GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING: Making modificationsto various parts, components andsystems of the vehicle, such as brake andsteering systems, can adversely affectthe quality, reliability and operation ofyour vehicle and could result in propertydamage, personal injury or death. Suchmodifications must be avoided.
WARNING: Failure to properlyperform maintenance and servicingprocedures could result in vehicledamage, personal injury or death.
WARNING: Take care whenperforming any maintenance, systemcheck or service on your vehicle. Someof the materials may also be hazardousif used, serviced or handled improperlyand could result in property damage,personal injury or death.
If the owner or operator of the vehicle is askilled technician and intends onperforming the vehicle maintenance andservice, he is strongly urged to purchase aservice manual.
Always use care when performing vehiclemaintenance, repairs or system checks.Improper or incomplete service could resultin your vehicle not working properly whichmay result in personal injury or damage toyour vehicle or equipment. It is theoperator’s responsibility to see that yourvehicle receives proper care andmaintenance. If you have any questionsabout performing service, have the servicedone by a qualified technician.
To help you service your vehicle, weprovide scheduled maintenanceinformation which makes tracking routineservice easy. See ScheduledMaintenance (page 325).
If your vehicle requires professional service,an authorized dealer can provide thenecessary parts and service. Check yourwarranty information to find out whichparts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,fluids and service parts conforming tospecifications. Motorcraft® parts aredesigned and built to provide the bestperformance in your vehicle.
Servicing Guidelines
WARNING: The use of inferior partscan adversely affect the quality andreliability of your vehicle and could resultin property damage, personal injury ordeath.
When servicing your vehicle:
•Always wear safety glasses for eyeprotection.
•Always set the parking brake or chockthe wheels.
•Always use support stands, not a jack,when working under a raised vehicle.
•Always turn off the ignition unless aprocedure requires the engine to berunning.
•Always avoid contact with hot metalparts. Allow the components to coolbefore working with, or around, them.
•Always operate the engine in awell-ventilated area.
•Do not wear loose-fitting clothing,hanging jewelry, watches or rings.
•Do not smoke.
•Do not work on the brakes or the clutchunless you take the proper precautionsto avoid inhaling friction material dust.
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Quality service parts are available throughan authorized dealer. If dealer parts are notused, make sure the replacement parts areof equivalent quality.
Working with the Engine Off
1.Set the parking brake and shift toneutral (N) or park (P).
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Block the wheels.
Working with the Engine On
WARNING: To reduce the risk ofvehicle damage and/or personal burninjuries, do not start your engine with theair cleaner removed and do not removeit while the engine is running.
1.Set the parking brake and shift toneutral (N) or park (P).
2.Block the wheels
Supporting Your Vehicle forService
WARNING: Do not use a jack whenworking under a vehicle. It may give way,causing the vehicle to fall and result inproperty damage, personal injury ordeath. Always use floor stands tosupport the vehicle.
Prepare your vehicle for service repairs bydoing the following:
1.Park your vehicle on a level, concretefloor.
2.Set the parking brake and block thewheels to prevent your vehicle frommoving.
3.Select a jack with a rated capacitysufficient to lift and hold up yourvehicle.
4.Raise your vehicle with the jack appliedto the axle(s). Do not use the bumperas a lifting point.
5.Support your vehicle with floor standsunder the axle(s). When servicing theaxle or the suspension, support yourvehicle with floor stands under theframe side-members, preferablybetween the axles.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD
WARNING: Before opening thehood, fully apply the parking brake, shiftinto park (P) or neutral (N) and switchthe ignition off.
WARNING: Do not stand under thehood when you raise or lower it. Failureto follow this warning could result inserious personal injury or death.
WARNING: If the engine is runningwhile the hood is open, stay clear ofmoving engine components. Failure tofollow this warning could result in seriouspersonal injury or death.
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•Frequent low-speed operation, orconsistent heavy traffic less than25 mph (40 km/h).
•Operating in severe dust conditions.
•Operating the vehicle off road.
•Towing a trailer over 1,000 mi(1,600 km).
•Sustained, high-speed driving at thegross vehicle weight rating.
