2009 FORD SUPER DUTY trailer

•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).
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Maintenance and Specifications
390

CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor
the service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
WARNING:Carefully read cautionary information on product
label. For MEDICAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION contact a
physician or Poison Control Center immediately; on Ford-Motorcraft
products call: 1-800-959-3673 (FORD). Failure to follow these
instructions may result in personal injury.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
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Maintenance and Specifications
396

Lifestyle
Ash cup / smoker’s package
Bedliners and bedmats
Cargo organization and management
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
Mobile-Ease™ hands-free communication system
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
Wheel locks
Not all accessories are available for all models.
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
•The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems — such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by your authorized dealer.
•Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use.
•To avoid interference with other vehicle functions, such as anti-lock
braking systems, amateur radio users who install radios and antennas
onto their vehicle should not locate the Amateur Radio Antennas in
the area of the driver’s side hood.
•Electrical or electronic accessories or components that are added to
the vehicle by the authorized dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
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Accessories
412

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
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
413

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