PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
The traction control system helps avoid drive wheel spin and loss of
traction.
If your vehicle begins to slide, the system applies the rear brakes to
individual wheels and, when needed, reduces engine power at the same
time. If the wheels spin when accelerating on slippery or loose surfaces,
the system reduces engine power in order to increase traction.
Note:The system does not apply the brakes when vehicle speed is
above 25 mph (40 km/h).
USING TRACTION CONTROL
WARNING:Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause
you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe
personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a traction
control event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
Press the switch to select Off Road
or Mud/Snow traction mode. This is
beneficial when the vehicle is stuck
in snow or on a slippery road
surface. This mode allows excess
wheel spin to dig the vehicle out
and allows you to rock the vehicle.
Press the switch again to select standard traction control. Standard
traction control is automatically selected at the next ignition cycle.
MUD/SNOW
TRACTION
164Traction Control
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
Cruise control lets you maintain a set speed without keeping your foot
on the accelerator pedal.
USING CRUISE CONTROL
WARNING:Do not use cruise control in heavy traffic or on
roads that are winding, slippery or unpaved.
Note:Vehicle speed may vary momentarily when driving up or down a
steep hill. Apply the brakes if your vehicle speed increases above the set
speed while driving downhill.
Note:Cruise control will disengage if your vehicle speed decreases more
than 10 mph (16 km/h) below your set speed while driving uphill.
The cruise controls are located on
the steering wheel.
Switching On Cruise Control
Press and releaseON.
The indicator will turn on in the instrument cluster.
Setting a Speed
1. Accelerate to the desired speed.
2. Press and releaseSET ACCEL.
3. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
R
E
S
S
E
T
A
C
C
E
L
C
OA
S
T
ON
OFF
166Cruise Control
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
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.
168Driving Aids
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.
Driving Aids169
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
Driving Aids171
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
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
172Driving Aids
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.
Load Carrying173
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
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.
174Load Carrying
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)