2003 FORD SUPER DUTY service

To replace the filter,
1. Unscrew the oil filter cap and wait a few seconds for the oil to drain
through the built-in drain valve.Note:The filter should be changed
before reinstalling the oil pan drain plug.
2. Reinstall and tighten the oil filter cap.
Do not handle a hot oil filter with bare hands.
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused cancer in
laboratory mice. Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
Engine lubrication for severe service operation
The following severe service operating conditions require unique engine
maintenance procedures:
•towing a trailer over 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
•sustained, high speed driving at Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(maximum loaded weight for vehicle operation during hot
weather-above 32°C [90°F]).
•frequent or extended idling (over 10 minutes per hour of normal
driving).
•operating in severe dust conditions.
•frequent, short trips of 16 km (10 miles) or less during freezing
weather
If you are operating your vehicle under any of these conditions, observe
the following service procedures:
•Change engine oil and filter every 8,000 km (5,000 miles).
•Use Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil conforming to Ford
Specification WSS-M2C171–D or API categories CI-4, CI–4/SL or
DHD-1. If CI-4 oil is not available, CH-4 is acceptable.
For more information refer theSevere duty maintenance schedulein
the scheduled maintenance guide.
General maintenance information
30

When the engine is cold, check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the“cold fill level”or within the“cold
fill range”as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein your owner guide.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified function and
vehicle location.
Vehicles with Diesel engines typically are used to carry heavy loads and
accumulate mileage rapidly. These two factors cause the additives in the
coolant to“wear out”in a shorter time. Replace the engine coolant
initially after five years or 100,000 miles and three years or 50,000 miles
thereafter. Vehicles equipped with the yellow coolant do not require any
additives.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
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.
General maintenance information
32

The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with yellow-colored
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (VC-7–B in Oregan).
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.
•Do 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.
•A 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.
•Do 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.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
•Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of recycled engine coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
General maintenance information
33

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.
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. Allow engine to cool before removing
coolant bottle cap. Cautiously remove coolant bottle cap and add coolant
to Cold Fill mark.
Recycled engine coolant
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.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than–36°C[–34°F]):
•it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
General maintenance information
35

ENGINE EMISSIONS LABEL
Emissions information appears on the Engine Emissions label on the
engine valve cover. This decal identifies engine displacement and
provides certain engine specifications.
Any modification of the emissions control system could create liability
under federal law (U.S.) if made prior to sale and registration, under the
laws of some states if made thereafter. Further, federal law prohibits
vehicle manufacturers, dealers and other persons engaged in the
business of repairing, servicing, selling, leasing or trading motor vehicles
as well as fleet operations from knowingly removing or rendering an
emissions control system inoperative after sale and delivery to an
ultimate purchaser. In Canada, modifications of the emissions control
system could create liability under applicable federal or provincial laws.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for details of maintenance on
your vehicle.
If you are using your vehicle in a manner in which it will remain
stationary (door to door service, taxi, etc.), then it is recommended that
you change the engine oil every 200 engine hours as opposed to a
mileage limit. Since most vehicles are not equipped with hourmeters, it
may be necessary for you to approximate your time and plan engine oil
and filter changes accordingly.
Scheduled maintenance
38

The complexity of the Diesel engine makes it so the owner is
discouraged from attempting to perform maintenance other than the
services described in this supplement.
If you experience difficult starting, rough idling, excessive exhaust
smoke, a decrease in engine performance or excess fuel consumption,
perform the following checks:
•a plugged air inlet system or engine air filter element.
•water in the fuel filter/water separator.
•a clogged fuel filter.
•contaminated fuel.
•air in the fuel system, due to loose connections.
•an open or pinched sensor hose.
•low engine oil level.
•wrong fuel or oil viscosity for climactic conditions.
If these checks do not help you correct the engine performance problem
you are experiencing, consult an authorized dealer.
FUELING
Do not use starting fluid such as ether or gasoline in the Diesel
air intake system. Such fluids can cause immediate explosive
damage to the engine and possible personal injury.
If you fuel your vehicle at a truck stop, you may notice that the fuel
nozzle may shut off every 5–10 seconds. This is due to the flow rates
being designed for larger heavy duty trucks. You may have to fuel at a
slower rate (don’t depress the nozzle trigger fully).
Do not run your Diesel vehicle out of fuel as this will allow air to enter
the fuel system which will make restarting difficult. Longer engine
cranking time may be required once air is in the fuel system. If air enters
the fuel system (either through running the fuel tank(s) empty or during
a fuel filter change), the engine will self-purge the trapped air once it
starts running. The engine may run roughly and produce white smoke
while air is in the fuel system; this is normal and should stop after a
short time.
Minor troubleshooting guide
39

1. Battery (dual batteries shown)
2. Air filter assembly
3. Power steering fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (if equipped)
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Engine-mounted fuel filter assembly
9. Engine oil filter
10. Engine oil filler
Service points
44

GENERAL OWNER’S INFORMATION
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):
Owner Name:
Address:
Your satisfaction is our #1 goal. If you have questions or concerns about your vehicle, we suggest you
follow these steps:
1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your selling/servicing dealership.
2. If the inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the Sales Manager or Service Manager at the
dealership.
3. If the inquiry or concern cannot be resolved at the dealership level, please contact the Ford
Customer Assistance Center.
In the US, contact:
Ford Motor Company Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)
TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952
In Canada, contact:
Customer Assistance Center
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
General Owner’s Information
45