2004 FORD F150 cooling

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).
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 ªcold fill rangeº or the ªcold fullº level on the
reservoir.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Turn cap until click is
heard/felt to ensure it is tightly installed.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to ±34É F/±36É 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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
234

Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer 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:
²It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²Refer 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 supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The ªfail-safeº distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
Maintenance and Specifications
235

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
²The mini message center (if
equipped) will indicate ªCheck
Gaugesº, refer toWarning Lights
and Chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
²The message center (if equipped) will indicate a system warning, refer
toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
²The ªService Engine Soonº indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch 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:
²The engine power will be limited.
²The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²The engine will completely shut down.
²Steering and braking effort will increase.
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 completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
236

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

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