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Choosing the right fuel
At operating temperatures below 0ÉC (32ÉF), use a blend of No. 1D and
No. 2D Diesel fuels, also known as winterized No. 2D.
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:
²If 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.
²If 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.
²Use 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.
²Any remaining trapped air will self-purge from the fuel system once
the engine starts running.
²
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 separatorÐCaterpillar 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 separatorÐ7.3L 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 separatorÐCummins B engine
Refer to your engine operator's manual for service procedures.
Fuel filter replacementÐCaterpillar 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 replacementÐ7.3L 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 replacementÐCummins 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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The amount of Empty Reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to
the empty reserve still present in the tank.
Filling the tank
For consistent results:
²Use the same fill rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
during filling.
²Allow three automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel of a known quality, preferably a national brand.
²Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
²When refueling a vehicle equipped with dual fuel tanks, if the two
tanks are not filled equally, the fuel gauge reading may fluctuate
slightly until the fuel level between the two tanks balance out and
become equal.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank(s) completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank(s), record the amount of fuel added (in
liters or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank(s) and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel economy:
Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total kilometers traveled.
Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
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Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²
Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel economy.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
Conditions
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the accelerator.
²Close windows for highway driving.
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EXTERIOR BULBS
Check operation of lamps, safety equipment and warning signals
It is a good safety practice to check operation of headlamps, parking
lamps, turn signals, clearance and marker lamps, instrument panel and
control lamps each day.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
To remove the headlamp bulbs:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. Remove four screws and move
the parking lamp assembly away
from the headlamp bulb.
4. Remove four screws and the
retaining bracket from the headlamp
bulb.
5. Pull headlamp bulb out of the
housing, disconnect the electrical
connector and remove the headlamp
bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse
order.
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