Backing up
To reduce the risk of the possibility of personal injury while
backing the vehicle, always be sure your vehicle’s path is clear.
Before backing your vehicle, be sure you can do so safely. If anything
behind the cab limits your view, do not rely on mirrors alone to ensure
that your intended path is clear. If other people are in the vicinity, have
someone standing well behind your vehicle and outside of your intended
path (visible through an exterior mirror) guide you as you back up.
Although OSHA or some governmental regulations may require the use
of an electrical or mechanical back-up alarm to warn bystanders, such an
alarm does not ensure that the intended path is clear. When in doubt,
get out of the vehicle and visually check the intended path is clear;
back-up slowly as to allow others time to move, if necessary.
If an electrical back-up alarm is installed, it should be connected to the
back-up lamp circuit.
Parking your vehicle
Always use the parking brake. When parking on a grade, block the
wheels and turn the front wheels to one side so that if the vehicle rolls,
the front tires will act against the curb to stop the vehicle. The front
wheels will be more effective at stopping a rolling vehicle than the rear
wheels.
When parking your vehicle, do not leave the transmission in
gear; if the key is in the ON position and the vehicle rolls, the
engine could start. Failure to follow these instructions could result in
an unattended vehicle moving, possibly causing personal injury or
property damage.
Driving through water
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially if the depth is not known. Never drive through water
that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the bottom of
the wheel rims (for cars). Traction or brake capability may be limited
and your vehicle may stall. Water may also enter your engine’s air intake
and severely damage your engine, drive axles or the transmission
(through the breather ports).
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your vehicle
slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal. Wet brakes do
not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
96
GENERAL BRAKE INFORMATION
All standard equipment brakes are designed to be self-adjusting.
Automatic adjustment, when required, occurs whenever the brakes are
applied and released during forward or reverse operation. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guidechapter for scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the vehicle’s brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake systems may emit occasional or intermittent
squeal or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such noises are
usually heard during the first few brake applications in the morning;
however, they may be heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as cold, heat, moisture,
road dust, salt or mud. If a “metal-to-metal,” “continuous grinding” or
“continuous squeal” sound is present while braking, the brake linings
may be worn-out and should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Know the required stopping distances for all driving conditions that may
be encountered. For longer brake lining life, take full advantage of engine
braking power when coming to a stop.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal. This will
result in abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive lining
wear and increased stopping distances.
Before descending a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear and avoid
continuous application of the brakes. Normally, choose the same gear to
descend the hill that you would use to ascend the hill.
Continuous application of the brakes will cause the brakes to
overheat, resulting in a temporary loss of braking.
If brakes do not grip well
•If you have been driving through deep water, gently apply the brakes
several times while the vehicle is moving slowly.
•Let the brakes cool if you have been using them excessively, as in
mountain driving or after several fast, high speed stops.
•Check brake adjustment.
•Check brake linings for excessive wear.
•Check system air pressure. (Air brakes only)
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
98
HYDRAULIC BRAKES (IF EQUIPPED)
HydroMax brake booster system
The HydroMax systems receive fluid pressure from the power steering
pump to provide power assist during braking.
The HydroMax booster receives back-up pressure from the reserve
system electric pump whenever the fluid in the power steering system is
not flowing. When the engine is off, the pump will turn on if the brake
pedal is applied, or if the ignition is turned to the ON position.
The sound of the pump operating or fluid flowing through the booster
may be heard; this is a normal characteristic of the system and should be
no reason for concern.
The reserve system provides reduced braking power, so the vehicle
should be operated under these conditions with caution, and only to seek
service repair and remove the vehicle from the roadway.
If braking performance or pedal response becomes very poor, even when
the pedal is strongly applied, this may indicate the presence of air in the
hydraulic system or fluid leakage. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
If the red BRAKE warning lamp in
the instrument cluster remains
illuminated after engine start up,
this indicates a system failure in the
master cylinder of the brake system. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as
possible and seek service immediately.
If the yellow BRAKE RESERVE
(E-motor) warning light remains on
while the engine is running, this
indicates inadequate hydraulic
booster pressure or reserve pump
system failure. Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and seek
service immediately.
BRAKE
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
99
Push the palm release lever on the
parking brake handle and push
down as far as possible to release
the brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
If the parking brake is fully
released but the parking
brake warning lamp remains
illuminated, the brakes may not be
working properly. See your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
The parking brake is not
recommended to stop a moving
vehicle. However, if the normal
brakes fail, the parking brake can be
used to stop your vehicle in an
emergency. Since the parking brake only applies retardation to the rear
wheels, the vehicle’s stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected.
POWER PARK (AIR-OPERATED PARKING BRAKE) OPTION (IF
EQUIPPED)
This feature uses a brake chamber mounted on the chassis to power a
spring-applied, air-released driveline parking brake. It is controlled by a
yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob.
Applying the parking brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake
knob. A red light on the dash panel should illuminate indicating that the
parking brake has been successfully set.
Note:If the park brake indicator light blinks and a warning chime
sounds when the control knob is pulled, the parking brake is not
functioning properly; seek immediate service from your dealer. Refer to
theParking Brake Warning Systemsection.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
101
AIR BRAKES (IF EQUIPPED)
General air brake information
After starting the engine, give the air compressor time to build up the air
pressure to 60 psi (414 kPa) before moving the vehicle.
