If you must leave the engine running while checking under the
hood, do not allow any loose clothing, jewelry, hair or other
items to get near moving engine components or possible personal
injury may occur.
To open the hood:
1. Set the parking brake, shift into N (Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
2. Lift upward on the bottom of
each latch.
3. Pull the bottom of each latch
away from the fender.
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4. Tilt the hood forward until
stopped by the retaining cables.
To lower the hood:
1. Push the hood rearward at the top center of the hood above the grille
until closed.
2. Engage the latch on each fender.
3. Push down on the bottom of each latch until locked.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil level
Refer to theScheduled Maintenance Guidechapter for the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil. Check the engine oil level
consistently and accurately.
If your vehicle is equipped with a Cummins or Caterpillar engine,
refer to the appropriate engine operator’s manual for information on the
engine oil.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 6.0L Power Stroke engine,
perform the following procedure:
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Set the parking brake and shift into N (Neutral) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain
completely into the oil pan.
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ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
If your vehicle is equipped with a Caterpillar or Cummins engine,
refer to your engine operator’s manual for engine coolant check and
adding instructions as well as fluid specifications and capacities.
Inspect cooling system daily
Note:The engine coolant reservoir requires air space for expansion
volume. The proper fill level is identified on the reservoir; do not overfill
the reservoir.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or death, use only the
following procedure to remove the pressure-type cap from the
radiator or expansion tank.
1. Always allow the engine to cool first.
2. Wrap a thick, heavy cloth around the cap.
3. Loosen the cap slowly, then pause a moment. This will reduce the risk
of possible scalding by hot water or steam.
4. Continue to unscrew the cap and remove only after pressure in the
radiator is fully released.
Note:If the coolant should get extremely low and the engine very hot,
let the engine cool for approximately 15 minutes before adding coolant.
After the engine has cooled, start the engine and add coolant slowly.
Adding coolant to a hot engine may crack the cylinder head or
crankcase. Never use only water to fill the cooling system.
Adding engine coolant - 6.0L Power Stroke
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
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.
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.
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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.
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. Slowly turn cap
counterclockwise 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 the full mark 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 to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toEngine coolant condition inspectionlater in this chapter). 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 (1.0L) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks.
Operating an engine with a low level of coolant can result in engine
overheating and possible engine damage.
Extended life engine coolant
Note:Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with yellow-colored
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (VC-7–B in CA, NM and OR).
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.
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•Do not add/mix extended life coolants such as Motorcraft
Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 and VC-3 (U.S.) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D,
with the factory-fill coolant, Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant
meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51–A.Mixing Motorcraft
Speciality Orange Engine Coolant or any equivalent extended life
engine coolant with this factory-fill 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 or 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.
•Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled Engine Coolantsection).
Coolant condition inspection
Engine cooling systems should be checked twice a year to ensure proper
glycol/water concentrations. a 50/50 mixture is recommended and
provides freeze protection in weather conditions as low as –34°F (-36°C)
as well as optimum corrosion protection. For vehicle operating in
extremely cold climate, a concentration of 60% ethylene glycol will
provide freeze protection in weather conditions as low as –59°F (-51°C).
Concentrations greater than 60% glycol are not recommended.
Engine coolant capacities and part numbers
For cooling system capacities, refer toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
For coolant part numbers, refer toLubricant specificationsin this
chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34°F [–36°C]):
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If the engine cranks but does not start, remove the battery box cover
and check the 40A inline fuse loacted on the battery cable above the
battery.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center to
find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
STEERING - GENERAL INSPECTION
•Ask your service technician to examine the steering mechanism. Only
minor adjustments may be necessary.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
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•Check tie rod, drag link end clamp bolts and ball joints. They must be
tight.
•Check for installation and spread of cotter pins and tightness of nuts
at both ends of the tie rod and drag link.
•Check that pitman arm (steering arm at steering gear) mounting is
tight and locked. Check system for leaks or hose chafing. Repair at
once.
•Maintain proper steering gear and power steering pump lubricant
levels.
•Regularly inspect steering column joint bolts and steering linkage,
particularly for body-to-chassis clearance.
Note:Have any steering problems corrected at once by a qualified
service technician.
Failure to maintain the steering system in proper condition can
cause reduced steering ability resulting in property damage,
personal injury or death.
Tightening steering column joint bolts
As a good maintenance practice, it is recommended that steering column
joint bolts be checked for tightness every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or
annually, whichever occurs first. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
Power steering
Whenever the power steering’s hydraulic system has been drained and
refilled for any reason, air must be bled from the system before returning
the vehicle to service. Failure to properly bleed the hydraulic system can
result in degradation of power system performance.
Consult your dealer who is aware of the proper procedures for filling and
bleeding the system.
Power steering fluid
Check the power steering fluid level using the following procedure. If
adding fluid is necessary, refer toLubricant Specificationsin this
chapter for the proper fluid type. Refer to theScheduled Maintenance
Guidechapter for the recommended service intervals.
1. Set the parking brake, shift into N (Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
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4. Lubricate clutch release wear pads at the two locations where they
contact the clutch release bearing using a brush or similar tool.
5. Install the inspection cover onto the clutch housing.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community’s standards for disposing of these types of fluids.
Call your recycling center to find out about recycling automotive fluids.
Automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Allison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manual for
scheduled intervals for transmission fluid checks and changes. Your
transmission does not consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be
checked if the transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been operated for
an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic or during hot weather,
the vehicle should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to
cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Place the gearshift lever in N (Neutral) or P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
If you must add transmission fluid, make sure the correct type of fluid is
being used. The type of fluid used is indicated in your Allison Automatic
Transmission Operator’s Manual.
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.
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