2013 FORD F650 Owners Manual

The hood and fenders are held in position by a latch located on each
fender.
Before opening the hood, set the parking brake, shift into positionN
(automatic transmission) or first (manual transmission) and turn the
engine off.
To open the hood:
1. Lift up on the bottom of each latch.
2. Pull the bottom of each latch away from the fender.
216Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

3. Tilt the hood forward until stopped by the retaining cables.
To lower the hood:
1. Push the hood rearward at the top center of the hood above the
grille until closed.
2. Engage the latch on each fender.
3. Push down on the bottom of each latch until locked.
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
Diesel Engine
See your engine operator’s manual for information on the engine oil
dipstick.
Gasoline Engine
A. MIN
B. MAX
AB
Maintenance217
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

ENGINE OIL CHECK
Diesel Engine
See your engine operator’s manual for information on checking and
adding engine oil as well as engine oil specifications, capacities and
required maintenance.
Gasoline Engine
Checking the Engine Oil
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and make sure the gearshift is securely latched
in positionP.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it
again.
•If the oil level is between the lower and upper holes, the oil level
is acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level is below the lower hole, add enough oil to raise the
level within the lower and upper holes.
•Oil levels above the upper hole may cause engine damage. Some
oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
Adding Engine Oil
Note:Do not remove the engine oil level dipstick or the filler cap when
the engine is running.
Note:Do not add engine oil further than the MAX mark. Oil levels above
the MAX mark may cause engine damage.
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 Lubricants
Specification Advisory Council (ILSAC), comprised of
U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers.
1. Check the engine oil level.
218Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add engine oil
that meets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specifications
for more information. 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 make sure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap
clockwise until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
Diesel Engine
See your engine operator’s manual for information on checking and
adding engine coolant.
Fan Clutches
WARNING:Stay clear of the fan and fan area while the engine is
running or possible personal injury may occur.
Your vehicle’s cooling system is equipped with a viscous fan clutch
which:
•Helps control cooling, increases performance, improves fuel economy
and reduces noise.
•Is controlled by bimetallic spring sensors. Do not tamper with these
sensors as this may change their calibration or keep the fan clutch
from operating at all.
Gasoline Engine
Checking the Engine Coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
Note:Make sure that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
If the level is at the MIN mark, add coolant immediately. SeeAdding
engine coolantin this section.
Maintenance219
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

Note: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 concentrations.
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 or cooling system sealants or additives
as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and heating systems. This
damage would not be covered under your vehicle’s warranty.
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.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty.
220Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

•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 with
Motorcraft® Premium Cooling System Flush, and refilled with prediluted
engine coolant as soon as possible. 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.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure escapes as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification.
SeeCapacities and Specificationsfor more information.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle.
If necessary, add enough prediluted engine coolant to bring the coolant
level to the proper level.
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.
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% provides improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant concentrations above 60% 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% provides improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant concentrations below 40% decrease the
corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.
Maintenance221
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
What You Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling (If Equipped)
(Gasoline Engine Only)
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.
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.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge moves to the red (hot) area.
•The information display indicates the engine is overheating.
•The service engine soon indicator illuminates.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Note: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.
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle is not able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine runs 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.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
222Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)

TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK
Allison Automatic Transmissions
See yourAllison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manualfor
scheduled transmission fluid checks and change intervals. Your
transmission does not consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be
checked if the transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 20 miles [30 kilometers]). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge, located on the instrument cluster,
is within the normal range.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 kilometers) or until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the engine running, parking brake engaged and your foot on the
brake pedal, move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges.
Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in positionNorPand leave the engine
running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry, lint-free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
If you must add transmission fluid, see yourAllison Automatic
Transmission Operator’s Manualfor the correct fluid type.Use of a
non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause internal
transmission component damage.
Fluid levels above the safe range may result in transmission failure. An
overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift or engagement
concerns or possible damage.
TorqShift® Automatic Transmission
See theScheduled Maintenancechapter for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Maintenance223
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)