Page 234 of 418

Safety practices
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
WARNING:If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do
notrapidly spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and
cause an explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five
seconds.
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
234
Page 313 of 418

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
Getting roadside assistance
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle concern, Ford Motor
Company offers a complimentary roadside assistance program. This
program is separate from the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service
is available:
•24–hours, seven days a week
•for the coverage period listed on the Roadside Assistance Card
included in your Owner Guide portfolio.
Roadside assistance will cover:
•a flat tire change with a good spare (except vehicles that have been
supplied with a tire inflation kit)
•battery jump start
•lock-out assistance (key replacement cost is the customer’s
responsibility)
•fuel delivery – Independent Service Contractors, if not prohibited by
state, local or municipal law shall deliver up to 2.0 gallons (7.5L) of
gasoline or 5 gallons (18.9L) of diesel fuel to a disabled vehicle. Fuel
delivery service is limited to two no-charge occurrences within a
12-month period.
•winch out – available within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of a paved or
county maintained road, no recoveries.
•towing – Ford/Mercury/Lincoln eligible vehicle towed to an authorized
dealer within 35 miles (56.3 km) of the disablement location or to the
nearest authorized dealer. If a member requests to be towed to an
authorized dealer more than 35 miles (56.3 km) from the disablement
location, the member shall be responsible for any mileage costs in
excess of 35 miles (56.3 km).
Trailers shall be covered up to $200 if the disabled eligible vehicle
requires service at the nearest authorized dealer. If the trailer is disabled,
but the towing vehicle is operational, the trailer does not qualify for any
roadside services.
Canadian customers refer to your Customer Information Guide
for information on:
•coverage period
•exact fuel amounts
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
313
Page 415 of 418

recommendations ...................374
refill capacities ........................404
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................275
F
Fail safe cooling ........................382
Family entertainment system ....51
Fluid capacities .........................404
Fog lamps ....................................89
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......294
description ..............................299
driving off road .......................301
electronic shift ................295, 299
indicator light .........................296
lever operated shift ................297
manual locking hubs ..............295
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................281
Fuel ............................................383
calculating fuel
economy ..........................138, 388
cap ...........................................385
capacity ...................................404
choosing the right fuel ...........386
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................391
detergent in fuel .....................387
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................383, 385, 388
filter, specifications ........383, 403
fuel pump shut-off switch .....315
improving fuel economy ........388
octane rating ...................387, 408
quality ......................................387
running out of fuel .................387
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................383
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......315Fuses ..................................316–317
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............385
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................388
Gauges .........................................21
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................26
H
Hazard flashers .........................314
Head restraints .................169, 175
Headlamps ...................................89
aiming ..................................91, 93
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running lights .............90
flash to pass ..............................90
high beam .................................90
replacing bulbs ...................97–99
turning on and off ....................89
Heating
heater only system ...................80
heating and air conditioning
system .................................81, 84
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................123
Hood ..........................................368
I
Ignition ...............................272, 408
Illuminated visor mirror ...........105
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................204
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................393
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
415