
GENERAL SERVICING GUIDELINES AND PRECAUTIONS
Always use care when performing vehicle maintenance, repairs or system
checks. Improper or incomplete service could result in the vehicle not
working properly which may result in personal injury or damage to the
vehicle or equipment. It is the operator’s responsibility to see that the
vehicle receives proper care and maintenance. If you have any questions
about performing service, have the service done by a qualified
technician.
Servicing guidelines
When servicing your vehicle, always:
•wear safety glasses for eye protection.
•do not wear loose-fitting clothing, hanging jewelry, watches or rings.
•do not smoke.
•set the parking brake or chock the wheels.
•use support stands, not a jack, when working under a raised vehicle.
•turn off the ignition unless a procedure requires the engine to be
running.
•operate the engine in a well-ventilated area.
•do not work on the brakes or the clutch unless the proper precautions
are taken to avoid inhaling friction material dust.
•avoid contact with hot metal parts. Allow the components to cool
before working with, or around, them.
Quality service parts are available through your dealer. If dealer parts are
not used, make sure the replacement parts are of equivalent quality.
WARNING:The use of inferior parts can adversely affect the
quality and reliability of your vehicle which, in turn, can result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
Note:To avoid damage to the vehicle’s electrical components prior to
electric welding:
•disconnect both battery cables.
•attach the welder ground cable as close as possible to the part being
welded.
•if it is necessary to weld close to an electrical component, it is
recommended that the component be temporarily removed.
Maintenance and Specifications
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BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with two or three maintenance-free batteries
mounted in a covered tray located on the left frame rail. The covered
battery tray, depending upon application, may also have one or two steps
attached.
WARNING:This vehicle is 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.
•Covered battery tray shown.
Battery tray with steps similar.
The two rubber straps on top of
the cover must be pulled up and
moved to the side of the battery
in order to remove the lid.
•Battery tray with cover removed.
Maintenance-free batteries do not normally require adding additional
water.
Make sure the battery cover/shield is reinstalled after the battery
has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the batteries clean
and dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened
to the battery terminals.
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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 minimizes the discharge of your battery
during storage.
If the engine cranks but does not start, remove the battery box cover
and check the 40A inline fuse located on the battery cable above the
battery.
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.
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INSPECTIONS
Periodically inspect electrical connectors on the outside of the cab, and
on the engine and frame for corrosion and tightness. Exposed terminals
such as the fuel sender, cranking motor, alternator and feed-through
studs should be cleaned and re-coated with a lubricant sealing grease
such as MotorcraftSilicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectic
Compound XG-3, or equivalent. This should include the ground cable
connector for batteries, engine and cab as well as the jump starting stud.
Accessory feed connections
Vehicle electrical systems are complex and often include powertrain
components such as engine and transmission controls, instrument panels,
ABS, etc. While most systems operate on battery voltage (12 volts),
some systems can be as high as 90 volts or as low as 5 volts. Refer to the
Electrical Circuit Diagram Manuals, available from your vehicle’s
manufacturer, to ensure that any additional body lights and accessories
are connected to circuits that are both appropriate and not overloaded.
No modification should be made to any vehicle control system without
first contacting your dealer.
SUSPENSION INSPECTION
Note:Do not adjust air suspension height to any setting other than the
specified setting. Altering the height setting changes the driveline angle
and may result in unwarrantable component damage, such as
transmission component damage.
Verify drive axle air suspension height and height control valve
performance at engine oil change intervals.
Periodically check:
•
Condition of spring leaves for evidence of fatigue, bending or breakage.
•Condition of suspension mounting brackets and bushings.
•Torque rod mounting fasteners for tightness.
•For proper suspension alignment; this must be maintained at all times.
•U-bolts after the chassis has been operating under load for 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) or six months (whichever comes first), the U-bolt nuts
must be re-torqued. The U-bolt nuts must be re-torqued every
36,000 miles (58,000 km) thereafter. The U-bolt and nut threads and
seats should be cleaned and lubricated to ensure a “like new”
condition when re-torquing.
Note:See theU-bolt nut torquechart later in this section.
