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 theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection 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 will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than two automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
102
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears 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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin 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.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
104
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30 second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On Board
Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the environment
by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet government emission
standards. The OBD-II system also assists your authorized dealer in
properly servicing your vehicle. When the
indicator illuminates, the
OBD-II system has detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may
cause the
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
4. Driving through deep water – the electrical system may be wet.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel cap or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the
indicator should stay off
the next time the engine is started. A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving. No additional
vehicle service is required.
If theindicator remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some malfunctions detected by the OBD-II
may not have symptoms that are apparent, continued driving with the
indicator on can result in increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced
engine and transmission smoothness, and lead to more costly repairs.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
107
Item Capacity Ford Part NameFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Transmission
/steering/parking brake
linkages and pivots,
brake and clutch pedal
shaft (if equipped)—Premium Long-Life
GreaseXG-1-C /
ESA-M1C75-B
Fuel tank75 .0 gallons
(284.0L)——
1Capacity is approximate and will vary due to second-stage manufacturer completion of HVAC
system. Fill to the Cold Fill Level on reservoir.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by
the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.4Automatic transmissions that require MERCONSP should only use MERCONSP fluid. Use of a
dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCONSP may cause transmission
damage. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.5Fill 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm to 14 mm) below bottom of fill hole.
Your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and is considered lubricated for
life. These lubricants do not need to be checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is
required or the axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed
any time the rear axle has been submerged in water.6Fill 1/4 inch to 9/16 inch (6 mm to 14 mm) below bottom of fill hole.
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
119
coolant .......................................91
fail-safe cooling .........................96
idle speed control .....................89
lubrication specifications .......117
refill capacities ........................117
service points ............................86
starting after a collision ...........59
Engine block heater ...................49
Engine oil ....................................87
checking and adding ................87
dipstick ......................................87
filter, specifications ..........88, 116
recommendations .....................88
refill capacities ........................117
specifications ..........................117
Exhaust fumes ............................49
F
Fail safe cooling ..........................96
Fluid capacities .........................117
Fuel ..............................................97
calculating fuel economy .......102
capacity ...................................117
choosing the right fuel ...........100
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................105
detergent in fuel .....................101
filling your vehicle
with fuel ............................97, 102
filter, specifications ..........97, 116
fuel pump shut-off switch .......59
improving fuel economy ........102
octane rating ...................100, 120
quality ......................................101
running out of fuel .................101
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .......................97
Fuses ............................................60G
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................102
Gauges .........................................12
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................15
H
Hazard flashers ...........................59
Headlamps ...................................15
daytime running lights .............15
flash to pass ..............................16
high beam .................................15
turning on and off ....................15
I
Ignition .................................46, 120
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................106
Instrument panel
cluster ..........................................8
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................16
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ........72
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........46
L
Lamps
daytime running light ...............15
headlamps .................................15
2007 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Index
123