2003 FORD SUPER DUTY engine coolant

DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks, you will have a selector
control, located to the right of the steering wheel, which allows you to
draw fuel from either tank. Your fuel gauge will display the amount of
fuel in the currently selected tank.
Fuel level indication is delayed for several minutes when the tank
selector switch is actuated. Fuel level indication can be obtained
immediately by turning off and restarting the engine.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT SPEEDS
Do not overspeed the engine when going downhill or steep grades. If
equipped, use the tachometer and do not allow engine speed to exceed
the redline area. Operating the engine beyond the recommended speeds
can cause severe engine damage.
Your vehicle has an electronic operating strategy which protects
the engine system when the engine is operating with high coolant
temperatures; fueling to the engine will be modified to prevent
damage to the engine. Some power loss may be experienced if the
vehicle is overloaded.
Upshift and downshift according to the following shift speed charts:
Upshifts when accelerating (recommended for best fuel
economy)
6-speed transmission
Shift from: Transfer case position
1(if equipped)
2H or 4H 4L
LO-1 8 km/h (5 mph) 3 km/h (2 mph)
1-2 16 km/h (10 mph) 6 km/h (4 mph)
2-3 32 km/h (20 mph) 13 km/h (8 mph)
3-4 48 km/h (30 mph) 19 km/h (12 mph)
4
-
D(Overdrive)64 km/h (40 mph) 24 km/h (15 mph)
Driving tips
13

Removal - Engine-mounted fuel filter
1. Remove the fuel filter cap by
turning counterclockwise.
2. Remove and discard the old fuel
filter element.
3. Carefully clean the mating
surfaces.
Installation-both
The engine will not run properly if the fuel filter is not installed
in housing.
1. Install the new fuel filter and cap seal (from Ford Part No.
3C3Z-9N184–CA) into the fuel filter housing.
2. Tighten cap onto fuel filter housing slowly, allowing fuel to soak into
the fuel filter element. Tighten cap until it contacts the housing.
After replacing the fuel filter, the engine will purge the trapped
air as it runs. The engine may run roughly and smoke until the air
is completely eliminated.
Using a fuel which has more than average impurities may require
the fuel filter to be replaced more frequently than the service
interval specifies.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil level
Because it is normal to add some oil between oil changes, check your
engine oil level each time you stop for fuel. To check the engine oil level
consistently and accurately, the following procedure is recommended:
1. Have engine at normal operating temperature (at least into the
NORMAL range on the engine coolant temperature gauge).
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface, then turn off the engine and open
the hood.
3. Allow at least20 minutesafter engine shutdown to assure that the oil
contained in the upper parts of the engine has returned to the oil pan.
General maintenance information
27

REPLACING THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT
When replacing the air filter element, use the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toLubricant and maintenance materials
specificationsin this supplement.
Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage.
1. Remove air filter element from the housing, taking care to prevent dirt
from falling into the engine air intake.
2. Clean the air filter housing and cover to ensure good sealing.
3. Install a new air filter element. Be careful not to crimp the filter edges
between the air filter housing and cover. This could cause damage to the
air filter element and possible severe damage to the engine.
When servicing the air filter, always be sure that the auxiliary
hose is not kinked or obstructed. Failure to do so may result in
severe engine damage when driving through deep water and/or
encountering unusually heavy precipitation conditions.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
General maintenance information
31

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

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an semi-clear plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration see
Checking engine coolantsection). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
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.
General maintenance information
34

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

•increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•refer 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.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•it is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM(S) LAWS
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 unknowingly removing or
rendering emission control system(s) inoperative. Further, modifications
of the emission control system(s) could create liability on the part of the
individual owners under the laws of some states. In Canada,
modifications of the emission control system(s) could create liability
under applicable Federal or Provincial laws.
Do not remove or alter the original equipment floor covering or
insulation between it and the metal floor of the vehicle. The floor
covering and insulation protect occupants of the vehicle from the engine
and exhaust system heat and noise. On vehicles with no original
equipment floor covering insulation, do not carry passengers in a manner
that permits prolonged skin contact with the metal floor. Provide
adequate insulation.
General maintenance information
36