2004 FORD F150 check oil

2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil.
Only use oils ªCertified For Gasoline Enginesº by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). To protect your engine's warranty use
Motorcraft SAE 5W-20 or an equivalent 5W-20 oil meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153±H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel
economy and durability performance meeting all requirements for
your vehicle's engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil according to the appropriate schedule listed in
the scheduled maintenance guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
Maintenance and Specifications
228

²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
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 distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34É 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 ªcold fullº of ªcold fill rangeº 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:
²Freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²Boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
231

Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
Maintenance and Specifications
244

4Approximate dry fill capacity including transmission fluid cooling
system, actual refill capacities will vary based on vehicle application and
transmission fluid cooling system (i.e. coolers size, cooling lines. auxiliary
cooler capacities). The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level
should be set by the indication on the dipstick's normal operating range.
5Your 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.
6Service refill capacity is determined by filling the axle to 6-14 mm
(1/4-9/16 inch) below the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a
level surface.
Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of FEHP Friction Modifier, XL-7 or equivalent, for
complete fill of 8.8 inch and 9.75 inch Traction-Lok axles.
7Service refill capacity is determined by filling the axle to the bottom of
the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
For 10.25 inch Traction-Lok axles, use 3.1L (6.5 pints) of Motorcraft SAE
75W-90 Fuel Efficient High Performance Synthetic Rear Axle Lubricant
and 118 ml (4 oz.) of FEHP Friction Modifier XL-7 or equivalent.
8Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153±H and the API Certification mark.
Maintenance and Specifications
260

waxing .....................................216
wheels ......................................217
wiper blades ............................219
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................32, 35, 37
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................29
AM/FM Stereo ...........................20
AM/FM/CD .................................23
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................26
Compass, electronic ..............78±79
calibration .................................79
set zone adjustment ...........71, 79
Console
overhead ..............................53±54
Controls
power seat .................................99
steering column ........................64
Coolant
checking and adding ..............231
refill capacities ................234, 257
specifications ..................261, 263
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................186
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................220
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................209
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............213
Getting roadside assistance ...186
Getting the service you
need .........................................207
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................214
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................209Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................212
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................42
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................248
engine oil .................................226
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........261
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................251
Driving under special
conditions ..................157, 164, 167
sand .........................................166
snow and ice ...........................168
through water .................166, 170
E
Electronic message center .........70
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................201
Emergency Flashers .................187
Emission control system ..........245
Engine ........................................263
cleaning ...................................217
coolant .....................................231
fail-safe coolant ......................235
idle speed control ...................229
lubrication
specifications ..................261, 263
refill capacities ........................257
service points ..................224±225
starting after a collision .........187
Engine block heater .................148
Index
275

Engine oil ..................................226
checking and adding ..............226
dipstick ....................................226
filter, specifications ........228, 257
recommendations ...................228
refill capacities ........................257
specifications ..................261, 263
Exhaust fumes ..........................148
F
Fail safe cooling ........................235
Fluid capacities .........................257
Foglamps .....................................42
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......159
driving off road .......................162
electronic shift ........................161
indicator light .........................159
lever operated shift ................160
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................151
Fuel ............................................237
calculating fuel
economy ............................73, 241
cap ...........................................239
capacity ...................................257
choosing the right fuel ...........240
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................244
detergent in fuel .....................241
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................237, 239, 242
filter, specifications ........241, 257
fuel pump shut-off switch .....187
improving fuel economy ........241
octane rating ...................240, 263
quality ......................................240
running out of fuel .................241
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................237
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......187Fuses ..................................188±189
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................66
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............239
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................241
Gauges .........................................15
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................171
calculating ...............................173
definition .................................171
driving with a heavy load ......171
location ....................................171
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................171
calculating .......................171, 173
definition .................................171
driving with a heavy load ......171
location ....................................171
H
Hazard flashers .........................187
Head restraints ...................97, 101
Headlamps ...................................41
aiming ........................................43
autolamp system .......................41
bulb specifications ....................47
daytime running lights .............42
flash to pass ..............................43
high beam .................................42
replacing bulbs .........................48
turning on and off ....................41
Heating
heater only system ...................32
Index
276

Moon roof ....................................65
Motorcraft parts ................241, 257
O
Octane rating ............................240
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................226
P
Parking brake ............................150
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....257
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................189
Power door locks ........................82
Power point .................................56
Power steering ..........................150
fluid, checking and adding ....247
fluid, refill capacity ................257
fluid, specifications .........261, 263
Power Windows ...........................58
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................151
R
Radio ..........................18, 20, 23, 26
Relays ........................................188
Remote entry system .................85
illuminated entry ......................89
locking/unlocking doors ...........82
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................88
Reverse sensing system ...........157
Roadside assistance ..................186
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........117Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........102, 104±106, 108
Safety defects, reporting ..........215
Safety restraints ........102, 104±108
extension assembly ................117
for adults .........................104±106
for children .....................129±130
lap belt ....................................108
safety belt maintenance .........117
warning light and
chime ...............................109±110
Safety seats for children ..........133
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............102
Seats ............................................97
child safety seats ....................133
heated ................................37, 100
memory seat .....................86, 100
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................95
Servicing your vehicle ..............222
Setting the clock
AM/FM stereo ...........................20
AM/FM/CD .................................23
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................29
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................26
Snowplowing .................7, 183±184
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........196
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................257, 263
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
four-wheel drive
vehicles ............................184±185
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Index
278