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Observation Maintenance operation
Excessive engine compartment
noiseInspect the engine air induction
system (including air ducts and air
filter) for loose, damaged or
missing components
Poor steering; wandering;
excessive tire wearCheck front end alignment, inspect
the tires and tire pressure
(3)
Vibration or abnormal tire wear
indicating imbalanceBalance the wheels and the tires
Hard shifting or excessive
vibrationCheck the transmission and engine
mountings
(2)
High effort to shift; noisy
transmissionCheck and adjust transmission
controls(2)
Insufficient full-throttle power or
backfiringCheck fuel pump pressure
Radiator cap does not hold
pressureClean the cap seal and cap surface
on the radiator
Electrical power supply has
diminishedCheck the battery terminals for
corrosion
Cleaning the wiper blades with a
clean cloth and mild detergent and
washing with a cleaner does not
restore a clean wipeReplace wiper blades
Noisy or difficult to operate Lubricate body lock cylinders
Headlamp beams in wrong position
when vehicle operating loadedCheck headlamp alignment
Windshield washers do not spray
when operatedCheck windshield washer fluid
level; add fluid if required
1During maintenance and repair, protect the fuel tube and the hose
assemblies, power steering lines, and brake lines from external heat,
acids and abrasions that could damage them.
2Check for (free) linkage action and ensure that (return) spring force
is adequate to maintain pedal free play.
3Adjust, repair or replace as required with the same or equivalent
parts.
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
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A
Air conditioning ..........................47
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................47
Air suspension ...........................129
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................198
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................127
Audio system (see Radio) ...34, 36
Automatic transmission ............132
fluid, adding ............................226
fluid, checking ........................226
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
fluid, specification ..................245
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................43
Auxiliary powerpoint ..................57
Axle ............................142, 183, 231
lubricant specifications ..........245
refill capacities ........................259
B
Battery .......................................195
charging system warning
light ............................................20
jumping a disabled battery ....162
voltage gauge ............................28
Belt-Minder...............................85
Booster seats ...............................99
Brakes ........................110, 115, 184
adjustment ..............................186
anti-lock ...................................127
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .....................20, 127
brake warning light ..................20
fluid, checking and adding ....224fluid, specifications .................245
parking ....................111, 118, 187
shift interlock ..........................131
Bulbs ............................................52
C
Cassette tape player ...................34
Catalytic converter
(see Emission control) .............187
Cell phone use ..............................6
Child safety seats ........................92
attaching with tether straps ....96
in front seat ..............................93
in rear seat ..........................93, 95
tether anchorage hardware .....96
Child safety seats -
booster seats ...............................99
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............176
exterior ....................................179
instrument panel ....................178
interior .....................................179
plastic parts ............................177
safety belts ..............................179
washing ....................................175
waxing .....................................175
wheels ......................................176
wiper blades ............................177
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............47
Clock adjust
AM/FM/CD .................................43
Clutch ................................136, 225
adjusting ..................................225
fluid ..........................................225
operation while driving ..........137
specifications ..........................245
Index
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gauge .........................................28
improving fuel economy ........216
octane rating ...........207, 262–263
quality ......................................208
running out of fuel .........107, 209
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................204
Fuses ..................................153, 162
G
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................216
Gauges .........................................28
battery voltage gauge ...............28
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................28
engine oil pressure gauge ........28
fuel gauge ..................................28
odometer ...................................28
speedometer .............................28
tachometer ................................28
trip odometer ............................28
H
Hazard flashers .........................153
Headlamps ...................................50
aiming ........................................51
daytime running lights .............50
high beam .................................50
warning chime ..........................20
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .......................................47
Hood ..........................................189
I
Ignition .......................103, 262–263
chime .........................................20Infant seats (see Safety seats) ..92
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................178
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................51
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......162
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............20
positions of the ignition .........103
L
Lamps
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................52
cargo lamps ...............................51
daytime running light ...............50
headlamps .................................50
high beams ................................50
instrument panel, dimming .....51
interior lamps ...........................52
replacing bulbs ...................52–54
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................51
Lights, warning and indicator ....20
air suspension ...........................20
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....20, 127
brake ..........................................20
charging system ........................20
safety belt .................................20
service engine soon ..................20
traction control off ...................20
turn signal indicator .................20
Locks
childproof ..................................68
Index
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Steering .....................................188
Steering wheel
controls ................................56, 65
tilting .........................................56
Suspension ........................129, 229
SYNC..........................................46
T
Tachometer .................................28
Tires ...........................................238
Towing
wrecker ....................................166
Traction control
off light ......................................20
Transmission .....................132, 138
automatic operation ...............132
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....131
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................226
fluid, checking and adding
(manual) .................................227
fluid, refill capacities ..............261
lubricant specifications ..........245
manual operation ....................138
Turn signal ..................................51
U
Upfitter controls .........................65UREA
.........................................210
USB port
......................................45
V
Vehicle loading
..................146–147
Voltmeter
(see Battery voltage gauge)
......28
W
Warning chimes
...........................20
Warning lights (see Lights)
.......20
Washer fluid
..............................191
Water, Driving through
.............108
Wheels
.......................................232
Windows
power
.........................................58
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
..........................................55
operation
...................................55
replacing wiper blades
...........192
Wrecker towing
.........................166
Index
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