tow FORD F250 2013 Owners Manual

Cruise Control 238
Driving Aids 240
Load Carrying 241
Vehicle loading.......................................241
Tailgate............................................248
Towing 253
Trailertowing........................................253
Trailer brake controller-integrated.........................259
Wrecker towing......................................266
Recreational towing...................................268
Driving Hints 269
Economical driving....................................269
Floormats..........................................271
Roadside Emergencies 276
Getting roadside assistance..............................276
Hazard flasher control..................................278
Fuel cut-off switch....................................278
Jump-starting the vehicle...............................279
Customer Assistance 282
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only).......................289
Reporting safety defects (Canada only).....................289
Fuses 290
Changing a fuse......................................290
Fuse specification chart................................291
Upfitter controls......................................300
Table of Contents5
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for choosing Ford. We recommend that you take some time
to get to know your vehicle by reading this manual. The more that you
know about it, the greater the safety and pleasure you will get from
driving it.
WARNING:Always drive with due care and attention when
using and operating the controls and features on your vehicle.
Note:This manual describes a range of product features and options,
sometimes before they are generally available. Therefore, you may find
options in this manual that are not found on your vehicle.
Note:Some of the illustrations in this manual may be used for different
models, so they may appear different than your vehicle. However, the
essential information in the illustrations is always correct.
Note:Always use and operate your vehicle in line with all applicable
laws and regulations.
Note:Pass on this manual when selling your vehicle. It is an integral
part of the vehicle.
This manual may qualify the location of a component as left-hand side or
right-hand side. The side is determined when facing forward in the seat.
A. Right-hand side
B. Left-hand side
Protecting the Environment
You must play your part in protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of waste, cleaning
and lubrication materials are significant steps toward this aim.
A
B
Introduction9
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)

CHILD SEATS
Use a child safety seat (sometimes
called an infant carrier, convertible
seat, or toddler seat) for infants,
toddlers or children weighing
40 pounds (18 kilograms) or less
(generally age four or younger).
CHILD SEAT POSITIONING
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the
vehicle seat upon which the child seat is installed all the way back. When
possible, all children age 12 and under should be properly restrained in a
rear seating position. If all children cannot be seated and restrained
properly in a rear seating position, properly restrain the largest child in
the front seat.
WARNING:Always carefully follow the instructions and warnings
provided by the manufacturer of any child restraint to determine if
the restraint device is appropriate for your child’s size, height, weight, or
age. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions and warnings
provided for installation and use in conjunction with the instructions and
warnings provided by your vehicle manufacturer. A safety seat that is
improperly installed or utilized, is inappropriate for your child’s height,
age, or weight or does not properly fit the child may increase the risk of
serious injury or death.
WARNING:Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap
while your vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the
child from injury in a crash, which may result in serious injury or death.
WARNING:Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child.
They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death
in a crash.
20Child Safety
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

This is necessary to remove the remaining slack that will exist once the
extra weight of the child is added to the child restraint. It also helps
to achieve the proper snugness of the child seat to your vehicle.
Sometimes, a slight lean toward the buckle will additionally help to
remove remaining slack from the belt.
9. Attach the tether strap (if the child seat is equipped). SeeUsing
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
10. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly move the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
To check this, grab the seat at the belt path and attempt to move it side
to side and forward and back. There should be no more than 1 inch
(2.5 centimeters) of movement for proper installation.
Ford recommends checking with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger
Safety Technician to make certain the child restraint is properly installed.
In Canada, check with your local St. John Ambulance office for referral
to a Child Passenger Safety Technician.
Using Cinch Tongue Lap and Shoulder Belts (All Front Center and
Super/Crew Cab Rear Center Positions)
WARNING:Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.
If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat,
move seat all the way back.
WARNING:Rear facing child seats should never be placed in
front of an active airbag.
WARNING:Always use both lap and shoulder safety belt in the
Regular Cab center seating position if applicable.
28Child Safety
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

FASTENING THE SAFETY BELTS
The front outboard and rear safety restraints in your vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts.
1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, press the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
Using the Safety Belt with Cinch Tongue (Front Center and Rear
Center Seats Only)
The cinch tongue will slide up and down the belt webbing when the belt
is stowed or while putting safety belts on. When the lap and shoulder
safety belt is buckled, the cinch tongue will allow the lap portion to be
shortened, but pinches the webbing to keep the lap portion from getting
longer. The cinch tongue is designed to slip during a crash, so always
wear the shoulder belt properly and don’t allow any slack in either the
lap or shoulder portions.
38Safety Belts
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

