2020 FORD F-150 recommended oil

2. When your vehicle has stopped, move
the transmission selector lever to
position P and turn the key to off.
3. Apply the parking brake.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
1. Move the transmission selector lever to position
N and use the brakes to
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.
2. When your vehicle has stopped, move the transmission selector lever to
position
P.
3. Press and hold the button for one second, or press it three times within
two seconds.
4. Apply the parking brake.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes WARNING:
Exhaust leaks may
result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger
compartment. If you smell exhaust
fumes inside your vehicle, have your
vehicle inspected immediately. Do not
drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
Important Ventilating Information
If you stop your vehicle and leave the
engine idling for long periods, we
recommend that you do one of the
following:
• Open the windows at least
1 in
(2.5 cm).
• Set your climate control to outside air.
STARTING A DIESEL ENGINE (IF
EQUIPPED)
Read all starting instructions carefully
before you start your vehicle. For temperatures below
32°F (0°C), the
use of the correct grade engine oil is
essential for proper operation. Refer to
Engine oil specifications for more
information. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cold
weather starting strategy that prevents
severe engine damage by assisting in
engine lubrication warm-up. In extremely
cold ambient temperatures, this strategy
activates and prevents the accelerator
pedal from being used for 30 seconds after
starting your vehicle. A message will
appear in the information display as your
vehicle warms up. By not allowing the
accelerator pedal to be used, the engine
oil is allowed to properly lubricate the
bearings preventing engine damage due
to lack of proper lubrication. After the 30
second warm-up period, the accelerator
pedal will be operational again and a
message will appear informing you the
vehicle is ok to drive.
When starting the engine in extremely cold
temperatures
-15°F (-26°C), it is
recommended to allow the engine to idle
for several minutes before driving the
vehicle.
Before starting the engine check the
following:
• Make sure all occupants have fastened
their seatbelts.
• Make sure the headlamps and
electrical accessories are off.
• Make sure the parking brake is on.
• Make sure the transmission is in park
(P).
Note: Do not press the accelerator during
starting.
Vehicles with Keyless Start
Note: Do not touch the accelerator pedal.
184
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

When the glow plug pre-heat indicator
turns off, turn the key to start and release
the key as soon as the engine starts. After
starting the engine, the glow plugs may
remain on for a period. If you do not start
the engine before the glow plug activation
time ends, you will need to reset the glow
plugs by switching the ignition off. After
the engine starts, allow it to idle for about
15 seconds. This is to protect the engine.
Do not increase engine speed until the oil
pressure gauge indicates normal pressure.
For vehicles with keyless start:
1. Fully depress brake pedal and hold to
allow time for glow-plugs to heat.
2. Press and release the start button.
Note: A message "Engine Start Pending,
Please Wait", along with the glow plug
indicator displays on the instrument cluster.
3. When the engine starts, release the brake pedal.
Cold Weather Operation
Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat
the engine to its normal operating
temperature. Long periods of idling,
especially in cold weather, can cause a
buildup of deposits which can cause engine
damage.
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also
makes starting easier under these
conditions. Refer to Engine oil
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperatures. Diesel fuel which has not
been properly formulated for the ambient
conditions may gel which can clog the fuel
filters. One indication that the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged is if the engine starts, stalls
after a short time, and then does not
restart. If you have been using biodiesel,
you may need to use a fuel with lower
biodiesel content, try another brand, or discontinue using biodiesel. Do not use
alcohol based additives to correct fuel
gelling. This may result in damage to the
fuel injectors and system. Use the proper
anti-gel and performance improvement
product. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 433).
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel and
water separator that recirculates fuel from
the engine to help prevent fuel filter
clogging. To avoid engine fuel starvation
during cold weather operation of 32°F
(0°C) or below, we recommended that
the fuel level in your tank should not drop
below 1⁄4 full. This helps prevent air from
entering the fuel system and stalling the
engine.
In cold weather below 32°F (0°C), the
engine may slowly increase to a higher idle
speed if left idling in park (P). As the engine
warms-up, the engine sound level
decreases due to the activation of
PCM-controlled sound reduction features.
If you operate your vehicle in a heavy
snowstorm or blowing snow conditions,
snow and ice can clog the engine air
induction. If this occurs, the engine may
experience a significant reduction in power
output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow and/or ice away from inside
the air filter assembly. Remove the air
cleaner cover and the pleated paper filter,
leaving the foam filter in and remove any
snow or ice. Make sure you install the foam
filter correctly in place. Remove any debris,
snow or ice on the foam filter by brushing
the surface with soft brush. Once you have
cleared all of the debris, reinstall the air
filter and assembly.
Do not use water, solvents, or a hard brush
for cleaning the foam filter.
186
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

