2002 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS check transmission fluid

4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid certified to meet Ford specification
ESA-M6C25–A. Refer toLubricant specificationsin this chapter.
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 towing loads. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval schedules.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
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.
Maintenance and specifications
86

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. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
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 or ambient
temperature.
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 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) 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 10°C (50°F). 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 (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10°C-35°C [50°F-95°F]).
Maintenance and specifications
87

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Keep in FULL
range on
dispstick
Rear axle
2Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantDana 80 3.9L
(4.0 quarts)3
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantDana 135 11.7L
(12.0 quarts)3
Fuel tank N/A All 284.0L
(75 .0 gallons)
Transmission
4Motorcraft
MERCONAT FAll 16.8L
(17.7 quarts)5
Your 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.
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
2Fill 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
3Fill Dana rear axles to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below
bottom of fill hole.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCONtype
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCONV type fluid.
Maintenance and specifications
96

Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Parking brake
assemblyMotorcraft
MERCONXT-2-QDX MERCON
Dana 80 Axle Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantXY-75W90–GLS —
Dana 135 Axle Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90–QL WSL-M2C197-A
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCONtype
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCONV type fluid.
MERCONand MERCONV type fluids are not interchangeable.
DO NOT mix MERCONand MERCONV. Use of a transmission
fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCONand MERCONV) in
an automatic transmission application requiring MERCONmay
cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
Maintenance and specifications
98

A
Air cleaner filter .............88–89, 95
Ambulance packages ....................4
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ..................65
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................27
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................31
fluid, adding ..............................86
fluid, checking ..........................86
fluid, refill capacities ................95
fluid, specification ....................99
Axle
lubricant specifications ......97, 99
refill capacities ..........................95
B
Battery .........................................63
acid, treating emergencies .......63
charging system
warning light .............................10
jumping a disabled battery ......51
maintenance-free ......................63
replacement, specifications .....95
servicing ....................................63
voltage gauge ............................13
Brakes ....................................26, 28
anti-lock .....................................27
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .............9, 28
brake warning light ....................9
fluid, checking and adding ......85
fluid, refill capacities ................95
fluid, specifications .............97, 99
lubricant specifications ......97, 99
shift interlock ............................30Break-in period .............................4
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ......95
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................58
exterior ......................................58
wheels ........................................58
Coolant
checking and adding ................65
refill capacities ....................69, 95
specifications ......................97, 99
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................17
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................15
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid ...86
engine oil ...................................61
Doors
door ajar warning .....................11
lubricant specifications ............97
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ......................................88
Driving under special
conditions
through water ...........................33
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................51
Emission control system ............82
Engine ..........................................99
Index
101

S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............11
Safety defects, reporting ..........100
Safety restraints
warning light and chime ......9, 11
Servicing your vehicle ................59
Spark plugs, specifications ...95, 99
Special notice ..........................4, 57
Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................97, 99
Speed control ..............................17
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle ............22–24
jump starting ............................51
Steering wheel
controls ......................................17
T
Tachometer .................................14
Tires .................................48, 90, 92
changing ....................................48
replacing ..............................49, 93
rotating ......................................93
snow tires and chains ..............94
tire grades .................................91treadwear ..................................90
Towing .........................................36
trailer towing ............................36
wrecker ......................................56
Transmission ...............................30
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................86
fluid, refill capacities ................95
lubricant specifications ......97, 99
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal ..................................10
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............................................99
Vehicle loading ............................34
Ventilating your vehicle .............26
W
Warning chimes ...........................11
Warning lights (see Lights) .........7
Water, Driving through ...............33
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers
operation ...................................17
Wrecker towing ...........................56
Index
104