2013 FORD F250 check engine

•TIMER: Displays the trip elapsed drive time. Press and release RESET
to pause the timer. Press and hold RESET to reset the timer.
•TBC GAIN (if equipped): Displays the level of trailer brake gain or if
the trailer is not connected.
•EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel only): For more information, refer to the
Diesel exhaust system: oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter
systemin your diesel supplement for more information.
System Check and Vehicle Feature Customization
Press the SETUP button repeatedly to cycle the message center through
the following features:
Note:Some options may appear slightly different or not at all if the
items are optional.
Note:When returning to the SETUP menu and a non-English language
has been selected, HOLD RESET FOR ENGLISH will be displayed to
change back to English. Press and hold the RESET button to change
back to English.
SETUP
RESET FOR
SYSTEM CHECKpress the
RESET buttonOIL LIFE
EXHAUST FLUID LEVEL
(Diesel only)
ENGINE HOURS
ENGINE IDLE HOURS
CHARGING SYSTEM
DOOR
BRAKE SYSTEM
TBC GAIN = XX.X
FUEL LEVEL
MYKEY DISTANCE
MYKEY(S) PROGRAMMED
ADMIN KEYS PROGRAMMED
106Information Displays
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

SETUP
OIL LIFE
UNITS press the
RESET buttonDistance English
Metric
Temperature Fahrenheit
Celsius
AUTOLAMP
(SEC)0 to 180 seconds
AUTOLOCK On or Off
AUTOUNLOCK On or Off
COURTESY
WIPEOn or Off
REMOTE
WINDOW OPENOn or Off
CREATE MYKEY / MYKEY SETUP / CLEAR MYKEY
RESET FOR ZONE SETTING (if equipped)
ZONE XX RESET = CHANGE (if equipped)
RESET FOR CALIBRATION (if equipped)
RESET FOR
REMOTE START
(if equipped)press the
RESET buttonOn or Off
5, 10, 15 minutes
TBC MODE (if
equipped)Electric or EOH
TRAILER SWAY
(if equipped)On or Off
LANGUAGE =
ENGLISH /
SPANISH /
FRENCHEnglish / Spanish / French
•RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK: The message center will begin to cycle
through the vehicle systems and provide a status of the item if
needed. Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.
•
OIL LIFE: This displays the remaining oil life. An oil change is required
whenever indicated by the message center and according to the
recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY RECOMMENDED
ENGINE OILS.
Information Displays107
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Diesel Messages Action / Description
CHECK COOLANT
ADDITIVEDisplayed when the coolant additive needs to be
checked. Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.
CLEANING
EXHAUST FILTERDisplayed when the vehicle has entered the
cleaning mode. Various engine actions will raise
the exhaust temperature in the Diesel Particulate
Filter (DPF) system to burn off the particles
(exhaust soot). After the particles are burned
off, the exhaust temperature will fall back to
normal levels. This message is NORMAL. Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information.
DRIVE TO CLEAN
EXHAUST SYSTEMDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) is full of particles (exhaust soot) and the
vehicle is not being operated in a manner to
allow normal cleaning. This message will stay on
until the exhaust filter cleaning has begun, at
which time the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER
message will be displayed. It is recommended the
vehicle operator drive the vehicle above 30 mph
(48 km/h) until the CLEANING EXHAUST
FILTER message turns off. This message is
NORMAL. Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.Note:If this message is
ignored, your vehicle will continue to fill the
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) with particles
(exhaust soot). If cleaning is not permitted, the
light will illuminate and engine power may be
limited. If the vehicle is still not operated in a
manner to allow cleaning, the service engine
soon light will illuminate and engine power will
be further limited. Dealer service will then be
required to restore your vehicle to full-power
operation.
Information Displays121
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Engine Messages Action / Description
TRANSPORT MODE
CONTACT DEALERDisplayed when the vehicle is set to transport
mode. The transport mode is used to disable
certain vehicle functions to prevent battery
discharge when the vehicle is in the
transport/inventory phase and is not driven
long enough to maintain the battery’s charge.
This mode can be disabled by doing the
following: Turn the ignition on, without
starting the engine. Press and release the
brake pedal fully five times and press the
hazard button four times (on, off, on, off)
within 10 seconds.
POWER REDUCED
TO LOWER ENGINE
TEMPDisplayed when the engine temperature gauge
needle moves to H. You may notice reduced
engine power. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenancechapter for more information.
Fuel Messages Action / Description
CHECK FUEL CAPDisplayed when the fuel cap may not be
properly closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOWDisplayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
Key Messages Action / Description
COULD NOT
PROGRAM
INTEGRATED KEYDisplayed when an attempt is made to
program a fifth integrated key. For more
information, refer to theSecuritychapter.
TO DRIVE: TURN
KEY TO ONDisplayed when the factory equipped remote
start is activated.
Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
ENGINE OIL
CHANGE SOONDisplayed when the engine oil life is nearing
its end.
OIL CHANGE
REQUIREDDisplayed when the oil life left reaches 0%.
128Information Displays
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle on dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after
you connect it. This is because the engine management system must
realign itself with the engine. You may disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all Canadian interference-causing
equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting your vehicle, avoid pressing the accelerator pedal before
and during operation. Only use the accelerator pedal when you have
difficulty starting the engine.
If your vehicle is operated in a heavy snow storm or blowing snow
conditions, the engine air induction may become partially clogged with
snow and/or ice. If this occurs, the engine may experience a significant
reduction in power output. At the earliest opportunity, clear all the snow
and/or ice away from the air induction inlet. The following starting
instructions are for vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine; if your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer toStarting the enginein
your diesel supplement.
182Starting and Stopping the Engine
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

