Quality service parts are available through
an authorized dealer. If dealer parts are not
used, make sure the replacement parts are
of equivalent quality.
Working with the Engine Off
1. Set the parking brake and shift to
neutral (N) or park (P).
2. Switch off the engine.
3. Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On WARNING
To reduce the risk of vehicle damage
and/or personal burn injuries, do not
start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running. 1. Set the parking brake and shift to
neutral (N) or park (P).
2. Block the wheels
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.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD WARNINGS
Always set the parking brake fully
before opening the hood. Failure to
follow this warning could result in
serious personal injury or death. Do not stand under the hood when
you raise or lower it. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious
personal injury or death. If the engine is running while the
hood is open, stay clear of moving
engine components. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious
personal injury or death. Opening the Hood
Before opening the hood, set the parking
brake fully, shift into park (P) or neutral
(N) and switch the ignition off.
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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 ½ steer axle
loading).
Special applications may warrant a setting
based on experience with the type of tire
operating loads and conditions. Radial tires
are more sensitive to toe-in setting than
bias ply tires. Fine tuning school bus
alignment to line-haul truck standards
does not drastically improve tire tread life.
STEERING SYSTEM
INSPECTION
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.
• 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
60,000 mi (96,000 km) 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.
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
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.
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.
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Maintenance
•
For proper suspension alignment.
Maintain proper alignment at all times.
• U-bolts. After the chassis has been
operating under load for 1,000 mi
(1,600 km) or six months (whichever
comes first), the U-bolt nuts must be
re-torqued. Re-torque the U-bolt nuts
every
37,000 mi (60,000 km)
thereafter. Clean and lubricate the
U-bolt and nut threads and seats to
make sure a like new condition when
re-torqueing. See
Spring U-Bolt
Check (page 223).
FRAME AND TOW HOOK
INSPECTION
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.
REAR AXLE FLUID CHECK
Your rear axle may have an optional
synthetic lubricant that allows the use of
extended service intervals. A tag on the
filler plug identifies the use of the synthetic
lubricant.
Only use a lubricant that meets
manufacturer specifications. Only use a
lubricant that meets manufacturer
specifications. Use of a non-approved rear
axle lubricant may cause internal axle
component damage. See Capacities and
Specifications
(page 256). Checking the Fluid Level
1. Park your vehicle on level ground.
2. Set the parking brake and shift into
position neutral (N) or park (P). Turn
the engine off.
3. Clean any dirt from around the axle filler plug.
4. Remove the filler plug and inspect the lubricant level. It should be at the
bottom of the filler plug opening.
5. Add lubricant, if necessary, through the
filler plug opening.
6. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
Changing the Fluid
Note: Drain the rear axle while the lubricant
is warm.
1. Park your vehicle on level ground.
2. Set the parking brake and shift into position neutral (N) or park (P). Turn
the engine off.
3. Clean any dirt from around the axle filler and drain plugs.
4. Remove the filler and drain plugs. Drain
the lubricant 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 lubricant through the filler plug opening.
7. Clean and install the filler plug securely.
SPRING U-BOLT CHECK
Check U-bolt nuts and re-torque every
37,000 mi (60,000 km)
after initial
1,000 mi (1,600 km) re-torque. Clean and
lubricate the U-bolt and nut threads and
seats to make sure they are in peak
condition when re-torqued.
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Maintenance
*Do not run over curbs or hit the
tire against a curb when parking
Highway Hazards
No matter how carefully you drive
there
’s always the possibility that
you may eventually have a flat tire
on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic.
This may further damage the flat
tire, but your safety is more
important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or
ride disturbance while driving, or
you suspect your tire or vehicle
has been damaged, immediately
reduce your speed. Drive with
caution until you can safely pull
off the road. Stop and inspect the
tires for damage. If a tire is
under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and
replace it with your spare tire and
wheel. If you cannot detect a
cause, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest repair facility or tire
dealer to have the vehicle
inspected.
Tire and Wheel Alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or
pothole can cause the front end
of your vehicle to become
misaligned or cause damage to
your tires. If your vehicle seems to
pull to one side when you’re
driving, the wheels may be out of
alignment. Have an authorized
dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically. Wheel misalignment in the front
or the rear can cause uneven and
rapid treadwear of your tires and
should be corrected by an
authorized dealer. Front-wheel
drive vehicles and those with an
independent rear suspension may
require alignment of all four
wheels.
The tires should also be balanced
periodically. An unbalanced tire
and wheel assembly may result in
irregular tire wear.
Tire Rotation
Note:
If your tires show uneven
wear ask an authorized dealer to
check for and correct any wheel
misalignment, tire imbalance or
mechanical problem involved
before tire rotation.
Note: Your vehicle may be
equipped with a dissimilar spare
wheel and tire assembly. A
dissimilar spare wheel and tire
assembly is defined as a spare
wheel and tire assembly that is
different in brand, size or
appearance from the road tires and
wheels. If you have a dissimilar
spare wheel and tire assembly it is
intended for temporary use only
and should not be used in a tire
rotation.
