
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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provided by the service manual. Hydraulic brake systems are
power-assisted. There is a great reduction in braking capabilities
without engine assist.
•Proper fluid level. The level should be at the bottom edge of the ring
on each reservoir fill port. Do not fill the master cylinder to the top of
the reservoir. If fluid level requires attention to maintain a proper
master cylinder level, this is an indication of either severe operation
(pad wear) or fluid leakage. A more frequent and thorough brake
inspection is required.
•Brake lines, hoses and fittings. Repair or replace brake line tubes,
hoses or fittings as required. Inspect these components every
4000 miles (6000 kilometers):
•Lines for kinks, dents, corrosion or rupture.
•Hoses for abrasions, kinks, soft spots or rupture, collapse, cracks,
twists or loose frame supports. When replacing a hose, be sure
there is adequate clearance to the hose to avoid an abrasion to the
new hose.
•All connections for leaks.
Driveline Parking Brake
WARNING:Use wheel chocks and exercise caution when
inspecting under the vehicle. A vehicle roll-away could result in
property damage, personal injury or death.
A qualified technician should adjust the parking brake and keep to the
instructions in the service manual.
Steering System
WARNING:Failure to maintain the steering system in proper
condition can cause reduced steering ability resulting in property
damage, personal injury or death.
Note:Have any steering problems immediately corrected by a qualified
service technician.
Ask your service technician to examine the steering mechanism. Only
minor adjustments may be necessary. Regular inspections should include:
•Checking the tie rod, drag link end clamp bolts and ball joints for
proper tightness.
•Checking for installation and spread of cotter pins and tightness of
nuts at both ends of the tie rod and drag link.
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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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Perform a complete inspection of the air induction system annually.
In areas where road salt is used, disassemble the joints of each aluminum
component and inspect for salt build-up and presence of chlorine that
can cause aluminum particles to flake off and enter the engine
combustion chambers. If evidence of corrosion is found (usually at the
pipe connections), use a wire brush to clean the inside of the pipes and
inside the rubber hoses.
If pitting is evident at the joint ends of the intake pipes, use Motorcraft
Silicone Gasket and Sealant TA-30 to seal the joints. Make sure no
excess material, which can pull into the engine, is on the inside of the
pipes. If the service condition of the pipes, hoses or clamps is
questionable, replace the defective part(s).
Make sure to clean all dust and debris out of the pipes and couplings
with a clean, damp rag before reassembly.
Chassis-mounted Charge Air Cooler
Visually inspect the core assembly for debris and clogging of external fins
with the engine off. Before engine operation, remove any debris blocking
the core.
•Turbocharger-to-charge air cooler
•Charge air cooler-to-intake manifold pipe
•Mounting bracket
•Chassis-mounted charge air cooler core
Inspect air intake piping:
•Check for accumulation of salt deposits (where applicable). If
present, disassemble and clean the complete air intake piping system.
If pitting is evident on the intake piping, use Motorcraft Silicone
Gasket and Sealant TA-30 to seal joints against leakage.
•Check for loose hoses and clamps.
•Check for ruptured or collapsed hoses.
•Check air cleaner housing for cracks.
Suspension Inspection
Note:Do not adjust air suspension height to any setting other than the
specified setting. Altering the height setting changes the driveline angle
and may result in unwarrantable component damage, such as
transmission component damage.
Verify drive axle air suspension height and height control valve
performance at engine oil change intervals.
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Periodically check:
•Condition of spring leaves for evidence of fatigue, bending or
breakage.
•Condition of suspension mounting brackets and bushings.
•Torque rod mounting fasteners for tightness.
•For proper suspension alignment. Maintain proper alignment at all
times.
•U-bolts. After the chassis has been operating under load for
1000 miles (1600 kilometers) or six months (whichever comes first),
the U-bolt nuts must be re-torqued. Re-torque the U-bolt nuts every
36000 miles (60000 kilometers) thereafter. Clean and lubricate the
U-bolt and nut threads and seats to make sure a like new condition
when re-torqueing.
Note:SeeSpring U-bolt checklater in this chapter.
Supporting Your Vehicle for Service
WARNING:Do not use a jack when working under a vehicle. It
may give way, causing the vehicle to fall and result in property
damage, personal injury or death. Always use floor stands to support
the vehicle.
Prepare your vehicle for service repairs by doing the following:
1. Park your vehicle on a level, concrete floor.
2. Set the parking brake and block the wheels to prevent your vehicle
from moving.
