2018 FORD TRANSIT Owners Manual

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 correct level.
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.
In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without engine coolant
in order to reach a vehicle service location.
In this instance, qualified personnel:
1. Must drain the cooling system.
2. Chemically clean the coolant system.
3. Refill with engine coolant as soon as possible.
Water alone, without engine coolant, can
cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
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 additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.
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.
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 coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.
238
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- Maintenance

Coolant Change
At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 305).
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works If the engine begins to overheat,
the coolant temperature gauge
moves toward the red zone:
A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.
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.
When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
• Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage. When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated WARNING:
Fail-safe mode is for use
during emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as
necessary to bring your vehicle to rest in a
safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, your vehicle will
have limited power, will not be able to
maintain high-speed operation, and may
completely shut down without warning,
potentially losing engine power, power
steering assist, and power brake assist,
which may increase the possibility of a
crash resulting in serious injury. WARNING:
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the cooling
system is hot. Wait 10 minutes for the
cooling system to cool down. Cover the
coolant reservoir cap with a thick cloth to
prevent the possibility of scalding and
slowly remove the cap. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury.
Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.
Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and switch the engine off.
2. If you are a member of a roadside assistance program, we recommend
that you contact your roadside
assistance service provider.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
239
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- Maintenance

4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant
level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.
5. When the engine temperature cools, you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.
Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Management (If Equipped) WARNING:
To reduce the risk of
crash and injury, be prepared that the
vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle
may not be able to accelerate with full
power until the coolant temperature
reduces.
If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, the
engine may temporarily reach a higher
temperature during severe operating
conditions, for example ascending a long
or steep grade in high ambient
temperatures.
At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.
You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power in
order to manage the engine coolant
temperature. Your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place. The
amount of speed reduction depends on
vehicle loading, grade and ambient
temperature. If this occurs, there is no
need to stop your vehicle. You can
continue to drive. The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.
If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:
1. Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe
to do so. Fully apply the parking brake,
shift into park (P) or neutral (N).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position. After
several minutes, if the temperature
does not drop, follow the remaining
steps.
3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to
cool. Check the coolant level.
4. If the coolant level is at or below the minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.
5. If the coolant level is normal, restart the engine and continue.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK
The automatic transmission does not have
a transmission fluid dipstick.
Have an authorized dealer check and
change the transmission fluid at the
correct service interval. See
Scheduled
Maintenance (page 459). Your
transmission does not consume fluid.
However, if the transmission slips, shifts
slowly or if you notice a sign of leaking
fluid, contact an authorized dealer.
240
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- Maintenance

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.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
WARNING: Do not use any fluid
other than the recommended brake fluid
as this will reduce brake efficiency. Use of
incorrect fluid could result in the loss of
vehicle control, serious personal injury or
death. WARNING: Only use brake fluid from
a sealed container. Contamination with
dirt, water, petroleum products or other
materials may result in brake system
damage or failure. Failure to adhere to this
warning could result in the loss of vehicle
control, serious personal injury or death. WARNING: Do not allow the fluid to
touch your skin or eyes. If this happens,
rinse the affected areas immediately with
plenty of water and contact your physician. WARNING: A fluid level between the
MAX
and MIN lines is within the normal
operating range and there is no need to
add fluid. A fluid level not in the normal
operating range could compromise the
performance of the system. Have your
vehicle checked immediately. To avoid fluid contamination, the reservoir
cap must remain in place and fully tight,
unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets Ford
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 305).
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK WARNING: Do not allow the fluid to
touch your skin or eyes. This could cause
serious personal injury. Rinse the affected
areas immediately with plenty of water
and consult a physician.
If the power steering fluid level is not
between the
MAX and MIN marks, add
power steering fluid that meets the correct
specification. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 316).
Adding Power Steering Fluid
1. Remove the filler cap.
241
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- MaintenanceE170684

