WARNING:When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
WARNING:Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING:Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is also electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed,
the engine must relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum
driveability and performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
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Maintenance and Specifications
380
Refueling
WARNING:Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause
severe injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others:
•Read and follow all the instructions on the pump island;
•Turn off your engine when you are refueling;
•Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle;
•Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from fuel;
•Stay outside your vehicle and do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling your vehicle — this is against the law in some places;
•Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump
fuel.
Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel filler cap
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise until it spins off.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise until it clicks.
If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
385
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
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Index
414
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................321
Power door locks ......................153
Power mirrors ...........................111
Power point ...............................107
Power steering ..........................280
fluid, checking and adding ....394
fluid, refill capacity ................404
Power Windows .........................108
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................281
R
Radio ................................26, 28, 35
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Relays ........................................316
Remote entry system ...............157
illuminated entry ............162–163
locking/unlocking
doors ................................153, 158
replacing the batteries ...........160
Reverse camera .........................292
Reverse sensing system ...........289
Roadside assistance ..................313
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........................178–183
Safety defects, reporting ..355–356
Safety restraints ................178–183
Belt-Minder...........................186
extension assembly ................189
for adults .........................179–183
for children .............................200lap belt ....................................184
warning light and
chime ...............................185–186
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................212
Safety seats for children ..........204
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................409
Satellite Radio Information ........47
Seats ..........................................169
child safety seats ....................204
cleaning ...................................364
heated ........................................84
memory seat ...................159, 174
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................163
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................165, 167
Servicing your vehicle ..............367
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................30
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................37
Snowplowing ...............10, 310–311
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................403, 408
Special notice ..............................11
ambulance conversions ............10
diesel-powered vehicles ...........10
four-wheel drive vehicles .......312
utility-type vehicles ..................10
Speed control ............................116
Starting your vehicle ........272–274
jump starting ..........................342
Steering wheel
controls ....................................118
tilting .......................................104
SYNC..........................................79
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
417