2013 FORD F650 Owners Manual

OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE
General Information
•Start the vehicle in motion by using the highest gear speed in the
transmission that lets the engine easily start the load without slipping
the clutch.
•Accelerate smoothly and evenly. Rapid acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine performance.
•When approaching a hill, press the accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, then shift down as needed to maintain vehicle
speed.
•When going down a hill, or long steep grades, prevent overspeeding
of the engine. Normally, choose the same gear to descend the hill that
you use to ascend the hill. The engine governor has no control over
engine speed when it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle.
•Operate in a gear that permits an engine speed not in excess of the
maximum governed speed or high-idle RPM (no load).
•
Always shift to a lower gear at high altitudes to prevent engine smoking.
Backing Up
WARNING:All vehicles have blind spots. To reduce the risk of
severe injury or property damage, never move your vehicle to the
side or rear or change lanes without being sure your way is clear on
both sides and to your rear.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of the possibility of personal
injury while backing up the vehicle, always be sure your vehicle’s
path is clear.
Before backing up your vehicle, be sure you can do so safely. If anything
behind the cab limits your view, do not rely on mirrors alone to ensure
that your intended path is clear. If other people are in the vicinity, have
someone standing well behind your vehicle and outside of your intended
path (visible through an exterior mirror) guide you as you back up.
Although OSHA or some governmental regulations may require the use
of an electrical or mechanical back up alarm to warn bystanders, such an
alarm does not guarantee that the intended path is clear. When in doubt,
get out of the vehicle and visually check the intended path is clear. Back
up slowly as to allow others time to move, if necessary.
If an electrical back up alarm is installed, it should be connected to the
back up lamp circuit.
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

Parking
WARNING:When parking your vehicle, do not leave the
transmission in gear; if the key is in the on position and the
vehicle rolls, the engine could start. Failure to follow these instructions
could result in an unattended vehicle moving, possibly causing personal
injury or property damage.
Always use the parking brake. When parking on a grade, block the
wheels and turn the front wheels to one side so that if the vehicle rolls,
the front tires act against the curb to stop the vehicle. The front wheels
are more effective at stopping a rolling vehicle than the rear wheels.
Cold Weather
Note:Idling in cold weather does not heat the engine to its normal
operating temperature. Long periods of idling in cold weather can cause
a build-up of heavy deposits of carbon and rust on valve stems causing
them to stick which, in turn, can cause valvetrain damage.
Note:The use of winter fronts, or other air-restrictive devices mounted
in front of the radiator on vehicles with chassis-mounted charge air
coolers, are not recommended unless extremely cold weather conditions
exist. Airflow restriction can cause high exhaust temperatures, power
loss, excessive fan usage and a reduction in fuel economy. If you must
use a winter front, the device should have a permanent opening of at
least 120 square inches (774 square centimeters) directly in line with the
fan hub.
For best engine operation in temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower:
•Make sure the batteries are the correct type and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to make sure they are in optimum
condition.
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from freezing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with a water-fuel separator, drain it daily.
Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent
condensation in the fuel system.
•Use the proper engine oil and maintain it at its proper level.
•At temperatures of –4°F (–20°C) or below, it is recommended that
you use a crankcase-mounted coolant heater to improve cold engine
starting.
•If operating in arctic temperatures of –20°F (–29°C) or lower, consult
your truck dealer for information about special cold weather
equipment and precautions.
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Hot Weather
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent
condensation in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
•Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while
driving in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct
this problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting into
the next lower gear.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To help prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme
left for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the ADD mark on the MAX. COLD side of the power steering
reservoir dipstick.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive,
check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power
steering pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid
level before seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the FULL mark
on the MAX. HOT side of the power steering reservoir dipstick, 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:
•underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•uneven vehicle loading
•high crown in center of road
•high crosswinds
•wheels out of alignment
•loose or worn suspension components.
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

