2005 FORD SUPER DUTY heating

Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
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
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
257

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
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 quart (1.0 liter) 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.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
258

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.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the
Lubricant specificationssection in this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
274

waxing .....................................238
wheels ......................................239
wiper blades ............................241
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............37
Clutch
fluid ..........................................272
operation while driving ..........188
recommended shift speeds ....189
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ........................................67
overhead ....................................57
Controls
steering column ........................66
Coolant
checking and adding ..............255
refill capacities ................259, 281
specifications ..................283, 287
Cruise control (see
Speed control) ............................63
Customer Assistance ................211
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................244
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................235
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............236
Getting roadside assistance ...211
Getting the service
you need .................................229
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................236
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................232
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............234D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................41
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .273
engine oil .................................249
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........283
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke .............................277
Driving under special
conditions ..................188, 201, 204
sand .........................................203
snow and ice ...........................205
through water .................203, 207
E
Electronic message center ...67, 69
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................221
Emergency Flashers .................212
Emission control system ..........269
Engine ........................................287
cleaning ...................................239
coolant .....................................255
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe coolant ......................260
idle speed control ...................253
lubrication
specifications ..................283, 287
refill capacities ........................281
service points ..................247–248
starting after a collision .........213
Engine block heater .................180
Engine oil ..................................249
checking and adding ..............249
dipstick ....................................249
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
300

filter, specifications ........252, 280
recommendations ...................252
refill capacities ........................281
specifications ..................283, 287
Exhaust fumes ..........................180
F
Fail safe cooling ........................260
Fluid capacities .........................281
Foglamps .....................................41
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......193
description ..............................197
driving off road .......................199
electronic shift ................193, 197
indicator light .........................194
lever operated shift ................195
manual locking hubs ..............193
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................184
Fuel ............................................261
calculating fuel economy .72, 265
cap ...........................................263
capacity ...................................281
choosing the right fuel ...........264
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................268
detergent in fuel .....................265
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................261, 263, 266
filter, specifications ........265, 280
fuel pump shut-off switch .....213
improving fuel economy ........265
octane rating ...................264, 287
quality ......................................264
running out of fuel .................265
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................261
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......213
Fuses ..................................213–214G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............263
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................265
Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................20
H
Hazard flashers .........................212
Head restraints ...........................90
Headlamps ...................................40
aiming ..................................42, 44
autolamp system .......................40
daytime running lights .............41
flash to pass ..............................42
high beam .................................41
replacing bulbs ...................48–51
turning on and off ....................40
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................34–35, 37
Hood ..........................................246
I
Ignition ...............................175, 287
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................120
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................270
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................241
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................42
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......221
REVIEW COPY
2005 F250/350/450/550(f23), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
301