2003 FORD SUPER DUTY coolant

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recoverysystem, 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.
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
forcefullywhen 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 opaque plastic bottle).
Slowlyturn 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 slowlywith 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 tightlyinstalled. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After anycoolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It maytake 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
202

Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Companyrecommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced byFord-approved processes in vehicles originallyequipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44–A. Use of such coolant mayharm the engine
and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Companydoes NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originallyequipped 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
in this chapter.
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%.
•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%.
Maintenance and Specifications
203

•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.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supplyis depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarilybefore incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
andsymbol will
illuminate.
•TheService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automaticallyswitch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completelyshut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Maintenance and Specifications
204

Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completelyshutting down automaticallyto prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safelypossible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
maycause leakage and lead to fuel sprayand fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completelyremoving the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
sprayout and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank maydamage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which mayresult in possible
personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
205

FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid (and
clutch fluid-if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line or
step (for clutch)
on reservoir
Engine coolant
3Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)5.4L V8 engine
with A/C25.0L (26.4
quarts)
6.8L V10 engine 27.0L (28.5
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)-Gas
enginesMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilAll 5.7L (6.0
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)-Diesel
engineRefer to your 7.3L Diesel Supplement
Maintenance and Specifications
229

2Add 236 ml (8 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118-A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
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 verifythe fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide to determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids maybe labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCON
and MERCON
V. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCON
type
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids maybe used in transmissions that
require the MERCON
V type fluid.
MERCON
and MERCON
V type fluids are not interchangeable.
DO NOT mix MERCON
and MERCON
V. Use of a transmission
fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCON
and MERCON
V) in
an automatictransmission application requiring MERCON
may
cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
5Service refill capacityis determined byfilling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface. The 6–speed
manual transmission is equipped with an in-tank cooler. Verifythe fluid
level after operating vehicle to assure correct fluid level.
6Indicates onlyapproximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications mayvary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set bythe indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
Maintenance and Specifications
231

ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
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 oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
and API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG—4 or XL-5 ESR-M1C159-A
or
ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
penetrating and
lock lubricantXL-1 none
Transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots,
brake and clutch
pedal shaft (if
equipped)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Power steering
fluid and
transfer case
fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCON
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON

Maintenance and Specifications
233

A
Accessorydelay ..........................47
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................79
and child safetyseats ..............80
description ................................79
disposal ......................................83
driver air bag ............................81
indicator light ...........................82
operation ...................................81
passenger air bag .....................81
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................83
Air cleaner filter .......220–221, 228
Ambulance packages ....................6
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................199
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................103–104
Audio system
(see Radio) ................17–18, 21, 25
Automatic transmission ............106
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................107
fluid, adding ............................216
fluid, checking ........................216
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specification ..................235
Auxiliarypower point .................46
Axle
lubricant specifications ..232, 235
refill capacities ........................228
traction lok ..............................105
B
Battery.......................................197
acid, treating emergencies .....197jumping a disabled battery....168
maintenance-free ....................197
replacement, specifications ...228
servicing ..................................197
BeltMinder ...................................74
Brakes ........................................102
anti-lock ...........................102–104
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................103
fluid, checking and adding ....215
fluid, refill capacities ..............228
fluid, specifications .........232, 235
lubricant specifications ..232, 235
parking ....................................104
shift interlock ..........................106
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................38
C
Calculating load ........................127
Capacities for refilling fluids ....228
Cassette tape player ...................25
CD changer .................................28
CD-single premium .........17–18, 21
Certification Label ....................243
Child safetyrestraints ................88
child safetybelts ......................88
Child safetyseats ........................90
attaching with tether straps ....94
in front seat ..............................92
in rear seat ................................92
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............185
instrument panel ....................187
interior .....................................187
interior trim ............................187
plastic parts ............................186
Index
249