2006 FORD F150 heating

Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
228

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, OR and NM),
VC-7–B (CA, OR and NM), 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 Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty 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.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the “FULL COLD” or
“COLD FILL RANGE” level. Follow these steps to add engine coolant.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
288

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 (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 “FULL COLD” or the “COLD FILL RANGE” 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 –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 authorized 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.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
289

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 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
307

Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................43, 46, 49
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................35
AM/FM Stereo ...........................23
AM/FM/CD .................................26
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................30
Clutch
fluid ..........................................304
operation while driving ..........215
recommended shift speeds ....216
Compass, electronic ..............82, 84
calibration .................................84
set zone adjustment ...........84, 86
Console ........................................65
overhead ..............................65–66
Controls
power seat ...............................113
steering column ........................76
Coolant
checking and adding ..............286
refill capacities ................290, 313
specifications ..................316, 319
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................74
Customer Assistance ................234
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................261
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............262
Getting roadside assistance ...234
Getting the service
you need .................................257
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................262
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............260D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................54
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................305
engine oil .................................280
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........316
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke .............................309
Driving under special
conditions ..................215, 224, 228
sand .........................................226
snow and ice ...........................229
through water .................227, 230
DVD system .................................42
E
Electronic message center .........84
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................251
Emergency Flashers .................236
Emission control system ..........300
Engine ........................................319
cleaning ...................................265
coolant .....................................286
fail-safe cooling .......................290
idle speed control ...................284
lubrication
specifications ..................316, 319
refill capacities ........................313
service points ..................276–278
starting after a collision .........237
Engine block heater .................204
Engine oil ..................................280
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
330

checking and adding ..............280
dipstick ....................................280
filter, specifications ........283, 312
recommendations ...................283
refill capacities ........................313
specifications ..................316, 319
Exhaust fumes ..........................204
F
Fail safe cooling ........................290
Floor mats ...................................93
Fluid capacities .........................313
Foglamps .....................................55
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......219
driving off road .......................223
electronic shift ................221–222
indicator light .........................219
lever operated shift ................220
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................209
Fuel ............................................292
calculating fuel
economy ............................87, 297
cap ...........................................294
capacity ...................................313
choosing the right fuel ...........295
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................300
detergent in fuel .....................296
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................292, 294, 297
filter, specifications ........292, 312
fuel pump shut-off switch .....237
improving fuel economy ........297
octane rating ...................296, 319
quality ......................................296
running out of fuel .................297
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................292Fuel pump shut-off switch .......237
Fuses ..................................237–238
G
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless
control system) ...........................78
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............294
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................297
Gauges .........................................19
H
Hazard flashers .........................236
Head restraints .................111, 115
Headlamps ...................................53
aiming ..................................55–56
autolamp system .......................53
bulb specifications ....................59
daytime running lights .............54
flash to pass ..............................54
high beam .................................54
replacing bulbs .........................60
turning on and off ....................53
Heating
heater only system ...................43
heating and air
conditioning system .....44, 46, 49
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................78
Hood ..........................................275
I
Ignition ...............................201, 319
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................150
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
331