2003 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS octane

When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
“Regular” unleaded gasoline with
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
We do not recommend the use of
gasolines labeled as “Regular” that
are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and specifications
69

with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular” unleaded
gasoline. “Premium” unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers
issued the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline
specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control
system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide
Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier
about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter. In Canada,
look for fuels that display theAuto Makers’ Choice
logo.
Cleaner air
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
affect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•Your “Service Engine Soon” indicator may come on. For more
information on the “Service Engine Soon” indicator, refer to the
Instrument clusterchapter.
Maintenance and specifications
70

amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the 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.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in kilometers or miles).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in liters
or gallons).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank 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:
Calculation 1:Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Calculation 2:Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
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
Maintenance and specifications
74

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

Engine block heater ...................23
Engine oil ....................................57
checking and adding ................57
dipstick ......................................57
filter, specifications ............58, 88
recommendations .....................58
refill capacities ..........................89
specifications ......................91–92
Exhaust fumes ............................23
F
Fail safe cooling ..........................66
Fluid capacities ...........................89
Fuel ..............................................67
calculating fuel economy .........73
capacity .....................................89
choosing the right fuel .............69
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates ...................76
detergent in fuel .......................70
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..............................67, 73
filter, specifications ............71, 88
fuel pump shut-off switch .......36
improving fuel economy ..........73
octane rating .......................69, 92
quality ........................................70
running out of fuel ...................70
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .......................67
Fuses ............................................38
G
Gas mileage (see
Fuel economy) ............................73
Gauges .........................................11
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating) ............................31
calculating .................................32
definition ...................................31driving with a heavy load ........31
location ......................................31
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) ............................31
calculating ...........................31–32
definition ...................................31
driving with a heavy load ........31
location ......................................31
H
Hazard flashers ...........................36
Headlamps ...................................14
daytime running lights .............14
flash to pass ..............................15
high beam .................................14
turning on and off ....................14
I
Ignition ...................................20, 92
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ................................77
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................8
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................15
J
Jack ..............................................45
positioning .................................45
storage .......................................45
Jump-starting your vehicle ........48
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........20
L
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................15
Index
95

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