Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Safety/Emergency
equipment:Prior to entering the cab, verify that the
vehicle is equipped with spare electrical fuses
(if used), three red reflective triangles, a
properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
and wheel chocks. Walk around the vehicle
and check that all steps and grab handles,
inside and out as well as behind, are tight and
clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for
positive closing, latching and locking.
Starting the engine:Verify the parking brake is set. Depress the
clutch (if equipped with a manual
transmission) and verify the transmission is in
neutral. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission should be in N (Neutral) or P
(Park) if equipped with a Park position.
Turn the key to ON. When the WAIT TO
START indicator light in the instrument
cluster turns off, turn the key to START.
Oil pressure builds:Make sure engine oil pressure is building to
normal operating range.
Air chime sounds (if
equipped with air
compressor):The low air pressure warning chime should
sound immediately after the engine starts but
before the compressor has built up pressure.
The low air pressure warning chime should
stop when the air pressure reaches 70 psi
(483 kPa) (or more). Let the air pressure
build to governed cut-out pressure, which
should occur between 115–130 psi
(793–896 kPa).
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Vehicle Inspection Guide
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Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Air brake check:Check the air brakes in the following manner
(Chock the wheels, if necessary. Push in the
parking brake and on tractors, also push in the
tractor parking brake knob):
1. Check the that air compressor or governor
cut-out pressure is approximately 120 psi
(827 kPa).
2. Turn off the engine and turn the key back
to ON, without starting the engine.
3. Without the brake pedal applied, note the
air pressure drop for one minute. It should be
less than 2 psi (14 kPa) for single vehicle and
3 psi (21 kPa) for combination vehicles.
4. Depress and hold the brake pedal with
90 psi (621 kPa) or more and make sure there
is no more than a 3 psi (21 kPa) per minute
leak; for combination vehicles, no more than
4 psi (28 kPa) per minute.
5. Pump the brake pedal to deplete the system
of air pressure. The warning light and chime
should activate at 57 psi (393 kPa).
6. Pump the brake pedal and make sure the
parking brake and trailer parking brake knobs
pop out at 20 psi (138 kPa) or higher.
Automatic
transmission fluid:With the engine idling at normal operating
temperature and the parking brake applied,
check the automatic transmission fluid. If fluid
needs to be added, place the transmission in
the appropriate gear as specified in the
transmission operator’s manual and refer to
Transmission fluidin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
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Vehicle Inspection Guide
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Rear brakes
Drum:Make sure there are no cracks, dents or holes
and no loose or missing bolts. Make sure brake
linings are not worn, dangerously thin or
contaminated by lubricant.
Rear wheels
Spacers:Make sure dual wheels are evenly separated
and that tires are not touching one another.
Rims:Check for damaged or bent rims. Rims should
not have welding repairs and no rust trails that
indicate it is loose on the wheel.
Lug nuts:Make sure all lug nuts are present and not
loose (look for rust trails around the lug nuts).
There should be no cracks radiating from the
lug bolt holes or distortion of the bolt holes.
Trailer
If you are pulling a trailer, an inspection of the trailer similar to that of
the tractor should be done. Such an inspection should follow trailer
manufacturer recommendations and should include at a minimum:
general condition, landing gear, doors, sides, lights, reflectors,
suspension, brakes, tires, wheels, cargo placement, stability and
tie-downs.
Transmission
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, regularly
check the transmission’s neutral start switch. The engine should only
start in the N (Neutral) or P (Park) positions.
WARNING:If the unit starts in gear and/or the neutral start
switch is not functioning correctly, the vehicle may inadvertently
move which could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
Check the transmission fluid level and shift linkage for proper operation.
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Vehicle Inspection Guide
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WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Some of the warning lights shown are optional based on vehicle
equipment; your vehicle may not have some of the warning lights shown
in this section.
Service engine soon:If this light
illuminates while driving, it is a
possible indication that one of the
engine’s emission control systems
has failed.
Check suspension (if equipped):
Illuminates when the air suspension
dump switch has been activated.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
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Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, this light will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running. If
the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek
service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after starting the
vehicle indicates a brake system fault and should be inspected
immediately by your dealership.
Note:The Brake System Warning light may be accompanied by a
warning buzzer or chime.
If equipped with an air brake system,the warning light stays on until
the air pressure builds up to 60 psi (414 kPa). If the air pressure drops
below 60 psi (414 kPa) during operation, the remaining brake system is
still operational but the stopping distance will be greater.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your dealer immediately. Driving
extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause brake
failure and the risk of personal injury.
Wait to start:Indicates the air
intake heater is in operation and
special starting procedures are
required. Refer toStartingin the
Drivingchapter.
WARNING:If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use
ether or any other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids
(ether) in an engine equipped with an air intake heater could result in
damage and/or personal injury.
WAIT
TO
START
2009 F-650/750(f67)
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Instrument Cluster
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Trailer Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS):Illuminates briefly when the
engine is powered-up and only when
a PLC trailer or a PLC diagnostic
tool is connected. If the light
remains on after the vehicle is started, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced immediately.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS):If
the ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Check trans (Allison automatic
transmission only):The lamp will
illuminate for several seconds after
the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Illumination of this light while driving indicates that a problem
has been detected and shifting may be restricted. Depending upon the
severity of the problem, the read-out digit on the shifter display may be
blank. Operation may continue in order to reach service assistance. The
ECU may not respond to shift selector requests, since operating
limitations are being placed on the transmission, i.e. upshifts and
downshifts may be restricted. Direction changes will not occur.
Refer to your transmission operator’s manual for more information.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt.
Range inhibit:Illuminates when
the transmission is not engaged in
the selected gear. The warning light
will go off when the gearshift lever
is adjusted in to the appropriate gear.
Refer to your transmission operator’s manual for more information.
ABS
CHECK
TRANS
RANGE
INHIBIT
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Instrument Cluster
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Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Diesel particulate filter
(Cummins engines only):
Illuminates if the soot in the DPF
has reached a level where it
requires operator assistance. Refer
toDiesel Particulate Filterin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter and your engine operator’s
manual, for more details.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash faster,
check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Safety belt warning chime:Sounds when the key is in the ignition and
the driver’s safety belt is not fastened.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the ignition) and
the driver’s door is opened.
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Instrument Cluster
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WARNING:Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
AUXILIARY POWER POINT
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlet as this will damage the
outlet and blow the fuse. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by your warranty.
The power point is an additional
power source for electrical
accessories. The power points are
located on the instrument panel and
inside the center console storage
bin.
Do not use the power point for
operating the cigarette lighter
element (if equipped).
To prevent the fuse from being blown, do not use the power point(s)
over the vehicle capacity of 12 VDC/180W/15A. If the power point or
cigar lighter socket is not working, a fuse may have blown. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside Emergencieschapter for information
on checking and replacing fuses.
To have full capacity usage of your power point, the engine is required to
be running (in a safe manner) to avoid unintentional discharge of the
battery. To prevent the battery from being discharged:
•do not use the power point longer than necessary when the engine is
not running,
•do not leave battery chargers, video game adapters, computers and
other devices plugged in overnight or when the vehicle is parked for
extended periods.
Always keep the power point caps closed when not being used.
Cigarette/Cigar lighter (if equipped)
Do not plug optional electrical accessories into the cigarette lighter
socket.
Do not hold the lighter in with your hand while it is heating, this will
damage the lighter element and socket. The lighter will be released from
its heating position when it is ready to be used.
POWER POINT
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Driver Controls
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