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.
•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•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]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•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.
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
114
A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................58
Air cleaner filter ...............125–127
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................102
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..........................58–59
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................63
fluid, adding ............................122
fluid, checking ........................122
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specification ..................128
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........128
refill capacities ........................128
B
Battery .......................................100
acid, treating emergencies .....100
jumping a disabled battery ......82
maintenance-free ....................100
replacement, specifications ...127
servicing ..................................100
Brakes ..........................................57
anti-lock ...............................58–59
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................59
fluid, checking and
adding ..............................120, 122
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specifications .................128
lubricant specifications ..........128
shift interlock ............................61
Bulbs ............................................18C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....128
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................95
wheels ........................................95
Coolant
checking and adding ..............102
refill capacities ................106, 128
specifications ..........................128
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................20
Customer Assistance ..................67
Ford Extended Service Plan ...91
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .......................92
Getting roadside assistance .....67
Getting the service you need ..88
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ...................................93
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program .....................................90
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................17
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................122
engine oil ...................................97
Driving under special
conditions ....................................66
through water ...........................66
E
Electronic message center .........22
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................82
Emission control system ..........115
2009 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
133
