2014 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS engine overheat

Yellow area
The transmission fluid is higher thannormal operating temperature. This canbe caused by special operation conditions(i.e. snowplowing, towing or off-road use).Operating the transmission for extendedperiods of time with the gauge in theyellow area may cause internaltransmission damage. Altering the severityof the driving conditions is recommendedto lower the transmission temperature intothe normal range.
Red area
The transmission fluid is overheating. Stopthe vehicle to allow the temperature toreturn to normal range.
If the gauge is operating in the yellow orred area, stop the vehicle and verify theairflow is not restricted such as snow ordebris blocking airflow through the grill. Ifthe gauge continues to show hightemperatures, see your authorized dealer.
Engine Coolant TemperatureGauge
WARNING
Never remove the coolant reservoircap while the engine is running or hot.
At normal operating temperature, theneedle will remain in the center section.
Note:Do not restart the engine until thecause of overheating has been resolved.
If the needle enters the red section, theengine is overheating. Stop the engine,switch the ignition off and determine thecause once the engine has cooled down.
Fuel Gauge
Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge willindicate approximately how much fuel isleft in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge mayvary slightly when your vehicle is movingor on a gradient. The arrow adjacent to thefuel pump symbol indicates on which sideof the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS
The following warning lamps andindicators will alert you to a vehiclecondition that may become serious. Somelamps will illuminate when you start yourvehicle to make sure they work. If anylamps remain on after starting your vehicle,refer to the respective system warninglamp for further information.
Note:Some warning indicators appear inthe information display and function thesame as a warning lamp but do not displaywhen you start your vehicle.
Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you aredriving, this indicates amalfunction. You will continueto have the normal braking system(without ABS) unless the brake systemwarning lamp is also illuminated. Have thesystem checked by your authorized dealer.
Battery
If it illuminates while driving, itindicates a malfunction. Switchoff all unnecessary electricalequipment and have the system checkedby your authorized dealer immediately.
13Motorhome (TY3) , enUSAInstrument Cluster

If the light is blinking, engine misfire isoccurring which could damage yourcatalytic converter. Drive in a moderatefashion (avoid heavy acceleration anddeceleration) and have your vehicleserviced immediately.
Note:Under engine misfire conditions,excessive exhaust temperatures coulddamage the catalytic converter or othervehicle components.
The service engine soon indicator lightilluminates when the ignition is first turnedon prior to engine start to check the bulband to indicate whether the vehicle is readyfor Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing.
Normally, the service engine soon light willstay on until the engine is cranked, thenturn itself off if no malfunctions arepresent. However, if after 15 seconds theservice engine soon light blinks eight times,it means that the vehicle is not ready forI/M testing. See Emission ControlSystem (page 26).
Transmission Tow/Haul (If Equipped)
Illuminates when the tow/haulfeature has been activated. If thelight flashes steadily, have thesystem serviced immediately, damage tothe transmission could occur.
AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND
INDICATORS
Fail-Safe Cooling Warning Chime
Sounds when the coolant gauge pointerhas moved to hot. There are three stagesof chimes:
•Stage 1 is a single chime when theengine temperature begins to overheat.
•Stage 2 is multiple chimes and enginepower becomes limited in order to helpcool the engine.
•Stage 3 is multiple chimes and theengine will shut down.
Headlamps On Warning Chime
Sounds when you remove the key from theignition and open the driver's door and youhave left the headlamps or parking lampson.
Key in Ignition Warning Chime
Sounds when you open the driver's doorand you have left the key in the ignitionwith it in the off or accessory position.
Parking Brake On Warning Chime
Sounds when you have left the parkingbrake on and drive your vehicle. If thewarning chime remains on after you havereleased the parking brake, have thesystem checked by your authorized dealerimmediately.
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Engine
ActionMessage
The engine is overheating. Stop your vehicle as soonas safely possible, turn off the engine. If the warningstays on followed by an indicator chime or continuesto come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon aspossible. Never remove the coolant reservoir cap whilethe engine is running or hot.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
The engine is overheating. Stop your vehicle as soonas safely possible, turn off the engine. If the warningstays on followed by an indicator chime or continuesto come on, contact an authorized dealer as soon aspossible.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY
The engine coolant is overheating. Stop your vehicleas soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and letit cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. If thewarning stays on or continues to come on, contact anauthorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE
A early reminder of a low fuel condition.FUEL LEVEL LOW
Maintenance
ActionMessage
The engine oil pressure is low. Check the level of theengine oil. If the oil level is OK and this warning persists,shut down the engine immediately and contact anauthorized dealer as soon as possible. See Engine OilCheck (page 75).
LOW OIL PRESSURE
The brake fluid level is low and the brake systemshould be inspected immediately. See Brake FluidCheck (page 80).
BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW
The fuel cap is loose, not seated properly or off. Stopyour vehicle when convenient, turn off the engine andcheck that you inserted the fuel cap is properly. Rotatethe cap until you hear a click. The warning messageswitch off after a proper drive cycle is completed. SeeEmission Control System (page 26). If the warningmessage remains on or continues to comes back on,see an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
CHECK FUEL CAP
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Transmission
ActionMessage
The transmission fluid is overheating. This warningmay appear when towing heavy loads or when drivingin a low gear at a high speed for an extended periodof time. Stop your vehicle as soon as safely possible,turn off the engine and let the transmission cool.
CHECK TRANS TEMPERATURE
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If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck In Mudor Snow
Note:Do not rock the vehicle if the engineis not at normal operating temperature ordamage to the transmission may occur.
Note:Do not rock the vehicle for more thana minute or damage to the transmission andtires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow,it may be rocked out by shifting betweenforward and reverse gears, stoppingbetween shifts in a steady pattern. Presslightly on the accelerator in each gear.
