•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transmission damage may occur.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance
Informationfor more information.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice turning, stopping and backing up before starting on a trip to
get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCWR, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to theMaintenance and specificationschapter for
the lubricant specification. Remember that regardless of the rear axle
lube used, do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of a
new vehicle, and that the first 500 miles (800 km) of towing be done
at no faster than 70 mph (112 km/h) with no full throttle starts.
•After you have traveled 50 miles (80 km), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual transmissions).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer
into the water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the
trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
•do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper.
•do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 cm) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
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When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “FULL COLD” level or within the
“COLD FILL RANGE” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
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.
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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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.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use MERCONAT F.
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. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
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CLUTCH FLUID (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the fluid level. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor
the service interval schedules.
During normal operation, the fluid level in the clutch reservoir should
remain constant. If the fluid level drops, refill the fluid level to the step
in the reservoir.
Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Carefully read cautionary information on product label. For
MEDICAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION contact a physician or
Poison Control Center immediately; on Ford-Motorcraft products call:
1-800-959-3673 (FORD). Failure to follow these instructions may result
in personal injury.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
3. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
4. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and
cap onto reservoir.
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For 10.25 inch Traction-Lok axles, use 6.5 pints (3.1L) of Motorcraft SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant and 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL–3 or equivalent meeting Ford
Specification EST-M2C118-A.5Your 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.6Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transfer case to the bottom of the filler hole
with the vehicle on a level surface.7Approximate dry fill capacity including transmission fluid cooling system, actual refill capacities
will vary based on vehicle application and transmission fluid cooling system (i.e. coolers size,
cooling lines, auxiliary cooler capacities). The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should
be set by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.8Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being
added is of the correct type. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationto determine the
correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as MERCONand MERCONV.
These dual usage fluids are not to be used in an automatic transmission that requires use of the
MERCONtype fluid.
MERCONand MERCONV type fluids are not interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON
and MERCONV. Use of a transmission fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCONand
MERCONV) in an automatic transmission application requiring MERCONmay cause
transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause
transmission damage.
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