Children 12 years old and under should always be properly restrained
in the rear seats. The Safety Canopy will not interfere with children
restrained using a properly installed child or booster seat because it is
designed to inflate downward from the headliner above the doors along
the side window opening.
The design and development of the Safety Canopy included
recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of
automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working
Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of
injuries related to the deployment of side airbags (including the Safety
Canopy).
CRASH SENSORS AND AIRBAG INDICATOR
WARNING:Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of
your vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure
and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system,
increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a collection of crash and occupant sensors which
provide information to the restraints control module which deploys
(activates) the front safety belt pretensioners, driver airbag, passenger
airbag, seat mounted side airbags, and the Safety Canopy. Based on the
type of accident (frontal impact, side impact or rollover) the restraints
control module will deploy the appropriate safety devices.
The restraints control module also monitors the readiness of the above
safety devices plus the crash and occupant sensors. The readiness of the
safety system is indicated by a warning indicator light in the instrument
cluster or by a backup tone if the warning light is not working. See the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after the
ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem or light are repaired.
Supplementary Restraints System59
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GENERAL INFORMATION ON RADIO FREQUENCIES
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry
Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Note:Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment. The termICbefore the radio certification number only
signifies that Industry Canada technical specifications were met.
The typical operating range for your transmitter is approximately 33 feet
(10 meters). Vehicles with the remote start feature will have a greater
range. A decrease in operating range could be caused by:
•weather conditions
•nearby radio towers
•structures around your vehicle
•other vehicles parked next to your vehicle.
The radio frequency used by your remote control can also be used by
other short-distance radio transmissions, for example amateur radios,
medical equipment, wireless headphones, remote controls and alarm
systems. If the frequencies are jammed, you will not be able to use your
remote control. You can lock and unlock the doors with the key.
Note:Make sure your vehicle is locked before leaving it unattended.
Note:If you are in range, the remote control will operate if you press
any button unintentionally.
Keys and Remote Control61
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SECURILOCK® PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:The system is not compatible with non-Ford aftermarket remote
start systems. Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and a loss of security protection.
Note:Metallic objects, electronic devices or a second coded key on the
same key chain may cause vehicle starting issues if they are too close to
the key when starting the engine. Prevent these objects from touching
the coded key while starting the engine. Switch the ignition off, move all
objects on the key chain away from the coded key and restart the engine
if a problem occurs.
Note:Do not leave a duplicate coded key in the vehicle. Always take
your keys and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle.
The system is an engine immobilization system. It helps prevent the
engine from starting unless a coded key programmed to your vehicle
is used. Using the wrong key may prevent the engine from starting.
A message may appear in the information display.
If you are unable to start the engine with a correctly coded key, a
malfunction has happened and a message may appear in the information
display.
Automatic Arming
Your vehicle arms immediately after you switch the ignition off.
Automatic Disarming
Your vehicle disarms when you switch the ignition on with a coded key.
Replacement Keys
Note:Your vehicle may come with two integrated keyhead transmitters.
The integrated keyhead transmitter functions as a programmed ignition
key that operates all the locks and starts the vehicle, as well as a remote
control.
If your programmed transmitters or standard SecuriLock coded keys are
lost or stolen and you do not have an extra coded key, you will need to
have your vehicle towed to an authorized dealer. The key codes need
to be erased from your vehicle and new coded keys will need to be
programmed.
Store an extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to
help prevent any inconveniences. See an authorized dealer to purchase
additional spare or replacement keys.
Security77
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Note:Fully defrost the windshield in icy conditions before turning on
the windshield wipers.
Rotate the end of the control away
from you to increase the speed of
the wipers. Rotate toward you to
decrease the speed of the wipers.
Speed Dependent Wipers
When your vehicle speed increases, the interval between wipes will
decrease when intermittent wipe is selected.
WINDSHIELD WASHERS
Note:Do not operate the wipers on a dry windshield. This may scratch
the glass, damage the wiper blades or cause the wiper motor to burn out.
Always use the windshield washer before wiping a dry windshield.
Note:Do not operate the washer when the washer reservoir is empty.
This may cause the washer pump to overheat.
Press the end of the stalk to
activate the washer.
•A brief press causes a single wipe without washer fluid.
•A quick press and hold causes the wipers to swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•A long press and hold will activate the wipers and washer fluid for up
to 10 seconds.
A wipe will occur a few seconds after washing to clear any remaining
washer fluid. This feature can be turned on and off in the information
display.
84Wipers and Washers
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Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)

LIGHTING CONTROL
•Rotate the headlamp control
clockwise to the first position to
turn on the parking lamps.
•Rotate clockwise to the second
position to also turn on the
headlamps.
High Beams
Pull the lever fully past the detent
to switch the high beams on.
Pull the lever fully again switch the
high beams off.
Headlamp Flasher
Pull the lever toward you slightly
and release it to flash the
headlamps.
OF
F
OF
F
Lighting85
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 3rd Printing, December 2012
USA(fus)