•Use of fuels with sulfur content otherthan ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD).
•Use of high-sulfur diesel fuel.
Only use engine oil that meets ourspecifications. See Capacities andSpecifications (page 291).
OIL CHANGE INDICATOR
RESET
Base Cluster
Use the information display controls onthe steering wheel to reset the oil changeindicator.
From the main menu scroll to:
Action and DescriptionMessage
Press the right arrow button,then from this menu scrollto the following message.
Settings
Press the down arrowbutton, then from this menuscroll to the followingmessage.
Vehicle
Press the right arrow button,then from this menu scrollto the following message.
Oil LifeReset
Press and hold the OKbutton until the instrumentcluster displays thefollowing message.
Oil LifeHold toReset
Action and DescriptionMessage
Press and hold the OKbutton until the instrumentcluster displays thefollowing message.
Oil LifeHold OKto Reset
Reset Complete
If the instrument clusterdisplays the followingmessage, repeat theprocess.
Reset Cancelled
High Series Cluster
Use the information display controls onthe steering wheel to reset the oil changeindicator.
From the main menu scroll to:
Action and DescriptionMessage
Press the down arrowbutton, then from this menuscroll to the followingmessage.
Truck Info
Press the OK button.Mainten-anceMonitor
Press the down arrowbutton, then from this menuscroll to the followingmessage.
Oil Life:xxx%
Press the OK button.Oil Life
Press and hold the OKbutton until the instrumentcluster displays thefollowing message.
Oil LifeHold OK toReset
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For detailed interval information, seeScheduled Maintenance in your Owner'sManual or your local maintenance guide.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Check the power steering fluid. SeeScheduled Maintenance (page 325). Ifadding fluid is necessary, use onlyMERCON LV ATF
Check the fluid level when it is at ambienttemperature.
1.Check the fluid level in the reservoir. Itshould be between the MIN and MAXrange. Do not add fluid if the level iswithin this range.
2.If the fluid level is low, add fluid to bringthe fluid level up to between the MINand MAX range.
3.Switch the engine on.
4.While the engine idles, turn the steeringwheel left and right several times.
5.Switch the engine off.
6.Recheck the fluid level in the reservoir.Do not add fluid if the level is betweenthe MIN and MAX range.
7.If the fluid is low, add the proper typeof fluid in small amounts, continuouslychecking the level until it is betweenthe MIN and MAX range. SeeHydraulic Power Steering FluidCapacity and Specification (page312). Be sure to put the cap back on thereservoir.
CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY
WARNING: This vehicle may beequipped with more than one battery,removal of cable from only one batterydoes not disconnect the vehicleelectrical system. Be sure to disconnectcables from all batteries whendisconnecting power. Failure to do somay cause serious personal injury orproperty damage.
WARNING: Batteries normallyproduce explosive gases which cancause personal injury. Therefore, do notallow flames, sparks or lightedsubstances to come near the battery.When working near the battery, alwaysshield your face and protect your eyes.Always provide proper ventilation.
WARNING: When lifting aplastic-cased battery, excessive pressureon the end walls could cause acid to flowthrough the vent caps, resulting inpersonal injury and damage to thevehicle or battery. Lift the battery with abattery carrier or with your hands onopposite corners.
WARNING: Keep batteries out ofreach of children. Batteries containsulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes whenworking near the battery to protectagainst possible splashing of acidsolution. In case of acid contact with skinor eyes, flush immediately with water fora minimum of 15 minutes and get promptmedical attention. If acid is swallowed,call a physician immediately.
Note:If your battery has a cover/shield,make sure it is reinstalled after the batteryhas been cleaned or replaced.
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Note:Battery posts, terminals and relatedaccessories contain lead and leadcompounds. Wash hands after handling.
Note:Electrical or electronic accessoriesor components added to the vehicle by thedealer or the owner may adversely affectbattery performance and durability.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Motorcraftmaintenance-free battery which normallydoes not require additional water duringits life of service.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep thetop of the battery clean and dry. Also,make certain the battery cables are alwaystightly fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery orterminals, remove the cables from theterminals and clean with a wire brush. Youcan neutralize the acid with a solution ofbaking soda and water.
