2008 FORD F150 check oil

•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level or within the “COLD
FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.
A 50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
351

•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.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•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.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
367

Item CapacityFord part name or
equivalentFord part number /
Ford specification
Fuel tank
Reg. Cab 8’ box /
SuperCab 6.5’ box /
SuperCab 8’ box27.0 gallons (102.2L)
Standard
35.7 gallons (135.1L)
Optional——
1Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the requirements of Ford
specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Service refill capacity is determined by filling the axle to 1/4-9/16 inch (6-14 mm) below the bottom of the filler hole with
the vehicle on a level surface.
Add 4 oz. (118 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford specification EST-M2C118-A, for complete
fill of 8.8 inch and 9.75 inch Traction-Lok axles.4Service refill capacity is determined by filling the axle to the bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface.
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.8Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid or fluid that is specified dual usage
MERCON/MERCONV. Refer toscheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of
any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
384

Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................193
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............331
instrument panel ............333–334
interior .....................................335
plastic parts ............................332
safety belts ..............................335
washing ....................................329
waxing .....................................330
wheels ......................................330
wiper blades ............................333
Climate control (see
Air conditioning or
Heating) ...........................81, 85, 87
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................38
AM/FM Stereo ...........................28
AM/FM/CD .................................31
Clutch
fluid ..........................................371
operation while driving ..........275
recommended shift speeds ....276
Compass, electronic ..........123, 125
calibration ...............................125
set zone adjustment .......125–126
Console ......................................104
overhead ..........................104–105
Controls
power seat ...............................160
steering column ......................117
Coolant
checking and adding ..............351
refill capacities ................355, 381
specifications ..........................381
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................115
Customer Assistance ................296Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................325
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............326
Getting roadside assistance ...296
Getting the service
you need .................................321
Ordering additional
owner’s literature ...................327
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............325
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................92
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................372
engine oil .................................345
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke .............................377
Driving under special
conditions ..................275, 287, 290
sand .........................................289
snow and ice ...........................291
through water .................289, 292
DVD system .................................51
E
Electronic message center .......125
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................315
Emergency Flashers .................298
Emission control system ..........368
Engine ........................................385
cleaning ...................................331
coolant .....................................351
fail-safe cooling .......................356
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
392

idle speed control ...................349
lubrication specifications .......381
refill capacities ........................381
service points ..................341–343
starting after a collision .........298
Engine block heater .................262
Engine oil ..................................345
checking and adding ..............345
dipstick ....................................345
filter, specifications ........348, 380
recommendations ...................348
refill capacities ........................381
specifications ..........................381
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................262
F
Fail safe cooling ........................356
Family entertainment system ....51
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....357
Floor mats .................................134
Fluid capacities .........................381
Foglamps .....................................92
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......282
driving off road .......................286
electronic shift ................284–285
indicator light .........................282
lever operated shift ................283
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................268
Fuel ............................................357
calculating fuel
economy ..........................128, 365
cap ...........................................360
capacity ...................................381
choosing the right fuel ...........362comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................367
detergent in fuel .....................362
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................357, 360, 365
filter, specifications ........357, 380
fuel pump shut-off switch .....298
improving fuel economy ........365
octane rating ...................363, 385
quality ..............................363–364
running out of fuel .................364
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................357
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................357, 362–363
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......298
Fuses ..................................299–300
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............360
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................365
Gauges .........................................20
H
Hazard flashers .........................298
Head restraints .................158, 162
Headlamps ...................................91
aiming ..................................93–94
autolamp system .......................91
bulb specifications ....................97
daytime running lights .............92
flash to pass ..............................92
high beam .................................92
replacing bulbs .........................98
turning on and off ....................91
Heating
heater only system ...................81
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
393

heated ......................................114
programmable memory ..........149
side view mirrors (power) .....112
signal .......................................114
Moon roof ..................................119
Motorcraft parts ........338, 357, 380
N
Navigation system .......................80
O
Octane rating ............................363
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................345
P
Parking brake ............................266
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....380
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................165
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................300
Power door locks ......................144
Power mirrors ...........................112
Power point ...............................108
Power steering ..........................267
fluid, checking and adding ....370
fluid, refill capacity ................381
fluid, specifications .................381
Power Windows .........................110
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................268
R
Radio ..........................23, 27, 29, 36Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Rear video camera ....................280
Relays ........................................299
Remote entry system ...............147
illuminated entry ....................151
locking/unlocking
doors ................................147–148
panic alarm .............................149
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................150
replacing the batteries ...........149
Reverse sensing system ...........277
Roadside assistance ..................296
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........183
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) .............164, 167,
169–170, 173–175, 177
Safety defects,
reporting ............................327–328
Safety restraints ...............164, 167,
169–170, 173–175, 177
Belt-Minder...........................178
Belt-Minder,
deactivating/activating ...........181
extension assembly ................182
for adults .........169–170, 173–175
for children .............................192
lap belt ....................................172
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................165
safety belt maintenance .........183
warning light and
chime ...............................177–178
Safety seats for children ..........196
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
395