FORD F250 2013 Owners Manual

3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
Note:If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 kilometers) or more
to relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy along with the ethanol
content for flexible fuel vehicles.
•For flexible fuel vehicles, if you are operating on E85, you may
experience poor starts or an inability to start the engine and
driveability problems until the fuel trim and ethanol content
have been relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
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USA(fus)

Battery Management System (If Equipped)
The battery management system (BMS) monitors battery conditions
and takes actions to extend battery life. If excessive battery drain is
detected, the system may temporarily disable certain electrical features
to protect the battery. Those electrical accessories affected include the
rear defrost, heated/cooled seats, climate control fan, heated steering
wheel, audio and navigation system. A message may be shown in the
information displays to alert the driver that battery protection actions
are active. These messages are only for notification that an action is
taking place, and not intended to indicate an electrical problem or that
the battery requires replacement.
Electrical accessory installation
To ensure proper operation of the BMS, any electrical devices that are
added to the vehicle should not have their ground connection made
directly at the negative battery post. A connection at the negative
battery post can cause inaccurate measurements of the battery
condition and potential incorrect system operation.
Note:Electrical or electronic accessories added to the vehicle by the
dealer or the owner may adversely affect battery performance and
durability, and may also affect the performance of other electrical
systems in the vehicle.
When a battery replacement is required, the battery should only be
replaced with a Ford recommended replacement battery which matches
the electrical requirements of the vehicle. After battery replacement,
or in some cases after charging the battery with the external charger,
the BMS requires eight hours of vehicle sleep time (key off with doors
closed) to relearn the new battery state of charge. Prior to relearning the
state of charge, the BMS may disable electrical features (to protect the
battery) earlier than normal.
CHECKING THE WIPER BLADES
Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of the blade
to check for roughness.
Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid or water
applied with a soft sponge or cloth.
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CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. To remove the wiper blade,
pull the wiper arm away from the
vehicle. Pry open the lock cover (A)
with your thumb to release the
blade.
2. Press the retaining clip to
disengage the wiper blade, then pull
the wiper blade down (C) toward
the windshield to remove it from
the arm.
3. To install the new wiper blade,
insert the wiper blade into the
wiper arm hook (B).
4. While holding the wiper arm, push the wiper blade up and away from
the windshield.
5. Close the lock cover.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield. Refer toCleaning the windows and wiper bladesin the
Vehicle Carechapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers.
The layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro
edge of the wiper rubber element.
A
B
C
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2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

AIR FILTER CHECK
Refer toScheduled Maintenance Informationfor the appropriate
intervals for changing the air filter element.
When changing the air filter element, use only the Motorcraft® air filter
element listed. Refer to theMotorcraft® Part Numbers.
The following procedure is for vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to the diesel
supplement.
Note:Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not
remove it while the engine is running.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be void for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
Changing the Air Filter Element
1. Locate the mass air flow sensor
electrical connector on the air
outlet tube. This connector will
need to be unplugged.
2. Reposition the locking clip on the
connector (connector shown from
below for clarity), squeeze the
connector and pull it off of the air
outlet tube.
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3. Clean the area around the air
tube to air cover connection to
prevent debris from entering the
system and then loosen the bolt on
the air tube clamp so the clamp is
no longer snug to the air tube. It is
not necessary to completely remove
the clamp.
4. Pull the air tube off from the air
cleaner housing.
5. Release the three clamps that secure
the cover to the air filter housing. Push
the air filter cover toward the center of
the vehicle and up slightly to release it.
6. Remove the air filter element
from the air filter housing.
7. Install a new air filter element.
8. Replace the air filter housing
cover and secure the clamps.
Be careful not to crimp the filter
element edges between the air filter
housing and cover and ensure that
the tabs on the edge are properly
aligned into the slots.
9. Slip the air tube onto the air
filter housing and tighten the
air-tube clamp bolt snugly,
but do not overtighten it.
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2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

10. Reconnect the mass air flow
sensor electrical connector to the
outlet tube. Make sure the locking
tab on the connector is in the
“locked” position (connector shown
from below for clarity).
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical Aim Adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(A) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(B) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(C) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(D) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height from the center of your headlamp (indicated by
a 3.0 millimeter circle on the lens) to the ground and mark an 8 foot
(2.4 meter) horizontal reference line on the vertical wall or screen at
this height (a piece of masking tape works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood. Cover one of the headlamps so no light from that lamp
hits the wall.
C
A
B
D
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4.On the wall or screen you will
observe a light pattern with a distinct
horizontal edge towards the right.
If this edge is not at the horizontal
reference line, the beam will need
to be adjusted so the edge is at the
same height as the horizontal
reference line.
5.Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Use a number 2
Phillips screwdriver to turn the
adjuster either counterclockwise
or clockwise in order to adjust
the vertical aim of the headlamp.
The upper edge of the light pattern
should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. Repeat Steps 3–5 for the other
headlamp.
7. Close the hood and turn off the lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NOT ADJUSTABLE.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
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Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•Water puddle inside the lamp.
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing Headlamps, Park Lamps, Turn Lamps
1. Make sure that the exterior lamps are off, then open the hood.
2. Using masking tape or a marker,
make an alignment mark between
one of the grille brackets and the
vehicle radiator support to ensure
correct grille alignment during the
installation procedure. Do not
scratch the black coating from the
radiator support.
3. Remove the two grille to headlamp assembly push pins and the four
bolts attaching the top of the grille to the radiator support.
4. Pull the top of the grille forward to gain access to the lower grille
spring clips.
5. Depress the spring clips through the lower inner grille access openings
using a flat head screwdriver.
6. Pull the grill straight out to remove.
7. Remove the four bolts from the
headlamp assembly.
8. Pull the assembly straight out
disengaging one snap clip from the
fender.
9. Disconnect the electrical
connector by squeezing the release
tab and pushing the connector
forward, then pulling it rearward.
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10. For the headlamp bulb,
remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
11. For the park or turn lamp bulb,
remove the bulb by turning it
counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
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2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Replacing Front Clearance and Identification Lamp Bulbs
(If Equipped)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the screw and lens from
the lamp assembly.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket.
Install the bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing Fog Lamp Bulbs (If Equipped)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the
fog lamp by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the fog lamp bulb.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing Brake/Tail/Turn/Reverse Lamp Bulbs (Pickups Only)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off,
then open the tailgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2.
Remove the two bolts from the tail
lamp assembly and carefully pull the
lamp assembly from the tailgate pillar
by releasing the two retaining tabs.
3. Rotate the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
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Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)