2008 FORD F150 heating

heater is available, the addition of unleaded gasoline to your tank will
improve cold starting performance. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on E
85ethanol alone, unleaded gasoline alone, or any mixture of the two.
SeeChoosing the right fuelin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information on ethanol.
If the engine fails to start using the preceding instructions
(flexible fuel vehicles only)
1. Press and hold down the accelerator 1/3 to 1/2 way to floor, then
crank the engine.
2. When the engine starts, release the key, then gradually release the
accelerator pedal as the engine speeds up. If the engine still fails to start,
repeat Step 1.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped for a long period of
time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm) or adjust the heating
or air conditioning to bring in fresh air.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (IF EQUIPPED)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant which aids in starting
and allows the heater/defroster system to respond quickly. If your vehicle
is equipped with this system, your equipment includes a heater element
which is installed in your engine block and a wire harness which allows
the user to connect the system to a grounded 120 volt a/c electrical
source. The block heater system is most effective when outdoor
temperatures reach below 0°F (-17°C).
For flexible fuel vehicles, if operating with E
85ethanol, an engine block
heater must be used if ambient temperature is below 0°F (-18°C).
SeeCold weather startingin theDrivingchapter for more information
on starting with ethanol.
2008 F-150(f12)
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USA(fus)
Driving
262

When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
2008 F-150(f12)
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USA(fus)
Driving
291

Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1.Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOLbrand with the
factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOLbrand with your factory filled coolant can result in
degraded corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
2008 F-150(f12)
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
353

To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
Add the proper mixture of coolant and water to the cooling system by
following these steps:
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle.
If necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your authorized dealer check the engine cooling system.
Your cooling system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low
level of coolant can result in engine overheating and possible engine
damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
2008 F-150(f12)
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Maintenance and Specifications
354

The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or
possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by
an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized
dealer.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible
damage.
FoMoCo COLD5L 3P -7A020- CB
FoMoCo COLD5L 3P -7A020- CB
FoMoCo COLD5L 3P -7A020- CB
FoMoCo COLD5L 3P -7A020- CB
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
374

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

heating and air conditioning
system ...........................82, 85, 87
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................120
Hood ..........................................340
How to get going ........................23
I
Ignition ...............................258, 385
Illuminated visor mirror ...........103
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................196
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................370
Instrument panel
cleaning ...........................333–334
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................93
J
Jack ............................................307
positioning ...............................307
storage .....................................307
Jump-starting your vehicle ......315
K
Keyless entry system ...............153
autolock ...................................145
keypad .....................................153
locking and unlocking doors ..154
programming entry code .......154
Keys ...................................144, 156
positions of the ignition .........258L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................91
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................97
daytime running light ...............92
fog lamps ...................................92
headlamps .................................91
headlamps, flash to pass ..........92
instrument panel, dimming .....93
interior lamps .....................95–96
replacing bulbs .................98, 101
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................95
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........265
Load limits .................................237
Loading instructions .................243
Locks
autolock ...................................145
childproof ................................146
doors ........................................144
Lubricant specifications ...........381
Lug nuts ....................................314
Lumbar support, seats .....159–160
M
Manual transmission .................275
reverse .....................................277
Message center .........................125
english/metric button .............129
system check button ..............129
warning messages ...................130
Mirrors ...............................111–112
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ......................................112
fold away .................................113
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
394