check engine light FORD F150 2011 12.G User Guide

concentrations below 40% will decrease the corrosion/freeze
protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may cause
engine damage.
•If available, refer to the chart on the coolant container to
ensure the coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide
adequate protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The mini message center (if equipped) will indicate “Check Gauges”,
refer toWarning lights and chimesin theInstrument Cluster
chapter.
•The
light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
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You may notice a reduction in the vehicle’s speed caused by reduced
engine power. Your vehicle has been designed to enter this mode if
certain high temperature/high load conditions take place in order to
manage the engine’s fluid temperatures. The amount of speed reduction
will depend on the vehicle loading, towing, grade, ambient temperature,
and other factors. If this occurs, there is no need to pull off the road.
The vehicle can continue to be driven while this message is active.
WARNING:To reduce the risk of collision and injury, be
prepared that the vehicle speed may reduce and the vehicle may
not be able to accelerate with full power until the fluid temperatures
reduce.
The air conditioning may also cycle on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect overheating of the engine. When the engine coolant
temperature decreases to a more normal operating temperature, the air
conditioning will turn on once again.
If you notice any of the following:
•the engine coolant temperature gauge moves fully into the red (hot)
area
•the coolant temperature warning light illuminates
•the service engine soon indicator illuminates
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and place the vehicle in P
(Park).
2. Leave the engine running until the coolant temperature gauge needle
moves away from the H range. After several minutes, if this does not
happen, follow the remaining steps.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for it to cool before checking the coolant
level.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
4. If the coolant level is normal, you may restart your engine and
continue on.
5. If the coolant is low, add coolant, restart the engine and take your
vehicle to an authorized dealer. SeeAdding engine coolantin this
chapter for more information.
Refer to fail-safe cooling for additional information.
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•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/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
8–10 miles (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.
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Value shopping for your vehicle’s maintenance needs
Your dealership recognizes the competitive landscape of maintenance and
light repair automotive services. With factory-trained technicians, and
one-stop service from routine maintenance like oil changes and tire
rotations to repairs like brake service, check out the value your dealers
can offer.
Owner checks and services
Certain basic maintenance checks and inspections should be performed
by the owner or a service technician at the intervals indicated. Service
information and supporting specifications are provided in this owner’s
guide.
Any adverse condition should be brought to the attention of your dealer
or qualified service technician as soon as possible for the proper service
advice. The owner maintenance service checks are generally not covered
by warranties so you may be charged for labor, parts or fluids used.
Engine oil/coolant change intervals
Engine oil
(3.5L/3.7L/5.0L)As indicated by the message center (can be
up to one year or 10,000 miles [16,000 km])
Engine oil (6.2L)6 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, initial
change (3.5L/3.7L/5.0L)6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, initial
change (6.2L)6 years or 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
(whichever comes first)
Engine coolant, after
initial change
(3.5L/3.7L/5.0L)Every 3 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Engine coolant, after
initial change (6.2L)Every 3 years or 45,000 miles (72,000 km)
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
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Check every month
Engine oil level
Function of all interior and exterior lights
Tires for wear and proper pressure, including spare
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
Hinges/latches/outside locks for proper operation; lubricate if necessary
Parking brake for proper operation
Safety belts and seat latches for wear and function
Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag, safety belt) for operation
Washer spray/wiper operation; clean or replace blades as necessary
Multi-point inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the
systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify
potential issues and prevent major problems. Ford Motor Company
recommends the following multi-point inspection be performed at every
scheduled maintenance interval to help ensure your vehicle keeps
running great.
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
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A
Accessory delay ........................103
AdvanceTrac ..............................280
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................189–190, 197, 200
and child safety seats ............191
description ..............190, 197, 200
disposal ....................................203
driver airbag ....190, 192, 198, 201
indicator light .........196, 199, 202
operation .........190, 192, 198, 201
passenger airbag ............190, 192,
198, 201
side airbag ...............................197
Air cleaner filter ...............404, 409
Air conditioning ........66, 69, 71, 74
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................66
Ambient mood/lighting ...............85
Ambulance packages ....................6
AM/FM .........................................49
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................381
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................278–279
Anti-theft system ..............153, 155
arming the system ..........153, 155
disarming a triggered
system .....................................156
triggering .................................156
Armrests ....................................160
Audio system (see Radio) ...47, 49Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................293
fluid, adding ............................403
fluid, checking ........................403
fluid, refill capacities ..............410
fluid, specification ..................410
Selectshift (SST) ....................295
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....57
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........410
refill capacities ........................410
B
Battery .......................................378
acid, treating emergencies .....378
jumping a disabled battery ....341
maintenance-free ....................378
replacement, specifications ...409
servicing ..................................378
Bed extender ............................124
Belt-Minder.............................184
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder...........................187
Blind spot mirror ......................305
Booster seats .............................222
Brakes ........................................278
anti-lock ...........................278–279
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................279
fluid, checking and adding ....402
fluid, refill capacities ..............410
fluid, specifications .................410
lubricant specifications ..........410
parking ....................................279
shift interlock ..................289, 291
trailer .......................................265
Bulbs ............................................86
Index
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E
Electronic message center ...19, 30
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................341
running out of fuel .........341, 394
Emission control system ..........399
Engine ........................................415
cleaning ...................................357
coolant .....................................381
fail-safe cooling .......................385
idle speed control ...................378
lubrication specifications .......410
refill capacities ........................410
service points ..................370–373
Engine block heater .................276
Engine oil ..................................375
checking and adding ..............375
dipstick ....................................375
filter, specifications ................409
refill capacities ........................410
specifications ..........................410
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................276
F
Fail safe cooling ........................385
Fleet MyKey programming ......133
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....388
Floor mats .................................120
Fluid capacities .........................410
Fog lamps ....................................80
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......306
driving off road .......................312
electronic shift ........................309
indicator light .........................306
lever operated shift ................307preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................288
Fuel ............................................388
calculating fuel
economy ............................22, 396
cap ...........................................391
capacity ...................................410
choosing the right fuel ...........392
detergent in fuel .....................394
filler funnel .............................394
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................388, 391, 396
filter, specifications ........388, 409
fuel pump shut-off ..................323
improving fuel economy ........396
octane rating ...........392–393, 415
quality ......................................393
running out of fuel .........341, 394
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................388
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................388, 392–393
Fuses ..................................323–324
G
Garage door opener ..................113
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............391
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................396
Gauges .........................................18
H
Hazard flashers .........................322
Headlamps ...................................80
aiming ........................................82
autolamp system .......................80
bulb specifications ....................86
daytime running lights .............81
Index
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