SPEED LIMITED TO XX MPH UPON RESTART CONTAMINATED
EXHAUST FLUID (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the diesel
exhaust fluid is contaminated. Speed will be limited upon restart. The
diesel exhaust fluid must be replaced to resume normal operation of the
vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO XX MPH UPON RESTART EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY (diesel engine only)— Displayed when the remaining diesel
exhaust fluid level is depleted. Speed will be limited upon restart. The
diesel exhaust fluid must be replenished to resume normal operation of
the vehicle. Refer to your diesel supplement for more information.
LOW FUEL PRESSURE (diesel engine only)— If this message
appears during a cold start or during cold operation 32°F (0°C) up to
10 minutes after the initial cold start; monitor the message center and if
it disappears and does not re-appear after the engine has fully warmed
up, the low fuel pressure message is most likely caused by waxed or
gelled fuel. To prevent this, use an anti-gel additive. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information. The customer warranty may be void
from using additives that do not meet or exceed Ford specifications. If
the low fuel pressure message persistently appears after re-fueling during
the cold start and cold operation conditions defined previously and then
disappear when the engine has fully warmed up, consider different fuel
sources.
•Low Fuel Operation: If the message appears when the vehicle is warm
and during low fuel tank level operation, i.e. the tank level is at or
very near empty, refuel the vehicle and operate the vehicle. If the
message reappears after fueling, see below. If the message does not
come back, the low fuel pressure condition was due to low fuel levels
in the fuel tank.
•Normal Operation: If the message appears during normal operation
when the vehicle / engine is fully warm, and fuel level is not low, the
fuel filters must be changed regardless of the maintenance schedule
interval. If replacement of the fuel filter does not remedy the low fuel
pressure message during normal operation as defined above, please
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER (diesel engine only)— Displayed
approximately two hours after the DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST
SYSTEM message has displayed and the vehicle operator has not driven
the vehicle above 30 mph (48 km/h) for at least 20 minutes to clean the
DPF. At this point the vehicle must be serviced by an authorized dealer.
This message is normal. Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
Instrument Cluster
54
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
Climate controlled seats air filter replacement (if equipped)
The climate controlled seat system includes air filters that must be
replaced periodically. Refer to thescheduled maintenance information
for more information.
•There is a filter located under the
rear of each front seat.
•The filter can be accessed from the second row seat. Move the front
seats all the way forward and up to ease access.
To remove an air filter:
1. Remove key from ignition.
2. Push up on the outside rigid edge
of the filter and rotate toward the
front of the vehicle once tabs are
released.
3. Remove filter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
159
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
How to disengage the automatic locking mode
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
WARNING:After any vehicle collision, the front passenger and
rear outboard safety belt systems must be checked by an
authorized dealer to verify that the “automatic locking retractor”
feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety
belts should be checked for proper function.
WARNING:BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE
REPLACED if the safety belt assembly “automatic locking
retractor” feature or any other safety belt function is not operating
properly when checked by an authorized dealer. Failure to replace the
belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in
collisions.
Energy management feature
•This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management
feature at the front outboard seating positions to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
•The front outboard safety belt systems have a retractor assembly that
is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is
designed to help reduce the belt force acting on the occupant’s chest.
Safety belt pretensioner
The safety belt pretensioners at the front outboard seating positions are
designed to tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body
during frontal collisions, and in side collisions and rollovers. This helps
increase the effectiveness of the safety belts. In frontal collisions, the
safety belt pretensioners can be activated alone or, if the collision is of
sufficient severity, together with the front airbags.
The driver and front outboard passenger safety belt system (including
retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be replaced if the vehicle
is involved in a collision that results in the activation of the safety belt
pretensioners. Refer to theChild restraint and safety belt
maintenancesection in this chapter.
Seating and Safety Restraints
170
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to
indicate the condition of the system. Refer toWarning lights and
chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the
side airbag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light as for front airbag system) will either
flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced
at your authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.
SOS Post-Crash Alert System™
The system automatically flashes the turn signal lamps and sounds the
horn three times at four second intervals in the event of a serious impact
that deploys an airbag (front, side, side curtain or Safety Canopy)or
the safety belt pretensioners.
