Hot Weather
•Use a permanent-type engine coolant to protect the engine against
damage from overheating.
•Fill the fuel tank at the end of daily operation to prevent
condensation in the fuel system.
•Keep external surfaces of the engine, radiator, charge air cooler, A/C
condenser and accessories clean to avoid dirt build-up.
•Above normal coolant temperatures could be experienced while
driving in a transmission gear ratio which lugs the engine. To correct
this problem, engine speed should be increased by downshifting into
the next lower gear.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To help prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme
left for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the ADD mark on the MAX. COLD side of the power steering
reservoir dipstick.
•Some noise is normal during operation. If the noise is excessive,
check for low power steering pump fluid level before seeking service
by your authorized dealer.
•Heavy or uneven steering efforts may be caused by low power
steering pump fluid level. Check for low power steering pump fluid
level before seeking service by your authorized dealer.
•Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the FULL mark
on the MAX. HOT side of the power steering reservoir dipstick, as
this may result in leaks from the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•uneven vehicle loading
•high crown in center of road
•high crosswinds
•wheels out of alignment
•loose or worn suspension components.
170Driving Aids
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
BREAKING-IN
You need to break in new tires for approximately 300 miles
(480 kilometers). During this time, your vehicle may exhibit some unique
driving characteristics. Avoid driving too fast during the first 1000 miles
(1600 kilometers). Vary your speed frequently and change up through
the gears early. Do not labor the engine.
ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Fuel economy is affected by several things such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under and how you maintain your vehicle.
There are some things to keep in mind that may improve your fuel
economy:
•Accelerate and slow down in a smooth, moderate fashion.
•Drive at steady speeds without stopping.
•Anticipate stops; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Close the windows for high-speed driving.
•Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Keep the tires properly inflated and use only the recommended size.
•Use the recommended engine oil.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.
There are also some things you may not want to do because they may
reduce your fuel economy:
•Sudden or hard accelerations.
•Warm up your vehicle on cold mornings.
•Use the air conditioner or front defroster.
•Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
•Rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving.
•Carry unnecessary weight (approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for
every 400 pounds [180 kilograms] of weight carried).
•Add particular accessories to your vehicle (e.g., bug deflectors,
rollbars and light bars, running boards, ski racks).
•Drive with the wheels out of alignment.
182Driving Hints
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Climate Control System
Have the air conditioning system checked each spring. The refrigerant
charge, cleanliness of the condenser-evaporator cores and belt condition
are essential to system performance.
When the air conditioning system is being used daily, remove the fresh
air filter (if equipped) once each season and check for dirt, lint, etc.
Replace the filter if necessary. Vehicles operating in unusually dusty
conditions may require more frequent filter inspection and replacement.
Front Axle
Maintaining the front axle alignment to specifications is very important
and should only be performed by a qualified technician. Regular
inspections should include:
•toe-in inspection and adjustment (if necessary), particularly with
radial tires.
•checking for proper tightness of axle mounting U-bolt nuts, attaching
or mounting bolts and nuts.
•checking the axle for damage, binding, worn parts and adequate
lubrication..
•checking the kingpins for excessive wear. This should also be done
during other scheduled maintenance (tire rotation or service, wheel
bearing service, alignment, etc.). See the workshop manual for proper
procedures.
Toe-in
It is essential that correct toe-in and tire pressure be maintained for
optimum tire wear.
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first 3000–10000 service miles
(5000–16000 service kilometers) generally shows if tires are wearing
normally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-out.
In P&D-type service, left-to-right steer tire tread life differentials up to
40% can be observed depending on routes and other variables.
Follow the tire manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure for
the tire size, load range (ply rating) and steer axle loading typical for
their operation (each steer axle tire equals
1 2steer axle loading).
206Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
If rib tire is used on front axle and lug or off-road type on rear axle
positions:
•Front (Steering) Axle:Replace tires at front wheels when tread is
worn to 4/32 inch (3 millimeters) or less.
•Rear Axles:Tires must be removed when the tread is worn to
2/32 inch (2 millimeters) or less. Tires identified with the word
re-groovable molded on the sidewall can be re-grooved. A minimum
of 3/32 inch (2.5 millimeters) of under-tread must be left at the
bottom of the grooves.
Wheel and Tire Balancing
Out-of-round or out-of-balance wheels or tires can cause vehicle
vibration, bounce and shimmy. Replace damaged or out-of-round wheels.
Out-of-round tires and wheel assemblies can be corrected by re-clocking
the tire relative to the wheel.
The tire and wheel assembly should then be dynamically balanced.
Tire Wear
Radial tires can exhibit three types of normal wear patterns:
•Even
•Erosion
•Chamfer
Even wear:A sign that the tire is being properly used and maintained.
Erosion wear:Also called rolling wear, channel or river wear. Erosion
wear is found more often on free-rolling tires. This is an indication that
the tire is being used in a slow wearing operation. What happens is that
the belt plies are held very rigid and the tread is not allowed to distort
as it passes through the contact area. Wear only occurs at the edge of
the tread. No corrective action required. If erosion gets to be 1/16 inch
(2 millimeters) or more, the tire may be rotated to a drive axle.
