1996 FORD F150 light

301
Servicing Your F-Series
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[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
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[SV00400(BEF )01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[SV00500(BEF )01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[SV00600(BEF )01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[SV00700(BEF )01/95]
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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[SV00800(BEF )01/95]
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When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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[SV00900(BEF )05/94]
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We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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[SV01300( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
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312 [SV06975( ALL)05/95]If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft or equivalent part.
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[SV07000( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the
pressure in the fuel tank can damage the
fuel system or cause it to work improperly
in a collision.
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[SV07025( ALL)05/95]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
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[SV07050( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
If the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
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[SV07060(BEF )11/89]
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal
condition. It may be caused by:
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[SV07061(BEF )03/90]
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Too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions.
The service stations sometimes sell winter
grade fuel in the summer.
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[SV07062(BEF )11/89]
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Pulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high
altitudes.
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[SV07063(BEF )11/89]
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Extended periods of idling with the engine
RPM increased above the normal idle range.
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[SV07064(BEF )11/89]
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Parking vehicle in full sunlight for extended
periods on extremely hot days.
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314
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[SV09200( ALL)05/95]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes
knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. However, if a fuel with the
recommended octane rating knocks heavily
under all driving conditions or knocks lightly
driving at cruising speed on level roads, see
your dealer or a qualified service technician.
Persistent, heavy knocking can damage the
engine.
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[SV09435( ALL)05/95]
Fuel quality
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[SV09450( ALL)05/95]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation problems when the engine is cold, it
may be caused by fuel with low volatility. Try a
different brand of fuel. If the condition persists,
see your dealer or a qualified service technician.
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[SV09452( ALL)05/95]
Using a high-quality fuel makes your vehicle
more responsive and maintains its good fuel
economy and emissions by:
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[SV09455( ALL)05/95]
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protecting your fuel system from rusting.
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[SV09460( ALL)05/95]
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preventing the fuel lines from freezing.
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[SV09465( ALL)05/95]
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improving vehicle starting and warm-up.
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[SV09470( ALL)05/95]
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protecting the fuel system from vapor lock in
very hot weather, which causes the engine to
hesitate or stall and makes restarts difficult.
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[SV09475( ALL)05/95]
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minimizing deposits in fuel injectors,
combustion chambers, and on intake valves.
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[SV09480( ALL)05/95]
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preventing your fuel system from ªgumming
upº when your vehicle is not used for long
periods of time.
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[SV09485( ALL)05/95]
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preventing your engine from knocking and
pinging.
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[SV09500( ALL)05/95]
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket products to your fuel tank if you
continue to use a high-quality fuel.
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321
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[SV13730( EF )01/93]
For vehicles with 4.9L, 5.0L or 7.5L engines
[SV13740( ALL)04/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 10W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle which provide the
best engine protection for all climates down to
-5ÊF (-20ÊC). SAE5W-30 engine oils may also be
used down to-15ÊF (-25ÊC).
[SV13745( ALL)02/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
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[SV13900( ALL)03/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
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1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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[SV14050(B F )03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
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3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
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322
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quarter page art:0010364-D
Engine oil dipstick
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6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine
damage or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed from the
engine.
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7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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[SV14800( ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
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[SV15000( ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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335
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[SV26450(BEF )03/95]
Traction-Lok Rear Axle (If equipped)
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[SV26460(BEF )03/95]
This axle provides added drive away traction on
slippery surfaces, particularly when one or more
wheels are on a surface with poor traction.
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[SV26470(BEF )05/95]
RWARNING
To avoid injury, never run the engine
with one wheel off the ground, such as
when changing a tire.
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Tire Rotation
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[SV26600( ALL)03/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them at the mileage
shown in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet which came with your vehicle.
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[SV26625( F )03/93]
For F-250 (over 8500 GVWR [3,855 kg]), F-350
and Super Duty vehicles, rotate the tires at 5,000
miles (8,000 km), then at 15,000 miles
(24,000 km), and then every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km) thereafter.
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[SV26660( EF )03/94]
If your light truck has dual rear wheels, you can
rotate the front tires side to side without
disturbing the rear tires.
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[SV26700(BEF )07/92]
Rotate the tires according to the following
diagram. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked. If your light truck
has a temporary spare tire, do not include it in
the tire rotation pattern.
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[SV26750(BEF )03/90]
In situations where the tires differ from front to
rear (snow/traction), simply rotate using a side
to side pattern.
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Update:Thu May 9 15:30:19 1996

349
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[SV35800( ALL)03/91]
Driveline Universal Joint and
Slip Yoke
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[SV36000(BEF )06/93]
The universal joints that come standard with
your vehicle do not require lubrication. If your
original equipment universal joints are replaced
with universal joints equipped with grease
fittings, lubrication will be necessary at the
intervals shown in theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet.
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[SV36100(B F )06/93]
Your vehicle may be equipped with a constant
velocity or double cardan joint at the transfer
case end of the driveshaft. The front driveshaft
double cardan joint may be fitted with a flush
type grease fitting that requires an adapter to
permit proper lubrication. Lubricate the drive
joint according to the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
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[SV36200(B F )05/90]
quarter page art:0020379-A
Double cardan joint
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[SV36300( ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
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[SV36350( ALL)05/90]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
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[SV36400( ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
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Update:Thu May 9 15:30:19 1996

352 %
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[SV38200( ALL)03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
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[SV38250( ALL)03/94]
one third page art:0021016-B
Power steering dipstick
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[SV38600(B F )10/90]
quarter page art:0020386-B
Power steering reservoir
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[SV38800( ALL)07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
File:ltsvf.ex
Update:Thu May 9 15:30:19 1996