FUEL INFORMATION
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is venting
vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the cap.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Observe the following guidelines when handling fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
fueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
fueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. If fuel is swallowed, call a physician immediately,
even if no symptoms are immediately apparent. The toxic effects of
fuel may not be visible for hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
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If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a genuine
Ford or Motorcraft part. The customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if a genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only Ultra Low Sulfur (15 ppm Sulfur Maximum) number 1-D
or 2-D diesel fuel in your diesel engine. The engine and exhaust
system were designed to only use this fuel. Look for the
ULTRA-LOW SULFUR HIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL (15 ppm Sulfur
Maximum) label on fuel pumps when purchasing your fuel.
Number 1-D or winter blend number 2-D fuel is recommended at
temperatures below 20°F (-7°C) (seeCold weather operationin the
Drivingchapter. Diesel fuel containing no more than 5% biodiesel may
be used. Biodiesel fuel is a product that has been converted from
renewable fuel sources, including vegetable oil, animal fat and cooking
oil. Raw or refined vegetable oil, animal fat, cooking oil or recycled
greases should not be used.
Since it is normal for a small amount of unburned fuel to enter the
crankcase and mix with the engine oil, the use of biodiesel requires that
the engine oil and filter be changed more often. Refer to theExceptions
section of theScheduled Maintenance Guidechapter for more
information.
Do not use home heating oil or any diesel fuel not intended for
highway use. Red dye is used to identify fuels intended for
agricultural and non-highway use. Damage to the fuel injection
system, engine and exhaust catalyst can occur if an improper fuel
is used. Do not add gasoline, gasohol or alcohol to diesel fuel.
This practice creates a serious fire hazard and engine
performance problems.
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Using low sulfur (16-500 ppm) or high sulfur (greater than
500 ppm) diesel fuel in a diesel engine designed to use only
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel increases the likelihood of engine oil
dilution with fuel which may lead to major engine damage.
Using low sulfur (16-500 ppm) or high sulfur (greater than
500 ppm) diesel fuel in a diesel engine designed to use only
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel will cause certain emission components to
malfunction which may also cause the Service Engine Soon (
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON)
light to illuminate indicating an emissions-related concern.
Do not mix diesel fuel with gasoline, gasohol or alcohol. This
could cause an explosion resulting in personal injury.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether or gasoline. Such fluids
can cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and
possible personal injury.
Fuel quality
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket additives to your fuel
tank if you use a properly formulated diesel fuel that meets ASTM D 975
specification. Aftermarket additives can damage the injector system or
engine. Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in
your fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Do not blend used engine oil with diesel fuel under any
circumstances.Blending used oil with the fuel will significantly increase
your vehicle’s exhaust emissions and reduce engine life due to increased
internal wear.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends diesel fuel specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Diesel fuel that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about fuel that meet the World-Wide
Fuel Charter.
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Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel as this will allow air to enter the fuel system,
which will make restarting the vehicle difficult.
If you have run out of fuel:
•If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks,add at least 4–5
gallons (15–19 liters) of fuel to each tank before attempting to restart
the engine.
•The fuel system must be primed before attempting to restart the
engine. Refer to the engine operator’s manual for instructions on
priming the engine.
•Use caution not to overheat and damage the starterby cranking
the engine for an excessive period of time. You may need to crank the
engine for a longer time than normal. If the engine fails to start in 30
seconds, turn the ignition to the OFF position and wait for two
minutes before cranking the engine again.
•Any remaining trapped air will self-purge from the fuel system once
the engine starts running.
•The engine may run rough and produce white smoke while air is in
the fuel system. This is normal and should stop after a short period of
time.
FUEL CONSUMPTION IMPROVEMENT MEASURES
There are two important factors you can control to improve fuel
economy: the mechanical condition of your vehicle and how you drive it.
A properly maintained vehicle will deliver better performance than a
neglected vehicle. Always follow your maintenance schedule to keep your
vehicle in top operating condition.
Also, your driving habits have a significant influence on use of fuel. By
following these suggestions, you can stretch your fuel use:
•Avoid changes in speed as much as possible.
