2013 FORD F250 4WD

Trailer Messages Action / Description
TRAILER BRAKE
MODULE FAULTDisplayed and accompanied by a single chime,
in response to faults sensed by the TBC. Refer
to theTowingchapter for more information.
TRAILER
CONNECTEDDisplayed when a correct trailer connection
(a trailer with electric trailer brakes) is sensed
during a given ignition cycle.
TRAILER
DISCONNECTEDDisplayed when a trailer connection becomes
disconnected, either intentionally or
unintentionally, and has been sensed during a
given ignition cycle. Disregard this status if
your vehicle is not equipped with a factory
installed trailer brake controller. This message
may appear when an aftermarket TBC is used
even when the trailer is connected.
TRAILER SWAY
REDUCE SPEEDDisplayed when the trailer sway control has
detected trailer sway.
WIRING FAULT ON
TRAILERDisplayed if there are certain faults in the
vehicle wiring and trailer wiring/brake system.
Refer to theTowingchapter for more
information.
4WD Messages Action / Description
CHECK 4X4Displayed when a 4X4 system fault is present.
For more information, refer toFour-wheel
drivechapter.
4X4 SHIFT IN
PROGRESSDisplayed when the 4X4 system is making a
shift.
FOR 4X4 LOW
APPLY BRAKEDisplayed when trying to select 4X4 LOW.
132Information Displays
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

4WD Messages Action / Description
FOR 4X4 LOW
SHIFT TO NDisplayed when 4X4 LOW is selected and the
vehicle is stopped.
FOR 4X4 LOW
SLOW TO 3 MPHDisplayed when 4X4 LOW is selected while the
vehicle is moving.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW
APPLY BRAKEDisplayed when 2WD is selected from 4X4
LOW mode.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW
SHIFT TO NDisplayed when 2WD is selected while the
vehicle has been stopped in 4X4 LOW.
TO EXIT 4X4 LOW
SLOW TO 3 MPHDisplayed when 2WD is selected while the
vehicle is operating in 4X4 LOW.
SHIFT DELAYED
PULL FORWARDMay display when shifting to or from 4X4
LOW.
REDUCE
ACCELERATOR TO
PREVENT WHEEL
SLIPDisplayed when the vehicle senses that torque
to the drive wheels has overcome the available
traction.
Information Displays133
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

USING FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (IF EQUIPPED )
WARNING:For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, seeGeneral Informationin theWheels
and Tireschapter.
Note:Do not use 4X4 mode on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will
produce excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive
components. 4X4 mode is only intended for consistently slippery or loose
surfaces.
Note:
If 4X4 low is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph
(5 km/h), the 4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and
should be no reason for concern. Refer toShifting to/from 4L (4X4 Low)
for proper operation.
Manual Shift On Stop (MSOS) 4WD system (if equipped)
Note:Some vehicles may be equipped with wheel ornaments that cover
the 4x4 manual hub lock. These ornaments must be removed to access
the manual hub locks.
Note:The vehicle should not be driven in 4X4 High or 4X4 Low modes
with the hub locks set to FREE as this condition may damage driveline
system components.
The 4WD system is engaged or
disengaged by rotating the control
for both front wheel hub locks from
the FREE or LOCK position, then
manually engaging or disengaging
the transfer case with the
floor-mounted shifter. For increased
fuel economy in 2WD, rotate both
hub locks to the FREE position.
Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly (ESOF) 4WD system (if equipped)
Note:If 4X4 Low is selected while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph
(5 km/h), the 4WD system will not perform a shift. This is normal and
should be no reason for concern. Refer to Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 Low)
for proper system operation.
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)209
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Note:Auto-manual hub locks can be manually overridden by rotating the
hub lock control from AUTO to LOCK.
For proper operation, make sure
that each hub is fully engaged and
that both hub locks are set to the
same position (both set to LOCK
or both set to AUTO). To engage
LOCK, turn the hub locks
completely clockwise; to engage
AUTO, turn the hub locks
completely counterclockwise.
The ESOF 4WD system:
•provides 4x4 High engagement and disengagement while the vehicle is
moving.
•is operated by a rotary control located on the instrument panel that
allows you select 4x2, 4x4 High or 4x4 Low operation.
•uses auto-manual hub locks that can be engaged and disengaged
automatically based on the 4x4 mode selected.
•will increase fuel economy when used in the recommended AUTO lock
mode.
4WD Indicator Lights
The indicator lights illuminate in the message center in the
reconfigurable telltale (RTT) location under the following conditions.
Refer toWarning Lamps and Indicatorsin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Note:When a 4X4 system fault is present, the system will typically
remain in whichever 4X4 mode was selected prior to the fault condition
occurring. It will not default to 4X2 in all circumstances. When this
warning is displayed, have your vehicle serviced by an authorized dealer.
4X2- Momentarily illuminates when 2H is selected.
4X4 HIGH- Continuously illuminates when 4H is selected.
210Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

