2013 FORD F250 warning

Note:The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when using
snow tires and chains.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and retighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
WARNING:The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a
substitute for manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure
should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge.
SeeInflating Your Tiresin this chapter. Failure to properly maintain
your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control,
vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
364Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Changing Tires with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Note:
Each road tire is equipped
with a tire pressure sensor located
inside the tire and wheel assembly
cavity. The pressure sensor is
attached to the valve stem.
The pressure sensor is covered
by the tire and is not visible unless
the tire is removed. Take care when
changing the tire to avoid damaging
the sensor.
You should always have your tires serviced by an authorized dealer.
Check the tire pressure periodically (at least monthly) using an accurate
tire gauge. SeeInflating Your Tiresin this chapter.
Understanding Your Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The tire pressure monitoring system measures pressure in your four road
tires and sends the tire pressure readings to your vehicle. The low tire
pressure warning light will turn on if the tire pressure is significantly low.
Once the light is illuminated, your tires are under-inflated and need to be
inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Even if the
light turns on and a short time later turns off, your tire pressure still
needs to be checked.
When your temporary spare tire is installed
When one of your road tires needs to be replaced with the temporary
spare, the tire pressure monitoring system will continue to identify an
issue to remind you that the damaged road wheel or tire needs to be
repaired and put back on your vehicle.
To restore the full function of the tire pressure monitoring system, have
the damaged road wheel or tire repaired and remounted on your vehicle.
For additional information, seeChanging Tires with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systemin this section.
366Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

When you believe your system is not operating properly
The main function of the tire pressure monitoring system is to warn you
when your tires need air. It can also warn you in the event the system is
no longer capable of functioning as intended. See the following chart for
information concerning your tire pressure monitoring system:
Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Solid warning
lightTire(s)
under-inflated1. Make sure tires are at the proper
pressure. SeeInflating your tiresin
this chapter.
2. After inflating your tires to the
manufacturer’s recommended
pressure as shown on the Tire Label
(located on the edge of driver’s door
or the B-Pillar), the vehicle must be
driven for at least two minutes over
20 mph (32 km/h) before the light
turns off.
Spare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel and
tire and reinstall it on the vehicle to
restore system function. For a
description on how the system
functions, seeWhen your
temporary spare tire is installedin
this section.
Tire pressure
monitoring
system
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated and
the spare tire is not in use but the
light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Tire rotation
without sensor
trainingOn vehicles with different front and
rear tire pressures, the system must
be retrained following every tire
rotation. SeeTire rotationin this
chapter.
Wheels and Tires367
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Low tire
pressure
warning lightPossible cause Customer action required
Flashing warning
lightSpare tire in use Repair the damaged road wheel and
tire and reinstall it on the vehicle to
restore system function. For a
description on how the system
functions, seeWhen your
temporary spare tire is installedin
this section.
Tire pressure
monitoring
system
malfunctionIf the tires are properly inflated and
the spare tire is not in use but the
light remains on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
When inflating your tires
When putting air into your tires (such as at a gas station or in your
garage), the tire pressure monitoring system may not respond
immediately to the air added to your tires.
It may take up to two minutes of driving over 20 mph (32 km/h) for the
light to turn off after you have filled your tires to the recommended
inflation pressure.
How temperature affects your tire pressure
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors tire pressure in each
pneumatic tire. While driving in a normal manner, a typical passenger tire
inflation pressure may increase approximately 2 to 4 psi (14 to 28 kPa)
from a cold start situation. If the vehicle is stationary overnight with the
outside temperature significantly lower than the daytime temperature, the
tire pressure may decrease approximately 3 psi (21 kPa) for a drop of 30°F
(17°C) in ambient temperature. This lower pressure value may be detected
by the system as being significantly lower than the recommended inflation
pressure and activate the system warning light for low tire pressure. If the
low tire pressure warning light is on, visually check each tire to verify that
no tire is flat. If one or more tires are flat, repair as necessary. Check air
pressure in the road tires. If any tire is under-inflated, carefully drive the
vehicle to the nearest location where air can be added to the tires. Inflate
all the tires to the recommended inflation pressure.
368Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Reset Procedure
WARNING:To determine the required pressure(s) for your
vehicle, see the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to
either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that
meets the door-latch post, next to the driver’s seating position), or Tire
Label located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. SeeLoad
Carryingfor more information.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system reset procedure needs to be
performed after each tire rotation on vehicles that require different
recommended tire pressures in the front tires as compared to the rear
tires.
Overview
To provide the vehicle’s load carrying capability, some vehicles require
different recommended tire pressures in the front tires as compared to
the rear tires. The tire pressure monitoring system equipped on these
vehicles is designed to illuminate the low tire pressure warning light at
two different pressures; one for the front tires and one for the rear tires.
Since tires need to be rotated to provide consistent performance and
maximum tire life, the tire pressure monitoring system needs to know
when the tires are rotated to determine which set of tires are on the
front and which are on the rear. With this information, the system can
detect and properly warn of low tire pressures.
System reset tips:
•To reduce the chances of interference from another vehicle, the
system reset procedure should be performed at least three feet (one
meter) away from another Ford Motor Company vehicle undergoing
the system reset procedure at the same time.
•Do not wait more than two minutes between resetting each tire sensor
or the system will time-out and the entire procedure will have to be
repeated on all four wheels.
•A double horn chirp indicates the need to repeat the procedure.
Wheels and Tires369
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

