2021 FORD F-53 service schedule

High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range may
result in transmission failure. An overfill
condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or
possible damage. High fluid levels can be
caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission
fluid levels
Note:
Use of a non-approved automatic
transmission fluid may cause internal
transmission damage. Before adding any
fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The
type of fluid used is normally indicated on
the transmission dipstick and also in the
See Capacities and Specifications (page
152). Add fluid in ½ pint (250 ml) increments
through the filler tube until the level is
correct.
Note:
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by an authorized dealer.
An overfill condition of transmission fluid
may cause shift and/or engagement
concerns and/or possible damage. 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.
Automatic transmission fluid filter
The TorqShift6™ automatic transmission
is equipped with a serviceable transmission
fluid filter located inside the transmission
bottom pan. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance information for service
intervals for the automatic transmission
fluid and transmission filter. For
transmission filter maintenance, see your
authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
WARNING:
The brake system
could be affected if the brake fluid level
is below the MIN mark or above the MAX
mark on the brake fluid reservoir. 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.
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Hydromax
Chassis with gross vehicle weight ratings
of 20500 pounds (9299 kilograms),
22000 pounds (9979 kilograms), 24000
pounds (10886 kilograms) and 26000
pounds (11793 kilograms) come with
Hydromax Brake Booster Systems. Use
Motorcraft DOT 5.1 Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluid or equivalent meeting Specification
WSS-M6C65-A3. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 156).
Add fluid up to the bottom of the rings at
the top of the reservoir. Do not fill above
this line. •
Use only DOT 5.1 brake fluid certified
to meet our specifications.
• A clear gel-like substance in the
hydraulic brake master cylinder
reservoir could appear on some
vehicles. This substance is a silicone
base lubricant used during assembly
of the master cylinder. It floats on top
of the brake hydraulic fluid in the
master cylinder. This condition is
normal and in no way affects the
operation of the brake system. It does
not require any service.
• Replace brake system fluid on a regular
basis to maintain optimum braking
performance, especially under
heavy-duty driving conditions such as
frequent steep slopes or heavy towing
loads. See
Scheduled Maintenance
(page 168).
Hydroboost
Chassis with gross vehicle weight ratings
of 16000 pounds (7257 kilograms), 18000
pounds (8165 kilograms) and 19500
pounds (8845 kilograms) come with
Hydroboost Brake Booster Systems. Use
Motorcraft DOT 5.1 Motor Vehicle Brake
Fluid or equivalent meeting Specification
WSS-M6C65-A3. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 156).
Add brake fluid from a clean, unopened
container until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line. Use only DOT 5.1
brake fluid that is certified to meet our
specifications.
Replace brake system fluid on a regular
basis to maintain optimum braking
performance, especially under heavy-duty
driving conditions such as frequent steep
slopes or heavy towing loads. See
Scheduled Maintenance
(page 168).
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Less Cost to Properly Maintain Your
Vehicle
Ford Protect extended service plan also
offers a Premium Maintenance Plan that
covers all scheduled maintenance, and
selected wear items. The coverage is
prepaid, so you never have to worry about
the cost of your vehicle
’s maintenance.
Covered maintenance includes:
• Windshield wiper blades.
• Spark plugs.
• The clutch disc (if equipped).
• Brake pads and linings.
• Shock absorbers.
• Struts.
• Engine Belts.
• Engine coolant hoses, clamps and
o-rings.
• Diesel exhaust fluid replenishment (if
equipped).
• Cabin air filter replacement every
20,000 mi (32,000 km) (electric
vehicles only).
Interest Free Finance Options
Just a 5% down payment will provide you
with an affordable, no interest, no fee
payment program allowing you all the
security and benefits Ford Protect
extended service plan has to offer while
paying over time. You are pre-approved
with no credit check or hassles. To learn
more, call our Ford Protect extended
service plan specialists at 800-367-3377.
Ford Protect Extended Service Plan
P.O. Box 321067
Detroit, MI 48232 Ford Protect Extended Service
Plan (CANADA ONLY)
You can get more protection for your
vehicle by purchasing a Ford Protect
extended service plan. Ford Protect
extended service plan is the only service
contract backed by Ford Motor Company
of Canada, Limited. Depending on the plan
you purchase, Ford Protect extended
service plan provides benefits such as:
•
Rental reimbursement.
• Coverage for certain maintenance and
wear items.
• Protection against repair costs after
your New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Coverage expires.
• Roadside Assistance benefits.
There are several Ford Protect extended
service plans available in various time,
distance and deductible combinations.
Each plan is tailored to fit your own driving
needs, including reimbursement for towing
and rental. When you purchase Ford
Protect extended service plan, you receive
added peace-of-mind protection
throughout Canada, the United States and
Mexico, provided by a network of
participating authorized Ford Motor
Company dealers.
Note: Repairs performed outside of Canada
and the United States are not eligible for
Ford Protect extended service plan
coverage.
This information is subject to change. For
more information; visit your local Ford of
Canada dealer or www.ford.ca to find the
Ford Protect extended service plan that is
right for you.
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GENERAL MAINTENANCE
INFORMATION
Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance
schedule helps protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance and may help to
increase the value of your vehicle when
you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for
completed maintenance with your vehicle.
