
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester. The level of
coolant should be maintained at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
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•Do not mix coolants. Add the coolant type originally equipped
in your vehicle.Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants/additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and/or heating systems.
This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the FULL COLD level. For all other vehicles which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
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4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the COLD FILL RANGE or the FULL COLD level on the reservoir.
If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the radiator
until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine,refer to the
Maintenance Product Specifications and Capacitiessection of your
6.0 and 6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s
Guide Supplement.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
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Refueling
WARNING:Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause
severe injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others:
•Read and follow all the instructions on the pump island;
•Turn off your engine when you are refueling;
•Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle;
•Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from fuel;
•Stay outside your vehicle and do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling your vehicle — this is against the law in some places;
•Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump
fuel.
Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel filler cap
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise until it spins off.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise until it clicks.
If the “Check Fuel Cap” indicator comes on and stays on after you start
the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
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safety belts ..............................349
washing ....................................344
waxing .....................................345
wheels ......................................345
wiper blades ............................347
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ....98, 102
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................54
AM/FM/CD .................................47
Clutch
fluid ..........................................383
operation while driving ..........278
recommended shift speeds ....278
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................37
Console ..............................122–123
overhead ..........................121–122
Controls
power seat ...............................166
steering column ......................134
Coolant
checking and adding ..............364
refill capacities ................367, 390
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................131
Customer Assistance ................302
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................352
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................399
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............341
Getting roadside assistance ...302
Getting the service you
need .........................................337
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................342Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................341
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ..............................108
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................383
engine oil .................................359
Driving under special
conditions ..................277, 292, 296
sand .........................................294
snow and ice ...........................296
through water .................295, 298
DVD system .................................68
E
Electronic message center ...25, 33
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................330
Emergency Flashers .................303
Emission control system ..........378
Engine ........................................394
cleaning ...................................346
coolant .....................................364
diesel ...........................................6
fail-safe cooling .......................368
idle speed control ...................362
refill capacities ........................390
service points ..................356–357
starting after a collision .........304
Engine oil ..................................359
checking and adding ..............359
dipstick ....................................359
filter, specifications ........361, 389
recommendations ...................361
Index
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USA(fus)

Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................310
Power door locks ......................148
Power mirrors ...........................127
Power point ...............................124
Power steering ..........................271
fluid, checking and adding ....381
fluid, refill capacity ................390
Power Windows .........................124
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................273
R
Radio ................................43, 45, 52
Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................68
Rear-view camera system .........282
Relays ........................................305
Remote entry system ...............152
illuminated entry ....................157
locking/unlocking
doors ................................148, 153
replacing the batteries ...........155
Reverse sensing system ...........280
Roadside assistance ..................302
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....172–177
Safety defects, reporting ..........343
Safety restraints ................172–177
Belt-Minder...........................180
extension assembly ................183
for adults .........................173–177
for children .............................194lap belt ....................................179
warning light and
chime ...............................179–180
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................206
Safety seats for children ..........198
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................395
Satellite Radio Information ........65
Seats ..........................................163
child safety seats ....................198
cleaning ...................................351
heated ......................................102
memory seat ...................154, 168
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................157
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...............159, 161
Servicing your vehicle ..............354
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................47
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................54
Snowplowing .................7, 299–300
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............188
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................389, 394
Special notice ................................7
ambulance conversions ..............7
diesel-powered vehicles .............6
four-wheel drive vehicles .......301
utility-type vehicles ....................6
Speed control ............................131
Starting your vehicle ........263–265
jump starting ..........................330
Steering wheel
controls ....................................134
tilting .......................................121
Index
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2010 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)