If driving through deep or standing
water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of
the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom
of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING:Always use floor mats that are designed to fit the
footwell of your vehicle. Only use floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed. Only use floor mats that are firmly secured to
retention posts so that they cannot slip out of position and interfere
with the pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
•Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of vehicle control and
increase the risk of serious personal injury.
•Always make sure that the floor mats are properly attached to the
retention posts in the carpet that are supplied with your vehicle.
Floor mats must be properly secured to both retention posts to
ensure mats do not shift out of position.
266Driving Hints
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contains contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel until the first automatic shutoff
of the fuel pump nozzle.
Note:During extended periods of vehicle storage (30 days or more),
fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. Add a quality gas stabilizer
product to the vehicle fuel system whenever actual or expected storage
periods exceed 30 days. Follow the instructions on the additive label.
The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed to circulate the
additive throughout the fuel system.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing vehicle from storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm there are no cooling system leaks, and fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keep connections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the
battery, it may be advisable to disconnect the battery cables to ensure
battery charge is maintained for quick starting.
Note:If battery cables are disconnected, it will be necessary to reset
memory features.
Brakes
•Make sure brakes and parking brake are fully released.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
336Vehicle Care
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Note:Do not reduce tire pressure to change the ride characteristics of
the vehicle. If you do not maintain the inflation pressure at the levels
specified by Ford, your vehicle may experience a condition known as
shimmy. Shimmy is a severe vibration and oscillation in the steering
wheel after the vehicle travels over a bump or dip in the road that does
not dampen out by itself. Shimmy may result from significant
under-inflation of the tires, improper tires (load range, size, or type), or
vehicle modifications such as lift-kits. In the event that your vehicle
experiences shimmy, you should slowly reduce speed by either lifting off
the accelerator pedal or lightly applying the brakes. The shimmy will
cease as the vehicle speed decreases.
Maximum Inflation Pressureis the tire manufacturer’s maximum
permissible pressure or the pressure at which the maximum load can be
carried by the tire. This pressure is normally higher than the
manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure which can be found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label (affixed to either the door
hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch
post, next to the driver’s seating position), or Tire Label which is located
on the B-Pillar or the edge of the driver’s door. The cold inflation
pressure should never be set lower than the recommended pressure on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label.
When weather temperature changes occur, tire inflation pressures also
change. A 10°F (6°C) temperature drop can cause a corresponding drop
of 1 psi (7 kPa) in inflation pressure. Check your tire pressures
frequently and adjust them to the proper pressure which can be found
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label or Tire Label.
To check the pressure in your tire(s):
1. Make sure the tires are cool, meaning they are not hot from driving
even a mile.
If you are checking tire pressure when the tire is hot (for example,
driven more than 1 mile [1.6 kilometers]), never bleed or reduce air
pressure. The tires are hot from driving and it is normal for pressures to
increase above recommended cold pressures. A hot tire at or below
recommended cold inflation pressure could be significantly
under-inflated.
Note:If you have to drive a distance to get air for your tire(s), check
and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure
when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air
pressure inside to go up as you drive.
350Wheels and Tires
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
911 Assist™ ......................432, 505
A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................220
Accessing and using your USB
port ............................................483
Accessing call history/phone
book during active call .............422
Accessing your calendar ..........504
Accessing your media menu
features ......................................445
Accessing your phone menu
features ......................................423
Accessory delay ..........................90
Active call menu options .........422
Adding (pairing) a phone ........491
Advanced menu options ...430, 450
Advanced menu options
(prompts, languages, defaults,
master reset, installing
applications) ..............................430
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................48
and child safety seats ..............49
description ................................48
disposal ......................................59
driver airbag ..............................48
passenger airbag .......................48
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................51
side airbag ...........................48, 55
Air cleaner filter ...............317, 388
Air conditioning ........................145
manual heating and air
conditioning system ...............145
Air filter .............................317, 388All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................207
Ambient mood/lighting .............511
Ambulance packages ..................15
AM/FM .......................................470
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................301
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................220
Anti-theft system ..................75, 77
arming the system ..............75, 77
disarming a triggered system ..77
AppLink™ .................................440
Audio system
Single CD ................135–136, 139
Audio system
(see Radio) ................135–136, 139
Automatic transmission ............199
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................197
fluid, adding ............................306
fluid, checking ........................306
fluid, refill capacities ..............384
fluid, specification ..................384
Selectshift (SST) ....................202
Auxiliary Input Jack .................480
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ..140
Auxiliary powerpoint ................177
A/V inputs ..........................142, 488
Axle
refill capacities ........................384
B
Battery .......................................312
acid, treating emergencies .....312
jumping a disabled battery ....274
Index555
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
maintenance-free ....................312
replacement, specifications ...388
servicing ..................................312
Bed extender ............................247
Booster seats ...............................23
Brakelamp
bulb replacement ....................324
Brakes ........................................220
anti-lock ...................................220
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................220
brake warning light ................220
fluid, checking and adding ....311
fluid, refill capacities ..............384
fluid, specifications .................384
parking ....................................221
shift interlock ..........................204
trailer .......................................254
Bulbs ..........................................325
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....384
Car2U® Home Automation
System .......................................167
CD ..............................135–136, 139
CD player ..........................133, 482
CD voice commands .................483
Cell phone use ............................16
Changing a tire .........................366
Changing the air filter ..............317
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ....31
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................40
in front seat ..............................28
in rear seat ................................28
LATCH .......................................31Child safety seats -
booster seats ...............................23
Cleaning the touchscreen ........460
Cleaning your vehicle ...............327
engine compartment ..............329
exterior ....................................327
instrument panel ............331–332
interior .....................................330
plastic parts ............................329
washing ....................................327
waxing .....................................329
wheels ......................................334
wiper blades ............................330
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ..........145
Climate voice commands .........524
Clock ..........................135–136, 509
Console ......................................180
overhead ..................................181
Controls
power seat ...............................158
Coolant ......................................301
checking and adding ..............301
recovery reservoir ..................298
refill capacities ........................384
Customer Assistance ................271
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................393, 395
Getting roadside assistance ...271
Getting the service you
need .........................................277
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................283
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................281
556Index
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)