1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
398
ProCarManuals.com
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Automatic transmission
fluid (5R110)
3
17.5 quarts
(16.6L)
5(includes
remote filter
element change)Motorcraft
MERCONLV AT FXT-10–QLV /
MERCONLV
Windshield washer fluid 3.5 quarts (3.3L)Motorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A /
WSB-M8B16–A2
1Add 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification
EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited slip Ford axles. Ford design rear axles contain a
synthetic lubricant that does not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick blade or the dipstick handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being
added is of the correct type. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationto determine the
correct service interval.
Automatic transmissions that require MERCONLV should only use MERCONLV fluid.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.4Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the bottom of the filler hole with
the vehicle on a level surface. The 6–speed manual transmission is equipped with an in-tank cooler.
Verify the fluid level after operating vehicle to ensure correct fluid level.5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
408
ProCarManuals.com
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) contains the following
information:
1. World manufacturer identifier
2. Brake system / Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) / Restraint
System
3. Vehicle line, series, body type
4. Engine type
5. Check digit
6. Model year
7. Assembly plant
8. Production sequence number
TRANSMISSION CODE DESIGNATIONS
You can find a transmission code on
the Safety Compliance Certification
Label. The following table tells you
which transmission each code
represents.
Code Description
5 Six-speed manual, Dana (ZF S6–650)
7 Six-speed manual, Dana (Z/F M6HD-W)
T Five-speed automatic, TorqShift (gas engines)
B Five-speed automatic, TorqShift (diesel engine)
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
411
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
safety belts ..............................363
washing ....................................357
waxing .....................................358
wheels ......................................358
wiper blades ............................360
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......80, 84
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................37
AM/FM/CD .................................30
Clutch
fluid ..........................................397
operation while driving ..........290
recommended shift speeds ....290
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............143
Console ......................................106
overhead ..................................105
Controls
power seat ...............................175
steering column ......................118
Coolant
checking and adding ..............377
refill capacities ................381, 405
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................116
Customer Assistance ................315
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................365
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................354
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................354
Getting roadside assistance ...315
Getting the service
you need .................................350
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................355Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................353
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................90
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................397
engine oil .................................372
Driving under special
conditions ..................289, 305, 308
sand .........................................307
snow and ice ...........................309
through water .................307, 311
DVD system .................................51
E
Electronic message
center .................................127, 137
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................343
Emergency Flashers .................316
Emission control system ..........392
Engine ........................................409
cleaning ...................................359
coolant .....................................377
diesel ...........................................9
fail-safe cooling .......................382
idle speed control ...................375
refill capacities ........................405
service points ..................369–370
starting after a collision .........317
Engine oil ..................................372
checking and adding ..............372
dipstick ....................................372
filter, specifications ........374, 404
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
415
ProCarManuals.com
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................394
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................361–362
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................91
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......343
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................156
keypad .....................................166
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................167
programming entry code .......166
Keys ...........................................169
positions of the ignition .........275
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running light ...............90
fog lamps ...................................89
headlamps .................................89
headlamps, flash to pass ..........90
instrument panel, dimming .....91
interior lamps ...........................95
replacing bulbs .................97–102
LATCH anchors .........................215
Lights, warning and indicator ....14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........281
Limited-slip axle .......................284
Load limits .................................256
Loading instructions .................262Locks
autolock ...................................156
childproof ................................159
doors ........................................155
Lug nuts ....................................342
Lumbar support, seats .....176–177
M
Manual transmission .................289
fluid capacities ........................405
reverse .....................................291
Message center .................127, 137
english/metric button .............142
system check button ..............140
warning messages ...........131, 144
Mirrors ...............................110–111
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................110
fold away .........................112, 114
side view mirrors (power) .....111
signal .......................................115
Moon roof ..................................122
Motorcraft parts ................383, 404
N
Navigation system .......................79
O
Octane rating ............................387
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................372
Overdrive ...................................104
P
Parking brake ............................281
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....404
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
417
ProCarManuals.com