Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Safety/Emergency
equipment:Prior to entering the cab, verify that the
vehicle is equipped with spare electrical fuses
(if used), three red reflective triangles, a
properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
and wheel chocks. Walk around the vehicle
and check that all steps and grab handles,
inside and out as well as behind, are tight and
clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for
positive closing, latching and locking.
Starting the engine:Verify the parking brake is set. Depress the
clutch (if equipped with a manual
transmission) and verify the transmission is in
neutral. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission should be in N (Neutral).
When the WAIT TO START indicator light in
the instrument cluster turns off, turn the key
to START.
Oil pressure builds:Make sure engine oil pressure is building to
normal operating range.
Air chime sounds (if
equipped with air
compressor):The low air pressure warning chime should
sound immediately after the engine starts but
before the compressor has built up pressure.
The low air pressure warning chime should
stop when the air pressure reaches 70 psi (483
kPa) (or more). Let the air pressure build to
governed cut-out pressure, which should occur
between 115–130 psi (793–896 kPa).
Accelerator:Depress the accelerator and verify that it
operates smoothly without any binding or
irregular feel. Remove your foot from the
pedal and make sure the engine returns to idle
speed immediately.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
13
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
Parking brake:Check that the parking brake will hold the
vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with
the parking brake applied.
Automatic
transmission fluid:With the engine idling at normal operating
temperature and the parking brake applied,
check the automatic transmission fluid. If fluid
needs to be added, place the transmission in
the appropriate gear as specified in the
transmission operator’s manual and refer to
Transmission fluidin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Front of vehicle
Lights:Make sure all lights illuminate and are clean.
Make sure headlights function on both high
and low beams. Make sure reflectors are clean
and unbroken and of proper color (red on
rear, amber elsewhere). Make sure the running
lights are also clean and unbroken.
Steering gear:Look for missing or loose fasteners, power
steering fluid leaks and damage to power
steering hoses.
Steering linkage:Make sure connecting links, arms and rods are
not worn or cracked; joints, sockets and boot
seals are not worn or loose and that there are
no loose or missing cotter keys, nuts or bolts.
Tow hooks:Front and rear tow hooks should be inspected
for damage or loose mounting. This is
particularly important on vehicles where tow
hooks are frequently used.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
15
Trailer
If you are pulling a trailer, an inspection of the trailer similar to that of
the tractor should be done. Such an inspection should follow trailer
manufacturer recommendation and should include at a minimum: general
condition, landing gear, doors, sides, lights, reflectors, suspension,
brakes, tires, wheels, cargo placement, stability and tie-downs.
Transmission
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, regularly
check the transmission’s neutral start switch. The engine should only
start in the N (Neutral) or P (Park) positions.
If the unit starts in gear and/or the neutral start switch is not
functioning correctly, the vehicle may inadvertently move which
could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
Check the transmission fluid level and shift linkage for proper operation.
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
21
Check trans (Allison automatic
transmission only):The lamp will
illuminate for several seconds after
the ignition is turned to the ON
position. Illumination of this light indicates that a problem has been
detected and shifting may be restricted. Depending upon the severity of
the problem, the read-out digit on the shifter display may be blank.
Operation may continue in order to reach service assistance. The ECU
may not respond to shift selector requests, since operating limitations
are being placed on the transmission, i.e. upshifts and downshifts may be
restricted. Direction changes will not occur.
Refer to theTransmission Operator’s Manualfor more information.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt.
Range inhibit:Illuminates when
the transmission is not engaged in
the selected gear. The warning light
will go off when the gearshift lever
is adjusted in to the appropriate gear.
Refer to theTransmission Operator’s Manualfor more information.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Safety belt warning chime:Sounds when the key is in the ignition and
the driver’s safety belt is not fastened.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.CHECK
TRANS
RANGE
INHIBIT
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
26
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
When disconnecting the trailer:
•Lower the landing gear, then press the lower portion of the switch.
• Disconnect the brake hoses, trailer-side and rear light connectors,
then pull the release lever on the fifth wheel.
The upper portion of the switch must be pressed before operating with a
trailer or operating in the bobtail mode.
Suspension conversions
It is not recommended, or approved, that suspension conversions be
performed. However, it is understood that, on occasion, aftermarket add-on
suspensions are installed by others on the truck chassis which allow
operator control for weight transfer from other axles (i.e., air lift axles).
When operating a loaded vehicle, the driver must keep all
adjustable axles on the ground at all times, supporting their
share of the vehicle’s load. Failure to do so can overload other axles,
tires, wheels, springs, steering components, brakes and frames,
resulting in early component failure, loss of vehicle control, possible
property damage and personal injury.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Main transmission, auxiliary transmission, transfer case and power take-off
(PTO) control shift patterns can be found on a placard or decal on the
driver’s sun visor, on the instrument panel or on the shift control itself.
The main transmission control is used to select the various gear ratios or
speeds of the transmission. Selecting D (Direct Drive), does not change
the transmission gear ratio, but is used where the gear ratios in the main
transmission are adequate to handle the vehicle operation.
If the transmission fails to shift properly, check the inline 10A fuse
located in the battery cables above the battery.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever
between positions. If you don’t hold the brake pedal down, your
vehicle may move unexpectedly and cause property damage, personal
injury or death.
Allison 2200 automatic transmission with park pawl feature
Note: For Allison automatic transmission-equipped vehicles, also refer to
the separate Allison Transmission Operator’s Manual.
2007 F-650/750 (f67)
Supplement
USA (fus)
Driving
121
•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 GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube if not already so
equipped. Refer to Lubricant specifications in theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter 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)
(if available on your automatic transmission) or N (Neutral) (manual
transmissions and automatic transmissions withou taP[Park]
position).
• 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.
FIFTH WHEEL OPERATION
Failure to follow the fifth wheel manufacturer’s instructions for
hooking and unhooking as well as sliding the fifth wheel could
result in an accident, personal injury or death.
When the tractor and trailer are parked unattended, the trailer
brake hand control should never be used to apply the brake,
since air may leak from the system, allowing vehicle movement,
resulting in possible property damage, personal injury or death.
Before hook-up, make sure:
• The fifth wheel jaws are fully opened.
• The fifth wheel is fully tilted back to prevent body damage when the
tractor is backed under a trailer.
• The trailer wheels are blocked and the trailer spring brakes are
adjusted and applied. Never chase a trailer.
• The brake hoses and light cords are clear of the fifth wheel.
2007 F-650/750 (f67)
Supplement
USA (fus)
Driving
138
capability. Attempting to push-start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission may cause transmission damage.
Before connecting a fast-charger, booster battery or installing a new
battery, make sure the ground polarities of the fast-charger, booster
battery or alternator (when installing a battery) are matched to the
ground polarity of the vehicle battery. Improper usage of the
fast-charger, hook-up of booster battery or installation of a new battery
can cause damage to the electrical system or to the alternator. Do not
attempt to polarize the alternator.
Preparing your vehicle
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.Do not attach the
jumper cables to the glow plug relay as this could severely damage the
glow plugs, injector driver module and PCM.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
2007 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
149