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Maintenance 296
General information...................................296
Opening and closing the hood............................297
Under hood overview..................................298
Engine oil dipstick....................................300
Engine oil check......................................300
Engine coolant check..................................301
Automatic transmission fluid check........................306
Brake fluid check.....................................311
Power steering fluid check..............................311
Fuel filter...........................................311
Washer fluid check....................................312
Changing the vehicle battery.............................312
Checking the wiper blades..............................315
Air filter(s).........................................317
Adjusting the headlamps................................319
Changing a bulb......................................320
Bulb specification chart.................................325
Vehicle Care 327
Cleaning products.....................................327
Cleaning the exterior..................................327
Waxing.............................................329
Repairing minor paint damage............................329
Cleaning the engine...................................329
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................330
Cleaning the interior...................................330
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......331
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................334
Vehicle storage.......................................335
6Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)
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SYMBOL GLOSSARY
WARNING:You risk death or serious injury to yourself and
others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the
warning symbol.
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake fluid –
non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
C hild seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine oilExplosive gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
10Introduction
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USA(fus)
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GAUGES
Cluster shown in standard measure. Metric similar.
A. Engine oil pressure gauge
B. Engine coolant temperature gauge
C. Transmission fluid temperature gauge
D. Fuel gauge
E. Speedometer
F. Information display. SeeInformation displaysfor more information.
G. Tachometer
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Indicates engine oil pressure. The needle should stay in the normal
operating range. If the needle falls below the normal range, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and check the engine oil level. Add oil if
needed. If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
authorized dealer.
ABCD
GFE
Instrument Cluster95
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Charging System
It will illuminate when the 12–volt battery is not charging properly.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible. This indicates
a problem with the electrical system or a related component.
Check Fuel Cap
It will illuminate when the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with this light on may cause the
Service engine soon warning indicator to come on.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch this feature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is switched on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Door Ajar
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Electronic Locking Differential
Displays when using the electronic locking differential.
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the engine running or when you are
driving, this indicates a malfunction. Stop your vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level.
Note:Do not resume your journey if it illuminates despite the level
being correct. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
98Instrument Cluster
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USA(fus)
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•MPG (L/km): This displays instantaneous fuel economy as a bar graph.
Your vehicle must be moving to calculate instantaneous fuel economy.
Instantaneous fuel economy cannot be reset.
•TIMER: Displays the trip elapsed drive time. Press and release RESET
to pause the timer. Press and hold RESET to reset the timer.
•TBC GAIN (if equipped): Displays the level of trailer brake gain or if
the trailer is not connected.
•EXHAUST FILTER (Diesel only): For more information, refer to the
Diesel exhaust system: oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter
systemin your diesel supplement for more information.
System Check and Vehicle Feature Customization
Press the SETUP button repeatedly to cycle the message center through
the following features:
Note:Some options may appear slightly different or not at all if the
items are optional.
Note:When returning to the SETUP menu and a non-English language
has been selected, HOLD RESET FOR ENGLISH will be displayed to
change back to English. Press and hold the RESET button to change
back to English.
SETUP
RESET FOR
SYSTEM CHECKpress the
RESET buttonOIL LIFE
EXHAUST FLUID LEVEL
(Diesel only)
ENGINE HOURS
ENGINE IDLE HOURS
CHARGING SYSTEM
DOOR
BRAKE SYSTEM
TBC GAIN = XX.X
FUEL LEVEL
MYKEY DISTANCE
MYKEY(S) PROGRAMMED
ADMIN KEYS PROGRAMMED
OIL LIFE
104Information Displays
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USA(fus)
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SETUP
UNITS press the
RESET buttonDistance English
Metric
Temperature Fahrenheit
Celsius
AUTOLAMP
(SEC)0 to 180 seconds
AUTOLOCK On or Off
AUTOUNLOCK On or Off
COURTESY
WIPEOn or Off
CREATE MYKEY / MYKEY SETUP / CLEAR MYKEY
RESET FOR ZONE SETTING (if equipped)
ZONE XX RESET = CHANGE (if equipped)
RESET FOR CALIBRATION (if equipped)
RESET FOR
REMOTE START
(if equipped)press the
RESET buttonOn or Off
5, 10, 15 minutes
TBC MODE
(if equipped)Electric or EOH
TRAILER SWAY
(if equipped)On or Off
LANGUAGE =
ENGLISH /
SPANISH /
FRENCHEnglish / Spanish / French
•RESET FOR SYSTEM CHECK: The message center will begin to cycle
through the vehicle systems and provide a status of the item if
needed. Some systems show a message only if a condition is present.
•OIL LIFE: This displays the remaining oil life. An oil change is
required whenever indicated by the message center and according to
the recommended maintenance schedule. USE ONLY
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
Information Displays105
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•Truck Apps (If Equipped)
•Settings
•Information
Gauge Mode
Use the arrow buttons to choose between the following gauge
options.
Gauge Mode
Gauges Detail Engine Oil Temperature (Diesel only)
Transmission Temperature
Compass The compass orientation can be
changed between fixed north or
rotating north. To change the
modes, press OK when the
compass display is shown. Use the
right arrow to choose the mode.
Press and hold OK to set the
mode.
Exhaust Filter (diesel only). Refer toDiesel exhaust
system: oxidation catalyst/diesel particulate filter
systemin your diesel supplement for more
information.
Blank
Information Displays109
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Diesel Messages Action / Description
STOP SAFELY NOWDisplayed and a chime sounds when the
vehicle exhaust system temperature exceeds
intended operating range. If this warning
occurs, engine power is reduced and the
engine will shut down when the vehicle speed
is below 3 mph (5 km/h).Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possibleand contact your
authorized dealer. Depending on the severity
of the over-temperature condition, the vehicle
may not restart after cycling the ignition off. If
the vehicle restarts, there may be limited
power. If the exhaust over-temperature
condition reoccurs, the message center will
display STOP SAFELY NOW, the chime will
sound, and engine power will be reduced again
and shut down below 3 mph (5 km/h). Refer
to your diesel supplement for more
information.
ENGINE OIL
DILUTEDDisplays once the engine oil has become
diluted and needs to be changed. See
Changing the engine oil and oil filter in your
diesel supplement.
ENGINE TURNS
OFF IN 1 SECONDDisplayed when the vehicle is in the final
second of a countdown to where the engine
will intentionally be turned off by the PCM.
The diesel engine shutdown is a (regulatory)
requirement which may be required of a
particular diesel vehicle for sale in states
requiring this feature. Refer to your diesel
supplement for more information.
120Information Displays
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)