
Auxiliary Power Points 177
Storage Compartments 180
Overhead console.....................................181
Starting and Stopping the Engine 182
Ignition switch.......................................183
Engine block heater...................................185
Fuel and Refueling 187
Fuel quality.........................................189
Refueling...........................................191
Fuel consumption.....................................193
Transmission 197
Transmission operation.................................197
Hill start assist.......................................206
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped) 207
Four wheel drive.....................................207
Brakes 220
Brakes.............................................220
Hints on driving with anti-lock brakes......................221
Parking brake........................................221
Traction Control 222
TractionControl™ ....................................222
Stability Control 224
AdvanceTrac®.......................................225
Terrain Response 227
Hill descent control...................................227
Parking Aids 229
Sensing system.......................................229
Rear-view camera system...............................231
4Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

•RESET FOR CALIBRATION (if equipped): This feature calibrates the
compass.
The compass reading may be affected when you drive near large
buildings, bridges, power lines and powerful broadcast antenna.
Magnetic or metallic objects placed in, on or near the vehicle may also
affect compass accuracy. If the compass appears to be inaccurate, a
manual calibration may be necessary.
Refer toCompass zone/calibration adjustment.
Compass zone adjustment
1. Determine which magnetic zone
you are in for your geographic
location by referring to the zone map.
2. Start the engine.
3. From the SETUP menu, press
and release the RESET button until
the message center display changes
to show the current zone setting
ZONE XX RESET = CHANGE.
4. Press and release the RESET
button repeatedly until the correct
zone setting for your geographic location is displayed on the information
display.
5. Press and release SETUP, press INFO or allow the setup timer to
expire to exit the procedure.
Compass calibration adjustment
Note:For optimum calibration, drive to an open, level location away
from large metallic objects or structures. Switch off all non-essential
electrical accessories (heated rear window, heater, A/C, map lamps,
wiper, etc.) and make sure all the doors are closed
Note:If the RESET button is pressed or three minutes has expired, the
display will go back to the INFO menu and will show CAL instead of the
compass heading until the compass is calibrated.
1. Press the RESET button until the display reads RESET FOR
CALIBRATION to start the compass calibration function.
2. Slowly drive the vehicle in a circle (less than 3 mph [5 km/h]) until
the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO CALIBRATE display changes to CALIBRATION
COMPLETED. It will take up to five circles to complete calibration.
3. The compass is now calibrated.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
Information Displays107
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Diesel Messages Action / Description
ENGINE TURNS
OFF IN XX
SECONDSDisplayed when the vehicle is in the final
30 seconds of a countdown to where the
engine will intentionally be turned off by the
PCM. The diesel engine shutdown for
extended idling is an optional feature. Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information.
ENGINE TURNED
OFFDisplayed after the 30 second countdown.
Refer to your diesel supplement for more
information.
ENGINE WARMING
PLEASE WAITDisplayed in extremely cold weather, typically
below –15°F (–26°C), if the engine block
heater is not utilized. The engine will not
respond to accelerator pedal movement for
30 seconds; this is done so the engine oil can
be properly circulated to avoid engine damage
from lack of lubrication. A timer will begin a
countdown from 30 seconds. Once the counter
has reached 0 seconds, OK TO DRIVE will be
displayed and the engine will respond to
accelerator pedal movement. Refer to your
diesel supplement for more information.
EXHAUST FILTER
DRIVE COMPLETEDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) has been adequately cleaned after the
DRIVE TO CLEAN EXHAUST FILTER
followed by CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER
messages have been displayed. This message is
NORMAL. Refer to your diesel supplement for
more information.
EXHAUST FILTER
CLEANEDDisplayed when the Diesel Particulate Filter
(DPF) has been adequately cleaned by the
manual regeneration process (OCR). Refer to
your diesel supplement for more information.
Information Displays121
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Manual Climate Systems
In hot weather, the climate control system is set to MAX A/C.
In moderate weather, the system either heats or cools (based on
previous settings). The rear defroster and heated mirrors are not
automatically turned on.
In cold weather, maximum heat is provided in floor/defrost mode. The
rear defroster and heated mirrors are automatically turned on. If your
vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine and a supplemental heater, the
supplemental heater also turns on.
Automatic Climate Systems
Automatic Settings
The climate control system automatically sets the interior temperature to
72°F (22°C).
