2016 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY check engine

Chassis cab
MaximumGCWRRear axle ratioEngineVehicle
26000 lb (11793kg)
4.886.7L diesel35000 lb (15875
kg)*
* Requires optional GCWR Package.
Calculating the MaximumLoaded Trailer Weight for YourVehicle
1. Start with the gross combinedweight rating for your vehiclemodel and axle ratio. See theprevious chart.
2.Subtract all of the followingthat apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight
•Hitch hardware weight, such asa draw bar, ball, locks or weightdistributing hardware
•Driver weight
•Passenger(s) weight
•Payload, cargo and luggageweight
•Aftermarket equipment weight.
This equals the maximum loadedtrailer weight for this combination.
Note:The trailer tongue load isconsidered part of the payload foryour vehicle. Reduce the totalpayload by the final trailer tongueweight.
Note:Consult an authorized dealerto determine the maximum trailerweight allowed for your vehicle ifyou are not sure.
ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•Do not tow a trailer until you drive yourvehicle at least 1000 miles (1600kilometers).
•Consult your local motor vehicle lawsfor towing a trailer.
•See the instructions included withtowing accessories for the properinstallation and adjustmentspecifications.
•Service your vehicle more frequently ifyou tow a trailer. See your scheduledmaintenance information.
•If you use a rental trailer, follow theinstructions the rental agency givesyou.
See Load limits in the Load Carryingchapter for load specification terms foundon the tire label and Safety Compliancelabel and instructions on calculating yourvehicle's load.
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•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 miles (80kilometers).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in position P to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help A/Cperformance.
•Turn off the speed control with heavyloads or in hilly terrain. The speedcontrol may turn off automaticallywhen you are towing on long, steepgrades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•If your vehicle is equipped withAdvanceTrac with RSC, this systemmay turn on during typical corneringmaneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.This is normal. Turning the corner at aslower speed while towing may reducethis tendency.
•If you are towing a trailer frequently inhot weather, hilly conditions, at thegross combined weight rating (or anycombination of these factors), considerrefilling your rear axle with syntheticgear lubricant (if the axle is not alreadyfilled with it). See Capacities andSpecifications (page 303).
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission inposition P.
4. Place wheel chocks in front and backof the trailer wheels. (Chocks notincluded with vehicle.)
Your vehicle may be equipped with atemporary or conventional spare tire. A"temporary" spare tire is different in size(diameter or width), tread-type(All-Season or All Terrain) or is from adifferent manufacturer than the road tireson your vehicle. Consult information on thetire label or Safety Compliance label forlimitations when using.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat orPersonal Watercraft (PWC)
Note:Disconnect the wiring to the trailerbefore backing the trailer into the water.
Note:Reconnect the wiring to the trailerafter you remove the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boatlaunching or retrieval:
•Do not allow the static water level torise above the bottom edge of the rearbumper.
•Do not allow waves to break higherthan 6 inches (15 centimeters) abovethe bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water toenter vehicle components:
•Causing internal damage to thecomponents.
•Affecting driveability, emissions, andreliability.
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•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (ifequipped) is less fuel efficient thantwo-wheel-drive operation.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deepwater as you may lose control of yourvehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,check the depth. Never drive through waterthat is higher than the bottom of the wheelhubs.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle.Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check thatthe steering power assist works.
FLOOR MATS
WARNINGS
Always use floor mats that aredesigned to fit the foot well of yourvehicle. Only use floor mats thatleave the pedal area unobstructed. Onlyuse floor mats that are firmly secured toretention posts so that they cannot slip outof position and interfere with the pedalsor impair safe operation of your vehicle inother ways.
Pedals that cannot move freely cancause loss of vehicle control andincrease the risk of serious personalinjury.
Always make sure that the floormats are properly attached to theretention posts in the carpet that aresupplied with your vehicle. Floor mats mustbe properly secured to both retention poststo make sure mats do not shift out ofposition.
