
Customer Assistance 349
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 355
Reporting safety defects (Canada only) 356
Cleaning 357
Maintenance and Specifications 367
Engine compartment 369
Engine oil 372
Battery 375
Engine coolant 377
Fuel information 383
Air filter(s) 401
Part numbers 403
Maintenance product specifications and capacities 404
Engine data 408
Accessories 411
Index 413
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Copyright © 2008 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
13

System check
Press and hold the SELECT/RESET control switch to select SYSTEM
CHECK when HOLD RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK is displayed in the
message center. Selecting this function from the INFO MENU causes the
message center to cycle through each of the systems being monitored.
For each of the monitored systems, the message center will indicate
either an OK message or a warning message for two seconds. Pressing
the SELECT/RESET control switch cycles the message center through
each of the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE (Gas engine only)
2. ENGINE HOURS
3. ENGINE IDLE HOURS (Diesel engine only)
4. CHARGING SYSTEM
5. AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)
6. DOOR AJAR
7. BRAKE SYSTEM
8. TBC GAIN = XX.X
NO TRAILER (if equipped and no trailer connected)
9. TBC GAIN = XX.X
OUTPUT = ////// (if equipped and trailer connected)
10. XX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL XXX
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for four
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
SELECT/RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into two categories:
•They will reappear on the display 10 minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition off-on cycle has been
completed.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
130

REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
XXX MILES TO E FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early
reminder of a low fuel condition.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed if there
are certain faults in the vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime, in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a
trailer connection becomes disconnected, either intentionally or
unintentionally, and has been sensed during a given ignition cycle. Refer
toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more
information.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped)— Displayed when one or more
tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your
Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed
when the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
CHECK AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)— Refer toInstrument
Clusterin your6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
133

5. AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)
6. DOOR AJAR
7. BRAKE SYSTEM
8. TBC GAIN = XX.X
NO TRAILER (if equipped and no trailer connected)
9. TBC GAIN = XX.X
OUTPUT = ////// (if equipped and trailer connected)
10. FUEL LEVEL
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
Autolamp timer presets
This feature keeps your headlights on for up to three minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
1. To disable/enable the autolamp
delay feature, select this function
from the SETUP control for the
current display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to select
the new Autolamp delay values of 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 or
180 seconds.
Autolocks
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
1. To disable/enable the autolock
feature, select this function from the
SETUP control for the current
display mode.
2. Press the RESET control to turn
the autolocks ON or OFF.
Compass display (if equipped)
The compass heading is displayed as one of N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and
NW in the message center display.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
140

REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR— Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
WIRING FAULT ON TRAILER (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime if there are certain faults in the vehicle
wiring and trailer wiring/brake system. Refer toTrailer towingin the
Tires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER BRAKE MODULE FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime in response to faults sensed by the TBC.
Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter for
more information.
TRAILER CONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed when a correct
trailer connection (a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed during
a given ignition cycle. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires, Wheels and
Loadingchapter for more information.
TRAILER DISCONNECTED (if equipped)— Displayed and
accompanied by a single chime when a trailer connection becomes
disconnected, either intentionally or unintentionally, and has been sensed
during a given ignition cycle. Refer toTrailer towingin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter for more information.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (if equipped)— Displayed when one or more
tires on your vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating Your
Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed
when the Tire Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT (if equipped)— Displayed when
a tire pressure sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For
more information on how the system operates under these conditions,
refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. If the warning stays
on or continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
CHECK AIR FILTER (Diesel engine only)— Refer toInstrument
Clusterin your6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
145

4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
Only use oils “Certified For Gasoline Engines” by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms
to the current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use Motorcraft SAE 5W-20
or an equivalent SAE 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C930-A.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and
durability performance meeting all requirements for your
vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in thescheduled maintenance information.
Ford production and Motorcraft replacement oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter or
another with equivalent performance for your engine application.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
374

WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING:Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING:If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system
or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
serious personal injury.
WARNING:Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death
if misused or mishandled.
WARNING:Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a
cancer-causing agent.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
383