2013 FORD F250 four wheel drive

Auxiliary Power Points 178
Storage Compartments 181
Overhead console.....................................181
Starting and Stopping the Engine 182
Ignition switch.......................................183
Engine block heater...................................186
Fuel and Refueling 188
Fuel quality.........................................190
Refueling...........................................193
Fuel consumption.....................................194
Transmission 199
Transmission operation.................................199
Hill start assist.......................................208
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 209
Four wheel drive.....................................209
Brakes 223
Brakes.............................................223
Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes......................224
Parking brake........................................224
Traction Control 225
TractionControl™ ....................................225
Stability Control 227
AdvanceTrac®.......................................228
Terrain Response 230
Hill descent control...................................230
Parking Aids 232
Sensing system.......................................232
Rear-view camera system...............................234
4Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

4X2
Illuminates momentarily when two-wheel drive high is selected.
If the light fails to display when the ignition is turned on, or
remains on, have the system serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
4X4 LOW
Illuminates when four-wheel drive low is engaged. If the light fails
to display when the ignition is turned on, or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
4X4 HIGH
Illuminates when four-wheel drive high is engaged. If the light fails
to display when the ignition is turned on, or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately by your authorized dealer.
Diesel Warning Lights:If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine,
it has some unique warning lights; refer to theInstrument Clusterin
your diesel supplement for detailed information on their function.
•Glow plug pre-heat
•Waterinfuel
•Diesel exhaust fluid
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND INDICATORS
Key In Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the off or accessory
position and the driver’s door is opened.
Keyless Warning Alert (If Equipped)
Sounds when the keyless vehicle is in RUN and the driver’s door is opened.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(the key is not in the ignition) and the driver’s door is opened.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parking brake on and drive your vehicle.
If the warning chime remains on after you have released the parking
brake, have the system checked by your authorized dealer immediately.
Instrument Cluster103
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Door Messages Action / Description
X DOOR AJARDisplayed when the corresponding door is not
completely closed.
Drivetrain Messages Action / Description
LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
ENGAGED/
DISENGAGEDDisplayed when the electronic locking
differential is engaged.
LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
DISENGAGEDDisplayed when the electronic locking
differential is disengaged.
TO ENGAGE
LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
SLOW TO XX
MPH/KM/HDisplayed when the electronic locking
differential requests a certain speed
requirement to engage.
TO ENGAGE
LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
RELEASE
ACCELERATOR
PEDALDisplayed when the electronic locking
differential request the accelerator to be
released in order to engage.
SLOW VEHICLE TO
XX KM/H FOR ELDDisplayed when the vehicle speed requirement
for the electronic locking differential mode has
not been met.
SLOW VEHICLE TO
XX MPH FOR ELDDisplayed when the vehicle speed requirement
for the electronic locking differential mode has
not been met.
CHECK LOCKING
DIFFERENTIALDisplayed when an electronic locking
differential (ELD) system fault is present.
For more information, refer to theFour-Wheel
Drivechapter.
SHIFT TO PARKDisplays as a reminder to shift into park.
Information Displays127
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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•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)