Page 3 of 418
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
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval
system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company. Ford may change the contents without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright © 2008 Ford Motor Company
Table of Contents
3
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Page 6 of 418

PERCHLORATE MATERIAL
Certain components of this vehicle such as airbag modules, seat belt
pretensioners, and button cell batteries may contain Perchlorate Material
– Special handling may apply for service or vehicle end of life disposal.
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 1,000 miles (1,600 km) before towing a
trailer. For more detailed information about towing a trailer, refer to
Trailer towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils since
these additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
SPECIAL NOTICES
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
For a detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered by
your vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty, refer to theWarranty
Guide/Customer Information Guidethat is provided to you along with
yourOwner’s Guide.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Introduction
6
Page 13 of 418
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
Page 17 of 418

Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to on, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will sound when there is
a malfunction in the indicator light.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer toEngine oil
in theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped):Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on start up or while driving,
the tire pressure should be checked.
Refer toInflating Your Tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter. When the ignition is first turned to on, the light will illuminate
for three seconds to ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn
on, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more
information on this system, refer toUnderstanding Your Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)in theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
If it stays on while the engine is
running, there may be a malfunction
with the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
17
Page 20 of 418

If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, it has some unique
warning lights; refer toInstrument Clusterin your6.0 and 6.4 Liter
Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplementfor detailed information on their function.
Diesel warning lights:
•Glow plug pre-heat
•Waterinfuel
•Low oil pressure
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the off or accessory position and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
Parking brake on warning chime:Sounds when the parking brake is
set, the engine is running and the vehicle is driven more than 3 mph
(5 km). If the warning remains on after the parking brake is off, contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Turn signal chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has been
activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is driven
more than 2 miles (3.2 km).
Message center activation chime:Sounds when some warning
messages appears in the message center display for the first time.
Overspeed chime (if equipped):Sounds when the vehicle speed
reaches 75 mph (120 km/h) or higher.
Airbag secondary warning chime:Sounds to inform the driver, in the
event that the airbag readiness warning lamp is inoperable, that there is
a fault in the supplemental restraint system
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
20
Page 23 of 418
Standard instrument cluster
Harley-Davidson instrument
cluster
Engine hour meter (if
equipped):Registers the
accumulated time the engine has
been running. Press and release the
message center INFO button until
ENG HRS XXXX.X appears in the
display.
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your authorized dealer.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
23
Page 97 of 418
Replacing headlamp bulbs (aerodynamic)
1. Make sure that the headlamps are off and open the hood.
2. Remove the four bolts from the
top, side and bottom front of the
headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the assembly straight out
disengaging two snap clips to
fender.
4. Disconnect the electrical
connector by squeezing the release
tab and pushing the connector
forward and then pulling it
rearward.
5. Remove the bulb assembly by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Lights
97
Page 130 of 418

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