2013 FORD F250 engine oil

Maintenance 302
General information...................................302
Opening and closing the hood............................303
Under hood overview..................................304
Engine oil dipstick....................................306
Engine oil check......................................306
Engine coolant check..................................307
Automatic transmission fluid check........................313
Brake fluid check.....................................317
Power steering fluid check..............................317
Fuel filter...........................................317
Washer fluid check....................................318
Changing the vehicle battery.............................318
Checking the wiper blades..............................321
Air filter(s).........................................323
Adjusting the headlamps................................325
Changing a bulb......................................326
Bulb specification chart.................................331
Vehicle Care 332
Cleaning products.....................................332
Cleaning the exterior..................................332
Waxing.............................................334
Repairing minor paint damage............................334
Cleaning the engine...................................334
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................335
Cleaning the interior...................................335
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......336
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................340
Vehicle storage.......................................340
6Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

SYMBOL GLOSSARY
WARNING:You risk death or serious injury to yourself and
others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the
warning symbol.
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake fluid –
non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
Child seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine oilExplosive gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
10Introduction
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

GAUGES
Cluster shown in standard measure. Metric similar.
A. Engine oil pressure gauge
B. Engine coolant temperature gauge
C. Transmission fluid temperature gauge
D. Fuel gauge
E. Speedometer
F. Information display. SeeInformation displaysfor more information.
G. Tachometer
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. The needle should stay in the normal
operating range. If the needle falls below the normal range, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and check the engine oil level. Add oil if
needed. If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
authorized dealer.
ABCD
GFE
Instrument Cluster97
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Charging System
It will illuminate when the 12–volt battery is not charging
properly. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Check Fuel Cap
It will illuminate when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the
Service engine soon warning indicator to come on.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch this feature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is switched on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Door Ajar
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Electronic Locking Differential
Displays when using the electronic locking differential.
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the engine running or when you are
driving, this indicates a malfunction. Stop your vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level.
Note:Do not resume your journey if it illuminates despite the level
being correct. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
100Instrument Cluster
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

•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)

•Fuel Economy
•Truck Apps (If Equipped)
•Settings
•Information
Gauge Mode
Use the arrow buttons to choose between the following gauge
options.
Gauge Mode
Gauges Detail Engine Oil Temperature (Diesel only)
Transmission Temperature
Compass
The compass orientation can be
changed between fixed north or
rotating north. To change the
modes, press OK when the compass
display is shown. Use the right
arrow to choose the mode. Press
and hold OK to set the mode.
Exhaust Filter (diesel only). Refer toDiesel exhaust
system: oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter
systemin your diesel supplement for more
information.
Blank
Information Displays111
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Diesel Messages Action / Description
STOP SAFELY NOWDisplayed and a chime sounds when the vehicle
exhaust system temperature exceeds intended
operating range. If this warning occurs, engine
power is reduced and the engine will shut down
when the vehicle speed is below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible
and contact your authorized dealer. Depending
on the severity of the over-temperature
condition, the vehicle may not restart after
cycling the ignition off. If the vehicle restarts,
there may be limited power. If the exhaust
over-temperature condition reoccurs, the
message center will display STOP SAFELY NOW,
the chime will sound, and engine power will be
reduced again and shut down below 3 mph
(5 km/h). Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.
ENGINE OIL
DILUTEDDisplays once the engine oil has become diluted
and needs to be changed. See Changing the
engine oil and oil filter in your diesel
supplement.
ENGINE TURNS OFF
IN 1 SECONDDisplayed when the vehicle is in the final second
of a countdown to where the engine will
intentionally be turned off by the PCM.
The diesel engine shutdown is a (regulatory)
requirement which may be required of a
particular diesel vehicle for sale in states
requiring this feature. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
ENGINE TURNS OFF
IN XX SECONDSDisplayed when the vehicle is in the final
30 seconds of a countdown to where the engine
will intentionally be turned off by the PCM. The
diesel engine shutdown for extended idling is an
optional feature. Refer to your diesel supplement
for more information.
ENGINE TURNED
OFFDisplayed after the 30 second countdown. Refer
to your diesel supplement for more information.
122Information Displays
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)