2009 FORD F150 heating

Guarding against exhaust fumes
Carbon monoxide is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
WARNING: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 (-18°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.
WARNING:Failure to follow engine block heater instructions
could result in property damage or physical injury.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged
(cheater) adapters.
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Driving
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Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills. A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
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.
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•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.
WARNING: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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
364

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.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
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Maintenance and Specifications
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You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
384

A
Accessory delay ..........................74
AdvanceTrac ..............................271
Air cleaner filter ...............386, 389
Air conditioning ........41, 44, 46, 49
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................41
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................178–179, 186, 189
and child safety seats ............180
description ..............179, 186, 189
disposal ....................................192
driver airbag ....179, 181, 187, 190
indicator light .........182, 188, 191
operation .........179, 181, 187, 190
passenger
airbag ...............179, 181, 187, 190
side airbag ...............................186
Ambulance packages ....................7
AM/FM .........................................24
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................362
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................269
Anti-theft system ......................140
arming the system ..................141
Armrests ....................................147
Audio system (see Radio) ...22, 24
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................283, 286
fluid, adding ....................383, 385
fluid, checking ................383, 385
fluid, refill capacities ..............390
fluid, specification ..................390
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....32Axle
lubricant specifications ..........390
refill capacities ........................390
B
Battery .......................................360
acid, treating emergencies .....360
jumping a disabled battery ....328
maintenance-free ....................360
replacement, specifications ...389
servicing ..................................360
Belt-Minder.............................173
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder...........................176
Booster seats .............................210
Brakes ........................................269
anti-lock ...................................269
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................270
fluid, checking and adding ....382
fluid, refill capacities ..............390
fluid, specifications .................390
lubricant specifications ..........390
parking ....................................270
shift interlock ..................278, 281
trailer .......................................254
Bulbs ............................................59
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....390
Cargo management system ......119
CD ................................................24
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................319
Child safety seats ......................196
attaching with tether straps ..206
in front seat ....................197, 203
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Index
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in rear seat ......................197, 203
LATCH .....................................204
recommendations ...................194
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................210
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............345
instrument panel ....................347
interior .....................................348
plastic parts ............................346
safety belts ..............................348
washing ....................................343
waxing .....................................344
wheels ......................................344
wiper blades ............................346
Climate control
(see Air conditioning or
Heating) .....................41, 44, 46, 49
Clock adjust
AM/FM .......................................25
AM/FM Stereo ...........................23
Compass, electronic ....................68
calibration .................................69
set zone adjustment .................69
Console ........................................68
overhead ....................................73
Controls
power seat ...............................149
steering column ........................83
Coolant
checking and adding ..............362
refill capacities ................366, 390
specifications ..........................390
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................80
Customer Assistance ................309
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................339Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............340
Getting roadside assistance ...309
Getting the service you
need .........................................335
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................341
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................339
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................56
Defrost
rear window and rearview
mirrors ...........................44, 46, 49
windshield .....................44, 46, 49
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..................................383, 385
engine oil .................................357
Driving under special
conditions ..................289, 300, 303
sand .........................................301
snow and ice ...........................304
through water .................302, 305
E
Electronic message
center ...................................89, 100
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................328
running out of fuel .........328, 374
Emission control system ..........379
Engine ........................................394
cleaning ...................................345
coolant .....................................362
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Index
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fail-safe cooling .......................366
idle speed control ...................360
lubrication specifications .......390
refill capacities ........................390
service points ..................354–355
Engine block heater .................267
Engine oil ..................................357
checking and adding ..............357
dipstick ....................................357
filter, specifications ........359, 389
recommendations ...................359
refill capacities ........................390
specifications ..........................390
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................267
F
Fail safe cooling ........................366
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....368
Floor mats .................................112
Fluid capacities .........................390
Fog lamps ....................................55
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......293
driving off road .......................298
electronic shift ........................296
indicator light .........................294
lever operated shift ................294
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................278
Fuel ............................................368
calculating fuel
economy ..........................101, 375
cap ...........................................371
capacity ...................................390
choosing the right fuel ...........372
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................378
detergent in fuel .....................372filler funnel .............................374
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................368, 371, 376
filter, specifications ........368, 389
improving fuel economy ........375
octane rating ...................373, 394
quality ..............................373–374
running out of fuel .........328, 374
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................368
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................368, 372–373
Fuses ..................................311–312
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............371
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................375
Gauges .........................................18
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................22
H
Hazard flashers .........................310
Head restraints .........................156
Headlamps ...................................54
aiming ..................................56–57
autolamp system .......................54
bulb specifications ....................60
daytime running lights .............56
flash to pass ..............................55
high beam .................................55
replacing bulbs .........................61
turning on and off ....................54
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .....................41, 44, 46, 49
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
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Index
401