If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “FULL COLD” level or within the “COLD
FILL RANGE” in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
•Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
362
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.
2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
365
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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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
400
cleaning ...................................349
climate control ............46, 49, 155
easy access/easyout feature ..152
heated ................................44, 153
memory seat ...........133, 150–151
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ................................140–141
Servicing your vehicle ..............352
Setting the clock .........................25
AM/FM stereo ...........................23
Snowplowing .................7, 305–307
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................389, 394
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
four-wheel drive
vehicles ............................307–308
utility-type vehicles ....................8
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................390
Speed control ..............................80
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......266
Starting your
vehicle ................262–263, 265–266
jump starting ..........................328
Steering wheel
controls ......................................83
tilting .........................................66
Stereo
6-CD in dash .............................24
CD-MP3 .....................................24
SYNC ............................................40
T
Tailgate ......................................113
Tilt steering wheel ......................66Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....231
Tires ...........................216–217, 319
alignment ................................224
care ..........................................220
changing ..........................319, 323
checking the pressure ............220
inflating ...................................218
label .........................................230
replacing ..................................222
rotating ....................................224
safety practices .......................223
sidewall information ...............226
snow tires and chains ............240
spare tire .................................320
terminology .............................217
tire grades ...............................217
treadwear ........................216, 221
Towing .......................................248
recreational towing .................261
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ..............254
trailer towing ..........................248
Trailer Brake
Controller-Integrated ................254
Transfer case
fluid checking .........................385
Transmission .............................278
brake-shift interlock
(BSI) ................................278, 281
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .....................383, 385
fluid, refill capacities ..............390
lubricant specifications ..........390
Turn signal ..................................58
U
USB port ......................................34
2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
404