cooling FORD F250 2004 User Guide

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
andsymbol will
illuminate.
•TheService engine soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

filter, specifications ........241, 283
recommendations ...................241
refill capacities ........................284
specifications ..................287, 291
Exhaust fumes ..........................129
F
Fail safe cooling ........................248
Fluid capacities .........................284
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......144
description ..............................149
driving off road .......................151
electronic shift ................145, 149
indicator light .........................146
lever operated shift ................146
manual locking hubs ..............144
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................132
Fuel ............................................250
calculating fuel economy .......254
cap ...........................................252
capacity ...................................284
choosing the right fuel ...........252
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................257
detergent in fuel .....................254
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................250, 252, 254
filter, specifications ........254, 283
fuel pump shut-off switch .....193
improving fuel economy ........254
octane rating ...................253, 291
quality ......................................253
running out of fuel .................254
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................250
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......193
Fuses ..................................194–195G
Garage door opener ....................55
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................64
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............252
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................254
Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)
calculating ...............................164
H
Hazard flashers .........................193
Head restraints ...........................85
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................43
autolamp system .......................41
daytime running lights .............42
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................43
replacing bulbs ...................46–47
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................38–39
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................64
Hood ..........................................237
I
Ignition ...............................125, 291
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
307