Quality service parts are available through an authorized dealer. If dealer
parts are not used, make sure the replacement parts are of equivalent
quality.
WARNING:The use of inferior parts can adversely affect the
quality and reliability of your vehicle which, in turn, can result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
To avoid damage to your vehicle’s electrical components before electric
welding:
•Disconnect both battery cables.
•Attach the welder ground cable as close as possible to the part being
welded.
•We recommend temporarily removing the component if welding close
to an electrical component.
Follow the checks and services in theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
Have an authorized dealer or service center inspect your vehicle at least
once a year. Remember that regular maintenance and inspections usually
prevent serious problems from developing later.
If the owner or operator of the vehicle is a skilled technician and intends
on performing the vehicle maintenance and service, he is strongly urged
to purchase a service manual.
Electrical System
Periodically inspect electrical connectors on the outside of the cab and
on the engine and frame for corrosion and tightness. Exposed terminals,
such as the fuel sender, cranking motor, alternator and feed-through
studs, should be cleaned and re-coated with a lubricant sealing grease
such as Motorcraft Silicone Brake Caliper Grease and Dielectric
Compound XG-3, or equivalent. This should include the ground cable
connector for batteries, engine and cab as well as the jump-starting stud.
Accessory Feed Connections
Vehicle electrical systems are complex and often include powertrain
components, such as engine and transmission controls, instrument panels
and ABS. While most systems operate on battery voltage (12 volts),
some systems can be as high as 90 volts or as low as five volts. See the
Electrical Circuit Diagram Manuals,available from your vehicle’s
manufacturer, to make sure that any extra body lights and accessory
connections to circuits are both appropriate and not overloaded. Do not
make modifications to any vehicle control system without first contacting
an authorized dealer.
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Climate Control System
Have the air conditioning system checked each spring. The refrigerant
charge, cleanliness of the condenser-evaporator cores and belt condition
are essential to system performance.
When the air conditioning system is being used daily, remove the fresh
air filter (if equipped) once each season and check for things such as
dirt and lint. Replace the filter if necessary. Vehicles operating in
unusually dusty conditions may require more frequent filter inspection
and replacement.
Front Axle
Maintaining the front axle alignment to specifications is very important.
A qualified technician should check and maintain the alignment. Regular
inspections should include:
•Toe-in inspection and adjustment (if necessary), particularly with
radial tires.
•Checking for proper tightness of axle mounting U-bolt nuts, attaching
or mounting bolts and nuts.
•Checking the axle for damage, binding, worn parts and adequate
lubrication..
•Checking the kingpins for excessive wear. Also, perform this check
during other scheduled maintenance (such as tire rotation or service,
wheel bearing service and alignment). See the workshop manual for
proper procedures.
Toe-in
It is essential to maintain correct toe-in and tire pressure for optimum
tire wear.
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first 3000–10000 service miles
(5000–16000 service kilometers) generally shows if tires are wearing
normally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-out.
In P&D-type service, there can be a left-to-right steer tire tread life
differential up to 40% depending on routes and other variables.
Follow the tire manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure for
the tire size, load range (ply rating) and steer axle loading typical for
their operation (each steer axle tire equals
1 2steer axle loading).
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Inspection and adjustment:Establish a regular schedule for periodic
cleaning, lubrication and adjustment inspection based on vehicle use.
Exact maintenance intervals are difficult to predetermine due to vehicle
applications and operating conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper
schedule for your vehicle, contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•Periodic checking (every service interval) of push rod travel or brake
adjustment. This is essential for effective braking. Brake chamber
push rods on original equipment chambers now incorporate an orange
paint marker near the base of the push rod as a stroke indicator to
aid in adjustment checks. If the push rod is clean and the brakes are
out of adjustment, you can see the orange marker protruding from
the chamber when the brakes are applied.
•Checking the brake lining (every service interval). When brake lining
or blocks wear within 1/16th inch (1.6 millimeters) of rivets, replace
the brake linings. A qualified technician should perform this
inspection and keep to instructions provided by the service manual.
Do not back off or disconnect the front brakes so that they are less
effective, letting the rear brakes do all the stopping of your vehicle. Do
not overlook the brakes on the trailer either. Brake condition on the
trailer is just as important as the tractor. Proper brake balance on trucks
and tractor-trailers is essential for effective braking.
Once a year, inspect the entire brake system:
•Rubber components for deterioration. A qualified technician should
inspect these components and replace them as necessary.
Replacement intervals vary according to the severity and length of
vehicle service.
•Condition of brake drums, brake chambers and slack adjusters.
•System for air leaks.
•Hose or pipes for rust, damage and deterioration.
•Operation of service and parking brakes.
Periodically inspect parts such as air brake chamber diaphragm, air
compressor and air cleaner. Replace any parts if you can consider them
unserviceable.
Air dryer:Climactic conditions affect performance of desiccant or
after-cooler type air dryers. You must establish a maintenance schedule
for each specific operation.
The use of an air dryer on a vehicle does not eliminate the need to drain
the air reservoirs periodically.
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Desiccant air dryer:Inspect for moisture in the air system by opening
reservoirs, draincocks or valves and checking for presence of water. The
presence of small amounts of water due to condensation is normal and is
not an indication that the dryer is not functioning properly.
