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Tires are one of the weaker weight carrying components of the
vehicle. Do not overload the vehicle beyond safe load carrying
capacity.
Avoid hammering rim with steel hammers.
Never run the engine with one wheel off the ground.
Failure to retighten wheel lug nuts as required could allow the
wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, possibly causing
loss of vehicle control and collision. Loose wheel studs may also cause
shimmy and vibration.
Use of aftermarket wheel assemblies is not recommended; they
may be incompatible with your vehicle and may result in
equipment failure and possible injury. Replacement with used wheels is
not advised; they may have been treated harshly or have high mileage
and could fail without warning.
A wheel or tire of the wrong size or type may adversely affect
such things as load carrying capacity, wheel and bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping ability,
headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
•10–hole disc
5310
1
8
6
4
9 2 7
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Do not use diesel fuel blended with waste oil in engines equipped with a
catalytic converter-muffler. Blending waste oil in with the fuel will plug
the catalytic converter-muffler, resulting in a significant loss of engine
power. Your emissions warranty will be voided if blending waste oil with
diesel fuel is practiced.
Use low sulfur (less than 0.05% by weight) fuel as required by the EPA
for emission compliance.
Do not mix diesel fuel with gasoline, gasohol or alcohol. This
could cause an explosion resulting in personal injury.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether or gasoline. Such fluids
can cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and
possible personal injury.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel as this will allow air to enter the fuel system,
which will make restarting the vehicle difficult.
If you have run out of fuel:
•If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks,add at least
15–19 liters (4–5 gallons) of fuel to each tank before attempting to
restart the engine.
•If your vehicle is equipped with the Caterpillar 3126 B engine,
the fuel system must be primed before attempting to restart the
engine. Refer to the engine operator’s manual for instructions on
priming the engine.
•Use caution not to overheat and damage the starterby cranking
the engine for an excessive period of time. You may need to crank the
engine for a longer time than normal. If the engine fails to start in 30
seconds, turn the ignition to the OFF position and wait for two
minutes before cranking the engine again.
•Any remaining trapped air will self-purge from the fuel system once
the engine starts running.
•The engine may run rough and produce white smoke while air is in
the fuel system. This is normal and should stop after a short period of
time.
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Fuel filter/water separator
The fuel filter/water separator removes any contaminated particles
and/or water from the fuel before the fuel enters the engine.
The fuel filter/water separator should be drained as recommended in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Draining the fuel filter/water separator—Caterpillar 3126 B engine
1. With the engine off, open the
drain valve located at the bottom of
the fuel filter/water separator by
turning it counterclockwise.
2. Drain the filter until clear fuel is visible.
3. Turn the drain valve clockwise to close the valve. Do not overtighten
the drain valve as this could cause damage to the fuel filter/water
separator.
Draining the fuel filter/water separator—7.3L Power Stoke engine
1. With the engine off, open the
drain valve located on the side of
the fuel filter/water separator using
your hand.
2. Drain the filter until clear fuel is visible.
3. Close the drain valve completely.
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Draining the fuel filter/water separator—Cummins B engine
Refer to your engine operator’s manual for service procedures.
Fuel filter replacement—Caterpillar 3126 B engine
The fuel filter/water separator is
located on the left side of the
engine. Replace the fuel filter/water
separator as recommended in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide, or
sooner if it becomes plugged.
Vehicles operated on fuel with more
than average impurities may require
replacement of the fuel filter more
frequently. The spin-on filter has a
water drain valve built into the
bottom of the filter canister.
Removal
1. Using an oil filter wrench, remove the filter.
2. Carefully clean the mating surfaces.
Installation
1. Fill the filter with clean, fresh diesel fuel.
2. Coat the filter seal with clean, fresh diesel fuel.
3. Hand-tighten the filter until it seats firmly against the mount, then
tighten (by hand) an additional
1⁄3to1⁄2turn.
4. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.
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Fuel filter replacement—7.3L Power Stroke engine
The fuel filter/water separator is
located on the right side of the
engine. Replace the fuel filter/water
separator as recommended in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide, or
sooner if it becomes plugged.
Vehicles operated on fuel with more
than average impurities may require
replacement of the fuel filter more
frequently. The filter has a water
drain valve built into the bottom of
the filter housing.
Removal
1. Remove the fuel filter cap by
turning counterclockwise. The fuel
filter element will come out with the
cap.
2. Remove and discard the bevel gasket. Carefully clean the mating
surfaces.
3. Press in on the fuel filter element locking tabs to separate the element
from the cap.
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Installation
The engine will not run properly if the fuel filter is not installed
in housing.
1. Apply a coating of clean diesel fuel to the new bevel gasket and install
it onto the fuel filter housing.
2. Install the new fuel filter element onto the cap. Place the new fuel
filter element and cap into the fuel filter housing. Allow fuel to soak into
the fuel filter element.
3. Tighten cap onto the fuel filter housing until cap contacts the housing.
4. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks.
After changing the fuel filter, the engine will purge the trapped air as it
runs. Engine may run roughly and smoke until the air is completely
eliminated.
Fuel filter replacement—Cummins B engine
Refer to your engine operator’s manual for service intervals and
procedures.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km–5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank(s) on your vehicle is equal
to the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank(s) as listed inFuel Tank
Capacitiesin theCapacities and Specificationschapter. The
advertised capacity is the amount of the Indicated Capacity and the
Empty Reserve combined. Indicated Capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty Reserve is the small amount of usable fuel remaining in
the fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
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AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by a qualified service technician.
MINOR TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Diesel engine
For troubleshooting information, refer to the diesel engine operator’s
manual.
If engine won’t crank
For troubleshooting information, refer to the engine operator’s manual.
If engine cranks but won’t start
For troubleshooting information, refer to the engine operator’s manual.
If engine runs hot
For troubleshooting information, refer to the engine operator’s manual.
If fuses burn out
Burned-out or“blown-out”fuses or circuit breaker tripping (if equipped)
usually indicate an electrical short circuit, although a fuse may
occasionally fail from vibration. Insert a second fuse or reset the breaker
(if equipped). If this fuse immediately burns out or the breaker (if
equipped) trips and you cannot locate the fuse, return your vehicle to
your dealer for a circuit check.
If lamp bulbs burn out
Repeated lamp burn-out usually indicates a loose connection, either at
the lamp socket, the system ground or a malfunctioning voltage
regulator. If examination does not indicate the cause of the trouble,
return your vehicle to your dealer for inspection.
If headlamps flash on and off
If headlamps flash on and off at regular intervals, the system circuit
breaker (if equipped) is operating, indicating a short circuit or overload.
Take your vehicle to your dealer for a circuit check.
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recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507–BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500–XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500–XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle’s specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may damage the finish
on your wheels. Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
Cleaning the engine
Cover the underhood electrical connections and terminals of your vehicle
when cleaning the engine compartment. Avoid spraying or splashing
cleaning solvents or detergent solutions on the terminals and
connections. After the cleaning is completed and with the engine not
running, remove the protective cleaning coverings. Exposing electrical
connections and terminals to cleaning solvents and detergent solutions
over a period of time can corrode them and result in electrical system
damage and malfunctions.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
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