2004 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS check transmission fluid

If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the depth is
unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and if the ignition
system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly. Never drive through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of the wheel rims (for cars).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transmission vent tube is
submerged may allow water into the transmission and cause
internal transmission damage. Have the fluid checked and, if
water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designed by weight, not volume, so you
cannot necessarily use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire, rim sizes and inflation
pressures are specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. A Certification Label was supplied by Ford Motor
Company to the Motorhome Manufacturer. The manufacturer uses this
information and supplies a Certification Label which is located inside the
vehicle to the left of the driver.
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
2004 Motorhome(mot)
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USA English(fus)
Driving
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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.
Brake system fluid should be replaced on a regular basis to maintain
optimum braking performance, especially under heavy-duty driving
conditions such as frequent steep grades or heavy towing loads. Refer to
the scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval schedules.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled intervals for
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.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool to normal operating temperature 66°C-
77°C (150°F - 170°F) before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
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Maintenance and specifications
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5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10°C-35°C [50°F-95°F]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
2004 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and specifications
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1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
2Fill 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
Your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and is
considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water.
3Capacity is approximate and will vary due to second stage manufacturer
completion of HVAC system. Fill to Hot/Cold Lines on reservoir.
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 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.
5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with in-tank cooler. The amount of
transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on the
dipstick’s normal operating range.
2004 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and specifications
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Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots,
brake and
clutch pedal
shaft (if
equipped)Premium
Long-Life
GreaseXG-1-C or XG-1-K ESA-M1C75-B
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
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A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................24
Air cleaner filter .................95, 109
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ..................73
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ................................24
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................28
fluid, adding ..............................92
fluid, checking ..........................92
fluid, refill capacities ..............110
fluid, specification ..................113
Axle
lubricant specifications ..112–113
refill capacities ........................110
B
Battery .........................................71
acid, treating emergencies .......71
jumping a disabled battery ......52
maintenance-free ......................71
replacement, specifications ...109
servicing ....................................71
Brakes ....................................23, 25
anti-lock .....................................24
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................25
fluid, checking and adding ......91
fluid, refill capacities ..............110
fluid, specifications .........112–113
lubricant specifications ..112–113
shift interlock ............................27
Bulbs ............................................15
C
Calculating load ..........................33Capacities for refilling fluids ....110
Changing a tire ...........................48
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................66
wheels ........................................66
Coolant
checking and adding ................73
refill capacities ..................77, 110
specifications ..................112–113
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................17
Customer Assistance ..................39
Ford Extended Service Plan ...58
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .......................62
Getting roadside assistance .....39
Getting the service you need ..57
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ...................................63
The Dispute Settlement
Board .........................................59
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program .....................................62
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................14
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid ...92
engine oil ...................................69
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........112
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ......................................94
Driving under special
conditions ....................................31
through water ...........................31
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Supplement
USA English(fus)
Index
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tire grades .................................97
treadwear ..................................96
Towing .........................................36
trailer towing ............................36
wrecker ......................................56
Transmission ...............................27
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ......27
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............................92
fluid, refill capacities ..............110
lubricant specifications ..112–113
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................114Vehicle loading
......................31, 33
Ventilating your vehicle
.............23
W
Warning lights (see Lights)
.........8
Water, Driving through
...............31
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................16
Wrecker towing
...........................56
2004 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Index
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