4X4 LOW- Continuously illuminates when 4L is selected.
CHECK 4X4- Displays when a 4X4 fault is present.
Using a Manual Shift On Stop (MSOS) 4wd system (if equipped)
Note:High shift efforts may be encountered when attempting to shift
into and out of 4x4 modes. It is recommended to allow the vehicle to roll
at a speed below 3 mph (5 km/h) when shifting between modes.
•2H (2WD):For general on-road
driving. Sends power to the rear
wheels only and should be used
for street and highway driving.
Provides optimal smoothness and
fuel economy at high speeds.
•4H (4x4 High):Used for extra
traction such as in snow or icy
roads or in off road situations.
This mode is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
•N (Neutral):Only used when towing the vehicle. No power to front
or rear wheels.
•4L (4x4 Low):Uses extra gearing to provide maximum power to all
four wheels at reduced speeds. Intended only for off road applications
such as deep sand, steep grades or pulling heavy objects.
Shifting between system modes
Note:Do not perform these operations if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the 4x4 system shifts or engages.
This is normal. In order to reduce engagement noise, it is recommended
that all shifts be performed at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Note:The vehicle should not be driven in 4X4 High with the hub locks
disengaged as this condition may damage driveline system components.
•Engage the locking hubs by rotating the hub lock control from FREE
to LOCK, then move the transfer case lever from 2H (2WD) to 4H
(4x4 High) at a stop or a vehicle speed below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)211
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Using the Electronic Shift on the Fly 4WD system (If Equipped)
2H (2WD)- For general on-road
driving. Sends power to the rear
wheels only and should be used
for street and highway driving.
Provides optimal smoothness and
fuel economy at high speeds.
4H (4X4 HIGH)- Used for extra
traction such as in snow or icy
roads or in off road situations.
This mode is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
4L (4X4 LOW)- Uses extra gearing to provide maximum power to all
four wheels at reduced speeds. Intended only for off-road applications
such as deep sand, steep grades, or pulling heavy objects. 4L (4x4 low)
will not engage while the vehicle is moving above 3 mph (5 km/h); this is
normal and should be no reason for concern. Refer toShifting to/from
4L (4x4 low)for proper operation.
Shifting between system modes
Note:Momentarily releasing the accelerator pedal while performing a
shift will improve engagement/disengagement times.
Note:Do not perform this operation if the rear wheels are slipping.
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4X4 high mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
You can move the control from 2H or 4H at a stop or while driving.
The information display may display a message indicating a 4X4 shift is
in progress. Once the shift is complete the message center will then
display the system mode selected.
IfSHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARDis displayed in the information
display during the mode shift, transfer case gear tooth blockage is
present. To alleviate this condition, place the transmission in a forward
gear and move the vehicle forward approximately 5 feet (2 meters) to
allow the transfer case to complete the mode shift.
2H
4H
4L
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)213
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Shifting to/from 4L (4X4 low)
Note:Some noise may be heard as the system shifts or engages; this is
normal.
Note:4x4 low mode is not intended for use on dry pavement.
1. Bring the vehicle to a speed of 3 mph (5 km/h) or less.
2. Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
3. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
The information display will display a message indicating a 4X4 shift is
in progress. The information display will then display the system mode
selected. If any of the above shift conditions are not met, the shift will
not occur and the information display will display information guiding the
driver through the proper shifting procedures.
IfSHIFT DELAYED PULL FORWARDis displayed in the information
display, transfer case gear tooth blockage is present. To alleviate this
condition, place the transmission in a forward gear, move the vehicle
forward approximately 5 feet (1.5 m), and shift the transmission back
to neutral to allow the transfer case to complete the range shift.
Electronic Locking Differential (ELD) (If Equipped)
Note:The ELD is designed for off-road use only and is not intended for
use on dry pavement. Using the ELD on dry pavement will result in
increased tire wear, noise and vibration.
The electronic locking differential (ELD) is a device housed in the rear
axle which allows both rear wheels to turn at the same speed. It provides
added traction on slippery and/or off road surfaces, particularly when
one wheel is on a poor traction surface. The ELD may be locked or
unlocked by the vehicle operator and can be engaged or disengaged on
the fly. When the axle is unlocked it will function like a standard rear
axle. When the axle is locked it will not allow the rear wheels to rotate
at different speeds when turning.
The ELD is affected by the following conditions:
•
On 2WD vehicles and 4WD vehicles in 2H (4X2) or 4H (4X4 High), the
ELD will not engage if the vehicle speed is above 20 mph (32 km/h).
•On 2WD vehicles and 4WD vehicles in 2H (4X2) or 4H (4X4 High), the
ELD will automatically disengage at speeds above 25 mph (40 km/h) and
will automatically reengage at speeds below 20 mph (32 km/h).
•On 4WD vehicles in 4L (4X4 Low), the ELD can be engaged at any
speed and will not automatically disengage.
214Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Activating the Electronic Locking Differential (ELD)
Note:The ELD may have difficulty disengaging either by operator
command or automatically if the driveline is under torque. If driving
conditions allow, releasing the accelerator pedal or turning the steering
wheel in the opposite direction may assist in disengagement.
Note:The ELD is designed for off-road use only and is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
For vehicles equipped with an
electronic shift 4WD system:
Pull the 4WD control knob toward
you.
For 2WD vehicles and vehicles
equipped with a manual shift
4WD system:
Turn the control to ON.
Once the indicator light is displayed in the information display,
both rear wheel axle shafts will be locked together providing
added traction.
If the indicator does not come on, or the indicator turns off while
driving, one of the following has occurred:
•The vehicle speed is too high.
•The left and right rear wheel speed difference is too high during an
engagement attempt.
•The system has malfunctioned and will be accompanied by a message
in the information display. See your authorized Ford dealer for
assistance.
2H
4H
4L
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)215
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)