2004 FORD F250 engine coolant

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.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA and OR), VC-7–B
(CA and OR only), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken 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, 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.
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“FULL COLD”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.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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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 (a translucent 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“FULL COLD”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, refer
toChecking engine coolant. 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.
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.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
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%.
•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 supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The“fail-safe”distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
248

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 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:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
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.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
249

REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Front axle Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantF-250/350
(Dana 60 axle)2.7L (5.8 pints)
F-350/450/550
(Dana 60 axle)2.7L (5.8 pints)
Rear axle Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-250 /350
(10.50 inch
axle)
1
3.3L (6.9 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-350/450
(DANA 80)
14.0L (8.5 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantF-550
(Dana S135)11.6L (24.5
pints)
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
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)5.4L V8 engine
with A/C25.0L (26.4
quarts)
6.8L V10 engine 26.0L (27.5
quarts)
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA English(fus)
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284

ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Rear axleMotorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
(10.5 inch)
1
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192-A
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
1
XY-75W90–GLS–
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle Lubricant
(Dana S135
axles)XY-80W90-QL WSP-M2C197-A
Brake fluid and
clutch fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA and
OR), VC-7-B
(CA and OR
only)WSS-M97B51-A1
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288

A
Accessory delay ..........................58
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................105–106
and child safety seats ............107
description ..............................106
disposal ....................................109
driver air bag ..........................108
indicator light .........................109
operation .................................108
passenger air bag ...................108
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................110
Air cleaner filter ...............267, 283
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................244
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................130
Audio system
(see Radio) ..........20, 22, 25, 28, 32
Automatic transmission ............133
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................134, 137
fluid, adding ............................262
fluid, checking ........................262
fluid, refill capacities ..............284
fluid, specification ..................291
Auxiliary power point .................57
Axle
lubricant specifications ..287, 291
refill capacities ........................284
traction lok ..............................132
B
Battery .......................................242
acid, treating emergencies .....242jumping a disabled battery ....212
maintenance-free ....................242
replacement, specifications ...283
servicing ..................................242
BeltMinder .................................101
Brakes ........................................130
anti-lock ...................................130
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................130
fluid, checking and adding ....260
fluid, refill capacities ..............284
fluid, specifications .........287, 291
lubricant specifications ..287, 291
parking ....................................131
shift interlock ..........................133
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................45
C
Calculating load ........................164
Capacities for refilling fluids ....284
Cell phone use ............................69
Certification Label ....................298
Child safety restraints ..............114
child safety belts ....................114
Child safety seats ......................117
attaching with tether straps ..121
in front seat ............................118
in rear seat ..............................118
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............230
instrument panel ....................232
interior .....................................232
interior trim ............................232
plastic parts ............................231
safety belts ..............................232
washing ....................................229
waxing .....................................229
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
Index
305

wheels ......................................230
wiper blades ............................231
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................34
AM/FM .......................................21
AM/FM/CD .................................25
AM/FM/Tape ..............................22
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................30
Clutch
fluid ..........................................261
operation while driving ..........140
recommended shift speeds ....140
Compass, electronic ....................71
calibration .................................72
set zone adjustment .................72
Console ........................................69
overhead ....................................54
Coolant
checking and adding ..............244
refill capacities ................248, 284
specifications ..................287, 291
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................192
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................234
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................221
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............225
Getting roadside assistance ...192
Getting the service you
need .........................................219
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................226
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................222
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................225D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................42
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................262
engine oil .................................239
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........287
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................266
Driving under special
conditions ..................139, 153, 156
sand .........................................155
snow and ice ...........................157
through water .................155, 160
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................212
Emergency Flashers .................193
Emission control system ..........258
Engine ........................................291
cleaning ...................................230
coolant .....................................244
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe coolant ......................248
idle speed control ...................242
lubrication
specifications ..................287, 291
refill capacities ........................284
service points ..........................238
starting after a collision .........193
Engine block heater .................129
Engine oil ..................................239
checking and adding ..............239
dipstick ....................................239
2004 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
306