2015 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS check engine light

Introduction
About This Manual...........................................3
Symbols Glossary.............................................3
California Proposition 65...............................5
Perchlorate..........................................................5
Ford Credit...........................................................5
Replacement PartsRecommendation........................................6
Special Notices.................................................6
Mobile CommunicationsEquipment.......................................................7
Export Unique Options...................................7
Steering Wheel
Adjusting the Steering Wheel......................8
Cruise Control....................................................8
Wipers and Washers
Windshield Wipers...........................................9
Windshield Washers........................................9
Lighting
Lighting Control...............................................10
Instrument Lighting Dimmer......................10
Daytime Running Lamps...............................11
Direction Indicators..........................................11
Instrument Cluster
Gauges.................................................................12
Warning Lamps and Indicators..................13
Audible Warnings and Indicators..............15
Information Displays
General Information.......................................16
Information Messages...................................17
Starting and Stopping theEngine
General Information......................................20
Ignition Switch................................................20
Starting a Gasoline Engine.........................20
Fuel and Refueling
Safety Precautions.........................................22
Fuel Quality......................................................23
Running Out of Fuel......................................23
Refueling...........................................................24
Fuel Consumption.........................................25
Emission Control System............................26
Transmission
Automatic Transmission.............................29
Brakes
General Information......................................33
Hints on Driving With Anti-LockBrakes.............................................................33
Parking Brake...................................................34
Cruise Control
Principle of Operation..................................35
Using Cruise Control.....................................35
Load Carrying
Load Limit.........................................................36
Towing
Towing a Trailer...............................................42
Recommended Towing Weights..............43
Essential Towing Checks............................44
Transporting the Vehicle..............................47
Towing the Vehicle on Four Wheels.......48
Driving Hints
Breaking-In.......................................................49
Economical Driving.......................................49
Driving Through Water.................................50
Roadside Emergencies
Roadside Assistance......................................51
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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.
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Brake System
Illuminates when you engage theparking brake with the ignitionon.
If it illuminates when you are driving, checkthat the parking brake is not engaged. Ifthe parking brake is not engaged, thisindicates low brake fluid level or a brakesystem malfunction. Have the systemchecked immediately by your authorizeddealer.
WARNING
Driving your vehicle with the warninglamp on is dangerous. A significantdecrease in braking performancemay occur. It will take you longer to stopyour vehicle. Have your vehicle checked byyour authorized dealer immediately. Drivingextended distances with the parking brakeengaged can cause brake failure and therisk of personal injury.
Brake Reserve System (If Equipped)
Illuminates to indicate normalhydromax booster reservesystem activation when theengine is off and the service brake pedal isapplied.
This light may also illuminate momentarilyif the engine is running and the driver turnsthe steering wheel fully in one directionwhile braking.
If the light remains on while the engine isrunning, this indicates inadequate hydraulicbooster pressure or reserve pump systemfailure. Stop the vehicle as soon aspossible and seek service immediately byyour authorized dealer.
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
Illuminates when you switch thisfeature on. See Using CruiseControl (page 35).
Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or rightturn signal or the hazard warningflasher is turned on. If theindicators stay on or flash faster, check fora burned out bulb.
Electronic Throttle Control
Illuminates when the engine hasdefaulted to a limp-homeoperation. See your authorizeddealer as soon as possible.
Fasten Safety Belt
It will illuminate and a chime willsound to remind you to fastenyour safety belt.
High Beam
Illuminates when you switch thehigh beam headlamps on. It willflash when you use theheadlamp flasher.
Service Engine Soon
If the service engine soonindicator light stays illuminatedafter the engine is started, itindicates that the On-Board Diagnostics(OBD-II) system has detected amalfunction of the vehicle emissionscontrol system. Refer to On-BoardDiagnostics (OBD-II) in the Fuel andRefueling chapter for more informationabout having your vehicle serviced. SeeEmission Control System (page 26).
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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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5.To install the cap, align the tabs on thecap with the notches on the filler pipe.
6.Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of aturn clockwise until it clicks at leastonce.
If the Check Fuel Cap light or a Check FuelCap message appears in the instrumentcluster and stays on after you start theengine, you may not have installed the fuelfiller properly.
If the fuel cap light remains on, at the nextopportunity, safely pull off of the road,remove the fuel filler cap, align the capproperly and reinstall it. The check fuel caplight or Check fuel cap message may notreset immediately. It may take severaldriving cycles for the indicators to turn off.A driving cycle consists of an enginestart-up (after four or more hours with theengine off) followed by normal city andhighway driving.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Empty reserve is the amount of fuelremaining in the tank after the fuel gaugeindicates empty. The amount of usablefuel in the empty reserve varies and shouldnot be relied upon to increase driving range.
•The usable capacity of the fuel tank isthe amount of fuel that can be addedinto the tank after the gauge indicatesempty
•The advertised capacity is the total fueltank size. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 110). It is thecombined usable capacity plus theempty reserve.
•Due to the empty reserve, you may notbe able to refuel the full amount of theadvertised capacity of the fuel tankeven when the fuel gauge reads empty.
Filling the Tank
For consistent results when filling the fueltank:
•Turn the ignition off before fueling; aninaccurate reading results if the engineis left running.
•Use the same fill rate(low-medium-high) each time the tankis filled.
•Allow no more than two automaticclick-offs when filling.
Results are most accurate when the fillingmethod is consistent.
Calculating Fuel Economy
Do not measure fuel economy during thefirst 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) ofdriving (this is your engine’s break-inperiod); a more accurate measurement isobtained after 2000 miles - 3000 miles(3200 kilometers - 4800 kilometers). Also,fuel expense, frequency of fill ups or fuelgauge readings are not accurate ways tomeasure fuel economy.
1.Fill the fuel tank completely and recordthe initial odometer reading.
2.Each time you fill the tank, record theamount of fuel added.
3.After at least 3 to 5 tank fill ups, fill thefuel tank and record the currentodometer reading.
4.Subtract your initial odometer readingfrom the current odometer reading.
5.Calculate fuel economy by dividingmiles traveled by gallons used (ForMetric: Multiply liters used by 100, thendivide by kilometers traveled).
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•Transmissions give their best fueleconomy when operated in the topcruise gear and with steady pressureon the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (ifequipped) is less fuel efficient thantwo-wheel-drive operation.
•Close the windows for high-speeddriving.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
WARNING
Do not drive through flowing or deepwater as you may lose control of yourvehicle.
Note:Driving through standing water cancause vehicle damage.
Note:Engine damage can occur if waterenters the air filter.
Before driving through standing water,check the depth. Never drive through waterthat is higher than the bottom of the wheelhubs.
When driving through standing water, drivevery slowly and do not stop your vehicle.Your brake performance and traction maybe limited. After driving through water andas soon as it is safe to do so:
•Lightly press the brake pedal to dry thebrakes and to check that they work.
•Check that the horn works.
•Check that the exterior lights work.
•Turn the steering wheel to check thatthe steering power assist works.
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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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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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