
Preparing your vehicle
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm and/or soft shifts. This operation is
considered normal and will not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process will fully update
transmission operation.
1.Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehiclesdo nottouch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving
parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before
you attach the battery cables. Ensure that vent caps are tight and level.
5. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of
the discharged battery.
Note:In the illustrations,lightning boltsare used to designate the
assisting (boosting) battery.
+–+–
Roadside Emergencies
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•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The mini message center (if equipped) will indicate “Check Gauges”,
refer toWarning lights and chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
Maintenance and Specifications
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•Thelight will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
Accessory delay ..........................93
AdvanceTrac ..............................279
Air cleaner filter .......396–397, 399
Air conditioning ........59, 62, 64, 67
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................59
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................185–186, 193, 196
and child safety seats ............187
description ..............186, 193, 196
disposal ....................................199
driver airbag ....186, 188, 194, 197
indicator light .........192, 195, 198
operation .........186, 188, 194, 197
passenger
airbag ...............186, 188, 194, 197
side airbag ...............................193
Ambient mood/lighting ...............78
Ambulance packages ....................6
AM/FM .........................................42
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................373
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................277–278
Anti-theft system ......................138
arming the system ..................139
Armrests ....................................151
Audio system (see Radio) ...40, 42
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................291, 293
fluid, adding ....................393, 395
fluid, checking ................393, 395
fluid, refill capacities ..............400
fluid, specification ..................400
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....50Axle
lubricant specifications ..........400
refill capacities ........................400
B
Battery .......................................371
acid, treating emergencies .....371
jumping a disabled battery ....338
maintenance-free ....................371
replacement, specifications ...399
servicing ..................................371
Bed extender ............................117
Belt-Minder.............................180
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder...........................183
Booster seats .............................219
Brakes ........................................277
anti-lock ...........................277–278
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................278
fluid, checking and adding ....393
fluid, refill capacities ..............400
fluid, specifications .................400
lubricant specifications ..........400
parking ....................................278
shift interlock ..................287, 289
trailer .......................................263
Bulbs ............................................78
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....400
Car2UHome Automation
System .......................................108
Cargo management system ......120
CD ................................................42
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................330
Index
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coolant .....................................373
fail-safe cooling .......................377
idle speed control ...................371
lubrication specifications .......400
refill capacities ........................400
service points ..................365–366
Engine block heater .................275
Engine oil ..................................368
checking and adding ..............368
dipstick ....................................368
filter, specifications ........370, 399
recommendations ...................370
refill capacities ........................400
specifications ..........................400
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................275
F
Fail safe cooling ........................377
Fleet MyKey programming ......141
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....379
Fluid capacities .........................400
Fog lamps ....................................73
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......301
driving off road .......................307
electronic shift ........................304
indicator light .........................301
lever operated shift ................302
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................286
Fuel ............................................379
calculating fuel
economy ......................26, 32, 386
cap ...........................................381
capacity ...................................400
choosing the right fuel ...........383
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................389detergent in fuel .....................385
filler funnel .............................385
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................379, 381, 386
filter, specifications ........378, 399
fuel pump shut-off ..................321
improving fuel economy ........386
octane rating ...383–384, 404–405
quality ......................................384
running out of fuel .........338, 385
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................379
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................379, 383–384
Fuses ..................................321–322
G
Garage door opener ..................104
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............381
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................386
Gauges .........................................18
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................22
H
Hazard flashers .........................320
Headlamps ...................................72
aiming ..................................74–75
autolamp system .......................72
bulb specifications ....................79
daytime running lights .............74
flash to pass ..............................73
high beam .................................73
replacing bulbs .........................79
turning on and off ....................72
Index
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MyKey ........................................141
N
Navigation system .......................58
O
Octane rating ....................383–384
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................368
P
Parental MyKey
programming .............................141
Parking brake ............................278
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........399
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................167
Power deployable running
boards ..........................................97
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .......................322, 325
Power door locks ......................126
Power mirrors .............................94
Power point .................................90
Power steering ..........................285
fluid, checking and adding ....392
fluid, refill capacity ................400
fluid, specifications .................400
Power Windows ...........................91
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................286
R
Radio ......................................40, 426-CD in dash .............................42
Rear heated seats .....................165
Rear-view camera system .........299
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................202
Relays ........................................321
Remote entry system ...............130
illuminated entry ....................135
locking/unlocking doors .131–132
panic alarm .............................132
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................134
replacing the batteries ...........133
Reverse sensing system ...........297
Roadside assistance ..................319
S
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) ............166,
170–172, 176–177, 179
Safety Canopy ...........193–194, 196
Safety defects, reporting ..........352
Safety
restraints ...166, 170–172, 176–179
Belt-Minder...........................180
Belt-Minder,
deactivating/activating ...........183
extension assembly ................184
for adults .........171–172, 176–177
for children .............................199
lap belt ....................................174
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................167
warning light and
chime ...............................179–180
Index
417
2010 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide, 1st Printing
USA(fus)