2015 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS check engine

GENERAL INFORMATION
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to helpmaintain its roadworthiness and resalevalue. There is a large network ofauthorized dealers that are there to helpyou with their professional servicingexpertise. We believe that their speciallytrained technicians are best qualified toservice your vehicle properly and expertly.They are supported by a wide range ofhighly specialized tools developedspecifically for servicing your vehicle.
To help you service your vehicle, weprovide scheduled maintenanceinformation which makes tracking routineservice easy. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 121).
If your vehicle requires professional service,an authorized dealer can provide thenecessary parts and service. Check yourwarranty information to find out whichparts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,fluids and service parts conforming tospecifications. Motorcraft® parts aredesigned and built to provide the bestperformance in your vehicle.
Precautions
•Do not work on a hot engine.
•Make sure that nothing gets caught inmoving parts.
•Do not work on a vehicle with theengine running in an enclosed space,unless you are sure you have enoughventilation.
•Keep all open flames and other burningmaterial (such as cigarettes) awayfrom the battery and all fuel relatedparts.
Working with the Engine Off
1.Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damageand/or personal burn injuries, do notstart your engine with the air cleanerremoved and do not remove it while theengine is running.
1.Set the parking brake and shift to park(P).
2.Block the wheels
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ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
MINA
MAXB
ENGINE OIL CHECK
Note:Check the level before starting theengine.
Note:Make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and the MAX marks.
1.Make sure that your vehicle is on levelground.
2.Turn the engine off and wait 10 minutesfor the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3.Remove the dipstick and wipe it witha clean, lint-free cloth. Replace thedipstick and remove it again to checkthe oil level.
If the level is at the MIN mark, add oilimmediately.
Adding Engine Oil
Note:Do not remove the filler cap whenthe engine is running.
Note:Do not add oil further than the MAXmark. Oil levels above the MAX mark maycause engine damage.
Only use oils certified for gasoline enginesby the American Petroleum Institute (API).An oil with this trademark symbolconforms to the current engine andemission system protection standards andfuel economy requirements of theInternational Lubricants SpecificationAdvisory Council (ILSAC), comprised ofU.S. and Japanese automobilemanufacturers.
1.Remove the filler cap.
2.Add engine oil that meets the Fordspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 110).
3.Replace the filler cap. Turn it until youfeel a strong resistance.
Resetting the Oil Life MonitoringSystem
Note:Reset the oil life monitoring only afteran oil change.
1.Turn the ignition key to the ON position.Do not start the engine. For vehicleswith push-button start, press and holdthe start button for two secondswithout pressing the brake pedal. Donot attempt to start the engine.
2.Press both the accelerator and brakepedals at the same time.
3.Keep both pedals fully pressed.
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4.After three seconds, the Service: Oilreset in prog. message will bedisplayed.
5.After 25 seconds, the Service: Oil resetcomplete message will be displayed.
6.Release the accelerator and brakepedals, then rotate the key to the offposition.
Note:The Service: Oil reset completemessage will no longer be displayed.
ENGINE COOLANT CHECK
WARNINGS
Do not add engine coolant when theengine is hot. Steam and scaldingliquids released from a hot coolingsystem can burn you badly. Also, spillingcoolant on hot engine parts can burn you.
Do not put engine coolant in thewindshield washer fluid container. Ifsprayed on the windshield, enginecoolant could make it difficult to seethrough the windshield.
To reduce the risk of personal injury,make sure the engine is cool beforeunscrewing the coolant pressurerelief cap. The cooling system is underpressure; steam and hot liquid can comeout forcefully when you loosen the capslightly.
Do not add coolant further than theMAX mark.
When the engine is cold, check theconcentration and level of the enginecoolant at the intervals listed in thescheduled maintenance information. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 121).
Note:Make sure that the level is betweenthe MIN and MAX marks on the coolantreservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. Thelevel may extend beyond the MAX mark
Note:If the level is at the MIN mark, belowthe MIN mark, or empty, add coolantimmediately. See Adding Engine Coolantin this chapter.
The coolant concentration should bemaintained within 48% to 50%, whichequates to a freeze point between -30°F(-34°C) and -34°F (-37°C).
