2013 FORD F250 bulb

Maintenance 302
General information...................................302
Opening and closing the hood............................303
Under hood overview..................................304
Engine oil dipstick....................................306
Engine oil check......................................306
Engine coolant check..................................307
Automatic transmission fluid check........................313
Brake fluid check.....................................317
Power steering fluid check..............................317
Fuel filter...........................................317
Washer fluid check....................................318
Changing the vehicle battery.............................318
Checking the wiper blades..............................321
Air filter(s).........................................323
Adjusting the headlamps................................325
Changing a bulb......................................326
Bulb specification chart.................................331
Vehicle Care 332
Cleaning products.....................................332
Cleaning the exterior..................................332
Waxing.............................................334
Repairing minor paint damage............................334
Cleaning the engine...................................334
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................335
Cleaning the interior...................................335
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......336
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................340
Vehicle storage.......................................340
6Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Charging System
It will illuminate when the 12–volt battery is not charging
properly. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Check Fuel Cap
It will illuminate when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the
Service engine soon warning indicator to come on.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch this feature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is switched on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Door Ajar
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Electronic Locking Differential
Displays when using the electronic locking differential.
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the engine running or when you are
driving, this indicates a malfunction. Stop your vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level.
Note:Do not resume your journey if it illuminates despite the level
being correct. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
100Instrument Cluster
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Service Engine Soon
Theservice engine soonindicator 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) testingin theFuel and
Refuelingchapter.
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 theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
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.
Stability Control System
Displays when the AdvanceTrac®/Traction control is active.
If the light remains on, have the system serviced immediately.
Stability Control System Off
Illuminates when AdvanceTrac®/Traction control has been
disabled by the driver.
Transmission Tow/Haul
Illuminates when the Tow/Haul feature has been activated.
Refer to theTransmissionchapter for transmission function
and operation. If the light flashes steadily, have the system
serviced immediately, damage to the transmission could occur.
102Instrument Cluster
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway or highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once the
engine is started, do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle
is complete. If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above
driving cycle will have to be repeated.
198Fuel and Refueling
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

AdvanceTrac® with RSC® Features
(Single rear wheels only)
Button functionsStability
control
lightRSC® ESC TCS
Default at start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled Enabled
Button pressed
momentarilyIlluminated
solidEnabled Enabled
1Disabled
Button pressed and
held for more than
5 seconds at vehicle
speed under 35 mph
(56 km/h)Flashes then
illuminated
solid
2Disabled Disabled Disabled
Vehicle speed
exceeds 35 mph
(56 km/h) after
button is pressed
and held for more
than 5 secondsIlluminated
solidEnabled Enabled
1Disabled
Button pressed again
after deactivationNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled Enabled
Transfer case
switched to 4WD
Low
3Illuminated Disabled Disabled Disabled
1Electronic stability control has reduced sensitivity compared to fully
active system.
2Lamp light starts blinking for four seconds after entering the press and
hold state.
3Engaging 4WD Low locked automatically disables roll stability control,
electronic stability control and the traction control system.
Stability Control229
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

4.On the wall or screen you will
observe a light pattern with a distinct
horizontal edge towards the right.
If this edge is not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need
to be adjusted so the edge is at the
same height as the horizontal
reference line.
5.Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Use a number 2
Phillips screwdriver to turn the
adjuster either counterclockwise
or clockwise in order to adjust
the vertical aim of the headlamp.
The upper edge of the light pattern
should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. Repeat Steps 3–5 for the other
headlamp.
7. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NOT ADJUSTABLE.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
326Maintenance
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

10. For the headlamp bulb,
remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
11. For the park or turn lamp bulb,
remove the bulb 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.
328Maintenance
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Replacing Front Clearance and Identification Lamp Bulbs
(If Equipped)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the screw and lens from
the lamp assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Install the bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing Fog Lamp Bulbs (If Equipped)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the
fog lamp by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the fog lamp bulb.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing Brake/Tail/Turn/Reverse Lamp Bulbs (Pickups Only)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off,
then open the tailgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2.
Remove the two bolts from the tail
lamp assembly and carefully pull the
lamp assembly from the tailgate pillar
by releasing the two retaining tabs.
3. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Maintenance329
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)