of oil
life left.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED (Gas engine only)— Displayed when the
oil life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed. OIL LIFE OK displays after you have changed the oil.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
136
Page 141 of 419

5. AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)
6. DOOR AJAR
7. BRAKE SYSTEM
8. TBC GAIN = XX.X
NO TRAILER (if equipped and no trailer connected)
9. TBC GAIN = XX.X
OUTPUT = ////// (if equipped and trailer connected)
10. FUEL LEVEL
Oil Life XXX% HOLD RESET = NEW
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center and
according to the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
(approximately 7,500 miles [12,000 km] or six months) perform the
following:
1. Press and release the SETUP
control to display “OIL LIFE XXX%
HOLD RESET = NEW”.
2. Press and hold the RESET
control for two seconds and release.
Oil life is set to 100% and “OIL LIFE
SET TO 100%” is displayed.
Note:To change oil life 100% miles value from 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
or six months to another value, proceed to Step 3.
3. Once “OIL LIFE SET TO XXX%” is displayed, release and press the
RESET control switch to change the Oil Life Start Value. Each release
and press will reduce the value by 10%.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
141
Page 146 of 419

Warning display Status
Check air filter
(diesel engine only)
Drain water separator
(diesel engine only)
Stop safely now
(diesel engine only)
Engine warming please wait xx
(diesel engine only)
OK to drive
(diesel engine only)
Engine turns off in xx
(diesel engine only)
Engine turned off
(diesel engine only)
Drive to clean exhaust filter
(diesel engine only)
Cleaning exhaust filter
(diesel engine only)
Exhaust filter drive complete
(diesel engine only)
Oil life change soon
(gas engine only)
Oil change required
(gas engine only)
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED— Displayed when the parking brake is
applied (or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM— Displayed when a fault has been detected
by the ABS module.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the passenger’s door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
146
Page 149 of 419

DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel engine only)—
Displayed when the engine control module detects the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) is full of particulates and that the vehicle is not being
operated in a manner to allow automatic cleaning. The vehicle operator
will have to drive the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) for at least
20 minutes to clean the DPF. This message will continue to be displayed
until an adequate drive cycle is completed. This message is NORMAL.
Note:Power-Take-Off (PTO) and/or Stationary Elevated Idle (SEIC)
must be disabled in order to initiate Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
cleaning.
CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel engine only)— Displays
continuously when the vehicle has entered the cleaning mode normally;
or when cleaning the filter after a DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER
message was previously displayed. When this message is displayed
various engine actions will raise the exhaust temperature in the DPF to
clean the exhaust filter. After the exhaust filter is cleaned, the exhaust
temperature will fall back to normal levels. This message is NORMAL.
WARNING:When the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER message
appears in the message center do not park near flammable
materials, vapors and structures until filter cleaning is complete.
EXHAUST FILTER DRIVE COMPLETE (Diesel engine only)—
Displayed when the vehicle has completed the adequate drive cycle to
clean the DPF. This message is NORMAL.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
XX% OIL LIFE CHANGE SOON (Gas engine only)— Displayed
when an oil change will soon be required and shows the percentage of oil
life left.
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED (Gas engine only)— Displayed when the
oil life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed. OIL LIFE OK displays after you have changed the oil.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
149