Page 306 of 577
6.8L V10 Gasoline Engine
A. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
B. Battery
C. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
D. Engine oil filler cap
E. Engine oil dipstick
F. Power steering fluid reservoir
G. Brake fluid reservoir
H. Engine coolant reservoir
I. Air filter assembly
J. Power distribution box
ABCEHIJFDG
Maintenance305
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 307 of 577

ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
A.–MIN
B. – MAX
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note:For diesel engine information, refer to the diesel supplement.
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick. See the
Under Hood Overviewin this chapter for location of dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
If the oil level is between the lower and upper holes, the oil level is
acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.
If the oil level is below the lower hole, add enough oil to raise the level
within the lower and upper holes.
Oil levels above the upper hole may cause engine damage. Some oil must
be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
AB
306Maintenance
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 308 of 577

Adding Engine Oil
Note:Do not remove the engine oil level dipstick or the filler cap when
the engine is running.
Note:Do not add engine oil further than the MAX mark. Oil levels above
the MAX mark may cause engine damage.
Only use oils certified for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute (API). An oil with this
trademark symbol conforms to the current engine
and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricants
Specification Advisory Council (ILSAC), comprised of
U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers.
1. Check the engine oil level.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add engine oil
that meets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specificationsfor
more information. Remove the engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to
pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Checking the Engine Coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.
The coolant concentration should be maintained within 48% to 50%, which
equates to a freeze point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note:Make sure that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir.
Maintenance307
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 335 of 577

Cleaning Plastic Exterior Parts
Use only approved products to clean plastic parts.
•For routine cleaning, use Motorcraft® Detail Wash.
•
If tar or grease spots are present, use Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover.
WAXING
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Use a quality wax that does not contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will grey or stain the parts over time.
REPAIRING MINOR PAINT DAMAGE
Your authorized dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb) to
your authorized dealer to make sure you get the correct color.
•Remove particles, such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout, before repairing paint chips.
•Always read the instructions before using the products.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt
buildup keep the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
•
Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The
high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
•Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the
engine block or other engine components.
•Spray Motorcraft® Engine Shampoo and Degreaser on all parts that
require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use Motorcraft®
Engine Shampoo.
•Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the
running engine may cause internal damage.
•Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug
well, or the area in and around these locations.
•Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to
prevent water damage when cleaning the engine.
334Vehicle Care
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 342 of 577

Body
•Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
•Touch up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
•Lubricate hood latch, all door latches and trunk lid hinges with a light
grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contains contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer
product to the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage
periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label.
The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the
additive throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Vehicle Care341
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 390 of 577
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 6.2L V8 engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 378 413
Required fuelMinimum 87 octane or
Ethanol (E85)Minimum 87 octane
Firing order 1-5–4–8–6–3–7–2 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark plug gap0.041–0.047 inch
(1.04–1.20 mm)0.039–0.043 inch
(1.0–1.1 mm)
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.8:1 9.2:1
Engine Drivebelt Routing
6.2L V8 engine
Capacities and Specifications389
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 393 of 577

Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Engine and fuel coolant
(diesel engine)Refer to the diesel supplement.
Engine oil (6.2L V8 and
6.8L V10 gasoline
engines)
5,6
7.0 quarts (6.6L)Motorcraft® or
equivalent SAE 5W-20
motor oilWSS-M2C945-A
Engine oil
(diesel engine)Refer to the diesel supplement.
Fuel tank (incomplete
vehicle, steel tank,
middle location)28 gallons (106L) — —
Fuel tank (pickup with
gasoline engine)35 gallons (132L) — —
Fuel tank (incomplete
vehicle, steel tank,
aft axle location)40 gallons (151L) — —
Fuel tank
(diesel engine)Refer to the diesel supplement.
Hinges, latches, striker
plates, fuel filler door
hinge and seat tracks— Multi-Purpose GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 /
ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylinders —Motorcraft® Penetrating
and Lock LubricantXL-1 / None
Transmission / parking
brake linkages and
pivots, brake pedal shift—Motorcraft® Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K /
WSD-M1C227-A
392Capacities and Specifications
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)
Page 395 of 577

Note:Automatic transmissions that require MERCON® LV should only use MERCON® LV fluid.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.4Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.5Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil must meet or exceed the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C945-A, SAE 5W-20, and display the API Starburst
Certification Mark.6If the Ford specification is not shown on the oil container, the oil container must display the API
Starburst Certification Mark and the correct viscosity.7Refer toChecking automatic transmission fluidin this chapter for the correct dipstick type.
Fill to the proper capacity according to dipstick Type A.8Refer toChecking automatic transmission fluidin this chapter for the correct dipstick type.
Fill to the proper capacity according to dipstick Type B.
394Capacities and Specifications
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)