Rotating your tires at the
recommended interval will help
your tires wear more evenly,
providing better tire performance
and longer tire life.
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Wheels and Tires
Rear-wheel drive vehicles
Dual rear wheel vehicles (six
tire rotation) If your vehicle is equipped with
dual rear wheels it is
recommended that the front and
rear tires (in pairs) be rotated only
side to side. We do not
recommend splitting up the dual
rear wheels. Rotate them side to
side as a set. After tire rotation,
inflation pressures must be
adjusted for the tires new
positions in accordance with
vehicle requirements.
Sometimes irregular tire wear can
be corrected by rotating the tires.
USING SNOW CHAINS
WARNING
Snow tires must be the same size,
load index, and speed rating as those
originally provided by Ford. Use of
any tire or wheel not recommended by
Ford can affect the safety and
performance of your vehicle, which could
result in an increased risk of loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover, personal injury,
and death. Additionally, the use of
non-recommended tires and wheels could
cause steering, suspension, axle, transfer
case, or power transfer unit failure. It is also
strongly advised to follow the Ford
recommended tire inflation pressure found
on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door hinge
pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge
that meets the door-latch post, next to the
driver ’s seating position), or Tire Label
which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge
of the driver door. Failure to follow the tire
pressure recommendations can cause
uneven treadwear patterns and adversely
affect the way your vehicle handles. 246
F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Wheels and TiresE142548 E161439
Tightening lug nuts
Tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque *
at 500 miles
(800 km) after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rota-
tion, changing a flat tire or wheel removal).
Single rear wheels
Tighten the wheel lug nuts to the specified torque *
at 100
miles (160 km), and again at 500 miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation and after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire or wheel removal).
Dual rear wheels
* See Technical Specifications (page 249).
Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right,
it is important to have the systems on your
vehicle checked regularly. This can help
identify potential issues and prevent major
problems. We recommend having the
following multi-point inspection performed
at every scheduled maintenance interval
to help make sure your vehicle keeps
running great. Multi-point inspection
Horn operation
Accessory drive belt(s)
Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
Battery performance
Suspension component for leaks ordamage
Engine air filter
Steering and linkage
Exhaust system
Tires (including spare) for wear and properpressure**
Exterior lamps and hazard warning system
operation
Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
Fluid levels *
; fill if necessary
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance
Every 15000 miles (24000 km) or 12 months (whichever comes first)
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult an authorized dealer for
requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine cooling system strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and U-joints.
Lubricate components equipped with grease fittings. Other maintenance items
Replace the engine air filter.
Every 30000 miles (48000
km)
Replace the front wheel bearing grease and grease seal
if equipped with non-sealed bearings.
Every 60000 miles (96000
km)
Replace the spark plugs.
Every 97500 miles (156000
km)
Change the engine coolant.*
Every 105000 miles
(168000 km) Change the rear axle fluid (Dana axles).
Inspect the accessory drive belt(s).
**
Change crankcase ventilation filter.
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter. Consult
an authorized dealer for requirements.
Every 150000 miles
(240000 km) Change the rear axle fluid (non-Dana axles).
Replace the accessory drive belt(s) if not replaced within
the last 100000 miles (160000 km).
Replace the front wheel bearings and seals if equipped
with non-sealed bearings.
* Initial replacement at six years or 105000 miles (168000 kilometers), then every three
years or 45000 miles (72000 kilometers).
** If not replaced, inspect the belt(s) every 15000 miles (24000 kilometers).
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance
Diesel Engine
At every oil change interval as indicated by the information display
1
Change the engine oil and filter. 2
Drain the fuel filter water trap.
Refill the diesel exhaust fluid tank.
Rotate the tires 3
, inspect the tires for wear and measure tread depth.
Perform a multi-point inspection (recommended).
Inspect the air filter restriction gauge. Replace the filter if necessary.
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult an authorized dealer for
requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and parking brake.
Inspect the engine and secondary coolant level and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, driveshaft and U-joints.
Lubricate components equipped with grease fittings.
1 Do not exceed one year or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers) between service intervals.
2 Reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after engine oil and filter changes.
3 Vehicles with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified; rear wheels
only if unusual wear is noted. Other maintenance items
1
Inspect the engine and secondary cooling system
concentration (freeze-point protection), additive (corro-
sion inhibitor) strength, coolant level and hoses. 2
Every 15000 miles (24000
km)
Replace the engine-mounted and frame-mounted fuel
filters.3
Every 22500 miles (36000
km)
Replace the air inlet foam filter.
Every 45000 miles (72000
km)
Replace the front wheel bearing grease and grease seal
if using non-sealed bearings.
Every 60000 miles (96000
km)
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F650750 (TBC), enUSA, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance