VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30
days or more, read the following
maintenance recommendations to make
sure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
We engineer and test all motor vehicles
and their components for reliable, regular
driving. Under various conditions,
long-term storage may lead to degraded
engine performance or failure unless you
use specific precautions to preserve engine
components.
General
•
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated
place.
• Protect from sunlight, if possible.
• If vehicles are stored outside, they
require regular maintenance to protect
against rust and damage.
Body
• Wash your vehicle thoroughly to
remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing
and the underside of front fenders.
• Periodically wash your vehicle if it is
stored in exposed locations.
• Touch-up exposed or primed metal to
prevent rust.
• Cover chrome and stainless steel parts
with a thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when you wash your vehicle.
• Lubricate all hood, door and luggage
compartment hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
• 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.
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F650750 (TBC) , enUSA, Edition date: 201708, First Printing Vehicle Care
Rear Axle Maintenance
A rear axle fluid change or level check is
not required unless a leak is suspected or
the assembly has been submerged in
water. During long periods of trailer towing
with outside temperatures above 70°F
(21°C), and at wide-open throttle for long
periods above 45 mph (72 km/h), change
the rear axle fluid every 24,000 mi
(38,000 km) or three months, whichever
comes first.
California Fuel Filter Replacement
If you register your vehicle in California, the
California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item does not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
before the completion of your vehicle's
useful life. Ford Motor Company, however,
urges you to have all recommended
maintenance services performed at the
specified intervals and to record all vehicle
service.
Hot Climate Oil Change Intervals
The normal oil change interval is 3,000 mi
(5,000 km) for gasoline vehicles operating
in the Middle East, North Africa,
Sub-Saharan Africa or locations with
similar climates using American Petroleum
Institute (API) oils Certified for Gasoline
Engines and displaying the API Certification
Mark. If API Certified Oils are not available,
then it is acceptable to use API SM or SN
oils. If API oils are not available, then the
oil change interval is 1,750 mi (3,000 km). Engine Air Filter Replacement
The life of the engine air filter is dependent
on exposure to dusty and dirty conditions.
Vehicles operated in these conditions
require frequent inspection and
replacement of the engine air filter and
cabin air filter.
Diesel Particulate Filter
The filter may need to be removed for ash
cleaning at approximately
120,000 mi
(192,000 km) or greater (actual mileage
can vary greatly depending upon engine
and vehicle operating conditions) and
replaced with a new or re-manufactured
(ash cleaned) part. The filter may need to
be replaced at approximately 250,000 mi
(400,000 km) depending upon engine and
vehicle operating conditions. In both cases,
the engine control system sets a service
light (wrench icon) to inform you to bring
your vehicle to the dealer for service. If
there are any issues with the oxidation
catalyst or particulate filter system, a
service light (wrench or engine icon) sets
by the engine control system to inform you
to bring your vehicle into a dealer for
service.
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F650750 (TBC) , enUSA, Edition date: 201708, First Printing Scheduled Maintenance