1999 FORD F150 battery

4.6L V8/5.4L V8 engines
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
3. Power steering fluid reservoir
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Battery
10. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
11. Engine oil filler cap
87
910111324
6
5
Maintenance and care
171

3. Add only enough fluid through
the filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
Use only fluid that meets Ford specifications. Refer to theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
Maintenance and care
186

cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
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.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Because your vehicle's engine is also 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. To begin this process:
1. Set your parking brake.
Maintenance and care
187

2. Put the gearshift in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral
position (manual transmission), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least one minute.
4. The relearning process will automatically complete as you drive the
vehicle.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for changing the air filter element.
For information on replacement air filter elements, refer toMotorcraft
Part Numbersin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
188

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.
Maintenance and care
203

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.2L V6 engine 4.6L V8 engine 5.4L V8 engine
Air filter
elementFA-1634 FA-1634FA-1634
Fuel filter FG-986B FG-986B FG-986B
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-233 EV-233
Battery
(standard)BXT-59 BXT-59BXT-59
Battery
(heavy duty)BXT-65-650 BXT-65-650BXT-65-650
Spark
plugs-platinum*AGSF-34EE ** AWSF-32PP ***AWSF-22E
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, and 3 have a9EG9suffix. Cylinders No.
4, 5, and 6 have a9E9suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use
only spark plugs with the service number suffix letter9EE9as shown on
the engine decal.
*** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 have a9PG9suffix. Cylinders
No. 5, 6, 7 and 8 have a9P9suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced,
use only spark plugs with the service number suffix letter as shown on
the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
214

Accessory delay ..........................70
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................95
and child safety seats ..............96
description ................................95
disposal ......................................98
indicator light ...........................98
passenger air bag .....................96
passenger deactivation
switch ..............61,99,100,101,102
Air cleaner filter ................188,189
Air suspension ...........................119
warning light .............................11
Anti-theft system ..............76,77,78
Armrests ......................................88
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................121,122,123
Axle
refill capacities ........................215
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................115
anti-lock ............................115,116
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............116
fluid, checking and adding ....174
shift interlock ..........................120
Break-in period .............................2
CD player .....................52,54,55,56
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..109
in rear seat .......................106,108
tether anchorage hardware ...109
Cleaning your vehicle ...............209
engine compartment ..............211
exterior .............................210,213
exterior lamps .........................211
interior .....................................212
plastic parts ............................211
washing ....................................209
waxing .....................................210wheels ......................................210
wiper blades ............................212
Clutch
fluid ..........................................175
operation while driving ..........123
recommended
shift speeds ......................125,126
Controls
power seat .................................86
Coolant ...............................178,179
checking and adding ..............177
refill capacities ........................179
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................186
Driving under special
conditions ...........................132,133
sand .........................................132
snow and ice ...........................133
through water .........................132
Emission control system ..........202
Engine
coolant .....................................177
idle speed control ...................186
service points ...................170,171
starting after a collision .........149
Engine block heater .................113
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............173
dipstick ....................................172
specifications ...................172,174
Exhaust fumes ..........................113
Fail safe cooling .................179,180
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..10,128
description .......................130,131
driving off road .......................131
electronic shift ...................18,130
indicator light ....................10,128
lever operated shift ..128,129,130
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................202
Index
225