Regular fuel filter changes are animportant part of engine maintenance;failing to keep with the scheduledmaintenance could lead to engineperformance issues and fuel injectionsystem damage. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 325).
Use only recommended service partsconforming to specifications. SeeMotorcraft Parts (page 293).
Note:Using fuel that has high levels ofimpurities may require more frequent filterreplacements than the service intervalspecifies.
Diesel Fuel Conditioner ModuleFilter
Removal
1.Access the underside of your vehicle.
2.The diesel fuel conditioner module ison the left-hand frame rail.
3.Drain the diesel fuel conditionermodule. Turn the drain plugcounterclockwise until it stops. Do notuse any tools to loosen the drain plug.Drain the filter, approximately 0.5 gal(2 L), into an appropriate container.Do not re-use the fuel drained from themodule.
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BRAKE SYSTEM INSPECTION
WARNING: Always wear arespirator approved by the NationalInstitute of Occupational Studies ofHealth (NIOSH) or Mine Safety andAppliance (MSA) during all brake serviceprocedures. Wear the respirator fromremoval of the wheels through assembly.Never use compressed air or dry brushingto clean brake parts or assemblies.Clean brake parts and assemblies inopen air. During assembly, carefullyplace all parts on the floor to avoidgetting dust in the air. Use an industrialvacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtersystem to clean dust from the brakedrums, backing plates and other brakeparts. After using the vacuum, removeany remaining dust with a rag soaked inwater and wrung until nearly dry.Never use compressed air or drysweeping to clean the work area. Use anindustrial vacuum cleaner with a HEPAfilter system and rags soaked in waterand wrung until nearly dry. Dispose ofused rags with care to avoid getting dustin the air. Use an approved respiratorwhen emptying vacuum cleaners andhandling used rags.Worker clean-up: Wash your handsbefore eating, drinking or smoking.Vacuum your work clothes after use andthen launder them separately, withoutshaking them, to prevent fiber dustgetting into the air.
Your vehicle is equipped withnon-asbestos brake linings. However,exposure to excessive amounts of brakematerial (whether asbestos ornon-asbestos, fiberglass, mineral wool,aramid or carbon) may be a serious healthhazard.
Air Brakes
WARNING: Do not manually adjustthe automatic slack adjusters to correctexcessive push rod stroke as it may resultin reduced brake effectiveness and avehicle crash. Excessive push rod strokeindicates that a problem exists with theautomatic adjuster, with the installationof the adjuster, or with foundation brakecomponents that manual adjustmentdoes not remedy. Seek service from aqualified facility for excessive push rodstroke.
Inspection and Adjustment
Establish a regular schedule for periodiccleaning, lubrication and adjustmentinspection based on vehicle use. Exactmaintenance intervals are difficult topredetermine due to vehicle applicationsand operating conditions. If you areuncertain of the proper schedule for yourvehicle, contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•Periodic checking (every serviceinterval) of push rod travel or brakeadjustment. This is essential foreffective braking. Brake chamber pushrods on original equipment chambersnow incorporate an orange paintmarker near the base of the push rod
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as a stroke indicator to aid inadjustment checks. If the push rod isclean and the brakes are out ofadjustment, you can see the orangemarker protruding from the chamberwhen the brakes are applied.
•Checking the brake lining (every serviceinterval). When brake linings or blockswear within 0.063 in (1.6 mm) theymust be replaced.
•Periodic checking (every serviceinterval) of the air compressor filter.Check the filter minder and when theindicator is near or on the red linemarked Service, replace the filter andreset the service filter minder.
Do not back off or disconnect the frontbrakes so that they are less effective,letting the rear brakes do all the stoppingof your vehicle. Do not overlook the brakeson the trailer either. Brake condition on thetrailer is just as important as the tractor.Proper brake balance on trucks andtractor-trailers is essential for effectivebraking.
Once a year, inspect the entire brakesystem:
•Rubber components for deterioration.A qualified technician should inspectthese components and replace themas necessary. Replacement intervalsvary according to the severity andlength of vehicle service.
•Condition of brake drums, brakechambers and slack adjusters.
•System for air leaks.
•Hose or pipes for rust, damage anddeterioration.
•Operation of service and parkingbrakes.
