2013 FORD F250 wheel alignment

Steering
To help prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than three to five seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
•Some noise is normal during operation. If excessive, check for low
power steering pump fluid level before seeking service by your dealer.
•Heavy or uneven efforts may be caused by low power steering fluid.
Check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX mark on
the reservoir, as this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
If any steering components are serviced or replaced, install new
fasteners (many are coated with thread adhesive or have prevailing
torque features which may not be re-used). Never re-use a bolt or nut.
Torque fasteners to specifications inWorkshop Manual.
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
240Driving Aids
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g.; bug deflectors,
rollbars or light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Note:If you drove through deep water, check the transmission and
engine fluid. If water is found, replace the fluid.
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
270Driving Hints
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Driving habits have a great deal to do with your tire mileage and safety.
•Observe posted speed limits.
•Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
•Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking.
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive, there is always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove the wheel and replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your vehicle
seems to pull to one side when you are driving, the wheels may be out of
alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and
rapid treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized
dealer. Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Wheels and Tires361
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Tire Rotation
WARNING:If the tire label shows different tire pressures for
the front and rear tires and the vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system, then the settings for the system sensors
need to be updated. Always perform the system reset procedure after
tire rotation. If the system is not reset, it may not provide a low tire
pressure warning when necessary. See the TPMS reset procedure in
this chapter.
Note:If your tires show uneven wear ask an authorized dealer to check
for and correct any wheel misalignment, tire imbalance or mechanical
problem involved before tire rotation.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a dissimilar spare tire and
wheel assembly. A dissimilar spare tire and wheel assembly is defined as
a spare tire or wheel that is different in brand, size or appearance from
the road tires and wheels. If you have a dissimilar spare tire and wheel
assembly, it is intended for temporary use only and should not be used
in a tire rotation.
Note:After having your tires rotated, inflation pressure must be checked
and adjusted to the vehicle requirements.
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance information) will help your tires wear more
evenly, providing better tire performance and longer tire life.
•
Rear-wheel drive vehicles/
Four-wheel drive vehicles
(front tires at top of diagram)
362Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................188, 191
Fuses ..........................290–291, 296
G
Garage door opener ..........168, 172
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............193
Gauges .........................................97
H
Hazard flashers .........................278
HD Radio™ ...............................482
Headlamps ...................................85
aiming ......................................325
autolamp system .......................86
bulb specifications ..................331
checking alignment ................325
daytime running lights .............87
flash to pass ..............................85
high beam .................................85
replacing bulbs .......................327
turning on and off ....................85
Head restraints .........................155
Heated steering wheel ..............534
Heating ..............................146, 148
Help ............................................533
Hill descent mode .....................230
Hill start assist ..........................208
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................172
Hood ..........................................303
How to use voice commands ...473
I
Ignition ...............................183, 389Illuminated visor mirror .............95
Information displays .................104
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................198
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................336–337
cluster ........................................99
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................87
J
Jack ............................................371
positioning ...............................371
storage .....................................371
Joining two calls
(multiparty/conference call) ....429
Jump-starting your vehicle ......279
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................73
keypad .......................................75
locking and unlocking doors ....76
programming entry code .........75
Keys .......................................62, 77
positions of the ignition .........183
L
Lamps ..........................................85
autolamp system .......................86
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................331
daytime running light ...............87
fog lamps ...................................88
headlamps .................................85
headlamps, flash to pass ..........85
instrument panel, dimming .....87
572Index
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

heated ......................................163
memory seat .....................63, 160
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ..........................................75
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................77
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........454
Sending new text messages .....504
Setting a destination ................537
Setting a destination
by voice .....................................537
Settings ......................................520
Setting the clock .......136–137, 520
Side air curtain ...........................57
Side-curtain airbags system .......57
SIRIUS® satellite radio ............487
SIRIUS satellite radio voice
commands .................................489
SIRIUS Travel Link ...................512
SIRIUS Travel Link voice
commands .................................514
Snowplowing ...............16, 272–274
SOS Post Crash Alert .................47
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................389, 395
Special notice ..............................17
ambulance conversions ............16
four-wheel drive vehicles .......275
Stability system .........................228
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......185
Starting your vehicle ........183, 185
jump starting ..........................279
Steering wheel ............................80controls ......................................80
tilting .........................................80
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................48
Supported media file types ......497
Supported player, media
formats and metadata
information ................................497
SYNC® AppLink™ ...................449
SYNC® customer support ........421
SYNC® Services ................445, 508
System settings .........................524
T
Tailgate ......................................248
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ............329–330
Temperature control
(see Climate control) ..............146,
148, 534
Text messaging .................432, 504
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....433, 435
Tilt steering wheel ......................80
Tires ...........................345–346, 371
alignment ................................361
care ..........................................345
changing ..........................371, 376
checking the pressure ............355
inflating ...................................353
label .........................................352
replacing ..................................359
rotating ....................................362
safety practices .......................360
sidewall information ...............348
snow tires and chains ............363
spare tire .................................372
Index575
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)