2003 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS automatic transmission fluid

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
6.8L V10 engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
4. Power distribution box
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Air filter assembly
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Power steering fluid reservoir
Maintenance and specifications
56

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.
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.
Maintenance and specifications
81

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]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns
and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
If the original universal joints are equipped with grease fittings.
Lubrication will be necessary. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide
for maintenance intervals.
Maintenance and specifications
82

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.
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.
5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with in-tank cooler. The amount of
transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on the
dipstick’s normal operating range.
Maintenance and specifications
90

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)VC-4–A (in
Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-M97B44-A
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Automatic
transmission
(4R100)
1
Motorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
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 Rear
Axle LubricantXY-80W90–QL WSL-M2C197-A
Maintenance and specifications
91

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.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 6.8L V10 engine
Cubic inches 415
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm (0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system Coil on plug
Compression ratio 9.0:1
IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Certification label for incomplete vehicles
On completed derivations of incomplete vehicles, the certification label is
affixed at a location determined by a subsequent stage manufacturer of
the completed vehicle. In these cases the completed vehicle is
manufactured in two or more stages by two or more separate
manufacturers.
Vehicle Identification Number
The vehicle identification number is attached to a metal tag and is
located on the front firewall to the right of the air filter.
If you ever find it necessary to communicate with Ford Motor Company
about your vehicle, always include the VIN in your communication.
Maintenance and specifications
92

A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................24
Air cleaner filter ...................83, 88
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze (see
Engine coolant) ..........................61
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................24
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................28
fluid, adding ..............................81
fluid, checking ..........................81
fluid, refill capacities ................89
fluid, specification ....................92
Axle
lubricant specifications ......91–92
refill capacities ..........................89
B
Battery .........................................59
acid, treating emergencies .......59
jumping a disabled battery ......48
maintenance-free ......................59
replacement, specifications .....88
servicing ....................................59
Brakes ....................................23, 25
anti-lock .....................................24
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .................25
fluid, checking and adding ......79
fluid, refill capacities ................89
fluid, specifications .............91–92
lubricant specifications ......91–92
shift interlock ............................27
Bulbs ............................................15
C
Calculating load ..........................32Capacities for refilling fluids ......89
Changing a tire ...........................45
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................54
wheels ........................................54
Coolant
checking and adding ................61
refill capacities ....................65, 89
specifications ......................91–92
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................17
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................14
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid ...81
engine oil ...................................57
Doors
lubricant specifications ............91
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke ...............................82
Driving under special
conditions ....................................30
through water ...........................30
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................48
Emission control system ............76
Engine ..........................................92
cleaning .....................................54
coolant .......................................61
fail-safe coolant ........................66
idle speed control .....................59
lubrication specifications ...91–92
refill capacities ..........................89
service points ............................56
starting after a collision ...........36
Index
94

daytime running light ...............14
headlamps .................................14
headlamps, flash to pass ..........15
instrument panel, dimming .....15
replacing bulbs .........................15
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............25
Load limits ...................................31
GAWR ........................................31
GVWR ........................................31
trailer towing ............................31
Lubricant specifications .......91–92
M
Motorcraft parts ....................71, 88
O
Octane rating ..............................69
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................57
P
Parking brake ..............................26
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ......88
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................41
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ......78
fluid, refill capacity ..................89
fluid, specifications .............91–92
R
Relays ....................................38, 44
S
Safety defects, reporting ............93
Servicing your vehicle ................55
Spark plugs, specifications ...88, 92
Special notice ..........................5, 53Specification chart,
lubricants ...............................91–92
Speed control ..............................17
Starting your vehicle ............20–22
jump starting ............................48
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................16
T
Tires .................................45, 84–86
changing ....................................45
replacing ..............................46, 87
rotating ......................................86
snow tires and chains ..............87
tire grades .................................85
treadwear ..................................84
Towing .........................................33
trailer towing ............................33
wrecker ......................................52
Transmission ...............................27
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................81
fluid, refill capacities ................89
lubricant specifications ......91–92
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............................................92
Vehicle loading ............................31
Ventilating your vehicle .............23
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Water, Driving through ...............30
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................16
Wrecker towing ...........................52
Index
96