Periodically inspect parts such as air brakechamber diaphragm, air compressor andair cleaner. Replace any parts if you canconsider them unserviceable.
Air Dryer
Climactic conditions affect performanceof desiccant or after-cooler type air dryers.You must establish a maintenanceschedule for each specific operation.
The use of an air dryer on a vehicle doesnot eliminate the need to drain the airreservoirs periodically.
Inspect for moisture in the air system byopening reservoirs, draincocks or valvesand checking for presence of water. Thepresence of small amounts of water dueto condensation is normal and is not anindication that the dryer is not functioningproperly.
Replace or rebuild the desiccant cartridgewhen you determine that the desiccant iscontaminated and does not have adequatewater absorption capacity. The desiccantchange interval may vary. A generalrecommendation is to replace thedesiccant every 12 months (yearly). Ifexperience has shown that extended orshortened life has resulted for a particularinstallation, then the yearly interval can beincreased or decreased accordingly.
Draining the Air Brake Reservoir
WARNING: Failure to drain airbrake reservoirs can result in a reductionor loss of braking ability due to fluidaccumulation in the reservoir and/orpossible freeze-up during cold weather.
Completely drain all the air brake reservoirsdaily by opening the draincock at the endsof the tanks. (Where accessible.Pull-chains are used when the drains areundercab or otherwise inaccessible.) Closethe draincock after draining. Manually drain
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any air tanks equipped with automaticmoisture ejector valves, as required, tomaintain a dry air system. Contact anauthorized dealer if you are unsure of theair reservoir locations or the drainingprocedure.
Hydraulic Brakes
Establish a regular schedule for periodiccleaning, lubrication and adjustmentinspection based on vehicle use. Exactmaintenance intervals are difficult topredetermine due to vehicle applicationsand operating conditions. If you areuncertain of the proper schedule for yourvehicle, contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
•Checking the brake lining (every serviceinterval). Establish inspection intervalsthat provide for lining replacementbefore damage to the disc occurs.Excessive lining wear may expose thebacking plate to the disc causingscoring of the disc faces. A qualifiedtechnician should perform this
inspection and keep to instructionsprovided by the service manual.Hydraulic brake systems arepower-assisted. There is a greatreduction in braking capabilitieswithout engine assist.
•Proper fluid level. The level should beat the bottom edge of the ring on eachreservoir fill port. Do not fill the mastercylinder to the top of the reservoir. Iffluid level requires attention tomaintain a proper master cylinder level,this is an indication of either severeoperation (pad wear) or fluid leakage.A more frequent and thorough brakeinspection is required.
•Brake lines, hoses and fittings. Repairor replace brake line tubes, hoses orfittings as required. Inspect thesecomponents every 4,000 mi(6,000 km) for the following.
•Lines for kinks, dents, corrosion orrupture.
•Hoses for abrasions, kinks, softspots or rupture, collapse, cracks,twists or loose frame supports.When replacing a hose, be surethere is adequate clearance to thehose to avoid an abrasion to thenew hose.
•All connections for leaks.
Driveline Parking Brake
WARNING: Use wheel chocks andexercise caution when inspecting underthe vehicle. A vehicle roll-away couldresult in property damage, personal injuryor death.
A qualified technician should adjust theparking brake and keep to the instructionsin the service manual.
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•Maintaining proper steering gear andpower steering pump lubricant levels.
•Checking steering column joint boltsand steering linkage, particularly forbody-to-chassis clearance.
Steering Column Joint Bolts
As a good maintenance practice, checksteering column joint bolt tightness every60,000 mi (96,000 km) or annually,whichever occurs first. Do not overtightenthe bolts.
Hydraulic System
Whenever draining and refilling the powersteering's hydraulic system for any reason,bleed air from the system before returningthe vehicle to service. Failure to bleed thehydraulic system properly can result indegradation of power system performance.
Consult an authorized dealer who is awareof the proper procedures for filling andbleeding the system.
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
INSPECTION (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:Do not adjust air suspension heightto any setting other than the specifiedsetting. Altering the height setting changesthe driveline angle and may result inunwarrantable component damage, suchas transmission component damage.
Verify drive axle air suspension height andheight control valve performance at engineoil change intervals.
Periodically check:
•Condition of spring leaves for evidenceof fatigue, bending or breakage.
