GAUGES
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot. Steam and scalding liquid from a hot cooling
system can burn you badly.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
H
C
Instrument Cluster
16
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach -23É C
(-10É F) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Operating the engine
Do not operate the engine at full throttle below peak torque engine
speed (RPM) for more than one minute at a time (peak torque RPM
varies from 1200-1500 RPM depending on engine rated speed).
Monitor the oil pressure and coolant
temperature gauges frequently.
If the gauges indicate any reading is
not in the normal operating range,
stop your vehicle as soon as
possible, shut the engine off and
check the appropriate fluid level. If
an overheating condition starts to
occur, release the throttle pressure
or shift the transmission into a
lower gear, or both, until the
temperature returns to normal operating range.
L
H
Driving
110
HYDRAULIC BRAKES (IF EQUIPPED)
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the Scheduled
maintenance guide for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear.
Do not apply your brakes continuously, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM (HYDROMAX)
The Hydromax systems receive fluid pressure from the power steering
pump to provide power assist during braking.
The Hydromax booster receives backup pressure from the reserve
system electric pump whenever the fluid in the power steering system is
not flowing. When the engine is OFF, the pump will turn on if the brake
pedal is applied, or if the ignition is turned to the ON position.
The sound of the pump operating may be heard by the driver, but this is
a normal characteristic of the system.
The reserve system provides reduced braking power, so the vehicle
should be operated under these conditions with caution, and only to seek
service repair and remove the vehicle from the roadway.
For Hydromax under normal operating conditions noise of the fluid
flowing through the booster may be heard whenever the brake is applied.
This condition is normal. Vehicle service is not required.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes very poor, even when
the pedal is strongly applied, this may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or fluid leakage. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
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113
AIR BRAKES (IF EQUIPPED)
Foot service brakes
Air brakes are operated by a
standard dash-mounted foot pedal.
All standard equipment brakes are
designed to be self-adjusting.
Automatic adjustment, when
required, occurs whenever the
brakes are applied and released
during forward or reverse operation.
Know the required stopping
distances for all driving conditions
that may be encountered. For longer brake lining life, take full advantage
of engine braking power when coming to a stop.
Before descending a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear and avoid
continuous application of the brakes.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will
result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining
wear and increased stopping distances.
Continuous application of the brakes will cause the brakes to
overheat, resulting in a temporary loss of braking.
Occasional or intermittent brake squeal may result from environmental
conditions such as cold, hot, wet, snow, salt, mud, etc. This condition will
not affect braking effectiveness. The brakes should be checked only if
squeal occurs continuously with every application.
If brakes do not grip well
²If you have been driving through deep water, gently apply the brakes
several times while the vehicle is moving slowly.
²Let the brakes cool if you have been using them excessively, as in
mountain driving or after several fast, high speed stops.
²Check brake adjustment.
²Check brake linings for excessive wear.
²Check system air pressure.
Driving
119
Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with either green-colored
Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant meeting Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A or yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51±A1. To determine your
vehicle's coolant type (color), check your coolant reservoir.
²Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored),
VC-4±A (U.S.) or CXC-10 (Canada) or Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant (yellow-colored), VC-7±A, depending on
the type of coolant originally equipped in your vehicle.If you
are unsure which type of coolant your vehicle requires, check your
coolant reservoir or contact your local dealer.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6,
darkens the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
²Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44±D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Speciality Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
²A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
²Do not use alcohol, methanol or brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
Maintenance and Specifications
191
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Replacing coolant
A coolant mixture of 50% coolant concentrate and 50% water is
recommended to maintain best overall performance. To avoid damaging
the engine and radiator, the coolant concentrate should not exceed 60%.
When refilling the coolant system either as part of the regular
maintenance (refer to the scheduled maintenance guide), or due to
service performed, adhere to the following instructions:
1. Drain and flush the cooling system to remove dirt deposits, oil, rust
particles.
Note:When filling the system with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant
(green-colored) or equivalent meeting Ford specification
ESE-M97B44±A, a supplemental coolant additive is required. Refer to
Adding Coolantsection to determine the coolant type in your vehicle.
Add 1.89L (4 pints) of Motorcraft Heavy Duty Cooling System Additive
FW-16 or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESN-M99B169±A,
directly to the cooling system. An additional 237±295 ml (8±10 oz.) of
supplemental coolant additive FW-16 should be added at 24 000 km (15
000 mile) intervals to maintain proper concentration.Do not use this
additive with yellow-colored coolant meeting Ford specification
WSS-M97B51±A1.
2. Fill the coolant reservoir with the specified coolant/water mixture until
the level stabilizes at the top hose fitting. Replace and tighten cap. Fill
the coolant bottle to the cold fill mark.
3. Reinstall the coolant bottle cap.
4. Start and idle engine until the radiator upper hose is warm
(approximately 10±15 minutes). If the hose does not get warm then
repeat at a higher engine speed.
5. Immediately shut off engine. Cautiously remove coolant bottle cap and
add coolant to Cold Fill mark.
Maintenance and Specifications
193
Engine Coolant
Refer to the engine operator's manual for additional engine cooling
system information.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes in vehicles originally equipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A. Use of such coolant may harm the engine
and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
Maintenance and Specifications
194
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.
²The 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.
Fuel filter/water separator
Do not drain water separator while engine is running. Fuel may
ignite if separator is drained while engine is running or vehicle is
moving.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
198