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)
•RESET FOR CALIBRATION (if equipped): This feature calibrates the
compass.
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna.
Magnetic or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may
also affect compass accuracy. If the compass appears to be inaccurate,
a manual calibration may be necessary.
Refer toCompass zone/calibration adjustment.
Compass zone adjustment
1.
Determine which magnetic zone
you are in for your geographic
location by referring to the zone map.
2. Start the engine.
3. From the SETUP menu, press
and release the RESET button until
the message center display changes
to show the current zone setting
ZONE XX RESET = CHANGE.
4. Press and release the RESET button repeatedly until the correct zone
setting for your geographic location is displayed on the information
display.
5. Press and release SETUP, press INFO or allow the setup timer to
expire to exit the procedure.
Compass calibration adjustment
Note:For optimum calibration, drive to an open, level location away
from large metallic objects or structures. Switch off all non-essential
electrical accessories (heated rear window, heater, A/C, map lamps,
wiper, etc.) and make sure all the doors are closed
Note:If the RESET button is pressed or three minutes has expired, the
display will go back to the INFO menu and will show CAL instead of the
compass heading until the compass is calibrated.
1. Press the RESET button until the display reads RESET FOR
CALIBRATION to start the compass calibration function.
2. Slowly drive the vehicle in a circle (less than 3 mph [5 km/h]) until
the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CALIBRATE display changes to CALIBRATION
COMPLETED. It will take up to five circles to complete calibration.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
Information Displays109
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Diesel Messages Action / Description
ENGINE WARMING
PLEASE WAITDisplayed in extremely cold weather, typically
below –15°F (–26°C), if the engine block heater
is not utilized. The engine will not respond to
accelerator pedal movement for 30 seconds; this
is done so the engine oil can be properly
circulated to avoid engine damage from lack of
lubrication. A timer will begin a countdown from
30 seconds. Once the counter has reached
0 seconds, OK TO DRIVE will be displayed and
the engine will respond to accelerator pedal
movement. Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.
EXHAUST FILTER
DRIVE COMPLETEDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) has been adequately cleaned after the
DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER followed
by CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER messages have
been displayed. This message is NORMAL. Refer
to your diesel supplement for more information.
EXHAUST FILTER
CLEANEDDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) has been adequately cleaned by the
manual regeneration process (OCR). Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information.
EXHAUST CLEAN
STOPPEDDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) manual regeneration process (OCR) has
been stopped. Refer to your diesel supplement
for more information.
EXHAUST FLUID
RANGE XXX MIDisplays the distance you can travel before
depleting the remaining diesel exhaust fluid.
Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
IN XX MILES, SPEED
LIMITED TO XX
MPH EXHAUST
FLUID EMPTYDisplayed when the diesel exhaust fluid is
nearing empty. The vehicle’s top speed will
become limited in the displayed distance. The
diesel exhaust fluid must be replenished to
resume normal operation of the vehicle. Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information.
Information Displays123
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USA(fus)
Manual Climate Systems
In hot weather, the climate control system is set to MAX A/C.
In moderate weather, the system either heats or cools (based on
previous settings). The rear defroster and heated mirrors are not
automatically turned on.
In cold weather, maximum heat is provided in floor/defrost mode. The
rear defroster and heated mirrors are automatically turned on. If your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine and a supplemental heater, the
supplemental heater also turns on.
Automatic Climate Systems
Automatic Settings
The climate control system automatically sets the interior temperature to
72°F (22°C).
In hot weather, the system is set to 72°F (22°C). Cooled seats are set to
high (if available, and selected to AUTO in the information display).
In moderate weather, the system either heats or cools (based on
previous settings). The rear defroster, heated mirrors and heated/cooled
seats are not automatically turned on.
In cold weather, the system is set to 72°F (22°C). The heated seats and
heated steering wheel (if equipped) are set to high. The rear defroster
and heated mirrors are automatically turned on.
Heated and Cooled Devices
The climate control system controls other heated and cooled devices
inside the vehicle. These devices (if equipped) may also be switched
on during remote start. Heated devices are typically switched on during
cold weather, and cooled devices during hot weather. If your vehicle
is equipped with a diesel engine and a supplemental heater, the
supplemental heater also turns on.
Climate Control153
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Use your vehicle key to lock the
storage space.
Rear Heated Seats (If Equipped)
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions,
must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may
cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat
heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins, needles, or
other pointed objects because this may damage the heating element
which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The rear seat heat controls are located on the rear door armrest.
Seats163
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USA(fus)
HEATED AND COOLED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Heated Seats
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions,
must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may
cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat
heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins, needles, or
other pointed objects because this may damage the heating element
which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
•Do not place heavy objects on the seat.
•Do not operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled
on the seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The heated seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the heated seats:
Press the heated seat button/symbol to cycle through the
various heat settings and off. Warmer settings are indicated
by more indicator lights.
Cooled Seats
The cooled seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the cooled seats:
Press the cooled seat button/symbol to cycle through the
various cooling settings and off. Cooler settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
A/C
Seats165
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Cold Weather Starting (Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
The starting characteristics of all grades of E-85 ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline).
If summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the engine is
cold when operating on E-85 ethanol.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to off and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system. Such
fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and possible
personal injury.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on E-85 ethanol,
and neither an alternative brand of E-85 ethanol nor an engine block
heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your tank improves
cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate on E-85
ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
If the Engine Fails to Start Using the Preceding Instructions
(Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to
start, repeat Step 1.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,
have this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you
smell exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes.
Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Starting and Stopping the Engine185
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USA(fus)
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the engine idling for long periods of
time, we recommend that you do one of the following:
•Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:Do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. There is a risk of
electrical shock.
Note:The heater is most effective when outdoor temperatures are below
0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warming the engine coolant. This
allows the climate control system to respond quickly. The equipment
includes a heater element (installed in the engine block) and a wire
harness. You can connect the system to a grounded 120–volt A/C
electrical source.
We recommend that you do the following for safe and correct operation:
•Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord that is product certified
by Underwriter’s Laboratory or Canadian Standards Association.
This extension cord must be suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly markedSuitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances.Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors; it could
result in an electric shock or become a fire hazard.
•Use as short an extension cord as possible.
•Do not use multiple extension cords.
186Starting and Stopping the Engine
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)