
You have limited engine power when in the
fail-safe mode, so drive your vehicle with
caution. Your vehicle will not maintain
high-speed operation and the engine will
operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine.
2. Tow your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and add if low.
5. Re-start the engine and drive your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Engine Fluid Temperature
Management (If Equipped) WARNINGS
To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not
be able to accelerate with full power until
the fluid temperatures reduce. Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap while the engine is running or hot.
Your vehicle can pull a trailer, but because
of the added load, your vehicle
’s engine
may temporarily reach higher
temperatures during severe operating
conditions such as ascending a long or
steep grade while pulling a trailer in high
temperatures. At this time, you may notice your engine
coolant temperature gauge needle move
toward the H and the POWER REDUCED
TO LOWER TEMP message may appear
in the information display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power.
In order to manage the engine fluid
temperatures, your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place. The
amount of speed reduction depends on
many factors such as vehicle loading,
towing, grade and ambient temperature.
If this occurs, there is no need to pull off
the road. You can continue to drive your
vehicle while this message is active.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and
off during severe operating conditions to
protect overheating of the engine. When
the engine coolant temperature decreases
to a normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge
moves fully into the red (hot) area, or if the
coolant temperature warning or service
engine soon messages appear in your
information display:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and shift the transmission into
P
.
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the red (hot) area.
After several minutes, if the
temperature does not drop, follow the
remaining steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to
cool before checking the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is normal, restart your engine and continue.
306
F-150 (), enUSA, First Printing Maintenance

Engine
•
Change the engine oil and filter prior to
storage because used engine oil
contains contaminates which may
cause engine damage.
• Start the engine every 15 days for a
minimum of 15 minutes. Run at fast idle
with the climate controls set to defrost
until the engine reaches normal
operating temperature.
• With your foot on the brake, shift
through all the gears while the engine
is running.
• We recommend that you change the
engine oil before you use your vehicle
again.
Fuel system
• Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fuel
until the first automatic shutoff of the
fuel pump nozzle.
Cooling system
• Protect against freezing temperatures.
• When removing your vehicle from
storage, check coolant fluid level.
Confirm that there are no cooling
system leaks and that fluid is at the
recommended level.
Battery
• Check and recharge as necessary. Keep
connections clean.
• If storing your vehicle for more than 30
days without recharging the battery,
we recommend that you disconnect
the battery cables to maintain battery
charge for quick starting.
Note: It is necessary to reset memory
features if battery cables are disconnected. Brakes
•
Make sure the brakes and parking brake
release fully.
Tires
• Maintain recommended air pressure.
Miscellaneous
• Make sure all linkages, cables, levers
and pins under your vehicle are covered
with grease to prevent rust.
• Move vehicles at least 25 ft (7.5 m)
every 15 days to lubricate working parts
and prevent corrosion.
Removing Vehicle From Storage
When your vehicle is ready to come out of
storage, do the following:
• Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt
or grease film build-up on window
surfaces.
• Check windshield wipers for any
deterioration.
• Check under the hood for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage such as mice or squirrel
nests.
• Check the exhaust for any foreign
material that may have collected
during storage.
• Check tire pressures and set tire
inflation per the Tire Label.
• Check brake pedal operation. Drive
your vehicle
15 ft (4.5 m) back and
forth to remove rust build-up.
• Check fluid levels (including coolant,
oil and gas) to make sure there are no
leaks, and fluids are at recommended
levels.
• If you remove the battery, clean the
battery cable ends and check for
damage.
325
F-150 (), enUSA, First Printing Vehicle Care