In hot weather, the system is set to 72°F (22°C). Cooled seats are set to
high (if available, and selected to AUTO in the information display).
In moderate weather, the system either heats or cools (based on
previous settings). The rear defroster, heated mirrors and heated/cooled
seats are not automatically turned on.
In cold weather, the system is set to 72°F (22°C). The heated seats and
heated steering wheel (if equipped) are set to high. The rear defroster
and heated mirrors are automatically turned on.
Heated and Cooled Devices
The climate control system controls other heated and cooled devices
inside the vehicle. These devices (if equipped) may also be switched on
during remote start. Heated devices are typically switched on during cold
weather, and cooled devices during hot weather. If your vehicle is
equipped with a diesel engine and a supplemental heater, the
supplemental heater also turns on.
152Climate Control
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)

Use your vehicle key to lock the
storage space.
Rear Heated Seats (if equipped)
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions,
must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may
cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat
heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins, needles, or
other pointed objects because this may damage the heating element
which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
Note:Do not do the following:
•Place heavy objects on the seat
•Operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled on the
seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The rear seat heat controls are located on the rear door armrest.
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HEATED AND COOLED SEATS (IF EQUIPPED)
Heated Seats
WARNING:Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes, spinal cord
injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaustion, or other physical conditions,
must exercise care when using the seat heater. The seat heater may
cause burns even at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods of time. Do not place anything on the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket or cushion, because this may cause the seat
heater to overheat. Do not puncture the seat with pins, needles, or
other pointed objects because this may damage the heating element
which may cause the seat heater to overheat. An overheated seat may
cause serious personal injury.
•Do not place heavy objects on the seat.
•Do not operate the seat heater if water or any other liquid is spilled
on the seat. Allow the seat to dry thoroughly.
The heated seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the heated seats:
Press the heated seat button/symbol to cycle through the
various heat settings and off. Warmer settings are indicated
by more indicator lights.
Cooled Seats
The cooled seats will only function when the engine is running.
To operate the cooled seats:
Press the cooled seat button/symbol to cycle through the
various cooling settings and off. Cooler settings are
indicated by more indicator lights.
If the engine falls below 350 rpm while the cooled seats are on, the
feature will turn itself off and will need to be reactivated.
A/C
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2. Select positionPorN.
3. Turn the key to start the engine. The engine may continue cranking
for up to 15 seconds or until the vehicle starts.
Note:If the engine does not start on the first try, wait for a short period
of time and try again.
If you have difficulty starting the engine when the temperature is below
-13°F (-25°C), press the accelerator pedal slightly and try again.
If the engine does not start after three attempts, wait 10 seconds and
follow this flooded engine procedure:
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal and hold it there.
3. Select positionPorN.
4. Start the engine.
Cold Weather Starting (Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
The starting characteristics of all grades of E-85 ethanol make it
unsuitable for use when ambient temperatures fall below 0°F (-18°C).
Consult your fuel distributor for the availability of winter grade ethanol.
As the outside temperature approaches freezing, ethanol fuel distributors
should supply winter grade ethanol (same as with unleaded gasoline). If
summer grade ethanol is used in cold weather conditions, 0°F to 32°F
(-18°C to 0°C), you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle
or hesitation until the engine has warmed up.
You may experience a decrease in peak performance when the engine is
cold when operating on E-85 ethanol.
Do not crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to off and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system. Such
fluid could cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and possible
personal injury.
If you should experience cold weather starting problems on E-85
ethanol, and neither an alternative brand of E-85 ethanol nor an engine
block heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your tank
improves cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on E-85 ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the
two.
184Starting and Stopping the Engine
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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If the Engine Fails to Start Using the Preceding Instructions
(Flexible Fuel Vehicles Only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to
start, repeat Step 1.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have
this checked immediately. Do not drive your vehicle if you smell
exhaust fumes. Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the engine idling for long periods of
time, we recommend that you do one of the following:
•Open the windows at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters).
•Set your climate control to outside air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:Do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. There is a risk of
electrical shock.
Note:The heater is most effective when outdoor temperatures are below
0°F (-18°C).
The heater acts as a starting aid by warming the engine coolant. This
allows the climate control system to respond quickly. The equipment
includes a heater element (installed in the engine block) and a wire
harness. You can connect the system to a grounded 120 volt A/C
electrical source.
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