Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% will provide improved freeze
point protection. Increased engine coolant concentrations
above 60% will decrease the overheat protection
characteristics of the engine coolant and may cause engine
damage.
•If available, 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/freeze protection characteristics of the
engine coolant and may cause engine damage.
•If available, 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.
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.
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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.
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. Re-start 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.
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Cleaner air - gasoline engines
Ford endorses the use of reformulated “cleaner-burning” gasolines to
improve air quality, per the recommendations in theChoosing the right
fuelsection.
Running out of fuel - diesel engines
Avoid running out of fuel as this allows air to enter the fuel system,
which makes restarting the vehicle difficult.
If you have run out of fuel:
•If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks,add at least
4–5 gallons (15–19 liters) of fuel to each tank before attempting to
restart the engine.
•The fuel system must be primed before attempting to restart the
engine. Refer to the engine operator’s manual for instructions on
priming the engine.
•Use caution not to overheat and damage the starterby cranking
the engine for an excessive period of time. You may need to crank the
engine for a longer time than normal. If the engine fails to start in
30 seconds, turn the ignition to the off position and wait for two
minutes before cranking the engine again.
•Any remaining trapped air self-purges from the fuel system once the
engine starts running.
•The engine may run rough and produce white smoke while air is in
the fuel system. This is normal and should stop after a short period of
time.
Running out of fuel - gasoline engines
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from off to on several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.
•If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks,adding
4–5 gallons (15–19 liters) of fuel is enough to restart the engine. If the
vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than 4–5 gallons
(15–19 liters) may be required.
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Chemicals or additives not approved by Ford are not required for factory
recommended maintenance. In fact, Ford Motor Company recommends
against the use of such additive products unless specifically
recommended by Ford for a particular application.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic
and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid
needs to be changed. However, discolored fluids that also show signs of
overheating and/or foreign material contamination should be inspected
immediately by a qualified expert such as the factory-trained technicians
at your dealership. Your vehicle’s oils and fluids should be changed at the
specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable
way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid
that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system, or using
a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
OWNER CHECKS AND SERVICES
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in this owner’s
guide.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or fluids used.
Daily owner checks
EngineAir filter restriction gauge
Engine oil level
Engine coolant level
Brake systemAir brake reservoir automatic drain valve
operation
Drain the air brake reservoir (manual valve)
TransmissionVisually check for fluid leakage
Steering systemPower steering pump fluid level and check the
system for leaks
Entire vehicle for evidence of fluid leaks
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Periodic component/system checks
The following are vehicle checks that should be made periodically either
by the owner or a qualified technician. It is recommended that
deficiencies be brought to the attention of your dealer or another
qualified service outlet as soon as possible in order that advice regarding
the need for service or replacement can be obtained.
Frequency Recommended action
At every engine start up Check ABS lamp operation
After first 500 and 1000 miles (800
and 1600 km), then every 500 and
1000 mile (800 and 1600 km)
interval after tire
removal/replacementTighten the wheel mounting nuts
to the specified torque. Refer to
Wheelsin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter
At least twice annually Clean body/door drain holes
As required Clean windshield wiper blades
Observation Maintenance operation
Insufficient power shown in loaded
practice stopInspect the automatic slack
adjuster function
Subpar vehicle handling qualities Check the operation of the brakes,
clutch and steering
(1),(2)
Excessive noise from under the
cab or engine compartmentInspect the vehicle for missing,
damaged or mislocated noise
shields
Excessive engine noise Check the engine performance and
the engine governor
Engine overheats; excessive fan
noise; fan constantly runs at high
speed or wobbles due to worn
bearingsInspect the fan, fan shroud and fan
clutch
Excessive exhaust noise; smell of
exhaust fumes is experiencedInspect the entire exhaust system
for holes, leaks, breakage,
looseness and corrosive damage
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