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.
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Trailer Lamps
WARNING:Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the
vehicle’s tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system
resulting in a fire. Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for
assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical
equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your
vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Check your hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts
thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
•Place the gearshift lever in positionP(if equipped) or neutral to aid
in engine and transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic.
•Turn off the speed control. The speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving down a long or steep hill. Do not
apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less
effective.
•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate
stops and brake gradually.
FIFTH-WHEEL OPERATION
WARNING:Failure to follow the fifth-wheel manufacturer’s
instructions for hooking and unhooking as well as sliding the
fifth-wheel could result in an accident, personal injury or death.
WARNING:When the tractor and trailer are parked unattended,
the trailer brake hand control should never be used to apply the
brake, since air may leak from the system, allowing vehicle movement,
resulting in possible property damage, personal injury or death.
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Do not attempt to push-start your automatic transmission vehicle.
Automatic transmissions do not have push-start capability. Attempting to
push-start a vehicle with an automatic transmission may cause
transmission damage.
Six-speed TorqShift® transmissions have an adaptive shift strategy.
When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the
automatic transmission must relearn its shift strategy. As a result, the
transmission may have firm soft shifts, firm shifts or both. This operation
is considered normal and does not affect function or durability of the
transmission. Over time, the adaptive learning process fully updates
transmission operation.
Preparing Your Vehicle
Note:Use only a 12–volt supply to start your vehicle.
Note:Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle as this could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system.
1. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled vehicle
making sure the two vehicles do not touch. Set the parking brake on
both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other
moving parts.
2. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion
before you attach the battery cables. Make sure that vent caps are
tight and level.
3. Turn the heater fan on in both vehicles to protect from any electrical
surges. Turn all other accessories off.
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING:Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
Note:Do not attach the negative (-) cable to fuel lines, engine rocker
covers, the intake manifold or electrical components as grounding points.
Note:In the illustration, the vehicle on the bottom is used to designate
the assisting (boosting) battery.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING:Making modifications to various parts, components
and systems of the vehicle, such as brake and steering systems,
can adversely affect the quality, reliability and operation of your vehicle
and could result in property damage, personal injury or death. Such
modifications must be avoided.
WARNING:Failure to properly perform maintenance and
servicing procedures could result in vehicle damage, personal
injury or death.
WARNING:Take care when performing any maintenance,
system check or service on your vehicle. Some of the materials
may also be hazardous if used, serviced or handled improperly and
could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
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.
•always set the parking brake or chock the wheels.
•always use support stands, not a jack, when working under a raised
vehicle.
•always turn off the ignition unless a procedure requires the engine to
be running.
•always avoid contact with hot metal parts. Allow the components to
cool before working with, or around, them.
•always operate the engine in a well-ventilated area.
•do not wear loose-fitting clothing, hanging jewelry, watches or rings.
•do not smoke.
•do not work on the brakes or the clutch unless the proper
precautions are taken to avoid inhaling friction material dust.
Quality service parts are available through your dealer. If dealer parts are
not used, make sure the replacement parts are of equivalent quality.
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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.
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.
•it is recommended that the component be temporarily removed if
welding close to an electrical component.
Follow the checks and services in theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
Have your dealer or service center inspect your vehicle at least once a
year. Remember that regular maintenance and inspections usually
prevent serious problems from developing later.
If the owner or operator of the vehicle is a skilled technician and intends
on performing the vehicle maintenance and service, he is strongly urged
to purchase a service manual.
Electrical System
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 Motorcraft® Silicone 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 five
volts. See theElectrical Circuit Diagram Manuals,available from your
vehicle’s manufacturer, to make sure 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.
