2000 FORD F750 brakes

Driving through water
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the 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.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage.
FUEL CONSUMPTION IMPROVEMENT MEASURES
There are two important factors you can control to improve fuel
economy: the mechanical condition of your vehicle and how you drive it.
A properly maintained vehicle will deliver better performance than a
neglected vehicle. Always follow your maintenance schedule to keep your
vehicle in top operating condition.
Also, your driving habits have a significant influence on use of fuel. By
following these suggestions, you can stretch your fuel use:
•Avoid changes in speed as much as possible.
•Anticipate changing traffic conditions. Sudden stops and fast
acceleration waste fuel.
•Avoid extensive idling.
•Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal.
Driving
112

Connecting the jumper cables
1. Position the vehicles so that they
do not touch one another.
2. Apply the parking brakes.
3. Switch off the engine and any
unnecessary electrical equipment.
4. Find the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
5. Using the jumper cables, connect
the positive (+) terminal of the
discharged battery to the positive
(+) terminal of the booster battery.
Note: In the illustration, lightning
bolts are used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
6. Connect one end of the cable to
the negative (-) terminal of the
booster battery and the other end to
a ground at least 12 inches from the
battery of the discharged vehicle.
The vehicle frame is usually a good ground.
7. Ensure that the jump leads are clear of moving parts of the engine,
and that the clamps from one cable do not touch the clamps on the
other cable.
8. Do not lean over the batteries when making the connections.
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may cause an
explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
Jump starting
1. Start the booster vehicle and run the engine at moderately increased
speed.
2. After a few minutes, start the engine of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
3. After starting, run the engine at about 1,000 RPM for 3–5 minutes.
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Roadside emergencies
123

WRECKER TOWING
Always unload your vehicle before towing it. The recommended method
of towing is with the drive wheels off the ground.
Before towing, make sure:
•the parking brake is released.
•if air pressure has been lost, to release the brakes manually.
Improper towing of the vehicle will not allow sufficient lubrication of the
transmission which may cause serious damage to internal transmission
components. Always follow the outlined towing procedures.
•To tow a vehicle on the front wheels,the steering wheel must be
in the straight ahead position. Secure the steering wheel with a
holding device (such as provided by a towing company).
•To tow a vehicle on the rear wheels,it will be necessary to remove
the drive axles or disconnect the driveshaft. If the drive axles are
removed, the ends of the axle housing must be sealed to prevent the
loss of axle lubricant during towing.
•To tow a vehicle with an inoperative rear axle,the rear wheels
must be raised onto a dolly or tow the vehicle on the front wheels.
•If your vehicle is equipped with tow hooks,chains must be
fastened directly to the tow hooks on the vehicle.
•If your vehicle is not equipped with tow hooks,chains must be
routed under the bottom edge of the bumper with a protection bar to
protect the bumper, and attached to the vehicle chassis. Under no
circumstances is the vehicle to be lifted or towed by attaching chains
directly to the bumper.
RAISING THE VEHICLE
Never lift the vehicle by the bumper. When raising the vehicle, attach
chains to or place the jack(s) directly beneath the main structural
members of the vehicle.
PUSH-STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Avoid attempting to start a vehicle by pushing. Instead, use jumper
cables as described underJump starting your vehiclein theRoadside
emergencieschapter. Vehicles with an automatic transmission cannot be
started by pushing.
Roadside emergencies
125

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Check and refill the Hydromax
brake fluid reservoir using the
following procedure. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval.
1. Clean the reservoir caps before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant specifications
in theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run dry. This
may cause the brakes to fail.
Brake system fluid should be replaced on a regular basis to maintain
optimum braking performance, especially under heavy-duty driving
conditions such as frequent steep grades or heavy loads. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the service interval.
Maintenance and care
131

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.
Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird droppings
should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible. Deposits not
removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle’s paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
Maintenance and care
164

AIR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
Failure to maintain proper air brake adjustment can result in
reduction or loss of braking ability.
Air brake inspection and adjustment should be performed by a qualified
service technician in accordance with the instructions in the Ford Truck
Service Manual.
Cam brakes - automatic slack adjusters
Inspect standard air brakes equipped with automatic slack adjusters for
proper brake adjustment every four months or 32 000 km (20 000 miles)
whichever occurs first.
However, more frequent inspection is required if your vehicle’s brakes
are subjected to heavy use or adverse operating conditions such as:
•Frequent brake applications while fully loaded.
•Operation on hilly or mountainous terrain.
•Frequent operation on dirt, gravel or mud.
Some aftermarket brake linings also require more frequent inspections.
General maintenance information
180

Daily Owner Checks Engine system
Check the air filter restriction indicator
Check the engine oil
Inspect the coolant level - for Powerstroke
engine (for Caterpillar and Cummins engines,
refer to the Owner’s Manual)
Brake system
Drain the air brake system reservoir - manual
valve
Check the air brake system reservoir automatic
drain valve operation
Transmission system
Visually check the automatic transmission for
fluid leakage
Steering system
Check the power steering pump fluid level and
check the system for leaks
Check the entire vehicle for evidence of fluid
leaks
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration
requirements (ensure that the entire
system is functioning properly)
Check the service brakes
Check the parking brake
Check the steering mechanism
Check the lighting devices and reflectors
Check the tires
Check the horn
Check the windshield wipers
Check the rear vision mirrors
Check the wheels and rims
Check the emergency equipment
General maintenance information
182

Check every oil
changeOil change
intervals are as
follows: Powerstroke -
10 000 ; Caterpillar -
10 000 ; Cummins -
15 000 (refer to the
Caterpillar and
Cummins service
manuals for further
instructions and
information)Engine system
Check the engine cooling system - hoses,
clamps and protection
Inspect the drive belts
Exhaust system
Inspect the entire exhaust system (including
the inlet pipe(s), muffler(s), outlet pipe(s),
clamps and fasteners) for holes, leakage,
breakage, corrosive damage and separation
from other components. Adjust, service or
replace with the same or the equivalent part.
(Also a noise emission control service)
Suspension system
Lubricate the front and rear spring pins
Tighten the front and rear spring U-bolts to the
specified torque
Driveline and rear axle system
Lubricate the U-joints and the slip yoke
Brake system
Lube the air brake foot control valve, hinge and
roller
Inspect the drum brake linings through the
inspection holes
Lubricate the brake camshafts (air brakes)
Lubricate the brake slack adjuster (air brakes)
Inspect the disc brake pads and the piston
boots (hydraulic brakes)
Clutch system
Lubricate the clutch release cross shaft and all
linkages
Check the clutch fluid
Fuel system
Drain the accumulated water or sediment from
the fuel tank(s)
General maintenance information
183