2011 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS maintenance schedule

When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the FULL COLD level, or within the
COLD FILL or MIN / MAX range as listed on the engine coolant
reservoir (depending upon application).
•Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service interval
schedules.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant/antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool,until the appropriate fill level is obtained. If coolant is
filled to the COLD FILL RANGE or FULL COLD level when the engine is
not cool, the system will remain underfilled.
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
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•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.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
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•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraftor Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the service engine soon
light, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
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POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer toscheduled maintenance
information.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the
dipstick. It should be between the
arrows in the FULL range on the
side of the dipstick with the words
MAX. HOT at the top. Do not add
fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL range. Be sure to put the dipstick
back in the reservoir.
Refer toMaintenance product specifications and capacitiesin this
chapter for the proper fluid type.
ADD MAX. HOTFULL
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BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as needed. Seek service from
your authorized dealer. Refer to thescheduled maintenance
informationfor the service interval schedules.
•Hydromaxbrake fluid reservoir
Chassis with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of 20,500 lb (9,299 kg),
22,000 lb (9,979 kg), 24,000 lb (10,886 kg) and 26,000 lb (11,793 kg) are
equipped with Hydromax Brake Booster Systems and must use
MotorcraftSuper DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification ESD-M6C57-A. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Hydroboostbrake fluid reservoir
Chassis with Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings of 16,000 lb (7,257 kg),
18,000 lb (8,165 kg) and 19,500 lb (8845 kg) are equipped with
Hydroboost Brake Booster Systems and must use MotorcraftHigh
Performance DOT 3 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid or equivalent meeting
Ford Specification WSS-M6C62-A. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
Note:On Hydromax brake systems a clear gel-like substance in the
hydraulic brake master cylinder reservoir may appear on some vehicles.
This substance is a silicone base lubricant used during assembly of the
master cylinder. It will float on top of the brake hydraulic fluid in the
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master cylinder. This condition is normal and in no way affects the
operation of the brake system. It does not require any service.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before removal to prevent dirt or water from
entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX (Hydroboost system only). Do not fill above this
line.
•For vehicles with the Hydromax
brake system, add fluid up to the
bottom of the rings located at the
top of the reservoir. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a brake fluid listed previously (DOT 3 or Super DOT 4
depending on brake system) and that is certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitiesin this chapter.
WARNING:Carefully read cautionary information on product
label. For MEDICAL EMERGENCY INFORMATION contact a
physician or Poison Control Center immediately; on Ford-Motorcraft
products call: 1-800-959-3673 (FORD). Failure to follow these
instructions may result in personal injury.
WARNING:Use of any brake fluid other than that indicated for
your brake system will cause permanent damage.
WARNING:Do not let the reservoir for the master cylinder run
dry. This may cause the brakes to fail.
Brake system fluid should be replaced on a regular basis to maintain
optimum braking performance, especially under heavy-duty driving
conditions such as frequent steep grades or heavy towing loads. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the service interval schedules.
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Parking brake fluid
Check the fluid level only if there is
visible signs of fluid leakage. If
necessary, fill the parking brake
assembly to the bottom of the filler
plug hole (2) (located on the driver
side of the transmission). Refer to
Maintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin
this chapter for the proper fluid
type.
Note:Do not fill the parking brake
through the vent plug (1) (located
on top of the transmission).
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool to normal operating temperature 150°F
- 170°F (66°C - 77°C) before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
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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 and also in the
Maintenance product specifications and capacitiessection in 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.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Automatic transmission fluid filter
The Torqshift automatic transmission is equipped with a serviceable
transmission fluid filter located inside the transmission bottom pan.
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor service intervals for
automatic transmission fluid and transmission filter.
For transmission filter maintenance, see your authorized dealer.
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