AIR SUSPENSION (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:
The vehicle must not be operated without air in the suspension
springs. Operating the vehicle without air in the suspension springs damages
the suspension, degrades ride performance and may cause property damage.
The air suspension system automatically adjusts to different loads to
maintain a constant frame height, allows for ease of vehicle loading and
provides improved vehicle ride and increased driver comfort.
Air Suspension Dump Switch
Note:The suspension dumps air when the ignition is in the accessory or
on position, but fills only when the ignition is in the on position.
The system is controlled by a switch
located in the overhead switch
pack. It operates only when the
ignition is in the accessory or on
position and the air tanks have
sufficient pressure to fill the air
springs. When the ignition is turned
off, the suspension remains in
whatever state it was last set.
Pressing the lower portion of the switch exhausts air from the air
springs, lowering the frame for loading. Pressing the upper portion of the
switch fills the air springs so the vehicle remains at normal ride height.
System Indicator Light
The air suspension indicator light illuminates when the switch
has been activated to release air pressure in the rear air shocks.
Never drive the vehicle when the warning lamp is illuminated
and there is low (or no) air pressure in the shocks.
Connecting and Disconnecting a Trailer with Air Suspension and
Air Suspension Dump Switch
When connecting to a trailer:
•Press the lower portion of the switch to exhaust air from the air
suspension system.
•Press the upper portion of the switch, then raise the landing gear
after making the connection to the trailer.
When disconnecting the trailer:
•Lower the landing gear, then press the lower portion of the switch.
•Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side and rear light connectors,
then pull the release lever on the fifth-wheel.
CK
SUSP
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The upper portion of the switch must be pressed before operating with a
trailer or operating in the bobtail mode.
Suspension Conversions
WARNING:When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must
keep all adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting
their share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other
axles, tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
It is not recommended, or approved, that suspension conversions be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket
add-on suspensions are installed by others on the truck chassis which
allow operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift
axles).
UPFITTER CONTROLS (IF EQUIPPED)
The upfitter option package
provides four switches, mounted in
the center of the instrument panel.
These switches are always on
whether the engine is running or
not. Make sure you put the switches
in the off position to avoid draining
the battery when the vehicle is not
being used. It is recommended that the engine remain running to
maintain battery charge when using the upfitter switches for extended
duration or higher current draws. (This is even more important for
vehicles with a diesel engine since the glow plugs are also draining
battery power when the ignition key is in the on position.)
Each switch provides 10 amps of electrical battery power for a variety of
personal or commercial uses.
There is also a relay box located on the passenger side end of the
instrument panel. See your authorized dealer for service.
Switch access location is in a connector located in the engine
compartment. More detailed information can be found at
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truck/bbas/.
AUX 1
AUX 2
AUX 3
AUX 4
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

LOAD LIMIT
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING:Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the originals because they may lower the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires with a higher
limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
WARNING:Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation could
result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Every vehicle manufactured by Ford Motor Company is supplied with
information on the Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on
either the B-pillar or the driver’s door edge, listing the maximum loading
for the vehicle (GVWR), and its axle systems (GAWR) at the tire to
ground interface.
Under no circumstances should your vehicle be loaded in excess of the
GVWR or GAWR. It is the operator’s responsibility to ensure that neither
the axle capacities, spring capacities, tire capacities nor the vehicle rated
GVWR is exceeded.
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Unloaded or Lightly Loaded Vehicles
WARNING:When operating empty or lightly loaded, sudden or
hard braking may induce wheel lockup with loss of vehicle
control and the possibility of accident and serious injury, especially on
wet or slippery road surfaces.
The braking system has been designed to safely stop your vehicle when
fully loaded to its GVWR.
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
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TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Second-unit bodies are not included in maximum trailer weight ratings.
The weight of the additional body must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items so they are centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
RECOMMENDED TOWING WEIGHTS
Model Maximum
GVWR - lb (kg)Maximum
GCWR
F-650 Pro-Loader (Kick-Up
Frame)20500–26000
(9299–11792)
*
F-650 Pro-Loader (Straight
Frame)/F-650 Straight Frame20500–29000
(9299–13154)*
F-750 25999–37000
(11793–16783)*
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)