2012 FORD F450 Owners Manual

To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use Motorcraft  SAE
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 to Maintenance product specifications and
capacities later in this chapter for more information.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, cleaners or other engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could lead to engine damage that
is not covered by Ford warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance information.
Ford production and Motorcraft  replacement oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
that does not meet Ford material and design specifications, start-up
engine noises or knock may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft  oil filter or
another with equivalent performance for your engine application.
BATTERY
WARNING: This vehicle
may be equipped with more
than one battery, removal of cable
from only one battery does not
disconnect the vehicle electrical
system. Be sure to disconnect
cables from all batteries when
disconnecting power. Failure to do
so may cause serious personal
injury or property damage.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Motorcraft  maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require additional water during its life of
service.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals. Maintenance and Specifications
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If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
It is recommended that the negative battery cable terminal be
disconnected from the battery if you plan to store your vehicle for an
extended period of time. This will minimize the discharge of your battery
during storage.
Note: Electrical or electronic accessories or components added to
the vehicle by the dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
WARNING: Batteries normally produce explosive gases which
can cause personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks
or lighted substances to come near the battery. When working near the
battery, always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide
proper ventilation.
WARNING: When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive
pressure on the end walls could cause acid to flow through the
vent caps, resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or
battery. Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners.
WARNING: Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries
contain sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Shield your eyes when working near the battery to protect against
possible splashing of acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or
eyes, flush immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and
get prompt medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician
immediately.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.Maintenance and Specifications
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Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
• The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
• If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
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 the engine coolant
Note: If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to the
Maintenance and Specifications section of your Diesel Supplement.
Check the concentration and level of the engine coolant at the intervals
listed in the Scheduled Maintenance Information.
The coolant concentration should be maintained at 50%.
L E A D
RETURN
RECYCLEMaintenance and Specifications
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Note: For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note: The engine coolant should be at the FULL COLD level, or between
the MIN and MAX marks, or within the COLD FILL RANGE, as listed on
the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon the application).
Note: Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
FULL COLD level, or the MAX mark, or the COLD FILL RANGE.
If the level is below the FULL COLD level, at or below the MIN mark, or
below the COLD FILL RANGE, add coolant immediately per the Adding
engine coolant instructions in 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
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.
WARNING: Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING: Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling system sealants, or unapproved
additives as they can cause damage to the engine cooling or heating
systems. This damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.Maintenance and Specifications
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Note: During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be
drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
• DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Mixing of engine coolants may harm your engine’s cooling system.
Only use engine coolant that meets the Ford specification. Generic
coolants for all makes and models may not meet the Ford
specification. The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and
cooling system components and may void the warranty. See
Capacities and Specifications for more information.
• In case of emergency, a large amount of water without engine coolant
may be added in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, the cooling system must be drained, chemically cleaned, and
refilled with prediluted engine coolant as soon as possible per the
instructions in the Workshop Manual. Water alone (without engine
coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion, overheating or
freezing.
• Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with
alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other liquids can
cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
• Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems and a non-pressurized
cap on the coolant recovery system, add prediluted engine coolant to
the FULL COLD level on the coolant recovery reservoir when the engine
is cool.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems and a pressure relief
cap on the radiator, follow these steps to add engine coolant:
1. Turn off the engine and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the radiator.
3. Slowly turn the coolant pressure relief cap counterclockwise until
pressure begins to release.
4. Step back while the pressure releases.
5. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap. Maintenance and Specifications
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6. Remove the cap from the engine coolant reservoir.
7. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with prediluted engine coolant to the
FULL COLD level, or between the MIN and MAX marks, or the COLD
FILL RANGE, as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
8. Add prediluted engine coolant to the radiator until the coolant is
visible and the radiator is almost full.
9. Install the cap to the engine coolant reservoir. Tighten the cap in
order to prevent coolant loss.
10. Install the pressure relief cap to the radiator. Tighten the cap in
order to prevent coolant loss.
For vehicles which have a coolant degas system with a
pressurized cap on the coolant reservoir, follow these steps to add
engine coolant:
1. Turn off the engine and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir.
3. Slowly turn the coolant pressure relief cap counterclockwise until
pressure begins to release.
4. Step back while the pressure releases.
5. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
6. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with prediluted engine coolant to
within the FULL COLD level, or between the MIN and MAX marks, or
the COLD FILL RANGE, as listed on the engine coolant reservoir
(depending upon application).
Whenever you add coolant, check the coolant concentration. See
Checking the engine coolant in this chapter. If the concentration is not
50%, drain some coolant and adjust the concentration. It may take
several drains and additions to obtain a 50% coolant concentration.
The next few times you drive the vehicle, check the coolant level in the
coolant reservoir. If necessary, add enough prediluted engine coolant to
bring the coolant 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.Maintenance and Specifications
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Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
to Maintenance product specifications and capacities in this chapter.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to the
Maintenance product specifications and capacities section of your
diesel supplement.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined previously in the Adding
engine coolant section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant concentrations above 60% will decrease the
overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may
cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
• It may be necessary to have a Ford authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
• A coolant concentration of 40% will provide improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant concentrations below 40% will decrease the
corrosion/freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and
may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection. Maintenance and Specifications
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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.
WARNING: If fail-safe cooling activates, pull off the road as
soon as safely possible and turn the engine off. The engine may
automatically shut off while driving without further indication.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
• The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
• The message center will indicate the engine is overheating.
• The service engine soon indicator 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 and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be restarted. 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.Maintenance and Specifications
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