We have established regular maintenance
intervals for your vehicle based upon
rigorous testing. It is important that you
have your vehicle serviced at the proper
times. These intervals serve two purposes;
one is to maintain the reliability of your
vehicle and the second is to keep your cost
of owning your vehicle down.
It is your responsibility to have all
scheduled maintenance performed and to
make sure that the materials used meet
the specifications identified in this owner's
manual. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 152).
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
invalidates warranty coverage on parts
affected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your
Dealership?
Factory-trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive
factory-sponsored certification training to
help them become experts on the
operation of your vehicle. Ask your
dealership about the training and
certification their technicians have
received. Genuine Ford and Motorcraft
Replacement Parts
Dealerships stock Ford, Motorcraft and
Ford-authorized branded re-manufactured
replacement parts. These parts meet or
exceed our specifications. Parts installed
at your dealership carry a nationwide
24-month or unlimited mile (kilometer)
parts and labor limited warranty.
If you do not use Ford authorized parts they
may not meet our specifications and
depending on the part, it could affect
emissions compliance.
Convenience
Many dealerships have extended evening
and Saturday hours to make your service
visit more convenient and they offer one
stop shopping. They can perform any
services that are required on your vehicle,
from general maintenance to collision
repairs.
Note:
Not all dealers have extended hours
or body shops. Please contact your dealer
for details.
Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that pays
dividends in the form of improved
reliability, durability and resale value. To
maintain the proper performance of your
vehicle and its emission control systems,
make sure you have scheduled
maintenance performed at the designated
intervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built
with multiple, complex, performance
systems. Every manufacturer develops
these systems using different
specifications and performance features.
That is why it is important to rely upon your
dealership to properly diagnose and repair
your vehicle.
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Ford Motor Company has recommended
maintenance intervals for various parts
and component systems based upon
engineering testing. Ford Motor Company
relies upon this testing to determine the
most appropriate mileage for replacement
of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at
the lowest overall cost to you and
recommends against maintenance
schedules that deviate from the scheduled
maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of only
genuine Ford, Motorcraft or
Ford-authorized re-manufactured
replacement parts engineered for your
vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the Ford
Workshop Manual list the recommended
additives and chemicals for your vehicle.
We do not recommend using chemicals or
additives not approved by us as part of
your vehicle
’s normal maintenance. Please
consult your warranty information. Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a
normal operating characteristic and, by
itself, does not necessarily indicate a
concern or that the fluid needs to be
changed. However, a qualified expert, such
as the factory-trained technicians at your
dealership, should inspect discolored fluids
that also show signs of overheating or
foreign material contamination
immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle
’s oils and
fluids at the specified intervals or in
conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a
viable way to change fluid for many vehicle
sub-systems during scheduled
maintenance. It is critical that systems are
flushed only with new fluid that is the same
as that required to fill and operate the
system or using a Ford-approved flushing
chemical.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic
maintenance checks and inspections every
month 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 service
advisor or technician about the multi-point
vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive
way to perform a thorough inspection of
your vehicle. Your checklist gives you
immediate feedback on the overall
condition of your vehicle.
NORMAL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Note: Do not exceed the mileage or time intervals. Every 10,000 miles (16000 km), 12 months or 450 engine hours - whichever comes 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 or
drag.
Perform a multi-point inspection.
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 coolant level/strength and hoses.
Inspect the exhaust system and heat shields.
Inspect the steering linkage, ball joints, suspension, tie-rod ends, drive shaft and U-joints.
Lubricate, if your vehicle has grease fittings.
1 Vehicles with dual rear wheels should rotate the front wheels when specified; rear wheels
only if you notice unusual wear. Brake Fluid Maintenance
1
Change the brake fluid. 2
Every 3 Years
1 Perform this maintenance item every 3 years. Do not exceed the designated time for
the interval.
2 Brake fluid servicing requires special equipment available at your authorized dealer.
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SPECIAL OPERATING
CONDITIONS SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE
If you operate your vehicle primarily in any
of the following conditions, you need to perform extra maintenance as indicated.
If you operate your vehicle
occasionally
under any of these conditions, it is not
necessary to perform the extra
maintenance. For specific
recommendations, see your dealership
service advisor or technician. Towing a trailer or using a car-top carrier
Inspect U-joints.
Inspect frequently, service
as required
See axle maintenance items under
Exceptions.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Every 5000 miles (8000
km)
Rotate tires*
, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Change engine oil and filter.
Every 5000 miles (8000
km) or six months
Inspect U-joints.
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used.
Every 30000 miles (48000
km)
Replace spark plugs.
Every 60000 miles (96000
km)
* 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 (8000
km)
Inspect wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Rotate tires*
, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Inspect U-joints.
Every 5000 miles (8000
km) 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 (8000
km) or six months or 200
engine hours
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used.
Every 30000 miles (48000
km)
Replace spark plugs.
Every 60000 miles (96000
km)
* 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, service
as required
Replace cabin air filter, if equipped.
Inspect the wheels and related components for abnormal
noise, wear, looseness or drag.
Every 5000 miles (8000
km)
Rotate tires*
, inspect tires for wear and measure tread
depth.
Change engine oil and filter.
Every 5000 miles (8000
km) or six months
Inspect U-joints.
Replace front wheel bearing grease and grease seals if
non-sealed bearings are used.
Every 30000 miles (48000
km)
Change rear axle fluid.
Every 50000 miles (80000
km)
* 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 Normal
Schedule:
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