Fuel Quality....................................................169
Choosing the Right Fuel With a Flex Fuel
Vehicle (If Equipped)................................... 169
Choosing the Right Fuel Without a Flex Fuel Vehicle (If Equipped)................................... 169
Octane Recommendations............................ 169
Fuel Shutoff...................................................278
Fuses................................................................288
Fuse Specification Chart..........................288 Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel.................................................................. 293
Power Distribution Box................................... 288
G
Garage Door Opener See: Universal Garage Door Opener.............151
Gauges................................................................97 Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge............99
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge............................... 99
Fuel Gauge............................................................. 99
Information Display........................................... 100
Transmission Fluid Temperature Gauge................................................................ 100
Type 1 and 2............................................................ 97
Type 3....................................................................... 98
General Information on Radio Frequencies...................................................55
Intelligent Access................................................. 55
General Maintenance Information........518 Multi-Point Inspection..................................... 520
Owner Checks and Services........................... 519
Protecting Your Investment............................ 518
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?.......................... 518
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?...................................................... 518
Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. and Canada.........................................................285
Getting the Services You Need...............282 Away From Home.............................................. 282
H
Handbrake See: Parking Brake.............................................. 192
Hazard Warning Flashers
..........................278
HDC See: Using Hill Descent Control................... 200Head Restraints
..............................................141
Adjusting the Head Restraint......................... 142
Heated Seats..................................................147 Rear Heated Seats............................................. 148
Heated Windows and Mirrors..................139 Heated Exterior Mirror....................................... 139
Heated Rear Window........................................ 139
Heating See: Climate Control......................................... 133
Hill Start Assist
..............................................195
Switching the System On and Off...............196
Using Hill Start Assist....................................... 196
Hints on Controlling the Interior Climate...........................................................137
Cooling the Interior Quickly............................ 138
General Hints........................................................ 137
Heating the Interior Quickly............................. 137
Recommended Settings for Cooling ..........138
Recommended Settings for Heating..........138
Side Window Defogging in Cold Weather............................................................. 139
Hints on Driving With Anti-Lock Brakes............................................................192
Hood Lock See: Opening and Closing the Hood...........297
I
Ignition Switch
..............................................160
In California (U.S. Only)............................283
Information Display Control.......................79
Information Displays
...................................105
General Information.......................................... 105
Information....................................................478 911 Assist.............................................................. 484
Alerts...................................................................... 484
Calendar............................................................... 484
Sirius Travel Link................................................. 481
SYNC Services (If Equipped, United States Only).................................................................. 478
Vehicle Health Report (If Equipped, United States Only)................................................... 486
539
F-150 (), enUSA, First Printing Index

W
Warning Lamps and Indicators..............100
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................. 100
Anti-Lock Braking System.............................. 100
Automatic High Beam...................................... 100
Auto Start-stop.................................................. 100
Battery..................................................................... 101
Blind Spot Monitor.............................................. 101
Brake System........................................................ 101
Check 4X4.............................................................. 101
Cruise Control....................................................... 101
Direction Indicator............................................... 101
Door Ajar................................................................. 101
Electric Park Brake.............................................. 101
Electronic Locking Differential....................... 101
Engine Coolant Temperature.......................... 101
Engine Oil.............................................................. 102
Fasten Safety Belt.............................................. 102
Four-Wheel Drive Indicators.......................... 102
Front Airbag.......................................................... 102
Front Fog Lamps................................................ 102
High Beam............................................................. 102
Hill Descent........................................................... 102
Low Fuel Level..................................................... 103
Low Tire Pressure Warning............................. 103
Parking Lamps..................................................... 103
Powertrain Malfunction/Reduced Power/Electronic Throttle Control.........103
Service Engine Soon.......................................... 103
Sport Mode........................................................... 103
Traction and Stability Control....................... 103
Traction and Stability Control Off...............104
Transmission Tow/Haul................................... 104
Washer Fluid Check...................................308
Washers See: Cleaning the Exterior............................... 319
See: Wipers and Washers.................................. 81
Waxing.............................................................320
Wheel Nuts See: Changing a Road Wheel....................... 350
Wheels and Tires..........................................327 General Information.......................................... 327
Technical Specifications................................. 358
Windows and Mirrors...................................90
Windshield Washers.....................................82 Windshield Wipers.........................................81
Speed dependent wipers (if
equipped)........................................................... 81
Wipers and Washers......................................81
546
F-150 (), enUSA, First Printing Index