
into four-wheel drive mode (if equipped), the traction control system will
be automatically disabled. Traction control operation will resume when
the vehicle is placed back into two-wheel drive mode.
WARNING:Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe
personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction
Control™ event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
The Traction Control™ switch,
located on the instrument panel to
the left of the climate control
system, has an indicator light that
illuminates when the system is off.
The Traction Control™ system will
automatically turn on every time the
ignition is turned off and on. The
Traction Control™ system should normally be left on.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control™ system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Control™ button will not turn the system on or
off and your vehicle should be serviced by an authorized dealer.
STEERING
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than three to five seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused by low power steering fluid.
Check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your dealer.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
280

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
10 15A Cargo lamp, Puddle lamp, Switch
backlight
11 10A Not used (spare)
12 7.5A Power mirror switch, Driver
power seat (Memory)
13 5A Not used (spare)
14 10A Upfitter relay #3 feed
15 10A Climate control head
16 15A Upfitter Relay #4 Feed
17 20A All lock motor feeds
18 20A Heated seat relay feed
19 25A Not used (spare)
20 15A Adjustable pedals, Datalink
21 15A Fog lamp relay feed, Cornering
lamps
22 15A Park lamp relay feed
23 15A High beam headlight relay feed
24 20A Horn relay feed
25 10A Power telescoping mirror switch
Demand lamps - underhood and
illuminated visor (battery saver)
26 10A Cluster
27 20A Ignition switch feed, Passenger
compartment fuses 28, 42, 43, 44,
and 45, Engine compartment
starter relay coil #57 (Diesel
engine), Accessory shutoff control
module (if equipped) (Diesel
engine), Engine compartment
starter relay diode (gasoline
engines)
28 5A Radio
29 5A Not used (spare)
30 5A Not used (spare)
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
319

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
31 10A Not used (spare)
32 10A Restraints Control Module (RCM),
Passenger Airbag Deactivation
Indicator
33 10A Trailer tow brake controller,
Trailer tow battery charge relay
coil
34 5A Not used (spare)
35 10A Reverse Sensing System (RSS),
4x4 module, 4x4 solenoid,
Traction control switch, Tow/Haul
switch (Diesel engine)
36 5A Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
transceiver, Cluster control
37 10A Dual automatic or Manual climate
control, PTC control
38 20A Subwoofer
39 20A Radio, Navigation radio and
amplifier
40 20A 4x4 module, Satellite radio
module, SYNC
41 15A Radio, Electrochromatic rear view
mirror, Lock switch illumination
42 10A Heated seat relay coil, Upfitter
switch relay coils, Heated mirror
relay coil
43 10A Fuel tank selector switch, 4x4
module
44 10A Run customer access feed (PTO)
45 5A Front wiper logic, Blower motor
relay coil
46 7.5A Not used (spare)
47 30A Circuit
BreakerPower windows, Moon roof,
Power Sliding Backlite
48 Relay Delayed accessory
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
320

Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems from overloads.
WARNING:Always disconnect the battery before servicing high
current fuses.
WARNING:To reduce risk of electrical shock, always replace
the cover to the Power Distribution Box before reconnecting the
battery or refilling fluid reservoirs.
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingProtected Circuits
1 Relay Blower motor/Variable blower
control (Dual Zone Climate
Control)
2 Relay Electronic Shift-on-the-Fly
(ESOF) Lo-Hi
3 Relay Heater mirror
4 — Not used
5 30A* Trailer Brake Controller (TBC)
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
321

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 ..........................................396
operation while driving ..........287
recommended shift speeds ....288
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............141
Console ......................................106
overhead ..................................105
Controls
power seat ...............................172
steering column ......................118
Coolant
checking and adding ..............377
refill capacities ................381, 404
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ......................................116
Customer Assistance ................313
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................365
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................353
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................354
Getting roadside assistance ...313
Getting the service you
need .........................................349
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................355Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................353
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................90
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................396
engine oil .................................372
Driving under special
conditions ..................286, 303, 306
sand .........................................305
snow and ice ...........................307
through water .................306, 309
DVD system .................................51
E
Electronic message
center .................................127, 136
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................342
Emergency Flashers .................314
Emission control system ..........391
Engine ........................................408
cleaning ...................................359
coolant .....................................377
diesel .........................................10
fail-safe cooling .......................382
idle speed control ...................375
refill capacities ........................404
service points ..................369–370
starting after a collision .........315
Engine oil ..................................372
checking and adding ..............372
dipstick ....................................372
filter, specifications ........374, 403
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
414

T
Tailgate ......................................148
Temperature control (see
Climate control) ..........................80
Tilt steering wheel ....................104
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....242
Tires ...................................224–226
alignment ................................234
care ..........................................230
changing ..........................328, 331
checking the pressure ............229
inflating ...................................227
label .........................................241
replacing ..................................232
rotating ....................................235
safety practices .......................234
sidewall information ...............237
snow tires and chains ............252
spare tire .........................326, 328
terminology .............................226
tire grades ...............................225
treadwear ........................225, 231
Towing .......................................259
recreational towing .................271
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............264
trailer towing ..........................259
wrecker ....................................347
Traction control ........................279
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................264
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................400Transmission
automatic operation .......104, 282
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....282
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................396
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................399
fluid, refill capacities ..............404
manual operation ....................287
Turn signal ..................................94
U
Upfitter controls .......................121
USB port ......................................44
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................409
Vehicle loading ..........................253
Ventilating your vehicle ...........275
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......14
Washer fluid ..............................371
Water, Driving through .............309
Windows
power .......................................108
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ........................................103
checking and adding fluid .....371
replacing wiper blades ...........372
Wrecker towing .........................347
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
418