
•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.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking “Antabuse” or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline and/or
ethanol vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In
sensitive individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If
fuel is splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap
and water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an
adverse reaction.
•FFV fuel tanks may contain zero to 85 percent ethanol. Any fuel
blends containing gasoline and ethanol should be treated the same as
“Fuel Ethanol.” Flex fuel vehicles have a yellow bezel placed over the
fuel fill inlet.
Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor, beer
and wine. It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn
and sugar cane. When ethanol is produced for use in motor fuels, a small
amount of gasoline is added to make it unfit for beverage use. The
resulting ethanol blend is called denatured fuel ethanol meaning that it is
denatured with 2% to 5% gasoline and is suitable for automotive use.
During the summer season, fuel ethanol may contain a maximum of 85%
denatured ethanol (Ed85) and 15% unleaded gasoline. The fuel ethanol
has a higher octane rating than unleaded regular or premium gasoline
and this allows the design of engines with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 75% denatured ethanol (Ed75) and up
to 25% unleaded gasoline to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold
weather may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer to
Cold Weather Startingin theDrivingchapter.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
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Maintenance and Specifications
369

Octane recommendations
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your authorized dealer to prevent any engine damage.
Unleaded Gasoline Engines
Your vehicle is designed to use “Regular” unleaded gasoline with a pump
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as “Regular” in high altitude areas that are sold with octane
ratings less than 87.
FFV engine
Your vehicle is designed to use Fuel Ethanol (Ed75–Ed85),“Regular”
unleaded gasoline or any mixture of the two fuels.
Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause powertrain
damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your warranty may be
invalidated.
Fuel quality
Do not add aftermarket fuel additive products to your fuel tank. It
should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. These products have not been approved for your engine and
could cause damage to the fuel system. Repairs to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product in your fuel may not be covered by your
warranty.
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-Wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-Wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-Wide Fuel Charter.
Unleaded gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular” unleaded
gasoline. “Premium” unleaded gasoline is not recommended because it
may cause these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems
persist, see your authorized dealer.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
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Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
373

Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiessection of 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 fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the 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.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading may result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low — medium — high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than three automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
Calculating fuel economy
1. Fill the fuel tank completely and record the initial odometer reading
(in miles or kilometers).
2. Each time you fill the tank, record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).
3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank and record
the current odometer reading.
4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.
2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
376

ENGINE DATA
Engine4.6L 2V V8
engine4.6L 3V V8
engine5.4L V8 engine
Cubic inches 281 281 330
Required fuel87 octane 87 octane 87 octane or
Ethanol (E85)*
Firing order 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Ignition system Coil on plug Coil on plug Coil on plug
Spark plug gap0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)0.039–0.043 inch
(1.0–1.1mm)0.039–0.043 inch
(1.0–1.1mm)
Compression
ratio9.4:1 9.8:1 9.85:1
*5.4L 3V FFV engines only.
Engine drivebelt routing
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USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
394

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
USA(fus)
Index
401

O
Octane rating ............................373
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................357
P
Parking brake ............................270
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....389
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................160
Power deployable running
boards ..........................................78
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................312, 315
Power door locks ......................126
Power mirrors .............................75
Power point .................................70
Power steering ..........................276
fluid, checking and adding ....382
fluid, refill capacity ................390
fluid, specifications .................390
Power Windows ...........................72
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................278
R
Radio ......................................22, 24
6-CD in dash .............................24
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................194
Relays ........................................311
Remote entry system ...............131
illuminated entry ....................136locking/unlocking
doors ................................131–132
panic alarm .............................132
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................135
replacing the batteries ...........134
Reverse camera .........................291
Reverse sensing system ...........289
Roadside assistance ..................309
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) .........159, 162, 164–165,
168–170, 173
Safety Canopy ...........186–187, 189
Safety defects, reporting ..341–342
Safety restraints ...............159, 162,
164–165, 168–171, 173
Belt-Minder...........................173
Belt-Minder,
deactivating/activating ...........176
extension assembly ................177
for adults .........164–165, 168–170
for children .............................192
lap belt ....................................167
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................160
warning light and chime ........173
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................204
Safety seats for children ..........196
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................395
Satellite Radio (if equipped) .....24
Satellite Radio Information ........37
Seats ..........................................143
child safety seats ....................196
2009 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Index
403