Note:For best results, coolantconcentration should be tested with arefractometer such as Robinair Coolant andBattery Refractometer 75240. We do notrecommend the use of hydrometers orcoolant test strips for measuring coolantconcentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are notinterchangeable. Do not use engine coolant,antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outsideof its specified function and vehicle location.
Adding Engine Coolant
Note:Do not use stop leak pellets, coolingsystem sealants, or additives as they cancause damage to the engine cooling orheating systems. Your vehicle’s warrantydoes not cover this damage.
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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 110).
•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 110).
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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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
WARNING
The dipstick cap and surroundingcomponents may be hot; gloves arerecommended.
Note:Automatic transmission fluidexpands when warmed. To obtain anaccurate fluid check, drive the vehicle untilit is at normal operating temperature(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If yourvehicle has been operated for an extendedperiod at high speeds, in city traffic duringhot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicleshould be turned off for about 30 minutesto allow fluid to cool to normal operatingtemperature 150°F - 170°F (66°C - 77°C)before checking.
Refer to your scheduled maintenanceinformation for scheduled intervals for fluidchecks and changes.
Your transmission does not consume fluid.However, the fluid level should be checkedif the transmission is not working properly,(i.e., if the transmission slips or shiftsslowly) or if you notice some sign of fluidleakage. To check the fluid level:
1.Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) oruntil it reaches normal operatingtemperature
2.Park the vehicle on a level surface andengage the parking brake
3.With the engine running, parking brakeengaged and your foot on the brakepedal, move the gearshift lever throughall of the gear ranges. Allow sufficienttime for each gear to engage
4.Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park)and leave the engine running.
5.Remove the dipstick, wiping it cleanwith a clean, dry lint free rag. Ifnecessary, refer to Under HoodOverview in this chapter for thelocation of the dipstick.
6.Install the dipstick making sure it is fullyseated in the filler tube.
7.Remove the dipstick and inspect thefluid level. The fluid should be in thedesignated area for normal operatingtemperature or ambient temperature.
Do not use supplemental transmissionfluid additives, treatments or cleaningagents. The use of these materials mayaffect transmission operation and resultin damage to internal transmissioncomponents.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if there is noindication of fluid on the dipstick and theambient temperature is above 50°F(10°C).
Correct fluid level
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Parking brake fluid
Note:Do not fill the parking brake throughthe vent plug (A) (located on top of thetransmission).
Check the parking brake fluid level only ifthere is visible signs of fluid leakage. Ifnecessary, fill the parking brake assemblyto the bottom of the filler plug hole (B)(located on the driver side of thetransmission). See Capacities andSpecifications (page 114).
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Note:The power steering cap has both acold and hot indicator on the dipstick.
1.Start the engine and let it run until itreaches normal operating temperature(the engine coolant temperature gaugeindicator will be near the center of thenormal area between H and C).
2.While the engine idles, turn the steeringwheel left and right several times.
3.Turn the engine off.
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Body
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly toremove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud fromexterior surfaces, rear-wheel housingand the underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash your vehicle if it isstored in exposed locations.
•Touch-up exposed or primed metal toprevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel partswith a thick coat of auto wax to preventdiscoloration. Re-wax as necessarywhen you wash your vehicle.
•Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lidhinges, and latches with a light gradeoil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil andsolvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should bechanged prior to storage because usedengine oil contains contaminates thatmay cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days for aminimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idlewith the climate controls set to defrostuntil the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
•Protect against freezing temperatures.
•When removing your vehicle fromstorage, check coolant fluid level.Confirm that there are no coolingsystem leaks and that fluid is at therecommended level.
Battery
•Check and recharge as necessary. Keepconnections clean.
•If storing your vehicle for more than 30days without recharging the battery,we recommend that you disconnectthe battery cables to maintain batterycharge for quick starting.
Note:It is necessary to reset memoryfeatures if battery cables are disconnected.
Brakes
•Make sure the brakes and parking brakerelease fully.
Tires
•Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
•Make sure all linkages, cables, leversand pins under your vehicle are coveredwith grease to prevent rust.
•Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)every 15 days to lubricate working partsand prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out ofstorage, do the following:
•Wash your vehicle to remove any dirtor grease film build-up on windowsurfaces.
•Check windshield wipers for anydeterioration.
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