IGNITION SWITCH
Note:To switch the engine off when your vehicle is moving, move the
transmission selector lever to positionN.Use the brakes to bring your
vehicle to a safe stop. After your vehicle has stopped, switch the engine
off and move the transmission selector lever to positionP.Turn the key
to the accessory or off position.
Note:Do not store the key in the ignition after the vehicle is turned off
and you have left the vehicle. This could cause a drain on the battery.
A.Off:The ignition is off.
B.Accessory:Allows the electrical accessories, such as the radio, to
operate while the engine is not running.
C.On:All the electrical circuits are operational. Warning lights are
illuminated. This is the key position when driving.
D.
Start:Cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
STARTING A GASOLINE ENGINE
When you start the engine, the idle speed increases, this helps to warm
up the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer.
Before starting the engine:
•Make sure all occupants have fastened their safety belts.
•Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
•Make sure the parking brake is on.
•Move the transmission selector lever to positionP.
•Turn the ignition key to the on position.
C
D
B
A
Starting and Stopping the Engine183
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Cold Weather Starting (Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
The starting characteristics of all grades of E-85 ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline).
If summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the engine is
cold when operating on E-85 ethanol.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to off and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system. Such
fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and possible
personal injury.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on E-85 ethanol,
and neither an alternative brand of E-85 ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your tank improves
cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on E-85
ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
If the Engine Fails to Start Using the Preceding Instructions
(Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to
start, repeat Step 1.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,
have this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you
smell exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes.
Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Starting and Stopping the Engine185
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

•Make sure that when in operation, the extension cord plug and the
heater cord plug connections are free and clear of water. This could
cause an electric shock or fire.
•Make sure your vehicle is parked in a clean area, clear of
combustibles.
•Make sure the heater, heater cord and extension cord are firmly
connected.
•Check for heat anywhere in the electrical hookup once the system has
been operating for approximately 30 minutes.
•Make sure the system is unplugged and properly stowed before driving
your vehicle. Make sure the protective cover seals the prongs of the
block heater cord plug when not in use.
•Keep plug terminals clean and free of dirt and corrosion.
•Make sure the heater system is checked for proper operation before
winter.
Using the Engine Block Heater
Make sure the receptacle terminals are clean and dry prior to use.
Clean them with a dry cloth, if necessary.
The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours of energy per hour of use.
The system does not have a thermostat. It achieves maximum
temperature after approximately three hours of operation. Using the
heater longer than three hours does not improve system performance
and unnecessarily uses electricity.
Starting and Stopping the Engine187
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)