The system can be turned off when any one of the following actions are
taken by the driver or any other person:
•pressing the hazard control button,
•or pressing the panic button on the remote entry transmitter.
The feature will continue to operate until the vehicle runs out of power.
Seating and Safety Restraints
185
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition. Do not introduce any item thicker than this under the booster
seat. Check with the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions.
The importance of shoulder belts
Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s
head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should
never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is generally best to use a
booster seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat.
Move a child to a different seating location if the shoulder belt does not
stay positioned on the shoulder during use.
Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.
WARNING:Never place, or allow a child to place, the shoulder
belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it reduces
the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk
of injury or death in a collision.
Child restraint and safety belt maintenance
Inspect the vehicle safety belts and child safety seat systems periodically
to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. Inspect the
vehicle and child seat safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears
or cuts. Replace if necessary. All vehicle safety belt assemblies, including
retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle assemblies, buckle support
assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety
seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Refer to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions for additional inspection and maintenance information
specific to the child restraint. Ford Motor Company recommends that all
safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in a collision be
replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an authorized dealer
finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate
properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in
use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
Seating and Safety Restraints
210
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case or power
transfer unit. 4WD vehicles allow you to select different drive modes as
necessary. Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures
can be found in theDrivingchapter. Information on transfer case
maintenance can be found in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. You should become thoroughly familiar with this information
before you operate your vehicle.
On some 4WD models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to 4WD
while the vehicle is moving can cause a momentary clunk and ratcheting
sound. These sounds are normal as the front drivetrain comes up to
speed and is not cause for concern.
WARNING:Do not become overconfident in the ability of 4WD
and AWD vehicles. Although a 4WD or AWD vehicle may
accelerate better than two-wheel drive vehicle in low traction
situations, it won’t stop any faster than two-wheel drive vehicles.
Always drive at a safe speed.
How your vehicle differs from other vehicles
SUV and trucks can differ from
some other vehicles in a few
noticeable ways. Your vehicle may
be:
•Higher – to allow higher load
carrying capacity and to allow it
to travel over rough terrain
without getting hung up or
damaging underbody components.
•Shorter – to give it the capability
to approach inclines and drive
over the crest of a hill without
getting hung up or damaging
underbody components. All other
things held equal, a shorter
wheelbase may make your vehicle
quicker to respond to steering inputs than a vehicle with a longer
wheelbase.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
213
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Improper or inadequate vehicle maintenance can cause tires to wear
abnormally. Inspect all your tires, including the spare, frequently, and
replace them if one or more of the following conditions exist:
Tire wear
When the tread is worn down to
1/16th of an inch (2 mm), tires must
be replaced to help prevent your
vehicle from skidding and
hydroplaning. Built-in treadwear
indicators, or “wear bars”, which
look like narrow strips of smooth
rubber across the tread will appear
on the tire when the tread is worn
down to 1/16th of an inch (2 mm).
When the tire tread wears down to
the same height as these “wear bars”, the tire is worn out and must be
replaced.
Damage
Periodically inspect the tire treads and sidewalls for damage (such as
bulges in the tread or sidewalls, cracks in the tread groove and
separation in the tread or sidewall). If damage is observed or suspected
have the tire inspected by a tire professional. Tires can be damaged
during off-road use, so inspection after off-road use is also
recommended.
WARNING: Age
Tires degrade over time depending on many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed,
inflation pressure, etc.) the tires experience throughout their lives.
In general, tires should be replaced after six years regardless of tread
wear. However, heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the aging process and may require tires to be
replaced more frequently.
You should replace your spare tire when you replace the road tires or
after six years due to aging even if it has not been used.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
221
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidechapter) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
vehicles/Four-wheel drive
(4WD)/All-wheel drive (AWD)
vehicles (front tires at top of
diagram)
Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating the tires.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire/wheel. A
dissimilar spare tire/wheel is defined as a spare tire and/or wheel that is
different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires and wheels. If
you have a dissimilar spare tire/wheel it is intended for temporary use
only and should not be used in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
225
2011 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)