2018 FORD F-250 coolant level

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems
with a non-pressurized cap on the coolant
recovery system, add coolant to the
coolant recovery reservoir when the engine
is cool. Add prediluted coolant to the
maximum level. For all vehicles which have
a coolant degas system with a pressurized
cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator,
follow these steps to add engine coolant:
1. Turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure
escapes as you unscrew the cap.
3. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with prediluted engine coolant to within the
minimum and maximum range on the
engine coolant reservoir. If you
removed the radiator cap in an
overflow system, fill the radiator until
the coolant is visible and the radiator
is almost full. If coolant is added to
bring the level within the minimum and
maximum range when the engine is not
cold, the system may remain under
filled.
4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn
it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
5. 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.
Note: If prediluted coolant is not available,
use the approved antifreeze concentrate
diluting it to 50/50 with distilled water. See
Capacities and Specifications (page 432).
Using water that has not been deionized
may contribute to deposit formation,
corrosion or plugging of the small cooling
system passageways. If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.
Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.
Note: In case of emergency, you can add a
large amount of water without coolant in
order to reach a vehicle service location.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing. When you reach a service
location, you must have the cooling system
drained, flushed and refilled using the
correct specification prediluted coolant or
antifreeze concentrate. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 432).
Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
• Alcohol.
• Methanol.
• Brine.
• Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.
Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not add extra inhibitors or non-specified
additives to the coolant. These can be
harmful and compromise the corrosion
protection of the coolant.
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Engine and Secondary Cooling
System Refill Procedure
The following procedure should be used
when refilling the engine or secondary
cooling systems after it has been drained
or become extremely low:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap. Slowly turn cap
counterclockwise until pressure begins
to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure
has been released, use the cloth to turn
it counterclockwise and remove the
cap.
5. Slowly add prediluted engine coolant to the coolant reservoir until the
coolant level is within the minimum
and maximum range as listed on the
reservoir.
6. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
7. Start and run the engine at 2000 rpm for 2 minutes.
8. Shut engine off, and remove the pressure relief cap as previously
outlined.
9. If required, add prediluted engine coolant to the coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is within the minimum
and maximum range as listed on the
reservoir.
10. Engine cooling system: Repeat
Step 5 until the coolant level has
stabilized (is no longer dropping after
each step) and the upper radiator
hose at the radiator is warm to the
touch (indicating that the engine
thermostat is open and coolant is
flowing through the radiator). 11.
Check the secondary cooling system.
Repeat Step 5 until the coolant level
has stabilized (is no longer dropping
after each step) and the lower
passenger side of the secondary
radiator is warm to the touch
(indicating secondary thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through
the entire system).
12. Reinstall the pressure relief cap. Shut
the engine off and let it cool.
13. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before you drive your vehicle
the next few times.
14. If necessary, add prediluted engine coolant to the coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is within the
minimum and maximum range as
listed on the reservoir. After any
coolant has been added, check the
coolant concentration.
Recycled Coolant
We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an 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.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates:
• It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
• A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•
You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.
• Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
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.
Checking Coolant Corrosion
Inhibitor Additive Strength
At specific mileage intervals as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information
chapter, the coolant corrosion inhibitor
additive should be checked. An information
message may display in the optional
information display at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct
engine coolant concentration (freeze point
protection) and corrosion inhibitor additive
level (strength) of the coolant for
maximum engine performance and
protection.
Three products are available to confirm
the life and health of the coolant, one tool,
a test kit and a coolant inhibitor additive: •
Robinair® Coolant and Battery
Refractometer 75240 –
Recommended refractometer to test
coolant concentration. (Rotunda tool
part number: ROB75240).
• Rotunda 328-R071–ELC (Antifreeze
Coolant ELC Contamination Kit)
–
Evaluates the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength. Note the first step is
to verify the vehicle ’s coolant
concentration is in the correct range of
40 – 60%. Coolant concentrations
outside this range will not provide valid
test results. If the report results in a
pass, for example the cooling system
does not show excessive
contamination, the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is sufficient, and no
action is required. If the report results
as insufficient (does not pass), the
corrosion inhibitor additive strength of
the coolant is too low. If the engine
cooling system corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is low, add
47 fl oz
(1.4 L) of Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant Revitalizer. If the
secondary cooling system corrosion
inhibitor additive strength is low, add
16 fl oz (0.47 L) of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer.
• Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant Revitalizer
– Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level
based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination
Kit. The Revitalizer may be added two
times over the life of the coolant. If
additional dosages are required, the
cooling system must be flushed and
refilled per the instructions in the
Workshop Manual.
Make sure to follow the proper coolant and
additive specifications. See
Capacities
and Specifications (page 420).
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Coolant Change
At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. The
information display may display a message
to change coolant at this time. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 420).
Engine-driven Cooling Fan (Fan
Clutch)
Your vehicle may have an engine driven
cooling fan drive (also called a fan clutch).
This fan drive changes the fan speed to
match the vehicle ’s changing cooling air
flow requirements. Fan speed, fan noise
level and fuel consumption all will increase
based on the driving conditions that
include trailer towing, hill climbing, heavy
loads, high speed and high ambient
temperature, individually or in combination.
The fan drive is designed to provide the
minimum fan speed (and resulting
minimum fan noise and fuel consumption)
required to meet the ever changing vehicle
cooling air flow requirements. You will hear
the amount of fan noise increasing and
decreasing as the engine power
requirements and vehicle driving conditions
change as you drive. This is to be expected
as being normal to the operation of your
vehicle. High levels of fan noise might also
be heard when your engine is first started,
and should normally decrease after driving
for a short time.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
Have an authorized dealer check and
change the transmission fluid and filter at
the correct service interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance
(page 581). 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.
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid
For scheduled intervals of the fluid checks
and changes, See
Scheduled
Maintenance (page 581). Your
transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked
if the transmission is not working properly,
i.e., 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 the vehicle until it is at normal
operating temperature (approximately
19 mi (30 km)
). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge,
located on the instrument cluster, is within
normal range.
1. Drive the vehicle
19 mi (30 km)until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the 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 P and leave
the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer to the Under Hood
Overview in this chapter for the
location of the dipstick.
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•
Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
• Keep all rubber parts free from oil and
solvents.
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.
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•
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.
Contact an authorized dealer if you have
any concerns or issues.
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Capacity
Item
27 oz (0.77 kg)
A/C refrigerant
3.4 fl oz (100 ml)6
A/C refrigerant compressor oil
1 Use the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle. Using any other coolant may
result in vehicle damage.
2 Per addition if required.
3 For complete refill of limited slip Ford axles add 7.1 fl oz. (210 ml) of Additive Friction
Modifier XL-3 or equivalent meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118-A this added friction
modifier should be included in the total lube volume 3.58 L (3.78 qt).
4 Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.
5 Capacities may be higher if the vehicle is equipped with a cooler. Always check to make
sure the fluid level is in the acceptable range.
6 This system uses mineral-based refrigerant oil to lubricate O-rings and fittings.
Specifications
Materials Specification
Name
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (U.S.):
Motorcraft® SAE 10W-30 Super Duty Diesel Motor Oil 1
XO-10W30-QSD
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (Canada):
Motorcraft® SAE 10W-30 Super Duty Diesel Motor Oil 1
CXO-10W30-LSD12
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (U.S.):
Motorcraft® SAE 15W-40 Super Duty Diesel Motor Oil 1,3
XO-15W40-QSD
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (Canada):
Motorcraft® SAE 15W-40 Super Duty Diesel Motor Oil 1,3
CXO-15W40-LSD12
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (U.S.):
Motorcraft® SAE 5W-40 Full Synthetic Diesel Motor Oil 1,2,3
XO-5W40-5QSD
WSS-M2C171-F1
Recommended motor oil (U.S.):
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Check Every Month
Air filter restriction gauge. Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires including the spare for wear and proper pressure. Windshield washer fluid level.
Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary or if indicated by the information display. Holes and slots in the tail pipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris. Check Every Six Months
Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary. Cooling system fluid level and coolant strength.
Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary. Parking brake for proper operation.
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function.
Safety warning lamps, brake, ABS, airbag and safety belt for operation.
Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
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.
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