Maintenance 296
General information...................................296
Opening and closing the hood............................297
Under hood overview..................................298
Engine oil dipstick....................................300
Engine oil check......................................300
Engine coolant check..................................301
Automatic transmission fluid check........................306
Brake fluid check.....................................311
Power steering fluid check..............................311
Fuel filter...........................................311
Washer fluid check....................................312
Changing the vehicle battery.............................312
Checking the wiper blades..............................315
Air filter(s).........................................317
Adjusting the headlamps................................319
Changing a bulb......................................320
Bulb specification chart.................................325
Vehicle Care 327
Cleaning products.....................................327
Cleaning the exterior..................................327
Waxing.............................................329
Repairing minor paint damage............................329
Cleaning the engine...................................329
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................330
Cleaning the interior...................................330
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......331
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................334
Vehicle storage.......................................335
6Table of Contents
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA(fus)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
A.–MIN
B. – MAX
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note:For diesel engine information, refer to the diesel supplement.
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for 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 ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level dipstick. See the
Under Hood Overviewin this chapter for location of 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 ensure 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.
AB
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2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)
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.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add engine oil
that meets Ford specifications. SeeCapacities and Specificationsfor
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 ensure 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
Checking the Engine Coolant
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine, refer to
Maintenance and Specificationssection of yourDiesel Supplement
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.
Note:Make sure that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir.
The coolant concentration should be maintained within 48% to 50%, which
equates to a freeze point between -30°F (-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240 available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
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.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant/antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
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Note:Automatic transmissions that require MERCON® LV should only use MERCON® LV fluid.
Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.4Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary based on cooler size and
if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set
by the indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.5Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil must meet or exceed
the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C945-A, SAE 5W-20, and display the API Starburst
Certification Mark.6If the Ford specification is not shown on the oil container, the oil container must display the API
Starburst Certification Mark and the correct viscosity.7Refer toChecking automatic transmission fluidin this chapter for the correct dipstick type.
Fill to the proper capacity according to dipstick Type A.8Refer toChecking automatic transmission fluidin this chapter for the correct dipstick type.
Fill to the proper capacity according to dipstick Type B.
Capacities and Specifications387
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USA(fus)
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................85
Defrost ...............................145, 147
rear window ............................151
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................306
engine oil .........................298, 300
Display settings .........................509
Drivebelt ....................................382
Driving under special
conditions ..................205, 215, 217
sand .........................................216
snow and ice ...........................218
through water .................216, 265
Dual automatic temperature
control (DATC) .........................147
E
Electronic message center .......102
Electronic stability control ......225
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................274
running out of fuel .................190
Emergency Flashers .................273
Emission control system ..........194
End user license agreement ....537
Engine ................................298, 382
cleaning ...................................329
coolant .....................................301
fail-safe cooling .......................304
refill capacities ........................384
service points ..................298–299
Engine block heater .................185Engine oil
checking and adding ..............300
dipstick ....................................300
filter, specifications ................388
refill capacities ........................384
Event data recording ..................12
Exhaust fumes ..........................185
F
Fail safe cooling ........................304
Filter
fuel ...........................................311
Fleet MyKey programming ........66
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....187
Floor mats .................................266
Fluid capacities .........................384
Fog lamps ....................................86
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......207
driving off road .......................214
electronic shift ................207, 211
indicator light .........................208
lever operated shift ................209
manual locking hubs ..............207
Fuel
cap ...........................................192
capacity ...................................384
choosing the right fuel ...........189
filler funnel .............................190
filling your vehicle with fuel ..192
fuel pump shut-off ..................273
octane rating ...................190, 382
quality ......................................189
running out of fuel .................190
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................187
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................187, 189
Index557
2013 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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USA(fus)