steering FORD F250 2013 User Guide

Maintenance
MessagesAction / Description
SERVICE POWER
STEERINGThe power steering system has detected a
condition that requires service. See your
authorized dealer.
SERVICE POWER
STEERING NOWThe power steering system has detected a
condition within the power steering system
that requires service immediately. See your
authorized dealer.
POWER STEERING
ASSIST FAULTThe power steering system has disabled power
steering assist due to a system error. See your
authorized dealer.
MyKey® Messages Action / Description
MYKEY ACTIVE
DRIVE SAFELYDisplayed when MyKey® is active.
ADVANCETRAC
ALWAYS ON -
MYKEY SETTINGDisplayed when a MyKey® is in use and the
ESC cannot be deactivated.
VEHICLE NEAR
TOP SPEEDDisplayed when a MyKey® is in use and the
MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed
is approaching 80 mph (130 km/h).
VEHICLE AT TOP
SPEED - MYKEY
SETTINGDisplayed when a MyKey® is in use and the
MyKey speed limit is on and the vehicle speed
is 80 mph (130 km/h).
SPEED LIMITED TO
80 MPHDisplayed when starting the vehicle and
MyKey® is in use and the MyKey speed limit
is on.
SPEED LIMITED TO
130 KM/HDisplayed when starting the vehicle and
MyKey® is in use and the MyKey speed limit
is on
CHECK SPEED
DRIVE SAFELYDisplayed when a MyKey® is in use and the
optional setting is on and the vehicle exceeds
a preselected speed.
Information Displays129
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5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents toward the side windows.
6. To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the
vents located in the middle of the instrument panel.
HEATED WINDOWS AND MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED)
Heated Rear Window
Note:The engine must be running to use this feature.
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a sliding rear window, the feature
still operates when the window is opened.
Press the button to clear the rear window of thin ice and fog. Press
the button again within 10 minutes to switch it off. It switches off
automatically after 10 minutes, or when you switch the ignition off.
Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean the inside
of the rear window or to remove decals from the inside of the
rear window. This may cause damage to the heated grid lines.
Your warranty does not cover this damage.
Heated Exterior Mirror (If Equipped)
Note:Do not remove ice from the mirrors with a scraper or attempt to
readjust the mirror glass that has frozen in place. These actions could
cause damage to the glass and mirrors.
Note:Do not clean the housing or glass of any mirror with harsh
abrasives, fuel or other petroleum-based cleaning products.
Both mirrors heat to remove ice, mist and fog when you turn the rear
window defroster on.
REMOTE START CLIMATE OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
The climate control system adjusts the cabin temperature during remote
start.
You cannot adjust the system during remote start operation. Turn the
ignition on to return the system to its previous settings. You can now
make adjustments. You will need to turn certain vehicle-dependent
features back on, such as:
•heated seats
•cooled seats
•heated steering wheel
•heated mirrors
•heated rear window.
152Climate Control
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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.
Climate Control153
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SITTING IN THE CORRECT POSITION
WARNING:Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back
reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect
the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a
crash. Always sit upright against your seat back, with your feet on the floor.
WARNING:Do not recline the seat back as this can cause the
occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe
personal injury in the event of a crash.
WARNING:Do not place objects higher than the seat backs to
reduce the risk of injury in a crash or during heavy braking or
when stopping suddenly.
When you use them properly, the
seat, head restraint, safety belt and
airbags will provide optimum
protection in the event of a crash.
We recommend that you follow
these guidelines:
•Do not recline the seat back more than 30 degrees from vertical.
•Sit in an upright position with the base of your spine as far back as
possible.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top of it is level with the top of
your head and as far forward as possible, remaining comfortable.
•Keep sufficient distance between yourself and the steering wheel.
We recommend a minimum of 10 inches (250 millimeters) between
your breastbone and the airbag cover.
•Hold the steering wheel with your arms slightly bent.
•Bend your legs slightly so that you can press the pedals fully.
•Position the shoulder strap of the safety belt over the center of your
shoulder and position the lap strap tightly across your hips.
Make sure that your driving position is comfortable and that you can
maintain full control of your vehicle.
154Seats
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Some warning lights briefly illuminate.
Note:Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Turn the key to the start position to start the engine. Release the key
when the engine starts.
Note:The engine may continue cranking for up to 15 seconds or until it
starts.
Note:If you cannot start the engine on the first try, wait for a short
period 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.
Failure to Start
If you cannot start the engine after three attempts, wait 10 seconds and
follow this procedure:
1. Fully press the brake pedal.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal and hold it there.
3. Start the engine.
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Stationary
1. Move the transmission selector lever to positionP.
2. Turn the key to the off position.
Stopping the Engine When Your Vehicle is Moving
WARNING:When you switch off the engine when your vehicle is
still moving, this results in a loss of brake and steering assistance.
The steering does not lock, but higher effort is required. When you
switch off the ignition, some electrical circuits, warning lamps and
indicators may also be off.
1. Move the transmission selector lever to positionNand use the brakes
to bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission selector lever
to positionPand turn the key to the off position.
184Starting and Stopping the Engine
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Brake-shift interlock
WARNING:Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the
brake lamps are working.
WARNING:When doing this procedure, you will be taking
the vehicle out of park which means the vehicle can roll freely.
To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully set the parking
brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheel chocks if appropriate.
WARNING:If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake
warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the 3 (on) position and the brake pedal is not pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the on position and the brake pedal pressed, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle’s brake lamps are not operating properly. Refer to
theFuseschapter.
