Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 85

WARNINGS

This vehicle may be fitted with more
than one battery. Removing the
battery cables from only one battery

does not disconnect your vehicle electrical
system. Make sure you disconnect the
battery cables from all batteries when
disconnecting power. Failure to do so may
cause serious personal injury or property
damage.

Your vehicle is fitted with a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery which normally
does not require additional water.

When a battery replacement is required,
you must use a recommended
replacement battery that matches the
electrical requirements of the vehicle.

Note: After cleaning or replacing the
battery, make sure you reinstall the battery
cover or shield.

Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect the low voltage battery performance
and durability. This may also affect the
performance of other electrical systems in
the vehicle.

For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the
top of the battery clean and dry.

If you see any corrosion on the battery or
terminals, remove the cables from the
terminals and clean with a wire brush. You
can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water.

Because your vehicle’s engine is
electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery
is installed, the engine must relearn its idle
and fuel trim strategy for optimum
driveability and performance. Flexible fuel
vehicles (FFV) must also relearn the
ethanol content of the fuel for optimum
driveability and performance.

To restore the settings, do the following:

1.

Apply the parking brake.

2. Shift into park (P) or neutral (N).

3. Switch off all accessories.

4. Press the brake pedal and start your

vehicle.

5. Run the engine until it reaches normal

operating temperature. While the
engine is warming up, complete the
following: Reset the clock. See Audio
System (page 435). Reset the power
windows bounce-back feature. See
Windows and Mirrors (page 95).
Reset the radio station presets. See
Audio System (page 435).

6. Allow the engine to idle for at least one

minute.

7.

Drive the vehicle at least 10 mi (16 km)
to completely relearn the idle trim and
fuel trim strategy.

Note: If you do not allow the engine to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the engine computer
eventually relearns the idle trim and fuel
trim strategy.

Note: 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.

Make sure that you dispose of old batteries
in an environmentally friendly way. Seek
advice from your local authority about
recycling old batteries.

If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery, we
recommend that you disconnect the
battery cables to maintain battery charge
for quick starting.

Battery Management System

(If

Equipped)

The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system temporarily
disables some electrical systems to
protect the battery.

Systems included are:
•

Heated rear window.

•

Heated seats.

•

Climate control.

•

Heated steering wheel.

•

Audio unit.

•

Navigation system.

A message may appear in the information
displays to alert you 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.

After battery replacement, or in some
cases after charging the battery with an
external charger, the battery management
system requires eight hours of vehicle sleep
time to relearn the battery state of charge.
During this time your vehicle must remain
fully locked with the ignition switched off.

Note: Prior to relearning the battery state
of charge, the battery management system
may temporarily disable some electrical
systems.

Electrical Accessory Installation

To make sure the battery management
system works correctly, do not connect an
electrical device ground connection
directly to the battery negative post. This
can cause inaccurate measurements of
the battery condition and potential
incorrect system operation.

Note: If you add electrical accessories or
components to the vehicle, it may adversely
affect battery performance and durability.
This may also affect the performance of
other electrical systems in the vehicle.

CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES

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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.

CHANGING THE WIPER
BLADES

You can manually move the wiper arms
when the ignition is off. This allows for ease
of blade replacement and cleaning under
the blades.

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1.

Pull the wiper blade and arm away
from the glass.

A

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2. Release the wiper blade lock (A) and

separate the wiper blade from the
wiper arm.

3. Install in the reverse order.

Note: Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place. Lower the wiper arm and blade
back on the windshield. The wiper arms will
automatically return to their normal position
when you turn the ignition on.

•

Replace wiper blades at least once per
year for optimum performance.

•

You can improve poor wiper quality by
cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield.

ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS

Vertical Aim Adjustment

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.

Headlamp Aiming Target

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8 feet (2.4 meters)

A

Center height of lamp to ground

B

25 feet (7.6 meters)

C

Horizontal reference line

D

Vertical Aim Adjustment Procedure

1.

Park the vehicle directly in front of a
wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters)
away.

2. Measure the height of the headlamp

bulb center from the ground and mark
an 8 foot (2.4 meter) horizontal
reference line on the vertical wall or
screen at this height.

Note: To see a clearer light pattern for
adjusting, you may want to block the light
from one headlamp while adjusting the
other.

3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to

illuminate the wall or screen and open
the hood.

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4. On the wall or screen you will observe

a flat zone of high intensity light
located at the top of the right hand
portion of the beam pattern. If the top
edge of the high intensity light zone is
not at the horizontal reference line, the
headlamp will need to be adjusted.

A

B

E223774

5. Locate the vertical adjuster on each

headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise or counterclockwise in order
to adjust the vertical aim of the
headlamp.

Note: A. LED headlamp.

B. Halogen headlamp.

6. Repeat steps 3 thru 5 to adjust the

other headlamp.

7.

Close the hood and turn off the lamps.

Horizontal Aim Adjustment

Horizontal aim is not required for this
vehicle and is not adjustable.

CHANGING A BULB

WARNINGS

Switch the lamps and the ignition off.
Failure to follow this warning could
result in serious personal injury.

Bulbs become hot when in use. Let
them cool down before you remove
them.

Use the correct specification bulb. See
Bulb Specification Chart (page 350).
Install in the reverse order unless otherwise
stated.

Front Park and Direction Indicator
Lamp Bulbs

Note: To access the right-hand side bulbs,
remove the air intake pipe. See Changing
the Engine Air Filter (page 353).

To access the left-hand side bulbs, remove
the washer reservoir filler tube. Vehicles with
diesel engine only.