•Anticipate changing traffic conditions. Sudden stops and fast
acceleration waste fuel.
•Avoid extensive idling.
•Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal.
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Essentials of good fuel economy
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more
accurate measurement after 2,000–3,000 miles (3,000–5,000 km).
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank(s) on your vehicle is equal
to the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank(s) as listed inFuel tanksin
this chapter. The advertised capacity is the amount of the Indicated
Capacity and the Empty Reserve combined. Indicated Capacity is the
difference in the amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel
gauge indicates empty. Empty Reserve is the small amount of usable fuel
remaining in the fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of Empty Reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to
the empty reserve still present in the tank.
Filling the tank
For consistent results:
•Use the same fill rate setting (low - medium - high) each time during
filling.
•Allow three automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel of a known quality, preferably a national brand.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
•When refueling a vehicle equipped with dual fuel tanks, if the two
tanks are not filled equally, the fuel gauge reading may fluctuate
slightly until the fuel level between the two tanks balance out and
become equal.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Note:For vehicles equipped with dual fuel tanks, engine performance
may degrade if fuel is not added to both tanks when refueling.
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Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank(s) completely and record the initial odometer
reading (in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank(s), record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank(s) and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
•Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
•Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style - good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
•Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
•Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
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Conditions
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the accelerator.
•Close windows for highway driving.
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
Your vehicle is equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), as part of
the after-treatment exhaust system, to trap soot and other large particles
produced by the engine combustion process. The soot that accumulates
in the filter must be periodically reduced to ash to prevent excessive
exhaust restriction. The soot reduction process, also known as “filter
regeneration,” is generally performed automatically by your engine and
after-treatment system.
The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very
high. Never work around, or attempt to repair, any part of the
exhaust system until it has cooled. Use special care when working
around the diesel particulate filter. The DPF heats up to a high
temperature after only a short period of engine operation, and can
remain hot even after the engine is turned off. Failure to follow these
instructions may result in personal injury.
Diesel particulate filter regeneration (Caterpillar engine only)
DPF regeneration requires no operator interaction and may occur at any
time. A small increase in engine sound-level during filter regeneration is
normal and should be no reason for concern.
A separate fuel injector/nozzle, which requires periodic cleaning, is used
in the regeneration process. Refer to Caterpillar’sOperation and
Maintenance Manualfor details regarding cleaning requirements.
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When these steps are performed successfully in the order outlined above,
the DPF lamp will begin flashing at a rate of once every 10 seconds. The
engine speed may also increase slightly. To allow parked regeneration to
continue uninterrupted:
1. The vehicle must remain parked
2. The transmission must remain in P (Park) or N (Neutral) (as
previously described in Step 2).
3. The accelerator pedal, service brake pedal, and clutch pedal (if
equipped) must not be depressed
4. The parking brake must remain set
On average (depending on filter level and other factors), the process will
take 20–30 minutes to complete. The DPF lamp will turn off when the
process is complete. Repeat Steps 1–5, if parked regeneration is
interrupted.
To discontinue parked regeneration (Cummins engine only)
Depress any of the floor pedals to discontinue parked regeneration.
Diesel particulate filter maintenance and service
The DPF is designed to retain a relatively large amount of residual ash
and provide many miles and hours of maintenance-free operation. At
some point, generally beyond 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 5,000 hours
of operation (whichever comes first), the DPF will require professional
cleaning to remove the accumulated ash
The exact number of miles or hours of operation will vary greatly
depending upon vehicle/engine loading and operating conditions, ash
content of the engine oil, and quality of the diesel fuel used in your
truck. Adhering to your engine manufacturer’s recommended oil and fuel
specifications will maximize the miles and hours of operation before a
DPF professional cleaning is required. Refer to your engine
manufacturer’s owner’s manual for more details regarding recommended
maintenance and service of your DPF.
Exhaust outlet assembly
The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very
high. Never work around or attempt to repair any part of the
exhaust system until it has cooled. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in personal injury.
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