Never place floor mats or any othercovering in the vehicle foot well thatcannot be properly secured toprevent them from moving and interferingwith the pedals or the ability to control thevehicle.
Never place floor mats or any othercovering on top of already installedfloor mats. Floor mats should alwaysrest on top of vehicle carpeting surface andnot another floor mat or other covering.Additional floor mats or any other coveringwill reduce the pedal clearance andpotentially interfere with pedal operation.
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Driving HintsE176913

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to helpmaintain its roadworthiness and resalevalue. There is a large network ofauthorized dealers that are there to helpyou with their professional servicingexpertise. We believe that their speciallytrained technicians are best qualified toservice your vehicle properly and expertly.They are supported by a wide range ofhighly specialized tools developedspecifically for servicing your vehicle.
To help you service your vehicle, weprovide scheduled maintenanceinformation which makes tracking routineservice easy. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 453).
If your vehicle requires professional service,an authorized dealer can provide thenecessary parts and service. Check yourwarranty information to find out whichparts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,fluids and service parts conforming tospecifications. Motorcraft® parts aredesigned and built to provide the bestperformance in your vehicle.
Precautions
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught inmoving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with theengine running in an enclosed space,unless you are sure you have enoughventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burningmaterial (such as cigarettes) awayfrom the battery and all fuel relatedparts.
Working with the Engine Off
1.Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2. Switch off the engine.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damageand/or personal burn injuries, do notstart your engine with the air cleanerremoved and do not remove it while theengine is running.
1.Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2. Block the wheels
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
1.To open the hood, go inside the vehicleand pull the hood release handlelocated under the left hand side of theinstrument panel.
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MaintenanceE142457

Engine oil filler capD.
Engine oil dipstickE.
Power steering fluid reservoirF.
Brake fluid reservoirG.
Engine coolant reservoirH.
Air filter assemblyI.
Power distribution boxJ.
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAXB
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note:For diesel engine information, referto the diesel supplement.
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on levelground.
2.Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutesfor the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure thegearshift is in P.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself fromengine heat.
5.Locate and carefully remove the engineoil level dipstick. See the Under HoodOverview in this chapter for location ofdipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert thedipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level is between the lowerand upper holes, the oil level isacceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the lowerhole, add enough oil to raise thelevel within the lower and upperholes.
•Oil levels above the upper hole maycause engine damage. Some oilmust be removed from the engineby an authorized dealer.
7. Put the oil level dipstick back into theoil dipstick tube and ensure it is fullyseated.
Adding Engine Oil
Note:Do not remove the filler cap whenthe engine is running.
Note:Do not remove the engine oil leveldipstick when the engine is runnin
Note:Do not add oil further than the MAXmark. Oil levels above the MAX mark maycause engine damage.
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MaintenanceE161560
AB

Only use oils certified for gasoline enginesby the American Petroleum Institute (API).An oil with this trademark symbolconforms to the current engine andemission system protection standards andfuel economy requirements of theInternational Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC), comprised ofU.S. and Japanese automobilemanufacturers.
1. Check the engine oil level.
2. If the engine oil level is not within thenormal range, add engine oil thatmeets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specifications for moreinformation.
3. Remove the engine oil filler cap anduse a funnel to pour the engine oil intothe opening.
4.Recheck the engine oil level. Make surethe oil level is not above the normaloperating range on the engine oil leveldipstick.
5. Install the engine oil level dipstick andensure it is fully seated.
6. Fully install the engine oil filler cap byturning the filler cap clockwise untilthree clicks are heard or until the capis fully seated.
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET
Resetting the Oil Life MonitoringSystem
Only reset the oil life monitoring systemafter changing the engine oil and oil filter.
1.Switch the ignition on. Do not start theengine. For vehicles with push-buttonstart, press and hold the start buttonfor two seconds without pressing thebrake pedal. Do not start the engine.
2.Press the accelerator and brake pedalsat the same time.
3.Keep the accelerator and brake pedalsfully pressed.
