2019 FORD F-53 service

GENERAL MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenanceschedule helps protect against major repairexpenses resulting from neglect orinadequate maintenance and may help toincrease the value of your vehicle whenyou sell or trade it. Keep all receipts forcompleted maintenance with your vehicle.
We have established regular maintenanceintervals for your vehicle based uponrigorous testing. It is important that youhave your vehicle serviced at the propertimes. These intervals serve two purposes;one is to maintain the reliability of yourvehicle and the second is to keep your costof owning your vehicle down.
It is your responsibility to have allscheduled maintenance performed and tomake sure that the materials used meetthe specifications identified in this owner'smanual. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 134).
Failure to perform scheduled maintenanceinvalidates warranty coverage on partsaffected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at YourDealership?
Factory-trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensivefactory-sponsored certification training tohelp them become experts on theoperation of your vehicle. Ask yourdealership about the training andcertification their technicians havereceived.
Genuine Ford and MotorcraftReplacement Parts
Dealerships stock Ford, Motorcraft andFord-authorized branded re-manufacturedreplacement parts. These parts meet orexceed our specifications. Parts installedat your dealership carry a nationwide24-month or unlimited mile (kilometer)parts and labor limited warranty.
If you do not use Ford authorized parts theymay not meet our specifications anddepending on the part, it could affectemissions compliance.
Convenience
Many dealerships have extended eveningand Saturday hours to make your servicevisit more convenient and they offer onestop shopping. They can perform anyservices that are required on your vehicle,from general maintenance to collisionrepairs.
Note:Not all dealers have extended hoursor body shops. Please contact your dealerfor details.
Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that paysdividends in the form of improvedreliability, durability and resale value. Tomaintain the proper performance of yourvehicle and its emission control systems,make sure you have scheduledmaintenance performed at the designatedintervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and builtwith multiple, complex, performancesystems. Every manufacturer developsthese systems using differentspecifications and performance features.That is why it is important to rely upon yourdealership to properly diagnose and repairyour vehicle.
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Ford Motor Company has recommendedmaintenance intervals for various partsand component systems based uponengineering testing. Ford Motor Companyrelies upon this testing to determine themost appropriate mileage for replacementof oils and fluids to protect your vehicle atthe lowest overall cost to you andrecommends against maintenanceschedules that deviate from the scheduledmaintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of onlygenuine Ford, Motorcraft orFord-authorized re-manufacturedreplacement parts engineered for yourvehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the FordWorkshop Manual list the recommendedadditives and chemicals for your vehicle.We do not recommend using chemicals oradditives not approved by us as part ofyour vehicle’s normal maintenance. Pleaseconsult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is anormal operating characteristic and, byitself, does not necessarily indicate aconcern or that the fluid needs to bechanged. However, a qualified expert, suchas the factory-trained technicians at yourdealership, should inspect discolored fluidsthat also show signs of overheating orforeign material contaminationimmediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils andfluids at the specified intervals or inconjunction with a repair. Flushing is aviable way to change fluid for many vehiclesub-systems during scheduledmaintenance. It is critical that systems areflushed only with new fluid that is the sameas that required to fill and operate thesystem or using a Ford-approved flushingchemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basicmaintenance checks and inspections everymonth or at six-month intervals.
Check every month
Engine oil level.
Function of all interior and exterior lights.
Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
Windshield washer fluid level.
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.
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Be sure to ask your dealership serviceadvisor or technician about the multi-pointvehicle inspection. It is a comprehensiveway to perform a thorough inspection of
your vehicle. Your checklist gives youimmediate feedback on the overallcondition of your vehicle.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Every 7500 miles (12000 km) or six months - whichever occurs first
Change the engine oil and filter.
Rotate the tires, inspect tire wear and measure the tread depth.1
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal noise, wear, looseness ordrag.
Perform a multi-point inspection, recommended.
1 Vehicles with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified; rearwheels only if you notice unusual wear.
Every 15000 miles (24000 km) or 12 months - whichever occurs first
Inspect the automatic transmission fluid level. Consult dealer for requirements.
Inspect the brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, brake linings, hoses and the 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, drive shaft and the U-joints. Lubricate grease fittings, if applicable.
Other maintenance items
Replace the engine air filter.Every 30,000 mi(48,000 km)
Replace the front wheel bearing grease and grease sealif you use non-sealed bearings.Every 60,000 mi(96,000 km)
Replace the spark plugs.Every 97,500 mi(157,000 km)
Change the engine coolant.1At 105,000 mi(168,000 km)
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SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in anyof the following conditions, you need to
perform extra maintenance as indicated.If you operate your vehicle occasionallyunder any of these conditions, it is notnecessary to perform the extramaintenance. For specificrecommendations, see your dealershipservice advisor or technician.
Towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier
Inspect U-joints.Inspect frequently, serviceas requiredSee axle maintenance items under Exceptions.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormalnoise, wear, looseness or drag.Every 5000 miles (8000km)
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure treaddepth.
Change engine oil and filter.Every 5000 miles (8000km) or six monthsInspect U-joints.
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals ifnon-sealed bearings are used.Every 30000 miles (48000km)
Replace spark plugs.Every 60000 miles (96000km)
*Vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified;rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted.
Extensive idling or low-speed driving for long distances, as in heavy commercial use(such as delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
Inspect brake system.Every 5000 miles (8000km)Inspect wheels and related components for abnormalnoise, wear, looseness or drag.
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure treaddepth.
Inspect U-joints.Every 5000 miles (8000km) or six months
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Extensive idling or low-speed driving for long distances, as in heavy commercial use(such as delivery, taxi, patrol car or livery)
Change engine oil and filter.Every 5000 miles (8000km) or six months or 200engine hours
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals ifnon-sealed bearings are used.Every 30000 miles (48000km)
Replace spark plugs.Every 60000 miles (96000km)
*Vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified;rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted.
