bulbs work. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, refer to the
respective system warning light description for additional information.
Note: Some warning lights are
reconfigurable telltale (RTT)
indicator lights and will illuminate in
the message center. These lights
function the same as the other
warning lights.
Service engine soon: The Service
engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the on position to check
the bulb and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the “Service engine
soon” light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if
no malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the “Service
engine soon” light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See the Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) testing in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to On
board diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING: Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the on position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between on and start, or
P!
BRAKE Instrument Cluster
15
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the on
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your authorized dealer. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the
brake system should be inspected immediately by your servicing
authorized dealer.
WARNING: Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause
brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer. Normal braking is still functional unless the brake
warning light also is illuminated.
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
the Seating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minder chime feature.
Engine oil pressure: Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Refer to Engine oil
in the Maintenance and
Specifications chapter. ABSInstrument Cluster
16
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
Low tire pressure warning (if
equipped): Illuminates when your
tire pressure is low. If the light
remains on at start up or while
driving, the tire pressure should be
checked. Refer to Inflating your tires in the Tires, 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 to Understanding your tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in the Tires, Wheels and
Loading chapter.
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.
Powertrain malfunction/Reduced
power/Electronic throttle
control (RTT): Displays when the
engine has defaulted to a
“limp-home” operation or when a transmission problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. If the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Traction control (RTT) (if
equipped): Displays when the
traction control system is active. If
the light remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by
your authorized dealer. Refer to Traction control in the Driving chapter
for more information
Check fuel cap (RTT): Displays
when the fuel cap may not be
properly installed. Continued driving
with this light on may cause the
Service engine soon warning light to
come on. Refer to Fuel filler cap in
the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.Instrument Cluster
17
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
Engine coolant temperature
(RTT): Displays when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the engine and let it
cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter.
WARNING: Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Low fuel (RTT): Displays when
the fuel level in the fuel tank is at
or near empty (refer to Fuel gauge
in this chapter).
Door ajar (RTT): Displays when
the ignition is in the on position and
any door is open.
Transmission Tow/Haul Feature
(automatic transmission) (if
equipped): The Tow Haul light
remains illuminated as long as the
Tow/Haul feature is activated. Refer to the Driving chapter for
transmission function and operation. If the light remains illuminated and
will not cancel using the Tow/Haul switch located on the end of the gear
shift lever, have the system serviced immediately or damage to the
transmission could occur.
Four-wheel drive low (if
equipped): Illuminates when
four-wheel drive low is engaged.
Four-wheel drive high (if
equipped): Illuminates when
four-wheel drive high is engaged. 4x4
LOW
4x4
HIGHInstrument Cluster
18
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
Anti-theft system: Flashes when
the SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system has been activated.
Speed control (if equipped):
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated. Turns off when the
speed control system is deactivated.
Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, it has some unique
warning lights; refer to Instrument Cluster in your Power Stroke 6.0
and 6.4 Liter Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement for 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. Instrument Cluster
19
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
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.
Fuel gauge: Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the on position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer to Filling the tank in the Maintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Battery voltage gauge (manual
transmission only): Indicates the
battery voltage when the ignition is
in the on position. If the pointer
moves and stays outside the normal
operating range, have the vehicle’s
electrical system checked as soon as
possible.
Transmission fluid temperature gauge (automatic transmission
only): If the gauge is in the:
Normal area– the transmission
fluid is within the normal operating
temperature (between “H” and “C”). Instrument Cluster
23
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
ENG HRS
Registers the accumulated time the engine has been running.
MILES (km) TO E
This displays an estimate of approximately how far you can drive with
the fuel remaining in your tank under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition off when refueling to allow this feature to
correctly detect the added fuel.
This function will display LOW FUEL LEVEL when you have
approximately 50 miles (80 km), to empty. Press RESET to clear this
warning message. It will return at approximately 25 miles (40 km),
10 miles (16 km) and 0 miles (0 km) to empty.
The distance to empty is calculated using a running average fuel
economy, which is based on your recent driving history of 500 miles
(800 km). This value is not the same as the average fuel economy
display. The running average fuel economy is re-initialized to a factory
default value if the battery is disconnected.
XX.X MPG (L/100km)
Average fuel economy displays your average fuel economy in miles/gallon
or liters/100 km.
If you calculate your average fuel economy by dividing distance traveled
by gallons of fuel used (liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled),
your figure may be different than displayed for the following reasons:
• Your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
• Differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
• Variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
• Rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 gallon (liter)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 5 miles (8 km) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the SELECT/RESET button (press and hold the
SELECT/RESET button for two seconds in order to reset the function)
after setting the speed control to get accurate highway fuel economy
readings.
TBC GAIN (if equipped)
Displays the level of trailer brake gain or if the trailer is not connected. Instrument Cluster
25
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)
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.
Types of messages and warnings:
• Some messages will appear briefly to inform you of something you
may need to take action on or be informed of.
• Some messages will appear once and then again when the vehicle is
restarted.
• Some messages will reappear after clearing or being reset if a problem
or condition is still present and needs your attention.
• Some messages can be acknowledged and reset by pressing the
SELECT/RESET button. This allows you to use the full message
center functionality by clearing the message.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED — Displayed when the parking brake is
applied (or not fully released).
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM — Displayed when a fault has been detected
by the ABS module.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the passenger’s door is
not completely closed.
REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
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.
CHECK PARK AID (if equipped) — Displayed when the transmission
is in R (Reverse) and the reverse sensing system (park aid) is disabled.
TO STOP ALARM START VEHICLE (if equipped) — Displayed
when the perimeter alarm system is armed and the vehicle is entered
using the key on the driver’s side door. In order to prevent the perimeter
alarm system from triggering, the ignition must be turned to start or on
before the 12–second chime expires. See Perimeter alarm system in the
Locks and Security chapter.Instrument Cluster
28
2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)