Replace or rebuild the desiccant cartridge when you determine that the
desiccant is contaminated and does not have adequate water absorption
capacity. The desiccant change interval may vary. A general
recommendation is to replace the desiccant every 12 months (yearly). If
experience has shown that extended or shortened life has resulted for a
particular installation, then the yearly interval can be increased or
decreased accordingly.
Draining the air brake reservoir:
Completely drain all the air brake
reservoirs daily by opening the
draincock at the ends of the tanks.
(Where accessible. Pull-chains are
used when the drains are undercab
or otherwise inaccessible.) Close the
draincock after draining. Manually
drain any air tanks equipped with
automatic moisture ejector valves,
as required, to maintain a dry air
system. Contact an authorized dealer if you are unsure of the air
reservoir locations or the draining procedure.
WARNING:Failure to drain air brake reservoirs can result in a
reduction or loss of braking ability due to fluid accumulation in
the reservoir and/or possible freeze-up during cold weather.
Hydraulic Brakes
Establish a regular schedule for periodic cleaning, lubrication and
adjustment inspection based on vehicle use. Exact maintenance intervals
are difficult to predetermine due to vehicle applications and operating
conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper schedule for your vehicle,
contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•Checking the brake lining (every service interval). Establish
inspection intervals that provide for lining replacement before damage
to the disc occurs. Excessive lining wear may expose the backing
plate to the disc causing scoring of the disc faces. A qualified
technician should perform this inspection and keep to instructions
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•Checking that the pitman arm (steering arm at steering gear)
mounting is tight and locked. Check system for leaks or hose chafing.
Repair immediately, if necessary.
•Maintaining proper steering gear and power steering pump lubricant
levels.
•Checking steering column joint bolts and steering linkage, particularly
for body-to-chassis clearance.
Steering Column Joint Bolts
As a good maintenance practice, check steering column joint bolt
tightness every 60000 miles (96000 kilometers) or annually, whichever
occurs first. Do not overtighten the bolts.
Hydraulic System
Whenever draining and refilling the power steering’s hydraulic system for
any reason, bleed air from the system before returning the vehicle to
service. Failure to bleed the hydraulic system properly can result in
degradation of power system performance.
Consult an authorized dealer who is aware of the proper procedures for
filling and bleeding the system.
Catalytic Converter (Diesel Engine)
Note:If your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter or muffler,
do not blend waste oil with diesel fuel. Operate only on ultra-low sulfur
(less than 15 parts per million sulfur) diesel fuel with a cetane value of
45 or higher.
If your diesel engine is equipped with a catalytic converter, it is
important to review the maintenance schedule to make sure proper
functioning of the catalytic converter. Also, take precautions not to
damage the catalytic converter when servicing your engine or storing
your vehicle.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and
Select Catalyst Reduction (SCR) System
See your engine operator’s manual for information about DEF, DPF and
SCR system service
Air Induction System
WARNING:When performing maintenance to any turbocharged
engine with engine air inlet piping disconnected, keep loose
clothing, jewelry and long hair away from the engine air inlet piping. A
turbocharger compressor air inlet protective shield should be installed
over the turbocharger air inlet to reduce the risk of personal injury or
death.
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Gasoline Engine
Checking the Engine Coolant
When the engine is cold, check the concentration and level of engine
coolant at the intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenancechapter.
Note:Make sure that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the coolant reservoir.
Note:Coolant expands when it is hot. The level may extend beyond the
MAX mark.
Note:If the level is at the MIN mark, below the MIN mark, or empty,
add coolant immediately. SeeAdding engine coolantin this section.
Note:For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240 available from an
authorized dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or
coolant test strips for measuring coolant concentrations.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING:Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot.
Steam and scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system
can burn you badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
WARNING:Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer
fluid container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the windshield.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the
engine is cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap.
The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come
out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
WARNING:Do not add coolant further than the MAX mark.
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When Fail-Safe Mode Turns On
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Note:Driving your vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle is not able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine runs rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage; therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Have your vehicle taken 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 replenish if low.
5. Restart the engine and take your vehicle to an authorized dealer.
TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECK
Allison Automatic Transmissions
See yourAllison Automatic Transmission Operator’s Manualfor
scheduled transmission fluid checks and change intervals. Your
transmission does not consume fluid. However, you should check the
fluid level if the transmission is not working properly. For example, if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive your vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature, approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge, located on the instrument cluster,
is within the normal range.
1. Drive your vehicle 20 miles (30 kilometers) or until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
2. Park your vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the engine running, parking brake engaged and your foot on the
brake pedal, move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges.
Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in positionNorPand leave the engine
running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry, lint-free rag.
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6. Install the dipstick making sure to seat it fully in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
If you must add transmission fluid, see yourAllison Automatic
Transmission Operator’s Manualfor the correct fluid type.Use of a
non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause internal
transmission component damage.
Fluid levels above the safe range may result in transmission failure. An
overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift or engagement
concerns or possible damage.
TorqShift® Automatic Transmission
See theScheduled Maintenancechapter for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, you should check the fluid level if the transmission is not
working properly. For example, if the transmission slips or shifts slowly
or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive your vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature, approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge, located on the instrument cluster,
is within the normal range.
1. Drive your vehicle 20 miles (30 kilometers) or until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
2. Park your vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the engine running, parking brake engaged and your foot on the
brake pedal, move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges.
Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in positionPand leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry, lint-free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure to seat it fully in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be
in the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
216Maintenance
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