Operating in dusty or sandy conditions (such as unpaved or dusty roads)
Replace engine air filter.Inspect frequently, serviceas requiredReplace cabin air filter, if equipped.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormalnoise, wear, looseness or drag.Every 5000 miles (8000km)
Rotate tires*, inspect tires for wear and measure treaddepth.
Change engine oil and filter.Every 5000 miles (8000km) or six monthsInspect U-joints.
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals ifnon-sealed bearings are used.Every 30000 miles (48000km)
Change rear axle fluid.Every 50000 miles (80000km)
*Vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified;rear wheels only if unusual wear is noted.
Exceptions
There are several exceptions to the NormalSchedule:
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Rear axle fluid change or level check notrequired unless leak is suspected or theassembly has been submerged in water.During long periods of trailer towing withoutside temperatures above 70°F (21°C)and at wide-open throttle for long periodsabove 45 mph (72 km/h), change rear axlefluid every 24,000 mi (38,000 km) or threemonths, whichever comes first.
California fuel filter replacement: If youregister your vehicle in California, theCalifornia Air Resources Board hasdetermined that the failure to perform thismaintenance item does not nullify theemission warranty or limit recall liabilitybefore the completion of your vehicle'suseful life. Ford Motor Company, however,urges you to have all recommendedmaintenance services performed at thespecified intervals and to record all vehicleservice.
Hot climate oil change intervals:Vehicles operating in the Middle East,North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa orlocations with similar climates using anAmerican Petroleum Institute (API)Certified for Gasoline Engines (Certificationmark) oil of SM or SN quality, the normaloil change interval is 5000 miles (8000kilometers).
If the available API SM or SN oils are notavailable, then the oil change interval is3000 miles (4800 kilometers).
Engine air filter and cabin air filterreplacement: The life of the engine airfilter and cabin air filter is dependent onexposure to dusty and dirty conditions.Vehicles operated in these conditionsrequire frequent inspection andreplacement of the engine air filter andcabin air filter.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
RECORD
After the scheduled maintenance servicesare performed, record the Repair Order #,Distance and Engine Hours in the boxesprovided.
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Economical Driving.......................................56Electromagnetic Compatibility...............163Emission Law...................................................34Noise Emissions Warranty, ProhibitedTampering Acts and Maintenance...........35Tampering With a Noise ControlSystem................................................................34Engine Block Heater......................................27Using the Engine Block Heater........................27Engine Coolant Check..................................96Adding Coolant.....................................................97Coolant Change...................................................99Engine Coolant TemperatureManagement..................................................100Fail-Safe Cooling.................................................99Recycled Coolant.................................................98Severe Climates...................................................98Engine Emission Control.............................34Engine Oil Check............................................95Adding Engine Oil.................................................95Engine Oil Dipstick.........................................95Engine Specifications.................................134Drivebelt Routing................................................134Environment.......................................................11Essential Towing Checks.............................53Before Towing a Trailer......................................54Hitches.....................................................................53Launching or Retrieving a Boat or PersonalWatercraft (PWC)...........................................55Safety Chains.........................................................53Trailer Brakes.........................................................54Trailer Lamps.........................................................54When Towing a Trailer........................................54Export Unique Options.................................10
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Flat TireSee: Changing a Road Wheel........................129Ford Credit...........................................................8US Only.......................................................................8Ford Protect....................................................143Ford Protect Extended Service Plan(CANADA ONLY)...........................................144Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (U.S.Only)...................................................................143
Fuel and Refueling.........................................29Fuel Consumption..........................................32Advertised Capacity............................................32Fuel Economy........................................................33Fuel Filter.........................................................105Fuel Quality......................................................29Choosing the Right Fuel....................................29Fuses....................................................................71Fuse Specification Chart..............................71Diode and Relay Module...................................83F53 Passenger Compartment FusePanel....................................................................84F53 Power Distribution Box...............................71
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Gauges................................................................16Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge..............17Engine Oil Pressure Gauge.................................17Fuel Gauge...............................................................17Speedometer..........................................................17Transmission Fluid TemperatureGauge....................................................................17GearboxSee: Transmission................................................38General Maintenance Information.........145Multi-point Inspection.......................................147Owner Checks and Services...........................146Protecting Your Investment............................145Why Maintain Your Vehicle?..........................145Why Maintain Your Vehicle at YourDealership?......................................................145Getting Assistance Outside the U.S. andCanada............................................................67Getting the Services You Need.................64Away From Home................................................64
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HandbrakeSee: Parking Brake...............................................42Hazard Flashers.............................................60Hints on Driving With Anti-LockBrakes...............................................................41
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Ignition Switch.................................................25
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Miscellaneous.......................................................112Removing Vehicle From Storage....................112Tires...........................................................................112VINSee: Vehicle Identification Number.............136
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Warning Lamps and Indicators..................18Anti-Lock Brake System WarningLamp.....................................................................18Battery.......................................................................18Brake Reserve System.........................................18Brake System Warning Lamp...........................18Cruise Control Indicator......................................19Direction Indicator................................................19Electronic Throttle Control................................19Fasten Seatbelt Warning Lamp.......................19Headlamp High Beam Indicator......................19Service Engine Soon............................................19Tow Haul Indicator................................................19WashersSee: Cleaning the Exterior...............................109See: Wipers and Washers..................................13Wheel NutsSee: Changing a Road Wheel........................129Wheels and Tires...........................................113Technical Specifications..................................133Windshield Washers......................................13Windshield Wipers..........................................13Wipers and Washers......................................13
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