10. Turn the ignition off. If two short horn beeps are heard, the reset
procedure was unsuccessful and must be repeated.
If after repeating the procedure and two short beeps are heard when the
ignition is turned to off, seek assistance from your authorized dealer.
11. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure as indicated on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver’s seating position) or Tire Label located on the
B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. SeeLoad Carryingfor more
information.
CHANGING A ROAD WHEEL
WARNING:The use of tire sealants may damage your tire
pressure monitoring system and should not be used. However, if
you must use a sealant, the tire pressure monitoring system sensor and
valve stem on the wheel must be replaced by an authorized Ford dealer.
WARNING:SeeTire Pressure Monitoring Systemin this
chapter for important information. If the tire pressure monitor
sensor becomes damaged, it will no longer function.
Note:
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system,
the indicator light will illuminate when the spare tire is in use. To restore
the full function of the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with
tire pressure monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the brake heavily.
Instead, gradually decrease your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly
and slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
If your vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure monitoring system,
have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the system sensors. SeeTire Pressure Monitoring Systemin this
chapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as soon as possible.
During repairing or replacing of the flat tire, have the authorized dealer
inspect the system sensor for damage.
Wheels and Tires371
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Dissimilar Spare Tire and Wheel Assembly Information
WARNING:Failure to follow these guidelines could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, injury or death.
If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly, then it is intended
for temporary use only. This means that if you need to use it, you should
replace it as soon as possible with a road tire and wheel assembly that is
the same size and type as the road tires and wheels that were originally
provided by Ford. If the dissimilar spare tire or wheel is damaged, it
should be replaced rather than repaired.
A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as a spare tire or
wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from the road tires
and wheels and can be one of three types:
1.T-type mini-spare:This spare tire begins with the letter T for tire
size and may have Temporary Use Only molded in the sidewall.
2.Full-size dissimilar spare with label on wheel:This spare tire
has a label on the wheel that states: THIS TIRE AND WHEEL FOR
TEMPORARY USE ONLY
When driving with one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above, do not:
•exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
•load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label.
•tow a trailer.
•
use snow chains on the end of the vehicle with the dissimilar spare tire.
•use more than one dissimilar spare tire at a time.
•use commercial car washing equipment.
•try to repair the dissimilar spare tire.
Use of one of the dissimilar spare tires listed above at any one wheel
location can lead to impairment of the following:
•Handling, stability and braking performance
•Comfort and noise
•Ground clearance and parking at curbs
•Winter weather driving capability
•Wet weather driving capability
•All-wheel driving capability
372Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

6. Lift the spare tire on end to
access the tether attachment.
7. Use the lug wrench to remove
the lug nut from the spare tire
tether.
8. If not replacing the spare or flat
tire to the underbody storage area,
raise the wheel retainer up into the
installed position.
9.
Use the attached fastener strap (on the spare tire tether) to attach the
tether end to the winch retainer prior to raising to the installed position.
Tire Change Procedure
WARNING:When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transmission alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or
slipping off the jack, even if the transmission selector lever is in
positionP.
WARNING:To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you
change a tire, be sure to place the transmission selector lever in
positionP, set the parking brake and block (in both directions) the
wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to
the tire being changed.
WARNING:Never get underneath a vehicle that is supported
only by a jack. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone
else could be seriously injured.
WARNING:Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid
the danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.
376Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)