1999 FORD F150 check oil

Oil pressure/Engine coolant
This light will come on when the
key is in the ON position and the:
²engine coolant temperature is
very high
²engine oil pressure is low
The light serves as a notice that a system needs your attention and to
check the engine coolant temperature gauge and the engine oil pressure
gauge.
Refer toEngine coolant temperature gaugeandEngine oil pressure
gaugein this chapter for more information.
Transmission control indicator light (TCIL) (if equipped)
The word OFF located on the end
of the gearshift lever is the
transmission control indicator light
(TCIL).
The TCIL may flash steadily if a
malfunction is detected. If the TCIL is flashing, contact your Ford dealer
as soon as possible. If this condition persists, damage to the transmission
could occur.
Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when four-wheel drive
low is engaged. If the light continues
to flash have the system serviced.
Four wheel drive indicator (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON.
Illuminates when 4x4 range is
engaged.
OVERDRIVE
LOW
RANGE
4x4
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10

Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the oil
pressure/engine coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soon
indicators illuminate, refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe
coolingin theMaintenance and care chapter.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
0MPHkm/h
20406080
00
20
40
60
C
H
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Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
L
H
Instrumentation
15

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
MAX MIN
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172

²If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the MIN and MAX ranges, add only
certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil
filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the dipstick.
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Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification mark.
Ford oil specification is WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified for gasoline engines by the American
Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, startup
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules:
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
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²Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 105 km /h [65 mph] uses 15%
more fuel than traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²Use of speed control (if equipped) may improve fuel economy. Speed
control can help maintain a constant speed and reduce speed changes.
You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain as
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gears may occur and
could result in reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
2 km/h [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollover/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
²Use of fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
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201

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,Check Engine
indicator light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By law,
vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is on the Vehicle Emission
Control Information Decal located on or near the engine. This decal
identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of the
on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not pass
the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the OBD-II system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
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