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Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulicbrake system directly to yourvehicle's brake system. Your vehiclemay not have enough braking power andyour chances of having a collision greatlyincrease.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic orsurge-type trailer brakes are safe if youinstall them properly and adjust them tothe manufacturer's specifications. Thetrailer brakes must meet local and federalregulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's brakingsystem operation is at the gross vehicleweight rating, not the gross combinedweight rating.
Separate functioning brake systemsare required for safe control of towedvehicles and trailers weighing morethan 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiringto the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; thismay damage the electrical systemresulting in fire. Contact your authorizeddealer as soon as possible for assistancein proper trailer tow wiring installation.Additional electrical equipment may berequired.
Trailer lamps are required on most towedvehicles. Make sure all running lights, brakelights, direction indicators and hazard lightsare working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing upto get the feel of your vehicle-trailercombination before starting on a trip.When turning, make wider turns so thetrailer wheels clear curbs and otherobstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
•Do not drive faster than 70 mph(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi(800 km).
•Do not make full-throttle starts.
•Check your hitch, electrical connectionsand trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughlyafter you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
•When stopped in congested or heavytraffic during hot weather, place thegearshift in park (P) to aid engine andtransmission cooling and to help airconditioning performance.
•Switch off the speed control withheavy loads or in hilly terrain. Thespeed control may turn offautomatically when you are towing onlong, steep grades.
•Shift to a lower gear when driving downa long or steep hill. Do not apply thebrakes continuously, as they mayoverheat and become less effective.
•If your transmission is equipped with aGrade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, usethis feature when towing. This providesengine braking and helps eliminateexcessive transmission shifting foroptimum fuel economy andtransmission cooling.
•Allow more distance for stopping witha trailer attached. Anticipate stops andbrake gradually.
•Avoid parking on a grade. However, ifyou must park on a grade:
1.Turn the steering wheel to point yourvehicle tires away from traffic flow.
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•Do not mix different colors or types ofcoolant in your vehicle. Make sure thecorrect coolant is used. Mixing ofengine coolants may harm the engine’scooling system. The use of an impropercoolant may harm the engine andcooling system components and mayvoid the warranty. Use predilutedengine coolant meeting the Fordspecification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 111).
•In case of emergency, you can add alarge amount of water without enginecoolant in order to reach a vehicleservice location. In this instance, youmust have the cooling system drained,chemically cleaned with MotorcraftPremium Cooling System Flush, andrefilled with engine coolant as soon aspossible. Water alone (without enginecoolant) can cause engine damagefrom corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine orany engine coolants mixed with alcoholor methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol and other liquids can causeengine damage from overheating orfreezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additivesto the coolant. These can be harmfuland compromise the corrosionprotection of the engine coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure willescape as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting theFord specification. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 111).
Whenever you add coolant, check thecoolant level in the coolant reservoir thenext few times you drive the vehicle. Ifnecessary, add enough prediluted enginecoolant to bring the coolant level to theproper level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommendthe use of recycled engine coolant since aFord-approved recycling process is not yetavailable.
Used engine coolant should be disposedof in an appropriate manner. Follow yourcommunity’s regulations and standardsfor recycling and disposing of automotivefluids.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Fordauthorized dealer increase the coolantconcentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% willprovide improved freeze pointprotection. Engine coolantconcentrations above 60% willdecrease the overheat protectioncharacteristics of the engine coolantand may cause engine damage
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to have a Fordauthorized dealer decrease the coolantconcentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% willprovide improved overheat protection.Engine coolant concentrations below40% will decrease the freeze andcorrosion protection characteristics ofthe engine coolant and may causeengine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extremeclimates should use prediluted enginecoolant for optimum cooling system andengine protection.
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What you Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling
If you deplete the engine coolant supply,this feature allows you to drive your vehicletemporarily before you incur incrementalcomponent damage. The fail-safe distancedepends on ambient temperatures, vehicleload and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat, the enginecoolant temperature gauge will move tothe red (hot) area and:
The coolant temperaturewarning indicator will light.
The service engine soonindicator will light.
If the engine reaches a presetover-temperature condition, the enginewill automatically switch to alternatingcylinder operation. Each disabled cylinderacts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs, the vehicle will stilloperate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•This will disable the air conditioningsystem.
Continued operation will increase theengine temperature and the engine willcompletely shut down, causing steeringand braking effort to increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, theengine can be re-started. Take your vehicleto an authorized dealer as soon as possibleto minimize engine damage.
When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated
WARNINGS
Fail-safe mode is for use duringemergencies only. Operate thevehicle in fail-safe mode only as longas necessary to bring the vehicle to rest ina safe location and seek immediate repairs.When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle willhave limited power, will not be able tomaintain high-speed operation and maycompletely shut down without warning,potentially losing engine power, powersteering assist and power brake assist,which may increase the possibility of acrash resulting in serious injury.
Never remove the coolant reservoircap while the engine is running or hot.
You have limited engine power when in thefail-safe mode, so drive the vehicle withcaution. The vehicle will not be able tomaintain high-speed operation and theengine will run rough. Remember that theengine is capable of completely shuttingdown automatically to prevent enginedamage, therefore:
1.Pull off the road as soon as safelypossible and switch off the engine.
2.Have your vehicle towed to anauthorized dealer.
3.If this is not possible, wait a shortperiod for the engine to cool.
4.Check the coolant level and replenishif low.
5.Re-start the engine and take yourvehicle to an authorized dealer.
Note:Driving the vehicle without repairingthe engine problem increases the chance ofengine damage. Take your vehicle to anauthorized dealer as soon as possible.
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