Do not drive or continue to drive if the low air pressure buzzer
is sounding or the brake warning light is lit. These warnings
indicate that air pressure is not to normal operating level. Continued
use of the vehicle could result in loss of braking ability.
Avoid repeated light application of the brake pedal. This will
deplete air pressure faster and could result in loss of braking
capability.
Periodically check the air pressure
gauge while driving. Pressure should
range between approximately
100–125 psi (690–862 kPa). The air
compressor governor cut-in and
cut-out pressure settings are preset
at the factory and are not
adjustable.
When air pressure is insufficient
(below 60 psi [414 kPa]), a warning
light illuminates and a buzzer
sounds when the ignition is in the
ON position.
This condition may be caused by excessive brake applications depleting
the system air pressure. If this condition occurs, stop driving the vehicle
until the compressor has fully recharged the air system.
Do not move the vehicle when the air pressure is insufficient
because the brake system may be inoperative.
Select a gear ratio to help slow your vehicle before descending grades.
Supplement with brakes as required to safely slow the vehicle and avoid
overspeeding the engine.
0 30 12090 60
150AIR
PRESSUREPSI
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
104
Air chamber stroke indication
Air chamber push rods have orange stroke indicator markers that warn
when the braking system requires adjustment or repair. The orange
stripe is painted on the air chamber push rod at the slack adjuster stroke
dimension which requires service when visible during brake application.
Air brake inspection and adjustment or repairs should be performed by a
qualified service technician in accordance with the instructions in the
service manual.
Cam brakes - automatic slack adjusters
Standard air brakes (cam) are
equipped with automatic brake
adjusters. Automatic adjustment
occurs during brake applications.
Inspect brakes for proper
adjustment at the intervals listed in
theScheduled Maintenance Guide
chapter.
Do not manually adjust the
automatic slack adjusters to
correct excessive pushrod stroke
as it may result in reduced brake
effectiveness and a vehicle crash.
Excessive pushrod stroke
indicates that a problem exists
with the automatic adjuster, with
the installation of the adjuster, or
with foundation brake components
that manual adjustment will not
remedy. Seek service from a
qualified facility for excessive
pushrod stroke.
Emergency air brake
All vehicles are equipped with a dual brake system. In the unlikely event
of a failure of one system, the second system will function for emergency
stopping. These systems are all controlled by the brake pedal in the
same manner as for normal stops.
2007 F-650/750 (f67)
Supplement
USA (fus)
Driving
105
Do not continue to operate the vehicle with a failure of one of
the systems. Take the vehicle to your dealer for service
immediately.
Air brake reservoir draining
Failure to drain air brake reservoirs can result in a reduction or
loss of braking ability due to fluid accumulation in the reservoir
and/or possible freeze-up during cold weather.
Drain all the air brake reservoirs
daily, completely to 0 psi/kPa, by
opening the draincock at the ends
of the tanks (where accessible.
Pull-chains are used when the
drains are undercab or otherwise
inaccessible). Close draincock after
complete draining. Air tanks
equipped with automatic moisture
ejector valves may also be drained
manually as required to maintain a
dry air system. Contact your dealer if you are unsure of the air reservoir
locations or the draining procedure.
Parking brake
Do not use the gearshift selector in place of the parking brake;
unexpected and possible sudden vehicle movement may occur if
these precautions are not taken. Always set the parking brake fully
AND make sure the gearshift selector is in R (Reverse) for vehicles
equipped with manual transmission, N (Neutral) for vehicles with
automatic transmission (except Allison 2200 transmission) or P (Park)
(Allison 2200 transmission).
If the service brakes should fail to operate while the vehicle is in motion,
you can make an emergency stop with the parking brake. Since the
parking brake only applies stopping power to the rear wheels, the
vehicle’s stopping distance will greatly increase and the handling of the
vehicle will be adversely affected. Repairs should be made immediately
to an inoperative air brake system circuit.
2007 F-650/750 (f67)
Supplement
USA (fus)
Driving
106
Parking brake control (knob)
Pull the yellow parking brake knob
out to apply the parking brake. Push
the knob in to release the parking
brake.
This control is used for
parking only. Do not leave
the vehicle unattended after
setting the parking brake without
placing the transmission in R
(Reverse) for manual
transmission, N (Neutral) for
automatic transmission (except
Allison 2200 transmission) or P
(Park) (Allison 2200
transmission). Use of wheel
chocks is also recommended in
hilly or off-road usage.
The parking BRAKE warning lamp
in the instrument cluster illuminates
and remains illuminated (when the
ignition is turned ON) until the
parking brake is released.
Releasing spring brake with air pressure
The air system in all vehicles with spring-actuated rear wheel parking
brakes is equipped with a tank valve located on the supply or service air
tank for connection to an outside air supply. The valve permits the
system to be recharged with air from an outside source, releasing the
spring-actuated parking brakes. The vehicle may then be towed in an
emergency.
An outside air source can be used only if the protected system is in
operating condition. If air pressure cannot be restored in the protected
air system, the spring-actuated brakes must be released manually.
P
BRAKE
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
107