2013 FORD F250 parking brake

The auxiliary input jack allows you
to connect and play music from
your portable music player through
your vehicle speakers. You can use
any portable music player designed
for use with headphones. Your audio
extension cable must have male
18-inch (3.5 millimeter) connectors
at each end.
1. Switch off the engine, radio and portable music player. Set the
parking brake and put the transmission in positionP.
2. Plug the extension cable from the portable music player into the
auxiliary input jack.
3. Switch the radio on. Select either a tuned FM station or a CD.
4. Adjust the volume as desired.
5. Switch your portable music player on and adjust its volume to half its
maximum level.
6. PressAUXuntilLINEorLINE INappears in the display.
You should hear music from your device even if it is low.
7. Adjust the volume on your portable music player until it reaches the
volume level of the FM station or CD. Do this by switching back and
forth between the AUX and FM or CD controls.
USB PORT (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, crash and injury. We strongly recommend that you use
extreme caution when using any device that may take your focus off
the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe operation of your
vehicle. We recommend against the use of any hand-held device while
driving and encourage the use of voice-operated systems when possible.
Make sure you are aware of all applicable local laws that may affect the
use of electronic devices while driving.
The USB port allows you to plug in
media playing devices, memory sticks
and charge devices (if supported).
See theSYNCchapter for more
information.
142Audio System
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)

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Understanding the Shift Positions of the 5–Speed Automatic
Transmission (If Equipped)
WARNING:Do not use the tow/haul feature when driving in icy
or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause
the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
To put your vehicle in gear:
•Start the engine
•Press the brake pedal
•Move the gearshift lever into the desired gear
To put your vehicle in P (Park):
•Come to a complete stop
•Move the gearshift lever and securely latch it in P (Park)
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift lever in R (Reverse), the vehicle will move backward.
Always come to a complete stop before shifting into and out of R
(Reverse).
N (Neutral)
With the gearshift lever in N (Neutral), the vehicle can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position.
Transmission199
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•The transmission will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; it
will downshift to a lower gear and then shift into 1 (First) when the
vehicle reaches slower speeds.
Forced downshifts
•Allowed in D (Overdrive) or D (Drive).
•Press the accelerator to the floor.
•Allows transmission to select an appropriate gear.
Understanding the Shift Positions of a 6–Speed Automatic
Transmission (If Equipped)
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING:Do not use the tow/haul feature when driving in icy
or slippery conditions as the increased engine braking can cause
the rear wheels to slide and the vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.
P (Park)
This position locks the transmission and prevents the rear wheels from
turning.
Transmission201
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Brake-shift interlock
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING:When doing this procedure, you will be taking
the vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely.
To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking
brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
theFuseschapter.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the
following procedure will allow you to move the gearshift lever from P
(Park):
1. Apply the parking brake. Turn the ignition key to 1 (off), then remove
the key.
2. Move the steering column to the full down and full rearward position
(toward the driver’s seat).
3. Remove the gearshift lever boot.
4. Place fingers into hole where the gearshift lever boot was removed
from and pull top half of shroud up and forward to separate it from the
lower half of the shroud. There is a hinge at the forward edge of the top
shroud. Roll the top half of the shroud upward on the hinge point to
clear the hazard flasher button, then pull straight rearward toward the
driver’s seat to remove.
5. Remove the top half of the shroud.
206Transmission
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

HILL START ASSIST
WARNING:The hill start assist feature does not replace the
parking brake. When you leave the vehicle, always apply the
parking brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
WARNING:You must remain in the vehicle once you have
activated the hill start assist feature.
WARNING:During all times, you are responsible for controlling
the vehicle, supervising the hill start assist system and
intervening, if required.
WARNING:If the engine is revved excessively, or if a
malfunction is detected when the hill start assist feature is
active, the hill start assist feature will be deactivated.
Hill start assist keeps your vehicle stationary long enough to move your
foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal when your vehicle is
on a slope.
The brakes are released automatically once the engine has developed
sufficient drive to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the slope. This
is an advantage when pulling away on a slope, (for example from a car
park ramp, traffic lights or when reversing uphill into a parking space).
Using Hill Start Assist
1. Press the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a complete standstill.
Keep the brake pedal pressed.
2. If the sensors detect that the vehicle is on a slope, the hill start assist
feature will be activated automatically.
3. When you remove your foot from the brake pedal, the vehicle will
remain on the slope without rolling away for approximately two or three
seconds. This hold time will automatically be extended if you are in the
process of driving off.
4. Drive off in the normal manner. The brakes will be released
automatically.
208Transmission
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

•Move the transfer case lever from 4H (4x4 High) to 2H (2WD) at a stop
or a vehicle speed below 3 mph (5 km/h), then disengage the locking
hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK to FREE.
•For proper operation, make sure that both indicator arrows on the
hub are aligned, and that both hubs are set to either FREE or LOCK.
Shifting to/from 4L (4x4 Low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop or a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
3. Move the transfer case shift lever through N (Neutral) directly to the
desired position.
4. If the transfer case does not, or only partially moves to the desired
position, perform a shift with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the
vehicle rolling at a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
5. If shifting to 2H (2WD) with the vehicle at a complete stop, disengage
the locking hubs (optional) by rotating the hub lock control from LOCK
to FREE.
Using the N (Neutral) position
WARNING:Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
The transfer case neutral position
overrides the transmission and puts
the vehicle in neutral regardless of
transmission gearshift lever position.
The vehicle can move forward or
backwards.
This position should only be used
when towing the vehicle.
212Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Parking
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Always set the parking brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the off
position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
On some 4WD vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral)
position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of
the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic
transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear. Do not
leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn off the ignition
when leaving the vehicle.
Maintenance and modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor Company
strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such as adding or
removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by using replacement
parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will roll over as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder racks or pickup box
cover).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-road usage.
222Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)