2006 FORD F150 tow

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The mini message center (if
equipped) will indicate “Check
Gauges”, refer toWarning Lights
and Chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
•The message center (if equipped) will indicate a system warning, refer
toMessage Centerin theDriver Controlschapter.
•TheService engine soonindicator 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:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer 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 an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling, to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine.
•The
indicator may come on. For more information on the “Check
Engine” or the “Service engine soon” indicator, refer toWarning
lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading may result if the engine is left running.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses
15% less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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•5.4L Engine
1. Release two retainer clamps.
2. Pull air filter tray assembly out
toward front of vehicle and lift air
filter element up and out of housing.
The air filter box needs to be free of any debris before installing a new
air filter.
3. Install a new air filter element
into the tray assembly.
4. Return air filter tray to original
position by pressing firmly on the
handle until all rearward movement
stops and secure the two clamps.
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Tonneau covers
Wheels
Interior style
Electrochromatic compass/temperature interior mirrors
Floor mats
Speed control
Lifestyle
Bedliners and bedmats
Bed tents
Bike racks
Cargo organization and management
Rear seat entertainment systems
Towing mirrors
Trailer hitches, wiring harnesses and accessories
Peace of mind
First aid and highway safety kits
Full vehicle covers
Keyless entry keypads
Locking gas cap
Mobile-Ease
hands free communication system
Remote start
Vehicle security systems
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
•When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
Compliance Certification label). Consult your authorized dealer for
specific weight information.
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Accessories
327

Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................316, 319
Speed control ..............................74
Starting your
vehicle ........................201–202, 204
jump starting ..........................251
Steering wheel
controls ......................................76
tilting .........................................64
T
Tailgate ..................................93–94
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................43
Tilt steering wheel ......................64
Tires ...........................166–167, 244
alignment ................................173
care ..........................................171
changing ..........................244, 247
checking the pressure ............171
inspecting and inflating .........168
label .........................................179
replacing ..................................172
rotating ....................................174
safety practices .......................173
sidewall information ...............175
snow tires and chains ............180
spare tire .................................244
terminology .............................168
tire grades ...............................167
treadwear ........................167, 171
Towing .......................................187
recreational towing .................199
trailer towing ..........................187
Traction control ........................207
Traction-lok rear axle ...............209Transfer case
fluid checking .........................309
Transmission .............................209
brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................209–210
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................305
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................308
fluid, refill capacities ..............313
lubricant
specifications ..................316, 319
manual operation ....................215
Turn signal ..................................57
V
Vehicle dimensions ...........319, 324
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................324
Vehicle loading ..........................180
Ventilating your vehicle ...........204
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................279
Water, Driving through .............230
Windows
power .........................................70
power down back window .......71
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................64
checking and adding fluid .....279
replacing wiper blades ...........279
2006 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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