If the fuse is not blown and the brake lamps are working properly, the
following procedure will allow you to move the gearshift lever from P
(Park):
1. Apply the parking brake. Turn the ignition key to 1 (off), then remove
the key.
2. Move the steering column to the full down and full rearward position
(toward the driver’s seat).
3. Remove the gearshift lever boot.
4. Place fingers into hole where the gearshift lever boot was removed
from and pull top half of shroud up and forward to separate it from the
lower half of the shroud. There is a hinge at the forward edge of the top
shroud. Roll the top half of the shroud upward on the hinge point to
clear the hazard flasher button, then pull straight rearward toward the
driver’s seat to remove.
5. Remove the top half of the shroud.
206Transmission
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Activating the Electronic Locking Differential (ELD)
Note:The ELD may have difficulty disengaging either by operator
command or automatically if the driveline is under torque. If driving
conditions allow, releasing the accelerator pedal or turning the steering
wheel in the opposite direction may assist in disengagement.
Note:The ELD is designed for off-road use only and is not intended for
use on dry pavement.
For vehicles equipped with an
electronic shift 4WD system:
Pull the 4WD control knob toward
you.
For 2WD vehicles and vehicles
equipped with a manual shift
4WD system:
Turn the control to ON.
Once the indicator light is displayed in the information display,
both rear wheel axle shafts will be locked together providing
added traction.
If the indicator does not come on, or the indicator turns off while
driving, one of the following has occurred:
•The vehicle speed is too high.
•The left and right rear wheel speed difference is too high during an
engagement attempt.
•The system has malfunctioned and will be accompanied by a message
in the information display. See your authorized Ford dealer for
assistance.
2H
4H
4L
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)215
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How Your Vehicle Differs From Other Vehicles
WARNING:Vehicles with a higher center of gravity such as
utility and four-wheel drive vehicles handle differently than
vehicles with a lower center of gravity. Utility and four-wheel drive
vehicles arenotdesigned for cornering at speeds as high as passenger
cars any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. Avoid sharp turns, excessive
speed and abrupt maneuvers in these vehicles. Failure to drive
cautiously could result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
Truck and utility vehicles can differ from some other vehicles. Your
vehicle may be higher to allow it to travel over rough terrain without
getting hung up or damaging underbody components.
The differences that make your vehicle so versatile also make it handle
differently than an ordinary passenger car.
Maintain steering wheel control at all times, especially in rough terrain.
Since sudden changes in terrain can result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the steering wheel from the outside. Do not
grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from concealed objects such as
rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. To maintain
steering and braking control of your vehicle, you must have all four
wheels on the ground and they must be rolling, not sliding or spinning.
Driving Off-Road With Truck and Utility Vehicles
Note:On some models, the initial shift from two-wheel drive to
four-wheel drive while the vehicle is moving can cause some momentary
clunk and ratcheting sounds. This is the front drivetrain coming up to
speed and the automatic locking hubs engaging and is not cause for
concern.
Note:Your vehicle may be equipped with a front air dam that can
become damaged (due to reduced ground clearance) when taking your
vehicle off-road. This air dam can be taken off by removing two bolts.
216Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
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4WD vehicles are specially equipped for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and have operating characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional vehicles, both on and off the road.
Power is supplied to all four wheels through a transfer case. On 4WD
vehicles, the transfer case allows you to select 4WD when necessary.
Information on transfer case operation and shifting procedures can be
found in this chapter. Information on transfer case maintenance can be
found in theMaintenancechapter. You should become thoroughly
familiar with this information before you operate your vehicle.
4WD (when you select a 4WD mode) uses all four wheels to power the
vehicle. This increases traction, enabling you to drive over terrain and
road conditions that a conventional two-wheel drive vehicle cannot.
Basic Operating Principles In Special Conditions
•Do not use 4WD on dry, hard surfaced roads. Doing so will produce
excessive noise, increase tire wear and may damage drive components.
4WD modes are only intended for consistently slippery or loose
surfaces.
•Drive slower in strong crosswinds which can affect the normal steering
characteristics of your vehicle.
•Be extremely careful when driving on pavement made slippery by
loose sand, water, gravel, snow or ice.
If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement
•If your vehicle goes off the edge of the pavement, slow down, but
avoid severe brake application, ease the vehicle back onto the
pavement only after reducing your speed. Do not turn the steering
wheel too sharply while returning to the road surface.
•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and
slow down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or roll over. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)217
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If your vehicle gets stuck
WARNING:Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage to
the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts,
in a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid over-driving your vehicle, i.e., turn
the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid the
emergency. Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control, not
more. Additionally, smooth variations of the accelerator and/or brake
pedal pressure should be utilized if changes in vehicle speed are called
for. Avoid abrupt steering, acceleration or braking which could result
in an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and/or
personal injury. Use all available road surface to return the vehicle
to a safe direction of travel.
•In the event of an emergency stop, avoid skidding the tires and do not
attempt any sharp steering wheel movements.
•If the vehicle goes from one type of surface to another (i.e., from
concrete to gravel) there will be a change in the way the vehicle
responds to a maneuver (steering, acceleration or braking). Again,
avoid these abrupt inputs.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Avoid reducing the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Avoid excessive speed because vehicle momentum can work against you
and cause the vehicle to become stuck to the point that assistance may
be required from another vehicle. Remember, you may be able to back
out the way you came if you proceed with caution.
218Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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