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.
AVOID MIXING LUBRICANTS
In some cases, different brands of lubricants are not compatible with
each other and deteriorate when mixed. It is best to stick with one brand
during a maintenance interval.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community’s standards for disposing of these types of fluids.
Call your recycling center to find out about recycling automotive fluids.
Automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual for
scheduled intervals for transmission 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.
Transmission fluid level should be checked by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
If you must add transmission fluid, make sure the correct type of fluid is
being used. The type of fluid used is indicated in your Allison Automatic
Transmission Operator’s Manual.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
Manual transmission fluid
Refer to your general maintenance information section for transmission
fluid level checks and fluid change intervals.
Maintenance and Specifications
204
Cam brakes - automatic slack adjusters
Inspect standard air brakes equipped with automatic slack adjusters for
proper brake adjustment every four months or 32 000 km (20 000 miles)
whichever occurs first.
However, more frequent inspection is required if your vehicle’s brakes
are subjected to heavy use or adverse operating conditions such as:
•Frequent brake applications while fully loaded.
•Operation on hilly or mountainous terrain.
•Frequent operation on dirt, gravel or mud.
Some aftermarket brake linings also require more frequent inspections.
General Maintenance Information
230
Daily Owner Checks Engine system
Check the air filter restriction indicator
Check the engine oil
Inspect the coolant level - for Powerstroke
engine (for Caterpillar and Cummins engines,
refer to the Owner’s Manual)
Brake system
Drain the air brake system reservoir - manual
valve
Check the air brake system reservoir
automatic drain valve operation
Transmission system
Visually check the automatic transmission for
fluid leakage
Steering system
Check the power steering pump fluid level and
check the system for leaks
Check the entire vehicle for evidence of fluid
leaks
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Highway Administration
requirements (ensure that the entire
system is functioning properly)
Check the service brakes
Check the parking brake
Check the steering mechanism
Check the lighting devices and reflectors
Check the tires
Check the horn
Check the windshield wipers
Check the rear vision mirrors
Check the wheels and rims
Check the emergency equipment
General Maintenance Information
232
Check every oil change
Oil change intervals are as
follows: Powerstroke - 10 000
; Caterpillar - 15 000 ;
Cummins - 15 000 (refer to
the Caterpillar and Cummins
service manuals for further
instructions and information)Engine system
Check the engine cooling system - hoses, clamps and
protection
Inspect the drive belts
Exhaust system
Inspect the entire exhaust system (including the inlet
pipe(s), muffler(s), outlet pipe(s), clamps and fasteners)
for holes, leakage, breakage, corrosive damage and
separation from other components. Adjust, service or
replace with the same or the equivalent part. (Also a noise
emission control service)
Suspension system
Lubricate the front and rear spring pins
Tighten the front and rear spring U-bolts to the specified
torque
Driveline and rear axle system
Lubricate the U-joints and the slip yoke
Brake system
Lube the air brake foot control valve, hinge and roller
Inspect the drum brake linings through the inspection
holes
Lubricate the brake camshafts (air brakes)
Lubricate the brake slack adjuster (air brakes)
Lubricate rear caliper slide rails (F650 SuperCrewzer
only)
Inspect the disc brake pads and the piston boots
(hydraulic brakes)
Clutch system
Lubricate the clutch release cross shaft and all linkages
Check the clutch fluid
Fuel system
Drain the accumulated water or sediment from the fuel
tank(s)
Steering system
Lubricate the steering shaft(s), U-joints and splines when
equipped with grease fittings
Lubricate the front axle spindle pins
Lubricate the steering linkage when equipped with grease
fittings
Grease the power steering gear output shaft
General Maintenance Information
233
Maintenance Operation Frequency - Observation
Inspect the automatic slack
adjuster functionInsufficient power shown in loaded
practice stop
Check the operation of the
brakes, the clutch, and the
steering (*b,a)Vehicle handling qualities not up to
par
Inspect the vehicle for missing,
damaged, or mislocated noise
shieldsExcessive noise emanates from under
the cab or engine compartment
Check the engine performance
and the engine governorExcessive engine noise
Inspect the fan, the fan shroud,
and the fan clutchEngine overheats, fans runs at high
speed constantly, excessive fan noise,
or fan wobble due to worn bearings
Check for operation of ABS
warning lampAt each engine start up
Inspect the entire exhaust
system (including inlet pipe,
muffler, outlet pipe and all
exhaust clamps and fasteners)
for holes, leakage, breakage,
looseness and corrosive
damageExcessive noise or the smell of fumes
is experienced
Inspect the engine air
induction system (including the
air ducts, the air cleaner, and
the air cleaner element) for
loose fitting, damaged or
missing componentsExcessive noise emanates from the
engine compartment
Inspect the tires and check the
air pressure (*c)Poor steering, wandering or excessive
tire wear
Balance the wheels and the
tiresVibration or abnormal tire wear
indicates imbalance
Check the front end alignment
(*c)Poor steering, wandering or excessive
tire wear
General Maintenance Information
237
A
Air cleaner filter .......................206
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................57
Audio system
(see Radio) ................20, 25, 32, 40
Automatic transmission ............132
Auxiliary power point .................73
B
Battery .......................................184
jumping a disabled battery ....165
voltage gauge ............................17
BeltMinder ...................................96
Brakes ................................113, 119
anti-lock ...................114–115, 121
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...11–12, 115
brake warning light ............11–12
fluid, checking and adding ....203
parking ....................116, 118, 122
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............73
trailer .......................................124
C
CD-6 disc .....................................40
CD-single premium .....................32
Child safety restraints ..............101
child safety belts ....................101
Child safety seats ......................104
attaching with tether straps ..108
in front seat ............................106
in rear seat ..............................106
tether anchorage hardware ...108Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............175
exterior ....................................177
instrument panel ....................176
interior .....................................176
plastic parts ............................176
washing ....................................174
waxing .....................................174
wheels ......................................175
woodtone trim ........................176
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......56–57
Clock ..........................23, 29, 36, 44
Clutch ........................................202
fluid ..........................................202
Compass, electronic ....................70
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................71
Console
overhead ....................................70
Controls
power seat .................................89
Coolant ......................................186
refill capacities ........................190
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................76
Customer Assistance ................150
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............171
Getting roadside assistance ...150
Getting the service
you need .................................166
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................172
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................168
Index
243
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................176
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................62
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......165
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............15
removing from the ignition ....145
L
Lamps ..........................................72
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................64
cargo lamps ...............................62
daytime running light ...............61
fog lamps ...................................62
headlamps .................................61
headlamps, flash to pass ..........61
instrument panel, dimming .....62
interior lamps ...........................63
replacing bulbs ...................63–67
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................63
Lights, warning and
indicator ..................................9, 14
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ..........................11–12, 115
brake ....................................11–12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ......................12–13
high beam .................................14
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ....................9
turn signal indicator .................14
Lubricant specifications ...........218M
Maintenance and Care ..............229
Manual transmission .................141
Mirrors .........................................75
heated ........................................73
side view mirrors (power) .......75
O
Odometer .....................................18
P
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry system ..................83
Parking brake ............116, 118, 122
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................155
Power door locks ........................82
Power mirrors .............................75
Power point .................................73
Power steering ..................130–131
fluid, checking and adding ....201
Power Windows ...........................74
R
Radio ..........................20, 25, 32, 40
Radio reception .....................54–55
Refill capacities for fluids ........215
Relays ................................151, 159
Remote entry system ...........82–83
illuminated entry ......................85
locking/unlocking doors .....82–83
panic alarm ...............................83
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................84
Index
245