
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
If any steering components are serviced or replaced, install new
fasteners (many are coated with thread adhesive or have prevailing
torque features which may not be re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.
Torque fasteners to specifications inWorkshop Manual.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
LIMITED-SLIP AXLE (IF EQUIPPED)
This axle provides added traction on slippery surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. Under normal conditions, the
Limited-slip axle functions like a standard rear axle. The axle may
exhibit a slight noise or vibration in tight turns with low vehicle speed.
This is normal behavior and indicates the axle is working.
PREPARING TO DRIVE
WARNING:Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover
rate than other types of vehicles.
WARNING:In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is
significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.
Utility vehicles and trucks have larger tires and increased ground
clearance, giving the vehicle a higher center of gravity than a passenger
car.
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Driving
281

•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
390

A
Accessory delay ........................110
Air cleaner filter ...............401, 403
Air conditioning ..........................84
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................190
and child safety seats ............192
description ..............................190
disposal ....................................195
driver airbag ............................193
indicator light .........................194
operation .................................193
passenger airbag .....................193
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................195
Ambulance packages ..................10
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................377
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................277–278
Anti-theft system ..............165, 168
arming the system ..........166, 168
disarming a triggered
system .....................................168
triggering .................................168
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................26, 28, 35
Automatic transmission ............282
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................284
fluid, adding ............................396
fluid, checking ........................396
fluid, refill capacities ..............404
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................42
Auxiliary power point ...............107
Axle
refill capacities ........................404B
Battery .......................................375
acid, treating emergencies .....375
jumping a disabled battery ....342
maintenance-free ....................375
replacement, specifications ...403
servicing ..................................375
Belt-Minder.............................186
Booster seats .............................218
Brakes ........................................277
anti-lock ...........................277–278
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................278
fluid, checking and adding ....395
fluid, refill capacities ..............404
parking ....................................278
shift interlock ..........................282
trailer .......................................264
Bulbs ............................................95
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....404
Cassette tape player ...................26
Cell phone use ..............................9
Child safety seats ......................204
attaching with tether straps ..212
in front seat ....................204, 208
in rear seat ..............204, 208, 212
LATCH .....................................212
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................218
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............359
instrument panel ............361–362
interior .....................................363
plastic parts ............................360
safety belts ..............................363
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
413

Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................361–362
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................91
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......342
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................154
keypad .....................................164
locking and unlocking doors ..165
programming entry code .......164
Keys ...................................166–167
positions of the ignition .........272
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 .........................212
Lights, warning and indicator ....14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........278
Limited-slip axle .......................281
Load limits .................................253
Loading instructions .................259
Locks
autolock ...................................154
childproof ................................157doors ........................................153
Lug nuts ....................................341
Lumbar support, seats .............173
M
Manual transmission .................287
fluid capacities ........................404
reverse .....................................289
Message center .................127, 136
english/metric button .............140
system check button ..............139
warning messages ...........130, 142
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, 403
N
Navigation system .......................79
O
Octane rating ............................387
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................372
Overdrive ...................................104
P
Parking brake ............................278
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....403
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) ...............................115
Power adjustable foot pedals ...115
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
416