It is recommended that the negativebattery cable terminal be disconnectedfrom the battery if you plan to store yourvehicle for an extended period of time.
Because your vehicle’s engine iselectronically controlled by a computer,some control conditions are maintainedby power from the battery. When thebattery is disconnected or a new batteryis installed, the engine must relearn its idleand fuel trim strategy for optimumdriveability and performance. To begin thisprocess
1.With the vehicle at a complete stop,set the parking brake.
2.Put the gearshift in park (P) or neutral(N) and turn off all accessories.
3.Start the engine. Run the engine untilit reaches normal operatingtemperature.
4.Allow the engine to idle for at least oneminute.
5.Turn the air conditioning (if equipped)on and allow the engine to idle for atleast one minute.
6.Release the parking brake. With yourfoot on the brake pedal and with theair conditioning on, put the vehicle indrive (D) and allow the engine to idlefor at least one minute.
•If you do not allow the engine torelearn its idle trim, the idle qualityof your vehicle may be adverselyaffected until the idle trim iseventually relearned.
7.Drive the vehicle to complete therelearning process
•The vehicle may need to be driven10 mi (16 km) or more to relearn theidle and fuel trim strategy alongwith the ethanol content for flexiblefuel vehicles.
If the battery has been disconnected or anew battery has been installed, the clockand radio settings must be reset once thebattery is reconnected.
Always dispose of automotivebatteries in a responsible manner.Follow your local authorized standardsfor disposal. Call your local authorizedrecycling center to find out more aboutrecycling automotive batteries.
Battery Management System (IfEquipped)
The battery management system (BMS)monitors battery conditions and takesactions to extend battery life. If excessivebattery drain is detected, the system maytemporarily disable certain electricalfeatures to protect the battery. Thoseelectrical accessories affected include therear defrost, heated/cooled seats, climatecontrol fan, heated steering wheel, audioand navigation system. A message may beshown in the information displays to alert
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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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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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AXLE INSPECTION
Front Axle
Maintaining the front axle alignment tospecifications is very important. A qualifiedtechnician should check and maintain thealignment.
Regular inspections should include:
•Toe-in inspection and adjustment (ifnecessary), particularly with radialtires.
•Checking for proper tightness of axlemounting U-bolt nuts, attaching ormounting bolts and nuts.
•Checking the axle for damage, binding,worn parts and adequate lubrication.
•Checking the kingpins for excessivewear. Also, perform this check duringother scheduled maintenance, forexample as tire rotation or service,wheel bearing service and alignment.See the workshop manual for properprocedures.
Toe-in
It is essential to maintain correct toe-inand tire pressure for optimum tire wear.
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first3,000–10,000 mi (5,000–16,000 km)generally shows if tires are wearingnormally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tiresindicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tiresindicates too much toe-out.
In P&D-type service, there can be aleft-to-right steer tire tread life differentialup to 40% depending on routes and othervariables.
Follow the tire manufacturer'srecommended cold inflation pressure forthe tire size, load range (ply rating) andsteer axle loading typical for their operation(each steer axle tire equals ½ steer axleloading).
Special applications may warrant a settingbased on experience with the type of tireoperating loads and conditions. Radial tiresare more sensitive to toe-in setting thanbias ply tires. Fine tuning school busalignment to line-haul truck standardsdoes not drastically improve tire tread life.
STEERING SYSTEM
INSPECTION
WARNING: Failure to maintain thesteering system in proper condition cancause reduced steering ability resultingin property damage, personal injury ordeath.
Note:Have any steering problemsimmediately corrected by a qualified servicetechnician.
Ask your service technician to examine thesteering mechanism. Only minoradjustments may be necessary.
Regular inspections should include:
•Checking the tie rod, drag link endclamp bolts and ball joints for propertightness.
•Checking for installation and spread ofcotter pins and tightness of nuts atboth ends of the tie rod and drag link.
•Checking that the pitman arm (steeringarm at steering gear) mounting is tightand locked. Check system for leaks orhose chafing. Repair immediately, ifnecessary.
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