Maintenance 201
General information...................................201
Opening and closing the hood............................202
Under hood overview..................................203
Engine oil dipstick....................................204
Engine oil check......................................204
Engine coolant check..................................205
Automatic transmission fluid check........................210
Brake fluid check.....................................217
Power steering fluid check..............................217
Fuel filter...........................................217
Washer fluid check....................................218
Changing the vehicle battery.............................218
Checking the wiper blades..............................221
Changing the wiper blades..............................221
Air filter(s).........................................221
Adjusting the headlamps................................223
Changing a bulb......................................226
Removing a headlamp..................................226
Vehicle Care 233
Cleaning products.....................................233
Cleaning the exterior..................................233
Waxing.............................................235
Repairing minor paint damage............................235
Cleaning the engine...................................235
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................236
Cleaning the interior...................................236
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......237
Cleaning leather seats..................................238
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................238
Vehiclestorage.......................................239
Table of Contents5
2013 Econoline(eco)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
Check Fuel Cap
Displays when the fuel cap may not be properly installed.
Continued driving with this light on may cause the Service
Engine Soon warning light to come on.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch this feature on.
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is switched on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the engine running or when you are
driving, this indicates a malfunction. Stop your vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level.
Note:Do not resume your journey if it illuminates despite the level
being correct. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Illuminates when the engine coolant temperature is high. Stop
the vehicle as soon as possible, switch off the engine and let
cool.
Fasten Safety belt
It will illuminate and a chime will sound to remind you to fasten
your safety belt.
High Beam
It will illuminate when the headlamp high beam is switched on.
It will flash when you use the headlamp flasher.
Low Fuel Level
It will illuminate when the fuel level is low or near empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
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Low Tire Pressure Warning
It will illuminate when your tire pressure is low. If the lamp
remains on with the engine running or when driving, check
your tire pressure as soon as possible.
The lamp also illuminates momentarily when you switch the ignition on
to confirm the lamp is functional. If it does not illuminate when you
switch the ignition on, or begins to flash at any time, have the system
checked by your authorized dealer.
Overdrive Off (if equipped)
It will illuminate when the overdrive function of the transmission
has been turned off. If the light does not illuminate, have the
transmission serviced soon, or damage may occur.
Powertrain Malfunction/Electronic Throttle Control
It will illuminate when a powertrain fault has been detected.
Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Service Engine Soon
Theservice engine soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the on position to check the bulb and
to indicate whether the vehicle is ready for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing. Normally, the “service engine soon”
light will stay on until the engine is cranked, then turn itself off if no
malfunctions are present. However, if after 15 seconds the “service
engine soon” light blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not
ready for I/M testing. See theReadiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testingin theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the on-board
diagnostics system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)in theFuel and Refuelingchapter. If
the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately by your
authorized dealer.
WARNING:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel
system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
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Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
Some state, provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration.
If the service engine soon indicator is on or the bulb does not
work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. SeeOn-board
Diagnostics (OBD-II)in this chapter.
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if the service engine soon
indicator is on or not working properly (bulb is burned out), or if the
OBD-II system has determined that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered
not ready for I/M testing.
If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing; if the service engine soon indicator stays on solid, it means that
the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.
The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:
15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway or highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
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AdvanceTracwith RSCFeatures
Button
functionsStability
control
lightTCS OFF
lightRSC/ESC TCS
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled
Button pressed
momentarilyNot
illuminatedIlluminated
solidEnabledDisabled
below
20 mph
(32 km/h)
Button pressed
again after
deactivation or
driving above
20 mph
(32 km/h)Not
illuminatedNot
illuminatedEnabled Enabled
If you switch off the traction control system below 20 mph (32 km/h),
the TCS OFF light will illuminate steadily. Pressing the TCS OFF button
again or if the vehicle is above 20 mph (32 km/h) will turn off the TCS
OFF light. The switch will not allow partial traction control system
disabling above 20 mph (32 km/h).
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ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident, the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical and Horizontal Aim Adjustment (Sealed Beam Headlamps)
The headlamps on your vehicle are intended to be aimed using
mechanical aimers. If mechanical aimers are used and the cross-car sight
line is in any way blocked, set the legs of the universal adaptor all to the
same setting, such that the cross-car sight line is no longer blocked, per
the instructions for the brand of mechanical aimer used. You can also
aim the headlamps visually using the procedure below.
To adjust the headlamps:
1. Park your vehicle on a level surface about 25 feet (7.6 meters) away
from a vertical plain surface. Check your headlamp alignment at night or
in a dark area so that you can see the headlamp beam pattern.
•(A) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(B) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(C) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(D) Horizontal reference line
•(E) Vertical reference line for the
center of the headlamp
•(F) Vertical reference line for the
center of the vehicle
2. The center of the headlamp is marked either on the lens (a circle or
cross marker) or on the bulb shield, internal to the lamp (mark or
feature). Measure the height from the center of your headlamp to the
ground (B) and mark an 8 foot (2.4 meter) long horizontal line on the
wall or screen (D) at this height (masking tape works well).
B
D
E
FA
C
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CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to accommodate normal changes in pressure.
Condensation can be a natural by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist can form on the interior of the
lens. The thin mist eventually clears and exits through the vents during
normal operation. Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours under dry
weather conditions.
These are examples of acceptable condensation:
•Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip marks or droplets).
•Fine mist covers less than 50% of the lens.
These are examples of unacceptable moisture (usually caused by a lamp
water leak):
•Water puddle inside the lamp.
•Large water droplets, drip marks or streaks present on the interior of
the lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present.
Replacing Headlamp Bulbs (Aerodynamic)
WARNING:Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep
out of children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the
bulb to break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Note:If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be cleaned with
alcohol before being used.
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the
hood.
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2. Remove the three screws from
the headlamp assembly and pull the
assembly straight out.
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector by squeezing the release
tab and pushing the connector
forward, then pulling it rearward.
4. Remove the bulb assembly by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
To install the new bulb, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
Replacing Headlamps (Sealed Beam)
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the
hood.
2. Remove the four screws from the
headlamp assembly and carefully
remove the lamp/bezel.
3. Remove the four screws and the
retaining ring.
4. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the lamp and
remove the lamp.
To install the new lamp, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.
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