WARNING: To reduce the risk of
vehicle damage and personal burn
injuries, do not start your engine with the
air cleaner removed and do not remove
it while the engine is running.
In order to operate the engine in
temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or lower, read
the following instructions:
• Make sure that the batteries are of
sufficient size and are fully charged.
Check other electrical components to
make sure they are in optimum
condition.
• Use the proper coolant solution at the
concentration recommended
protecting the engine against damage
from freezing.
• Try to keep the fuel tank full as much
as possible at the end of operation to
prevent condensation in the fuel
system.
• Make sure you use proper cold weather
engine oil and that it is at its proper
level. Also, if necessary, make sure to
follow the engine oil and filter change
schedule found under the Special
operating conditions section listed in
the scheduled maintenance
information.
• At temperatures of
-9°F (-23°C) or
below, it is recommended that you use
an engine block heater to improve cold
engine starting.
• If operating in arctic temperatures of
-20°F (-29°C)
or lower, consult your
truck dealer for information about
special cold weather equipment and
precautions. The following cold weather idling
guidelines are recommended:
•
You can use Motorcraft® cetane
improvers or non-alcohol-based
cetane improvers from a reputable
manufacturer as needed.
• Maintain the engine cooling system
properly.
• Avoid shutting the engine down after
an extensive idling period. Drive your
vehicle for several miles with the
engine at normal operating
temperatures under a moderate load.
• Consider using an engine block heater.
• For extended idle times use an
approved idle speed increase device.
Winter Operating Tips for Arctic
Operation -20°F (-29°C) and Below
The following information is a guideline
only and is not to be the only source of
possible solutions in resolving extreme
cold temperature issues.
Starting Aids WARNING:
Do not use starting
fluid, for example ether, in the air intake
system. Such fluid could cause
immediate explosive damage to the
engine and possible personal injury.
The use of the factory engine block heater
assists in engine starting in extreme cold
ambient temperatures
See Engine Block
Heater (page 188).
187
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Starting and Stopping the Engine

Note:
Do not blend used engine oil with
diesel fuel under any circumstances.
Blending used oil with the fuel will
significantly increase your vehicle ’s exhaust
emissions and reduce engine life due to
increased internal wear.
We recommend Top Tier diesel fuel where
available to help minimize engine deposits
and maintain optimal vehicle and engine
performance. For additional information,
refer to www.toptiergas.com.
You should use Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
fuel (also known as ULSD) designated as
number 1-D or 2-D with a maximum of
15-ppm sulfur in your diesel vehicle. You
may operate your vehicle on diesel fuels
containing up to 20% biodiesel, also
known as B20. These fuels should meet
the ASTM D975 diesel or the ASTM D7467
B6-B20 biodiesel industry specifications.
Outside of North America, use fuels
meeting EN590 or equivalent local market
standard. Using low sulfur diesel fuel
(16-500 ppm) or high sulfur
diesel fuel (greater than 500
ppm) in your diesel engine will cause
certain emission components to
malfunction which may also cause the
service engine soon light to illuminate
indicating an emissions-related concern.
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperature. For best results at
temperatures below 19°F (-7°C), we
recommended using a diesel fuel which
has been seasonally adjusted for the
ambient conditions. Fuel Requirements - Choosing The
Right Fuel: Vehicles Operated
Where Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
Is Not Required
For the engine to operate reliably on
low-sulfur or high-sulfur diesel fuel, the
engine must be a factory built high-sulfur
engine (available as a dealer order option
for select markets) or an ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel configured engine that has been
retrofitted for high-sulfur diesel fuel using
Ford Motor Company dealer service parts.
Failure to use retrofit components other
than those available through your
authorized dealer will result in coolant
system damage, engine overheating,
selective catalyst reduction system or
diesel particulate filter damage and
possible base engine damage.
Use only a diesel engine configured for use
with high sulfur diesel fuel in markets with
diesel fuel that has sulfur content greater
than 15 ppm. Using low sulfur diesel fuel
(16–500 ppm) or high sulfur diesel fuel
(greater than 500 ppm) in a diesel engine
designed to use only Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel fuel may result in damage to engine
emission control devices and the
aftertreatment system, potentially
rendering the vehicle inoperable.
Vehicles with engines configured for use
with high sulfur diesel fuel are only
available for sale in countries where ultra
low sulfur diesel fuel is generally not
available or mandated by the government.
Vehicles originally sold in a ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel market that are subsequently
exported to non- ultra low sulfur diesel fuel
markets will need to be retrofitted at the
customer
’s expense using Ford authorized
dealer service parts in order to be reliably
operated on non- ultra low sulfur diesel
fuel.
194
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Fuel and Refueling

Biodiesel
WARNING: Do not mix diesel with
gasoline, gasohol or alcohol. This could
cause an explosion.
Note: Do not use home heating oil,
agricultural fuel, raw fats and oils, waste
cooking greases, biodiesel greater than 20%
or any diesel not intended for highway use.
Damage to the fuel injection system, engine
and exhaust catalyst, and diesel particulate
filter can occur if you use an improper fuel.
Red dye is used to identify fuels intended
for agricultural and non-highway use.
You may operate your vehicle on diesel
fuels containing up to 20% biodiesel, also
known as B20.
Biodiesel fuel is a chemically converted
product from renewable fuel sources, such
as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste
cooking greases.
To help achieve acceptable engine
performance and durability when using
biodiesel in your vehicle:
• Confirm the biodiesel content of the
fuel to be B20 (20% biodiesel) or less
• Only use biodiesel fuel of good quality
that complies with industry standards
• Follow the recommended service
maintenance intervals
See General
Maintenance Information (page 553).
• Do not store biodiesel fuel in the fuel
tank for more than 1 month
• Consider changing brands or reducing
biodiesel content if you have cold
temperature fuel gelling issues or a
frequent LOW FUEL PRESSURE
message appearing Use of biodiesel in concentrations greater
than 20% may cause damage to your
vehicle, including engine and/or exhaust
after-treatment hardware (exhaust
catalyst and particulate filter) failures.
Concentrations greater than 20% can also
cause fuel filter restrictions that may result
in a lack of power or damage to fuel
system components, including fuel pump
and fuel injector failures.
We recommend SAE 5W-40 oil for fuels
with greater than 5% biodiesel (B5). For
more information about oil change
intervals and other maintenance when
operating on biodiesel
See Special
Operating Conditions Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 560).
Look for a label on the fuel pump to
confirm the amount of biodiesel contained
in a diesel fuel. Biodiesel content is often
indicated with the letter B followed by the
percent of biodiesel in the fuel. For
example, B20 indicates a fuel containing
20% biodiesel. Ask the service station
attendant to confirm the biodiesel content
of a diesel fuel if you do not see a label on
the fuel pump.
Biodiesel fuels degrade more easily than
diesel fuels not containing biodiesel and
should not be stored in the fuel tank for
more than 1 month. If you plan to park or
store your vehicle for more than 1 month,
then you should empty your vehicle fuel
tank of biodiesel fuel. You should fill the
tank with a pure petroleum-based diesel
fuel and run your vehicle for a minimum of
30 minutes.
Note: Degraded or oxidized biodiesel can
damage fuel system seals and plastics and
corrode steel parts.
During cold weather, if you have problems
operating on biodiesel, you may need to
use a diesel fuel with lower biodiesel
content, try another brand, or discontinue
the use of biodiesel.
195
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Fuel and Refueling

Do not use:
•
Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
• Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change. FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.
Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See
Towing (page 290).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
197
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Fuel and RefuelingE161513

ECONOMICAL DRIVING
Your fuel economy is affected by several
things, such as how you drive, the
conditions you drive under, and how you
maintain your vehicle.
You may improve your fuel economy by
keeping these things in mind:
•
Accelerate and slow down in a smooth,
moderate fashion.
• Drive at steady speeds without
stopping.
• Anticipate stops; slowing down may
eliminate the need to stop.
• Combine errands and minimize
stop-and-go driving.
• Close the windows for high-speed
driving.
• Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling
at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15% less
fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105
km/h]).
• Keep the tires properly inflated and use
only the recommended size.
• Use the recommended engine oil.
• Perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance.
Avoid these actions; they reduce your fuel
economy:
• Sudden accelerations or hard
accelerations.
• Revving the engine before turning it off.
• Idle for periods longer than one minute.
• Warm up your vehicle on cold
mornings.
• Use the air conditioner or front
defroster.
• Use the speed control in hilly terrain.
• Rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. •
Drive a heavily loaded vehicle or tow a
trailer.
• Carry unnecessary weight
(approximately 1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is
lost for every 400 lb [180 kilogram] of
weight carried).
• Driving with the wheels out of
alignment.
Conditions
• Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a
trailer may reduce fuel economy at any
speed.
• Adding certain accessories to your
vehicle (for example bug deflectors,
rollbars, light bars, running boards, ski
racks or luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
• To maximize the fuel economy, drive
with the tonneau cover installed (if
equipped).
• Using fuel blended with alcohol may
lower fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 5–10 mi
(12 –16 km) of driving.
• Driving on flat terrain offers improved
fuel economy as compared to driving
on hilly terrain.
• Transmissions give their best fuel
economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure
on the gas pedal.
• Four-wheel-drive operation (if
equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING
In addition to providing an excellent
on-road driving experience, your vehicle
excels at all types of off-road driving. The
truck has been designed and equipped to
allow you to explore those places where
the road doesn ’t take you whether it’ s a
324
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Driving Hints

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.
Disconnecting Your 12 Volt 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 you disconnect the battery
cables.
389
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201907, Third-Printing- Vehicle Care