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Hydraulic Brakes
Establish a regular schedule for periodic cleaning, lubrication and
adjustment inspection based on vehicle use. Exact maintenance intervals
are difficult to predetermine since vehicles are used in a wide variety of
applications and conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper schedule
for your vehicle, contact your dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•checking the brake lining (every service interval). Establish
inspection intervals that provide for lining replacement before damage
to the disc occurs. Excessive lining wear may expose the backing
plate to the disc causing scoring of the disc faces. This inspection
should be performed by a qualified technician and must be in
accordance with instructions provided by the service manual.
Hydraulic brake systems are power-assisted. Braking capabilities are
greatly reduced without engine assist.
•proper fluid level. The level should be at the bottom edge of the ring
on each reservoir fill port. Do not fill the master cylinder to the top of
the reservoir. If fluid level requires attention to maintain a proper
master cylinder level, this is an indication of either severe operation
(pad wear) or fluid leakage. A more frequent and thorough brake
inspection is required.
•brake lines, hoses and fittings. Repair or replace brake line tubes,
hoses or fittings as required. Inspect these components every
4000 miles (6000 kilometers):
•Lines for kinks, dents, corrosion or rupture.
•Hoses for abrasions, kinks, soft spots or rupture, collapse, cracks,
twists or loose frame supports. When replacing a hose, be sure
there is adequate clearance to the hose to avoid an abrasion to the
new hose.
•All connections for leaks.
Driveline Parking Brake
WARNING:Use wheel chocks and exercise caution when
inspecting under the vehicle. A vehicle roll-away could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
Parking brake adjustment should only be performed by a qualified
technician, and in accordance with the instructions in the service
manual.
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Chassis-mounted Charge Air Cooler
Visually inspect the core assembly for debris and clogging of external fins
with the engine off. Prior to engine operation, remove any debris
blocking the core.
•Turbocharger-to-charge air cooler
•Charge air cooler-to-intake manifold pipe
•Mounting bracket
•Chassis-mounted charge air cooler core
Inspect air intake piping:
•Check for accumulation of salt deposits (where applicable).
If present, disassemble and clean the complete air intake piping
system. If the intake piping is pitted, use Motorcraft® Silicone Gasket
and Sealant TA-30 to seal joints against leakage.
•Check for loose hoses and clamps.
•Check for ruptured or collapsed hoses.
•Check air cleaner housing for cracks.
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
1000 miles (1600 kilometers) or six months (whichever comes first),
the U-bolt nuts must be re-torqued. The U-bolt nuts must be
re-torqued every 36000 miles (60000 kilometers) thereafter. The
U-bolt and nut threads and seats should be cleaned and lubricated to
make sure a like new condition when re-torquing.
Note:SeeSpring U-bolt checklater in this chapter.
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Supporting Your Vehicle for Service
WARNING:Do not use a jack when working under a vehicle. It
may give way, causing the vehicle to fall and result in property
damage, personal injury or death. Always use floor stands to support
the vehicle.
Prepare the vehicle for service repairs by doing the following:
1. Park the vehicle on a level, concrete floor.
2. Set the parking brake and block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving.
3. Select a jack with a rated capacity sufficient to lift and hold up the
vehicle.
4. Raise the vehicle with the jack applied to the axle(s). DO NOT use
the bumper as a lifting point.
5. Support the vehicle with floor stands under the axle(s). If the axle or
the suspension is being serviced, support the vehicle with floor
stands under the frame side-members, preferably between the axles.
Frame and Tow Hooks
Your vehicle’s chassis is manufactured with frame rails of either HSLA
steel or heat-treated steel. Each must be handled in a specific manner to
make sure maximum service life. Consult the service manual or your
dealer before attempting frame repair or modification.
It is important, particularly on vehicles where the tow hooks are used
frequently, to inspect the front and rear tow hooks for damage or a loose
mounting.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD
WARNING:The parking brake must be fully set before opening
the hood or possible personal injury may occur.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of the possibility of personal
injury, never stand beneath the hood when it is being raised or
lowered.
WARNING:If you must leave the engine running while checking
under the hood, do not allow any loose clothing, jewelry, hair or
other items to get near moving engine components or possible personal
injury may occur.
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