To be sure your vehicle is ready to operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection
at the beginning of each work period. Follow the steps listed in this
section to ensure a proper vehicle inspection procedure. The pages in
this section may be produced locally and used on a regular basis.
VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION
Note:Always make sure the parking brake is applied before starting the
engine.
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Engine oil level:Use the engine oil dipstick to verify that the
engine oil level is between the ADD and
OPERATING RANGE marks.
Engine coolant
level:Look through the plastic reservoir or the clear
sight glass on the reservoir, depending upon
vehicle equipment, and make sure the fluid is
within the minimum and maximum fluid level
range as marked on the reservoir.Do not
remove pressure cap until the coolant has
cooled.
Power steering fluid:Verify that the fluid level is between the
proper operating range Refer toPower
steering fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Brake fluid (master
cylinder):Remove the master cylinder caps and inspect
the fluid level. The full mark is at the bottom
of the opening of the port ring.
Hydraulic clutch
fluid:Check for adequate amount of hydraulic clutch
fluid. Fluid level should be at the step of the
reservoir; refer toClutch fluid/linkage
adjustmentsin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Belts (Fan,
alternator, water
pump and A/C
compressor):Check for glazing, fraying or cracking. There
should be no more than five - seven cracks per
rib per inch.
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
11
Trip odometer:Registers the miles
(kilometers) of individual journeys.
To reset, depress the control.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine
and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
Transmission temperature gauge
(if equipped, automatic
transmission only):
Indicates the temperature of the
transmission fluid. The normal
temperature range is 150°–230°F
(65°–110°C). Readings of
230°–250°F (110°–121°C) are
satisfactory for intermittent
operation and are not cause for
alarm. Operation above 250°F
(121°C) can cause the fluid to break down and will result in component
damage.
H
C
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
29
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.
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
181
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.
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
182
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
The reservoir capacity is 4.0 quarts
(3.8L); use windshield washer fluid
that meets the Ford specification
listed. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
Inspect the fluid level in the washer
reservoir when insufficient fluid is
sprayed.
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Do not put engine coolant in the washer fluid reservoir. Engine
coolant can severely reduce visibility if sprayed on the
windshield.
CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
185
Daily owner checks
EngineCheck the air filter restriction gauge.
Check the engine oil.
Inspect the coolant level (6.0L Power
Stroke engine; Caterpillar and
Cummins engines, refer to the
Owner’s Manual).
Brake systemCheck the air brake system reservoir
automatic drain valve operation.
Drain the air brake system reservoir -
manual valve.
Transmission systemVisually check the automatic
transmission for fluid leakage.
Steering systemCheck the power steering pump fluid
level and check the system for leaks.
Check the entire vehicle for evidence
of fluid leaks.
U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration
requirements (ensure that
the entire system is
functioning properly)Check the service brakes.
Check the parking brake.
Check the steering mechanism.
Check the lighting devices and
reflectors.
Check the tires.
Check the horn.
Check the windshield wipers.
Check the rear vision mirrors.
Check the wheels and rims.
Check the emergency equipment.
2006 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
241