2012 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS adding oil

REDUCED ENGINE POWER— Displayed when the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the
engine. If the warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or
continues to come on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY— Displayed when the engine is overheating.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine. If the
warning stays on followed by an indicator chime or continues to come
on, contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
FUEL LEVEL LOW— Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW— Indicates the brake fluid level is low
and the brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake
fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
LOW OIL PRESSURE— Displayed when the engine oil pressure is low.
If this warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil.
Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil. If the oil level is OK and this
warning persists, shut down the engine immediately and contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANS TEMPERATURE— Displayed when the transmission
fluid is overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads
or when driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of
time. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and
let the transmission cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter.
Instrument Cluster
19
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal operating range, add
only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the
engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
Only use oils certified for gasoline engines by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). An oil with this trademark symbol conforms to the
current engine and emission system protection standards and fuel
economy requirements of the International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 or an equivalent SAE 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C945-A.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and
durability performance meeting all requirements for your
vehicle’s engine.Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitieslater in this chapter for more information.
Maintenance and Specifications
97
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

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.
For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240E available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentration. 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:
•Improved freeze protection.
•Improved boiling protection.
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
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).
Maintenance and Specifications
101
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

•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.
•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.
Maintenance and Specifications
113
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................55
Air cleaner filter .......123–124, 127
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................101
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..........................55–56
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................60
fluid, adding ............................120
fluid, checking ........................120
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specification ..................128
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........128
refill capacities ........................128
B
Battery .........................................98
acid, treating emergencies .......98
jumping a disabled battery ......80
maintenance-free ......................98
replacement, specifications ...127
servicing ....................................98
Brakes ....................................54–55
anti-lock ...............................55–56
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................56
fluid, checking and
adding ..............................118, 120
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specifications .................128
lubricant specifications ..........128
shift interlock ............................58
Bulbs ............................................21
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....128Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire ...........................74
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................92
wheels ........................................92
Coolant
checking and adding ..............101
refill capacities ................104, 128
specifications ..........................128
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................23
Customer Assistance ..................64
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................134, 137
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .......................88
Getting roadside assistance .....64
Getting the service you need ..85
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ...................................90
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program .....................................88
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................20
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................120
engine oil ...................................96
Driving under special
conditions ....................................62
through water ...........................63
E
Electronic message center .........16
Index
157
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................80
Emergency Flashers ...................65
Emission control system ..........114
Engine ........................................131
cleaning .....................................92
coolant .....................................101
fail-safe cooling .......................105
idle speed control .....................98
lubrication specifications .......128
refill capacities ........................128
service points ......................94–95
Engine oil ....................................96
checking and adding ................96
dipstick ......................................96
filter, specifications ..........97, 127
recommendations .....................97
refill capacities ........................128
specifications ..........................128
Event data recording ....................5
Exhaust fumes ............................54
F
Fail safe cooling ........................105
Fluid capacities .........................128
Fuel ............................................107
calculating fuel economy .......111
capacity ...................................128
choosing the right fuel ...........109
detergent in fuel .....................110
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...................................107, 111
filter, specifications ........106, 127
improving fuel economy ........111
octane rating ...................109, 131
quality ......................................110
running out of fuel .................110
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................107Fuses ......................................66–67
G
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................111
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers ...........................65
Headlamps ...................................20
daytime running lights .............20
flash to pass ..............................21
high beam .................................20
turning on and off ....................20
I
Ignition .................................51, 131
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................115
Instrument panel
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................21
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ........80
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........51
L
Lamps
daytime running light ...............20
headlamps .................................20
Index
158
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)

headlamps, flash to pass ..........21
instrument panel, dimming .....21
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............56
Loading instructions ...................47
Load limits ...................................42
Lubricant specifications ...........128
Lug nuts ......................................79
M
Message center ...........................16
english/metric button ...............18
system check button ................18
warning messages .....................18
Motorcraftparts ......................127
O
Octane rating ............................109
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................96
P
Parking brake ..............................57
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........127
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................70
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....117
fluid, refill capacity ................128
fluid, specifications .................128
R
Relays ....................................66, 74
Roadside assistance ....................64S
Safety defects, reporting ............91
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............143
Servicing your vehicle ................93
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................127, 131
Special notice ................................5
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................128
Speed control ..............................23
Starting your vehicle ............51–53
jump starting ............................80
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................22
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................22
Tires .......................................25–26
alignment ..................................35
care ............................................31
changing ..............................74, 77
checking the pressure ..............30
inflating .....................................27
replacing ..............................33, 78
rotating ......................................36
safety practices .........................34
sidewall information .................37
snow tires and chains ..............42
spare tire ...................................74
terminology ...............................26
tire grades .................................26
treadwear ............................25, 32
Towing .........................................48
trailer towing ............................48
wrecker ......................................83
Index
159
2012 Motorhome(mot)
Supplement, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)