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.
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 RESET.
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.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM — Displayed when the electrical system
is not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical
accessories when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of
the electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes
on when the engine is operating at normal speeds, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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.
CHECK FUEL CAP — Displayed when the fuel cap may not be
properly closed. Refer to What you should know about automotive
fuels in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.Instrument Cluster
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Compass/transmission indicator displays
The compass heading will display in the upper right corner of the message
center; the transmission gear indicator displays in the right side of the
message center when using the SelectShift Automatic™ transmission
feature. These displays will not be shown in all screen modes. For example:
when programming certain vehicle features or in certain information menus.
System warnings and status messages
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.
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 OK. This
allows you to use the full message center functionality by clearing the
message.
DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the door is not completely closed.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the driver door is not
completely closed.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the rear left door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the passenger door is
not completely closed.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR — Displayed when the rear right door is
not completely closed.
CHECK FUEL CAP — Displayed when the fuel cap may not be
properly closed. Refer to What you should know about automotive
fuels in the Maintenance and Specifications chapter.
FUEL LEVEL LOW — Displayed as a reminder of a low fuel condition.Instrument Cluster
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WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Vehicle type Rear axle
ratio Maximum
GCWR - lb (kg)
F–250/F–350 Single Rear Wheel (SRW) 3.73 19000 (8617)
4.30 22000 (9977)
F–350 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) 3.73 19500 (8844)
4.30 22500 (10204)
F–450/550 4.88 26000 (11791)
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. Contact your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer as soon as possible if you require assistance.
Hitches
WARNING: ON PICK-UP TRUCKS, the trailer hitch provided on
this vehicle enhances collision protection for the fuel system. DO
NOT REMOVE!
Do not mount a ball hitch (sometimes referred to as a trailer ball hitch
or trailer ball) to the bumper or use a hitch that clamps onto the
vehicle’s bumper or attaches to the axle. You must distribute the load in
your trailer so that 10–15% for conventional towing or 15–25% for
fifth-wheel towing of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Hitch ratings
The standard hitch has two ratings depending on mode of operation:
• Weight-carrying - requires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
• Weight-distributing - requires an aftermarket weight-distributing
system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. The vertical tongue load of the trailer is distributed between
the truck and the trailer by this system. Tires, Wheels and Loading
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see Preparing to drive your vehicle in
this chapter.
When four–wheel drive (4WD) is engaged, power is supplied to all four
wheels through a transfer case. 4WD can be selected when additional
driving power is desired.
4WD operation is not recommended on dry pavement. Doing so could
result in difficult disengagement of the transfer case, increased tire wear
and decreased fuel economy.
Manual Shift On Stop (MSOS) 4x4 system (if equipped)
The 4WD system is engaged or
disengaged by rotating the control
for both front wheel hub locks from
the FREE or LOCK position, then
manually engaging or disengaging
the transfer case with the
floor-mounted shifter. For increased
fuel economy in 2WD, rotate both
hub locks to the FREE position.
• For proper operation, make
sure that each hub is fully
engaged and that both hub locks are set to the same position
(both set to LOCK or both set to FREE). To engage LOCK,
turn the hub locks completely clockwise; to disengage the hubs
(FREE), turn the hub locks completely counterclockwise.
• The vehicle should not be driven in 4X4 High or 4X4 Low
modes with the hub locks set to FREE as this condition may
damage driveline system components.
• Some vehicles may be equipped with wheel ornaments that cover the
4x4 manual hub lock. These ornaments must be removed to access
the manual hub locks.
Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) 4x4 system (if equipped)
If equipped with the electronic shift 4WD system, and 4X4 Low is
selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h), the
4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and should be
no reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 Low) for
proper system operation. Driving
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2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
Calculation 1: Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
Calculation 2: Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
• Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
• Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Slow down gradually.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
• Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
• You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.Maintenance and Specifications
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SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................149–150
Servicing your vehicle ..............370
Setting the clock ...................61, 63
Snowplowing .................7, 316–317
SOS Post Crash Alert ...............189
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................410, 415
Special notice ................................8
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
four-wheel drive vehicles .......318
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Speed control ............................110
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......268
Starting your vehicle ........265–268
jump starting ..........................348
Steering wheel
controls ....................................112
tilting .........................................99
SYNC ..........................................77
T
Tailgate ......................................123
Tilt steering wheel ......................99
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....237
Tires ...........................219–220, 331
alignment ................................229
care ..........................................225
changing ..................331, 334, 337
checking the pressure ............224
inflating ...................................221
label .........................................236
replacing ..................................227 rotating ....................................230
safety practices .......................229
sidewall information ...............232
snow tires and chains ............243
spare tire .................................332
terminology .............................220
tire grades ...............................220
treadwear ........................219, 226
Towing .......................................252
recreational towing .................263
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............256
trailer towing ..........................252
wrecker ....................................351
Traction control ........................274
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................256
Trailer sway control ..................281
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................404
Transmission .............................287
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....285
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................400
fluid, refill capacities ..............411
Turn signal ..................................91
U
Universal garage door opener ..116
Upfitter controls .......................114
USB port ......................................71
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................417
Vehicle loading ..........................244
Ventilating your vehicle ...........269 Index
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