2. Add power steering fluid to the MAX
mark. Do not overfill.
3. Replace the filler cap. Turn it until you feel a strong resistance.
WASHER FLUID CHECK
When adding fluid, use a mixture of washer
fluid and water to help prevent freezing in
cold weather and improve the cleaning
capability. For information on fluid dilution,
refer to the product instructions. We
recommend that you only use high quality
washer fluid.
Note: The reservoir supplies the front and
rear washer systems.
DRAINING THE FUEL FILTER
WATER TRAP - 3.2L POWER
STROKE DIESEL WARNING:
Do not dispose of fuel
in the household refuse or the public
sewage system. Use an authorized waste
disposal facility.
Your vehicle is fitted with a diesel fuel
conditioner module located behind the fuel
tank. A warning lamp will illuminate
and a message will be displayed
when approximately
3.38 fl oz
(100 ml) of water accumulates in the
module. If you allow the water level to
exceed this level, the water may pass
through to the engine and may cause fuel
injection equipment damage.
Note: To drain the fuel filter water trap,
access the underside of your vehicle. 1. Attach a tube to the drain plug and
place the end of the tube into a
suitable container.
2. Loosen the drain plug by turning counterclockwise one to two turns and
allow the water to drain.
Note: The drain plug will rise when opening.
3. Tighten the drain plug by turning clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
Note: The drain plug will lower when
closing.
When you start the engine the water in fuel
indicator lamp turns off after a short period
of time.
Changing the Fuel Filter
Note: To drain the fuel filter, access the
underside of your vehicle.
1. Drain the fuel from the filter housing.
242
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- Maintenance E177378
2
1

2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
3. Rotate the housing counterclockwise
to the unlock position.
4. Remove the housing and filter.
5. Replace the housing seal and lubricate.
6. Insert the new filter into housing and refit aligning the arrows in the unlock
position. 7. Rotate the housing clockwise aligning
the arrows in the lock position.
8. Purge air from the system.
Note: Only add fuel that meets the Ford
specification. See Fuel and Refueling
(page 131).
Purging Air From the Fuel System
1. Switch the ignition on for at least 30 seconds then switch the ignition off.
2. Repeat this process six times.
3. Start the engine and maintain engine speed at 1500 RPM.
4. Wait 20 seconds.
5. If the engine is running smoothly, reduce the engine speed to idle.
6. Check for leaks.
7. Switch the ignition off.
243
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- MaintenanceE1844302
3 E184789
7

If the Engine Does Not Start or Runs
Rough
1. Remove the Schrader valve cap.
2. Attach suitable tool with a tube to the
Schrader valve and place the end of
the tube into a suitable container.
3. Open the Schrader valve.
4. Switch the ignition on until a steady stream of fuel can be seen coming out
of the tube.
5. Switch the ignition off.
6. Remove the tool from the Schrader valve.
7. Refit the Schrader valve cap.
8. Switch the ignition on for at least 30 seconds then switch the ignition off.
9. Repeat this process three times.
10. Start the engine.
FUEL FILTER - GASOLINE
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime
fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel
tank. Regular maintenance or replacement
is not needed. CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY
The battery is under the driver seat.
Note:
If you have power seats and the
battery has no charge, jump-start your
vehicle to move the seat. See Jump
Starting the Vehicle (page 196).
Removing the Battery 1. Fully raise the driver seat and move it
fully forward. Pull the tabs upward and
remove the cover.
Note: Your vehicle may not have this cover. 244
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- MaintenanceE177379
1 E152526
1 2
E152529

2.
Unhook the cover and tuck it under the
seat. 3. Remove both seat track end caps.
Note:
Your vehicle may not have these end
caps.
4. Remove both seat adjustment end stop bolts at the front of the seat. 5. Remove the battery clamp and cover
bolts.
6. Remove the battery clamp and cover. 7.
Remove the battery terminal cover and
remove the negative (-) terminal.
Note: Single batteries could be mounted
the opposite way around in the battery tray.
The negative terminal is toward the rear of
your vehicle. 8.
Release the retaining clips and remove
the cover.
9. Remove the cable securing clips from the cover.
245
2018 Transit (TTH) Canada/United States of America, JK3J 19A321 AA enUSA, Edition date: 201705, Third-Printing- MaintenanceE146781
3
4 5
6
E146773 E162774 8
E162775