STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For
vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever to release the
key.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the
steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
being depressed.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Starting the engine
Operation of a diesel engine near flammable vapors in the air
may cause the engine speed to increase uncontrollably and over
speed. If this situation occurs, mechanical damage, fire, explosion,
personal injury or death could result.Turning off the ignition key
will not slow or stop the engine due to uncontrollable fueling of the
engine through flammable vapors being drawn into the engine air
inlet.Operation of components such as starter, alternator, electric
motors, etc. and static electricity could also ignite flammable vapors.
Do not operate the truck in the possible presence of flammable vapors
unless both a complete hazard analysis is performed and necessary
additional safety processes and/or equipment such as vapor testing, air
intake shutoff devices, ventilation, etc. are utilized. The operator is
responsible for using those processes and/or equipment to ensure that
the diesel engine and all other components on the truck can be
operated safely under the specific conditions and hazards that may be
encountered.
3
1
2
5
4
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
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Note:When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator as engine
damage may result.
1. Ensure headlamps and all accessories are turned off, the parking
brake is applied and the transmission is in the neutral position (or P
[Park] for Allison 2200 transmissions).
2. Turn the key to ON, but do not start the engine. In cooler weather,
the air intake heater may activate the WAIT TO START light in the
instrument cluster.
If the WAIT TO START light
illuminates,do notcrank the engine
until the light goes off.
If equipped with an air intake heater, DO NOT use ether or any
other starting fluids. The use of starting fluids (ether) in an
engine equipped with an air intake heater could cause an explosion
and result in property damage and/or personal injury.
3. When the WAIT TO START light turns off, turn the key to START;
when the engine starts, release the key.
If the engine does not start after 30 seconds of cranking, allow two
minutes for the starter to cool before trying again. Excessive cranking
may damage the starter.
After the engine starts:
•On some engines, the WAIT TO
START light should illuminate
after the engine starts. Allow the
engine to idle about three
minutes or until the engine
coolant temperature gauge begins to rise. Maintain idle speed until the
WAIT TO START light cycles off to indicate the air intake heater has
shut off (approximately six minutes). Operating the engine at higher
speeds will reduce the effectiveness of the air inlet heater.
WAIT
TO
START
WAIT
TO
START
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
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•Do not increase engine speed
until the oil pressure gauge
indicates normal pressure; this
should be indicated on the gauge
within 15 seconds after starting.
•Idle the engine for three to five
minutes before operating with a
full load.
•Try to limit engine idle to 10
minutes. Excessive idling reduces
fuel economy.
•When starting a cold engine, increase the engine speed (RPM) slowly
to make sure adequate lubrication is available to the bearings.
Cold weather operation
Do not use volatile starting aids such as ether, propane or
gasoline in the engine air intake system. Glow plugs may ignite
vapors which can cause engine damage or personal injury.
In order to operate the engine in temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower,
read the following instructions:
•Make sure that the batteries are of sufficient size and are fully
charged. Check other electrical components to make sure they’re in
optimum condition.
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant solution to protect the engine
against damage from freezing.
•If your vehicle is equipped with a water-fuel separator, drain it daily.
Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Make sure you use proper cold weather engine oil and that it is at its
proper level.
•At temperatures of –4°F (–20°C) or below, it is recommended that you
use a crankcase-mounted coolant heater to improve cold engine
starting.
•If operating in arctic temperatures of –20°F (–29°C) or lower, consult
your truck dealer for information about special cold weather
equipment and precautions.
L
H
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
93
Note:Idling in cold weather will not heat the engine to its normal
operating temperature. Long periods of idling in cold weather can cause
a buildup of heavy deposits of carbon and rust on valve stems causing
them to stick which, in turn, can cause valvetrain damage.
The following cold weather idling guidelines must be followed:
•Avoid idling the engine for more than 10 minutes at a time.
•Use a minimum of 45 Cetane Diesel fuel or use Cetane Index
improvers from a reputable manufacturer.
•Maintain a minimum idle of 1250 RPM by using the hand throttle.
Always make sure that the parking brake is applied and the
transmission is in neutral before applying the hand throttle.
•Maintain the engine cooling system properly.
•Do not shut the engine down after an extensive idling period (10
minutes or more). Drive the vehicle under load for several miles at
normal operating temperatures to burn off any accumulated carbon
and varnish.
•Consider using an engine block heater, approved winter fronts and/or
radiator shutters where conditions warrant.
Winter fronts
The use of winter fronts, or other air-restrictive devices mounted in front
of the radiator on vehicles with chassis-mounted charge air coolers, are
not recommended unless extremely cold weather conditions exist. Air
flow restriction can cause high exhaust temperatures, power loss,
excessive fan usage and a reduction in fuel economy. If you must use a
winter front, the device should have a permanent opening of at least 120
sq in. (774 sq. cm) directly in line with the fan hub.
Hot weather operation
•Keep the engine cooling system filled with a clean, permanent coolant
solution to protect against damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while driving
in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct this
problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting in to the
next lower gear to increase engine RPM.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
94
Starting a turbocharged engine with the vehicle on a steep grade
When starting a diesel engine when the loaded vehicle is on a grade, the
engine RPM will start to fall slightly when the clutch is engaged; do not
disengage the clutch and try to increase engine RPM as this may damage
driveline components. The engine will recover as the vehicle begins
moving.
Engine shutdown
Allow the engine to idle for three to five minutes before shutting it
down. The larger the engine, the greater the need for this idling period.
However, do not let the engine idle for more than 10 minutes.
Restarting after running out of fuel
The fuel system may need to be purged of air, refer toRunning out of
fuelin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
•Avoid extended and unnecessary idling.
•Start the vehicle in motion by using the highest gear speed in the
transmission that will let the engine easily start the load without
slipping the clutch.
•Accelerate smoothly and evenly; rapid acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine performance.
•When approaching a hill, depress the accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, then shift down as needed to maintain vehicle
speed.
•When going down a hill, or long steep grades, prevent over-speeding
of the engine. The engine governor has no control over engine speed
when it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle.
•Always shift to a lower gear at high altitudes to prevent engine
smoking.
•Operate in a gear that will permit an engine speed not in excess of the
maximum governed speed or high-idle RPM (no load).
•Normally, choose the same gear to descend the hill that you would use
to ascend the hill.
All vehicles have blind spots. To reduce the risk of severe injury
or property damage, never move your vehicle to the side or rear
or change lanes without being sure your way is clear on both sides and
to your rear.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
95
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
ENGINE AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN WARNING LIGHT OR CHIME (IF
EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic shutdown feature that
stops the engine in the event of high coolant temperature, low engine oil
pressure or low engine coolant level. A warning light in the instrument
cluster and a warning chime will indicate high engine coolant
temperature or low engine oil pressure. If the temperature and/or
pressure becomes too high or too low, the engine will automatically shut
down.
Vehicles that are equipped with an
override feature, allow the operator
to restart the engine so the vehicle
can be moved; the engine should
not be operated any longer than
necessary. A decal located in front
of the operator provides instructions
on how the override should be
operated.
Do not attempt to use this restarting feature to drive the vehicle very far
as serious engine damage could result.
In the event of engine shutdown, make sure the vehicle is safely
off the road and the problem is remedied prior to returning to
the road. Failure to remove the vehicle from the road could result in
an accident, causing serious injury or death.
SHDN
OVRD
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
97
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