Chamfer or shoulder wear:With tires inflated properly, this is a
normal tendency of most radial tire designs. If both inside and outside
shoulders are wearing evenly around the tire, no further action is
required. Over-inflation is not effective in correcting this effect.
Irregular Wear:If irregular wear is present, check the axle alignment,
tire pressure, wheel balancing, shock and suspension component
condition, and wheel bearing end play.
This condition not only shortens tire life, but adversely affects the
handling of your vehicle, which is dangerous.
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2013 F-650/750(f67)
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USA(fus)
Rotating tires from one wheel position to another is a way often used to
even out many types of irregular wear or to avoid it altogether. Some of
the more effective tire rotation programs are:
•Steer tires that have developed some type of irregular wear pattern
can be rotated to drive axles if rib tires are being used on all wheel
positions. Applying steer tires to a drive position often cleans them
and they can be moved back to the steer axles or run out to re-tread
stage on the rear axle.
•Another rotation possibility for fleets with rib tires in all wheel
positions is to break in the new steer tires in the drive axle positions,
then move them to steer axles. This wears away tread rubber
relatively quickly in the early life of a tire when it is most likely to
develop an unusual wear pattern.
•Drive axle tires may be placed on the other end of the same axle so
that direction of rotation is reversed. This is often helpful if a heel
and toe or alternate lug wear pattern has developed.
Irregular wear can be minimized by:
•Using the right inflation pressure for the load being carried.
•Maintaining proper front wheel alignment, especially toe-in, to
specifications.
•Maintaining proper tire and wheel balance.
•Maintaining shock absorbers and suspension components.
Use of Tire Chains
See the chain manufacturer’s recommendation for correct tire chain
usage, installation and removal.
WHEELS
General Information
Note:Remember to replace the wheel air valves when the road tires are
replaced at the end of their useful lives.
Wheel bearings should be inspected, lubricated and adjusted at regular
intervals. This is especially important if operating in deep sand, mud or
water. See theCapacities and Specificationschapter.
Mount wheel balance weights on the dome-side of the wheel only. Failure
to do so may result in loss of wheel weight or damage to brakes or
wheels.
258Wheels and Tires
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Oil-lubricated Front Wheel Bearings
During normal vehicle duty cycle, the lubricant and air inside the
hub/wheel cavity expands and, if not vented, causes pressure build-up
that could cause accelerated seal wear. There are two venting methods
that can be used to prevent pressure build-up:
•a slit or small hole in the rubber check vent
•the window.
Over a period of time, if not routinely cleaned, a slight film of oil can
collect dirt around the rubber fill plug and face, which could appear to
be a leak. Routine cleaning makes sure that the lubricant level can be
easily observed through the window as intended. In situations where the
window is clean on the outside but discolored on the inside, the
lubricant level may be checked by inserting a finger through the rubber
check vent hole.
The specified lubricant level for a window-type hubcap is from the
minimum line to 5/16 inch (8 millimeters) above the minimum line. If the
lubricant level should suddenly drop dramatically below the minimum
level, see theWorkshop Manualfor diagnostic procedure.
Installation, Tightening and Alignment
Make sure the threads on the studs and nuts are clean to permit correct
torque when installing wheels. The mounting surfaces of rims, wheels,
spacer rings and clamps must be free of dirt, rust, lubricants or damage.
Use a wire brush to clean the mounting contact surfaces. Do not use
lubricant on threads.
Check the rim or wheel for proper alignment after it has been properly
tightened. Rotate the wheel with a piece of chalk attached to a steady,
firm surface, and placed to just barely clear the outside surface of the
tire bead seat; this procedure points out the high spot. A high spot does
not necessarily mean that the lug nuts have been unevenly tightened,
but could be the result of a bent wheel.
Use the following installation procedure:
1. Slide inner rear or front tire and wheel in position over studs and push
it back as far as possible. Use care so that the threads on the studs are
not damaged.
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USA(fus)
Observation Maintenance Operation
Insufficient power shown in loaded
practice stop.Inspect 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 compartment.Inspect 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
bearings.Inspect the fan, fan shroud and fan
clutch.
Excessive exhaust noise; smell of
exhaust fumes is experienced.Inspect the entire exhaust system
for holes, leaks, breakage,
looseness and corrosive damage.
Excessive engine compartment
noise.Inspect the engine air induction
system (including air ducts and air
filter) for loose, damaged or
missing components.
Poor steering; wandering;
excessive tire wear.Check front end alignment, inspect
the tires and tire pressure.
3
Vibration or abnormal tire wear
indicating imbalance.Balance the wheels and the tires.
Hard shifting or excessive
vibration.Check the transmission and engine
mountings.
2
High effort to shift; noisy
transmission.Check and adjust transmission
controls.2
Insufficient full-throttle power;
backfiring.Check fuel pump pressure.
Radiator cap does not hold
pressure.Clean the cap seal and cap surface
on the radiator.
Electrical power supply has
diminished.Check the battery terminals for
corrosion.
Scheduled Maintenance287
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)