1999 FORD F150 check transmission fluid

You should either know the terrain or examine maps of the area before
driving. Map out your route before driving in the area. For more
information on driving off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº supplement in
your owner's portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and
reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Press lightly
on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at over 56 km/h (35 mph). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to keep all four wheels on the most solid
area of the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but shift to a lower
gear and drive steadily through the terrain. Apply the accelerator slowly
and avoid spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. Traction or brake
capability may be limited.
When driving through water, determine the depth; avoid water higher
than the bottom of the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts,
halfshafts and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance that could damage drive components.
If the transmission, transfer case or front axle are submerged in water,
their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Water intrusion into the transmission may damage the
transmission.
Driving
132

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the clutch and place the gearshift in 1 (First).
Maintenance and care
168

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature (H) or ambient
temperature (C).
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
182

Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10ÉC (50ÉF). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC
[150ÉF-170ÉF]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by
an overheating condition.
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
183

Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and/or dipstick handle
and also in theLubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
Checking and adding manual transmission fluid
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
DON’T ADD
Maintenance and care
184

FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT F5-speed manual
33.5L (3.75 quarts)
Automatic- 4R100
(4x2)
415.0L (15.9 quarts)5
Automatic- 4R100
(4x4)415.5L (16.4 quarts)5
Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FAutomatic- 4R70W 13.1L (13.9 quarts)
Front axleMotorcraft
SAE 75W90
Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.8-2.0L
(3.5-3.7 pints)
Rear axle
3,6
Motorcraft
SAE
75W140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
LubricantF-150 2.6-2.7L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Rear axle
3,7
Motorcraft
SAE
75W140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
LubricantF-250 3.3-3.5L
(7.0-7.5 pints)8
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.0L (4.25 quarts)
1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Fill to bottom of filler hole.
3Your vehicle's rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Capacities and specifications
216

Fill to 6±14 mm (1/4±9/16 inch) below bottom of filler hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used for a specific
application. Check the container to verify the fluid is MERCONt
approved. Transmission fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick
handle. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Do NOT use any non-approved automatic transmission fluid for an
application specifying MERCONt. Use of a non-approved fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
6Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of additive friction modifier C8AZ-19B546-A, Ford
specification EST-M2C118±A, for complete fill of 8.8 inch and 9.75 inch
Traction-Lok axles.
7Add 236 ml (8 oz.) of additive Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A, Ford
Specification EST-M2C118-A, for complete fill of 10.25 inch Traction-Lok
axles.
8In-vehicle refill: approximately 3.1L (6.5 pints).
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Front axle
(4X4)Motorcraft SAE
75W90 Axle
LubricantXY-75W90-QL WSP-M2C201-A
Rear axleMotorcraft SAE
75W140 High
Performance
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lube
1
F1TZ-19580-B WSL-M2C192-A
Brake fluid and
clutch fluidHigh
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Capacities and specifications
217

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