2008 FORD F150 check oil

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Service Engine SoonEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check Fuel CapLow Tire Pressure
Warning
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Introduction
11

MINI MESSAGE CENTER WARNING DISPLAYS (IF EQUIPPED)
Door ajar:Displays when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door is open.
Low fuel:Displays when the fuel
level in the fuel tank is at or near
empty (refer toFuel gaugein this
chapter).
Check fuel cap:Displays when the
fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this display on may cause the
Service engine soon warning light to
come on. Refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Check gauge:Displays when any of
the following conditions has
occurred:
•The engine coolant temperature
is high.
•The engine oil pressure is low.
•The fuel gauge is at or near empty.
Trans fault:Displays when a
transmission problem has been
detected and shifting may be
restricted. If the light remains on,
have the system serviced
immediately by your authorized dealer.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACCESSORY position and the driver’s door
is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
19

Battery voltage gauge:Indicates
the battery voltage when the
ignition is in the ON position. If the
pointer moves and stays outside the
normal operating range, have the
vehicle’s electrical system checked
by your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge:
Indicates engine oil pressure. The
needle should stay in the normal
operating range (between “L” and
“H”). If the needle falls below the
normal range, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle
checked by your authorized dealer.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The arrow next to the fuel pump
icon indicates which side of the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
For more information, refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
22

Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolock
•Autolamp Delay
•Language
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report and how it appears in the
message center is as follows:
1. FUEL LEVEL
2. ENGINE TEMP
3. OIL PRESSURE
4. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
5. CHARGING SYSTEM
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
Autolocks
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the vehicle is
shifted into any gear, putting the vehicle in motion.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
129

The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into two categories:
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warning display Status
Door ajar Warning can be reset
Low fuel level Warning returns after 10 minutes
Check charging system
Check traction control™
Low brake fluid level
Low oil pressure
Check engine temperature
Reduced engine power
Stop engine safely
Check fuel cap Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to ON.
Transmission malfunction
Low tire pressure (if equipped)
Tire pressure monitor fault (if
equipped)
Tire pressure sensor fault (if
equipped)
Engine failsafe mode
DOOR AJAR.Displayed when a door is not completely closed.
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION.Displayed when the transmission is
not operating properly. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
131

CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER.Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY.Displayed when the engine is overheating.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine. If the
warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL™.Displayed when the Traction
Control™ system is not operating properly. If this message is displayed
on the message center the Traction Control™ system will be partially
operable. If this warning stays on, contact your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible. For further information, refer toTraction
control™in theDrivingchapter.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and
the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE.Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low. If
this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
authorized dealer for service.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
132

Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
•4.2L V6 engine
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
345

•4.6L/5.4L V8 engine
•If the oil level is below the lower
hole or the MIN mark, add
enough oil to raise the level
within the lower and upper holes
or within the MIN-MAX range.
•Oil levels above the upper hole or the MAX mark may cause engine
damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized
dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
347