This information is in addition to the information contained in your
Owner’s Guide.
ENGINE IDLE SHUTDOWN (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Engine Idle Shutdown system.
This system will automatically shut down your engine when it has been
idling in P (Park) or N (Neutral) for five minutes (parking brake set) or
15 minutes (parking brake not set). During the engine idle shutdown
process:
•TheService Engine Soonlight will flash, once per second, for the
final 30 seconds just prior to shutdown.
•Within the final 30 seconds, the timer can be reset by:
1. changing the position of the accelerator pedal, or
2. changing the brake pedal, clutch pedal, or park brake from engaged
to disengaged or from disengaged to engaged.
•When the timer reaches zero, the engine will shut down.
•In this event, the key remains in the ON (Run) position, and power
continues to be supplied to the accessories.
Battery power may be drained if the key is left in the ON (Run)
position without the engine running.
Note:The engine idle shutdown timer will not start if:
•The engine is operating in power take-off (PTO) mode.
•The engine coolant temperature is below 60° F (16° C).
•The exhaust emission control system is regenerating the diesel
particulate filter (DPF).
Driving
To be sure your vehicle is ready to operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection
at the beginning of each work period. Follow the steps listed in this
section to ensure a proper vehicle inspection procedure. The pages in
this section may be produced locally and used on a regular basis.
VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION
Note:Always make sure the parking brake is applied before starting the
engine.
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Engine oil level:Use the engine oil dipstick to verify that the
engine oil level is between the ADD and
OPERATING RANGE marks.
Engine coolant
level:Look through the plastic reservoir or the clear
sight glass on the reservoir, depending upon
vehicle equipment, and make sure the fluid is
within the minimum and maximum fluid level
range as marked on the reservoir.Do not
remove pressure cap until the coolant has
cooled.
Power steering fluid:Verify that the fluid level is between the
proper operating range Refer toPower
steering fluidin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Brake fluid (master
cylinder):Remove the master cylinder caps and inspect
the fluid level. The full mark is at the bottom
of the opening of the port ring.
Hydraulic clutch
fluid:Check for adequate amount of hydraulic clutch
fluid. Fluid level should be at the step of the
reservoir; refer toClutch fluid/linkage
adjustmentsin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Belts (Fan,
alternator, water
pump and A/C
compressor):Check for glazing, fraying or cracking. There
should be no more than five - seven cracks per
rib per inch.
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
11
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Any leaks:Check for signs of fluid puddles, dripping fluid
on the ground under the engine or the
underside of the engine.
HVAC air inlet:Check for debris, leaves, etc. that may have
collected on the HVAC air inlet grille or inside
the exterior module as this may cause reduced
system performance.
Exercise great caution when working on vehicle equipped with
an automatic fan clutch. The fan starts in motion only after the
engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature or the refrigerant
pressure (if equipped with air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan will start at this point with no advance warning. Never
reach near, or permit objects to protrude into, the fan blade radius
while the engine is running as this could result in vehicle damage,
personal injury or death.
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.
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
12
Engine starting (parking brake applied)
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) or P
(Park) if equipped with a Park position.
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.
Ammeter/Voltmeter:Check the gauge to see if the alternator is
charging.
Steering linkage
free play:Check for excessive free play in the steering
linkages. The steering wheel should have less
than two inches (five cm) of free play at rim
of steering wheel.
Hydraulic brake
check:When the engine is off, the pump will turn on
if the brake pedal is applied, or if the ignition
is turned to the ON position.
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Vehicle Inspection Guide
13
To disengage speed control
•Depress the brake pedal or
•Depress the clutch pedal (if
equipped).
Disengaging the speed control will
not erase the previously
programmed set speed or engine
RPM.
Pressing OFF will erase the
previously programmed engine RPM.
CRUISE
RPM
OFF
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
60
a buildup of heavy deposits of carbon and rust on valve stems causing
them to stick which, in turn, can cause valvetrain damage.
Winter fronts
The use of winter fronts, or other air-restrictive devices mounted in front
of the radiator on vehicles with chassis-mounted charge air coolers, are
not recommended unless extremely cold weather conditions exist. Air
flow restriction can cause high exhaust temperatures, power loss,
excessive fan usage and a reduction in fuel economy. If you must use a
winter front, the device should have a permanent opening of at least 120
sq in. (774 sq. cm) directly in line with the fan hub.
Hot weather operation
•Keep the engine cooling system filled with a clean, permanent coolant
solution to protect against damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent condensation
in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while driving
in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct this
problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting in to the
next lower gear to increase engine RPM.
Starting a turbocharged engine with the vehicle on a steep grade
When starting a diesel engine when the loaded vehicle is on a grade, the
engine RPM will start to fall slightly when the clutch is engaged; do not
disengage the clutch and try to increase engine RPM as this may damage
driveline components. The engine will recover as the vehicle begins
moving.
Engine shutdown
Allow the engine to idle for three to five minutes before shutting it
down. The larger the engine, the greater the need for this idling period.
However, do not let the engine idle for more than 10 minutes.
Restarting after running out of fuel
The fuel system may need to be purged of air, refer toRunning out of
fuelin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
88
GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
•Avoid extended and unnecessary idling.
•Start the vehicle in motion by using the highest gear speed in the
transmission that will let the engine easily start the load without
slipping the clutch.
•Accelerate smoothly and evenly; rapid acceleration increases fuel
consumption without increasing engine performance.
•When approaching a hill, depress the accelerator smoothly to start the
incline at full power, then shift down as needed to maintain vehicle
speed.
•When going down a hill, or long steep grades, prevent over-speeding
of the engine. The engine governor has no control over engine speed
when it is being pushed by a loaded vehicle.
•Always shift to a lower gear at high altitudes to prevent engine
smoking.
•Operate in a gear that will permit an engine speed not in excess of the
maximum governed speed or high-idle RPM (no load).
•Normally, choose the same gear to descend the hill that you would use
to ascend the hill.
All vehicles have blind spots. To reduce the risk of severe injury
or property damage, never move your vehicle to the side or rear
or change lanes without being sure your way is clear on both sides and
to your rear.
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,
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
89
Applying the parking brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake
knob. A red light on the dash panel should illuminate indicating that the
parking brake has been successfully set.
Note:If the park brake indicator light blinks and a warning chime
sounds when the control knob is pulled, the parking brake is not
functioning properly; seek immediate service from your dealer. Refer to
theParking Brake Warning Systemsection.
Releasing the parking brake
Note:Read and understand the following steps and perform them
whenever you prepare to drive the vehicle.
Note:The parking brake will not disengage unless sufficient system air
pressure is available.
For vehicles with automatic transmissions - dash-mounted push
button (Allison 3000 Series) and steering column-mounted
(Allison 2200 and 2500) gear selection:
1. With the engine running, depress and hold the service brake pedal.
2. Wait until system air pressure is above 100 psi (690 kPa).
3. Select the appropriate drive gear.
4. Push the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob.
For vehicles with manual transmissions - (TTC 7–speed,
Eaton/Fuller 5–speed and 6–speed):
1. With the engine running, depress and hold the service brake pedal.
2. Wait until system air pressure is above 100 psi (690 kPa).
3. Depress and hold the clutch pedal.
4. Select the appropriate drive gear.
5. Push the yellow, dash-mounted parking brake knob.
Hold the brake pedal down while moving the gearshift lever from
position to position. If the brake pedal is not held down, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly resulting in property damage, personal
injury or death.
Parking brake light illumination due to low air pressure
If at any time during vehicle operation air pressure is too low, the
parking brake may apply and the parking brake light will turn on.
2008 F-650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA(fus)
Driving
95