3. Select a jack with a rated capacity sufficient to lift and hold up your
vehicle.
4. Raise your vehicle with the jack applied to the axle(s). Do not use
the bumper as a lifting point.
5. Support your vehicle with floor stands under the axle(s). When
servicing the axle or the suspension, support your vehicle with floor
stands under the frame side-members, preferably between the axles.
Frame and Tow Hooks
Your vehicle’s chassis is manufactured with frame rails of either HSLA
steel or heat-treated steel. Handle each in a specific manner to make
sure maximum service life. Consult the service manual or an authorized
dealer before attempting frame repair or modification.
It is important, particularly on vehicles that use tow hooks frequently, to
inspect the front and rear tow hooks for damage or a loose mounting.
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Note:Do not use stop leak pellets or cooling system sealants or
additives as they can cause damage to the engine cooling and heating
systems. Your vehicle’s warranty does not cover this damage.
Note:During normal vehicle operation, the engine coolant may change
color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine
coolant has degraded nor does it require draining the engine coolant,
flushing the system, or replacing the engine coolant.
•DO NOT MIX different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle.
Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may
harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant
may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the
warranty. Use prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford
specification. See theCapacities and Specificationschapter for
more information.
•In case of emergency, you may add a large amount of water without
engine coolant in order to reach a vehicle service location. In this
instance, drain the cooling system, chemically clean it with Motorcraft
Premium Cooling System Flush, and refill it with engine coolant as
soon as possible. Water alone (without engine coolant) can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol and other
liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure escapes as you unscrew the cap.
Add prediluted engine coolant meeting the Ford specification. See
Capacities and Specificationsfor more information.
Whenever you add coolant, check the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir the next few times you drive your vehicle. If necessary, add
enough prediluted engine coolant to bring the coolant level to the proper
level.
Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company does not recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
Dispose of used engine coolant in an appropriate manner. Follow your
community’s regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
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Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•It may be necessary to have an authorized dealer increase the coolant
concentration above 50%.
•A coolant concentration of 60% provides improved freeze point
protection. Engine coolant concentrations above 60% decrease the
overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may
cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It may be necessary to have an authorized dealer decrease the
coolant concentration to 40%.
•A coolant concentration of 40% provides improved overheat
protection. Engine coolant concentrations below 40% decrease the
corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant
and may cause engine damage.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use
prediluted engine coolant for optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
What You Should Know About Fail-Safe Cooling (If Equipped)
(Gasoline Engine Only)
WARNING:If fail-safe cooling activates, pull off the road as soon
as safely possible and turn the engine off. The engine may
automatically shut off while driving without further indication.
If the engine coolant supply is very low, this feature allows you to drive
your vehicle temporarily before incremental component damage occurs.
The fail-safe distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge moves to the red (hot) area.
•The information display indicates the engine is overheating.
•The service engine soon indicator illuminates.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
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If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
Note:An overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift or
engagement concerns or possible damage.
Do not use supplemental transmission fluid additives, treatments or
cleaning agents. The use of these materials may affect transmission
operation and result in damage to internal transmission components.
Manual Transmissions
Note:Use of a non-approved transmission fluid may cause internal
transmission component damage.
See theScheduled Maintenancechapter for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes.
Your manual transmission may have an optional synthetic fluid that
allows the use of extended service intervals. A tag on the filler plug
identifies the use of the synthetic fluid.
Only use fluid that meets manufacturer specifications. SeeTechnical
specificationsin theCapacities and Specificationschapter.
Checking Fluid Level
1. Park your vehicle on level ground.
2. Set the parking brake, shift into first gear and turn the engine off.
3. Clean any dirt from around the filler plug.
4. Remove the filler plug and inspect the fluid level. The fluid level
should be at the bottom of the filler plug opening.
5. Add fluid, if necessary, through the filler plug opening.
6. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
Changing Fluid
Drain and refill your transmission fluid while it is warm.
1. Park your vehicle on level ground.
2. Set the parking brake, shift into first gear and turn the engine off.
3. Clean any dirt from around the filler and drain plugs.
4. Remove the filler plug and drain plug, and then drain the fluid into a
suitable container. Dispose of all used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner following your local authorized standards.
5. Clean and install the drain plug securely.
6. Add fluid through the filler plug opening.
7. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
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