4. After three seconds, a messageconfirming that the reset is in progresswill be displayed.
5. After 25 seconds, a messageconfirming that the reset is completewill be displayed.
6. Release the accelerator and brakepedals.
7.The message confirming that the resetis complete will no longer be displayed.
8.Switch the ignition off. For vehicles withpush-button start, press the startbutton to switch the ignition off.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when theengine is hot. Steam and scaldingliquids released from a hot coolingsystem can burn you badly. Also, you canbe burned if you spill coolant on hot engineparts.
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WARNINGS
Do not put engine coolant in thewindshield washer fluid container. Ifsprayed on the windshield, enginecoolant could make it difficult to seethrough the windshield.
To reduce the risk of personal injury,make sure the engine is cool beforeunscrewing the coolant pressurerelief cap. The cooling system is underpressure; steam and hot liquid can comeout forcefully when the cap is loosenedslightly.
Do not add coolant further than theMAX mark.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with adiesel engine, refer to the DieselSupplement.
When the engine is cold, check theconcentration and level of the enginecoolant at the intervals listed in thescheduled maintenance information. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 453).
Note:Make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and MAX marks on the coolantreservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. Thelevel may extend beyond the MAX mark.
Note:If the level is at the MIN mark, belowthe MIN mark, or empty, add coolantimmediately. See Adding Engine Coolantin this chapter.
The coolant concentration should bemaintained within 48% to 50%, whichequates to a freeze point between -30°F(-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolantconcentration should be tested with arefractometer such as Robinair® Coolantand Battery Refractometer 75240. We donot recommend the use of hydrometers orcoolant test strips for measuring coolantconcentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are notinterchangeable. Do not use engine coolantor antifreeze or windshield washer fluidoutside of its specified function and vehiclelocation.
Adding Engine Coolant
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets, coolingsystem sealants, or additives as they cancause damage to the engine cooling orheating systems. This damage would notbe covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, theengine coolant may change color fromorange to pink or light red. As long as theengine coolant is clear and uncontaminated,this color change does not indicate theengine coolant has degraded nor does itrequire the engine coolant to be drained, thesystem to be flushed, or the engine coolantto be replaced.
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•Do not mix different colors or types ofcoolant in your vehicle. Make sure thecorrect coolant is used. Mixing ofengine coolants may harm yourengine’s cooling system. The use of animproper coolant may harm engine andcooling system components and mayvoid the warranty. Use predilutedengine coolant meeting the Fordspecification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 303).
•In case of emergency, a large amountof water without engine coolant maybe added in order to reach a vehicleservice location. In this instance, thecooling system must be drained,chemically cleaned with MotorcraftPremium Cooling System Flush, andrefilled with engine coolant as soon aspossible. Water alone (without enginecoolant) can cause engine damagefrom corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine orany engine coolants mixed with alcoholor methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol and other liquids can causeengine damage from overheating orfreezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additivesto the coolant. These can be harmfuland compromise the corrosionprotection of the engine coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure willescape as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting theFord specification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 303).
Whenever coolant has been added, thecoolant level in the coolant reservoirshould be checked the next few times youdrive the vehicle. If necessary, add enoughprediluted engine coolant to bring thecoolant level to the proper level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommendthe use of recycled engine coolant since aFord-approved recycling process is not yetavailable.
Used engine coolant should be disposedof in an appropriate manner. Follow yourcommunity’s regulations and standardsfor recycling and disposing of automotivefluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Fordauthorized dealer increase the coolantconcentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% willprovide improved freeze pointprotection. Engine coolantconcentrations above 60% willdecrease the overheat protectioncharacteristics of the engine coolantand may cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Fordauthorized dealer decrease the coolantconcentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% willprovide improved overheat protection.Engine coolant concentrations below40% will decrease the freeze andcorrosion protection characteristics ofthe engine coolant and may causeengine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extremeclimates should use prediluted enginecoolant for optimum cooling system andengine protection.
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