•Condition of suspension mountingbrackets and bushings.
•Torque rod mounting fasteners fortightness.
•For proper suspension alignment.Maintain proper alignment at all times.
•U-bolts. After the chassis has beenoperating under load for 1,000 mi(1,600 km) or six months (whichevercomes first), the U-bolt nuts must bere-torqued. Re-torque the U-bolt nutsevery 37,000 mi (60,000 km)thereafter. Clean and lubricate theU-bolt and nut threads and seats tomake sure a like new condition whenre-torqueing. See Spring U-BoltCheck (page 261).
FRAME AND TOW HOOK
INSPECTION
Your vehicle's chassis is manufacturedwith frame rails of either HSLA steel orheat-treated steel. Handle each in aspecific manner to make sure maximumservice life. Consult the service manual oran authorized dealer before attemptingframe repair or modification.
It is important, particularly on vehicles thatuse tow hooks frequently, to inspect thefront and rear tow hooks for damage or aloose mounting.
REAR AXLE FLUID CHECK
Your rear axle may have an optionalsynthetic lubricant that allows the use ofextended service intervals. A tag on thefiller plug identifies the use of the syntheticlubricant.
Only use a lubricant that meetsmanufacturer specifications. Use of anon-approved rear axle lubricant maycause internal axle component damage.See Rear Axle Fluid Capacity andSpecification (page 311).
Checking the Fluid Level
1.Park your vehicle on level ground.
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Engine Oil
We recommend Motorcraft motor oil foryour vehicle. If Motorcraft motor oil is notavailable, use motor oil of therecommended viscosity grade that meetsour specification WSS-M2C171-F1. You canfind the list of approved motor oils atwww.motorcraft.com.
Do not use engine oil additives as theycould lead to engine damage not coveredby your vehicle warranty.
The use of correct oil viscosities for dieselengines is important for satisfactoryoperation. Determine which oil viscositybest suits the temperature range youexpect to encounter for the next serviceinterval from the SAE Viscosity Gradeschart.
Note:An engine block heater isrecommended at temperatures below–10°F (–23°C).
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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 Engine Specifications(page 291).
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 nationwide12-month or 12,500 mi (20,000 km) partsand 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 equipped with theIntelligent Oil-Life Monitor system, whichdisplays a message in the instrumentcluster display at the proper oil changeinterval. This interval may be up to one yearor 10,000 mi (16,000 km) for gas enginesand up to one year or 15,000 mi(24,000 km) for diesel engines.
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Scheduled Maintenance Services
Maintenance service adjustments mustconform to specifications contained in thismanual, and those shown on the ImportantEngine Information decal. Perform thefollowing services at scheduled intervalsbecause they essential to the life andperformance of your vehicle. Fordrecommends that you performmaintenance on all designated items toachieve best vehicle operation.
There are three types of maintenanceintervals for general vehicle environments:On-Highway, City and Severe Service. Inall applications, monitoring miles(kilometers) and time and when the engineis due for an oil change determine theactual interval. When the engine oil changeis required before the truck lubricationinterval, perform the lubrication at thesame time in order to reduce your vehicle’stime out of service.
Air Brake Adjustment
WARNING: Failure to maintainproper air brake adjustment can resultin reduction or loss of braking ability.
A qualified service technician, keeping tothe instructions in the service manual,should perform air brake inspection andadjustment or repairs.
Cam Brakes - Automatic SlackAdjusters
WARNING: Do not manually adjustthe automatic slack adjusters to correctexcessive push rod stroke as it may resultin reduced brake effectiveness and avehicle crash. Excessive push rod strokeindicates that a problem exists with theautomatic adjuster, with the installationof the adjuster, or with foundation brakecomponents that manual adjustmentdoes not remedy. Seek service from aqualified facility for excessive push rodstroke.
Inspect standard air brakes equipped withautomatic slack adjusters for proper brakeadjustment as listed in the maintenanceschedule charts.
However, inspect the brakes morefrequently when subjecting them to heavyuse or adverse operating conditions suchas:
•Frequent brake applications while fullyloaded.
•Operation on hilly or mountainousterrain.
•Frequent operation on dirt, gravel ormud.
Some aftermarket brake linings alsorequire more frequent inspections.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basicmaintenance checks and inspections everymonth or at six-month intervals.
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