check engine light FORD F250 2009 User Guide

WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
380

Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA fuel economy estimates
Every new vehicle should have a window sticker containing EPA fuel
economy estimates. Contact your authorized dealer if the window sticker
is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA fuel economy estimates
should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons with other
vehicles. Your fuel economy may vary depending upon the method of
operation and conditions.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
391

A
Accessory delay ........................110
Air cleaner filter ...............402, 404
Air conditioning ..........................84
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................193
and child safety seats ............195
description ..............................193
disposal ....................................197
driver airbag ............................195
indicator light .........................197
operation .................................195
passenger airbag .....................195
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................198
Ambulance packages ..................10
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................377
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................280–281
Anti-theft system ..............168, 171
arming the system ..........169, 171
disarming a triggered
system .....................................171
triggering .................................171
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................26, 28, 35
Automatic transmission ............285
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................287
fluid, adding ............................397
fluid, checking ........................397
fluid, refill capacities ..............405
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................42
Auxiliary power point ...............107
Axle
refill capacities ........................405B
Battery .......................................375
acid, treating emergencies .....375
jumping a disabled battery ....343
maintenance-free ....................375
replacement, specifications ...404
servicing ..................................375
Belt-Minder
.............................189
Booster seats .............................221
Brakes ........................................280
anti-lock ...........................280–281
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................281
fluid, checking and adding ....396
fluid, refill capacities ..............405
parking ....................................281
shift interlock ..........................285
trailer .......................................267
Bulbs ............................................95
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....405
Cassette tape player ...................26
Cell phone use ..............................9
Child safety seats ......................206
attaching with tether
straps .......................................215
in front seat ....................207, 211
in rear seat ..............207, 211, 215
LATCH .....................................215
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................221
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............359
instrument panel ............361–362
interior .....................................363
plastic parts ............................360
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
414

Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................394
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................361–362
cluster ........................................14
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................91
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......343
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................156
keypad .....................................166
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................167
programming entry code .......166
Keys ...........................................169
positions of the ignition .........275
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running light ...............90
fog lamps ...................................89
headlamps .................................89
headlamps, flash to pass ..........90
instrument panel, dimming .....91
interior lamps ...........................95
replacing bulbs .................97–102
LATCH anchors .........................215
Lights, warning and indicator ....14
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........281
Limited-slip axle .......................284
Load limits .................................256
Loading instructions .................262Locks
autolock ...................................156
childproof ................................159
doors ........................................155
Lug nuts ....................................342
Lumbar support, seats .....176–177
M
Manual transmission .................289
fluid capacities ........................405
reverse .....................................291
Message center .................127, 137
english/metric button .............142
system check button ..............140
warning messages ...........131, 144
Mirrors ...............................110–111
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................110
fold away .........................112, 114
side view mirrors (power) .....111
signal .......................................115
Moon roof ..................................122
Motorcraft parts ................383, 404
N
Navigation system .......................79
O
Octane rating ............................387
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................372
Overdrive ...................................104
P
Parking brake ............................281
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....404
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
417