maintenance FORD E-450 2021 Owner's Guide

If an overfill occurs, have a qualified
technician remove excess fluid.
Note:
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and engagement
concerns, and 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 Your automatic transmission has a
serviceable transmission fluid filter inside
the transmission bottom pan. For service
intervals for the automatic transmission
fluid and transmission filter, See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 250). For transmission filter maintenance, see
your authorized dealer.
BRAKE FLUID CHECK
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. WARNING:
Do not allow the fluid
to touch your skin or eyes. If this
happens, rinse the affected areas
immediately with plenty of water and
contact your physician. 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.
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1. Park your vehicle on a level surface.
2. Look at the brake fluid reservoir to see
where the brake fluid level is relative
to the MIN and the MAX marks on the
reservoir.
Note: If the brake fluid level is between the
MIN
and the MAX marks on the reservoir, it
is acceptable.
Note: If the brake fluid level is below the
MIN
mark or above the MAX mark, have
your vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Note: To avoid fluid contamination, the
reservoir cap must remain in place and fully
tight, unless you are adding fluid.
Only use fluid that meets our
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 219).
Brake Fluid Service Interval
Brake fluid absorbs water over time which
degrades the effectiveness of the brake
fluid. Change the brake fluid at the
specified intervals to prevent degraded
braking performance. For detailed interval information, see
Scheduled Maintenance in your Owner's
Manual or your local maintenance guide.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
WARNING:
A fluid level between
the MAX and MIN lines is within the
normal operating range and there is no
need to add fluid. A fluid level not in the
normal operating range could
compromise the performance of the
system. WARNING:
For E-350 and E-450
vehicles with the Hydro-Boost Brake
System, do not press the brake pedal
after the engine has been turned off.
Pressing the brake pedal after the engine
has been turned off will give a false
power steering fluid level reading.
Only use fluid that meets Ford
specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 223).
To top up the power steering fluid level do
the following.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Make sure the fluid is within the
MIN
and MAX range.
3. If the fluid level is low, add fluid to be within the
MIN and MAX range. Do not
overfill.
4. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel left and right several times.
5. Recheck the fluid level in the reservoir.
Note: Do not operate the vehicle with a low
power steering pump fluid level.
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WASHER FLUID CHECK
WARNING: If you operate your
vehicle in temperatures below 40°F
(5°C), use washer fluid with antifreeze
protection. Failure to use washer fluid
with antifreeze protection in cold
weather could result in impaired
windshield vision and increase the risk
of injury or accident.
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the level is
low. Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 219).
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use
of methanol, a common windshield washer
antifreeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide
cold weather protection without damaging
the vehicle ’s paint finish, wiper blades or
washer system.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime
fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel
tank. Regular maintenance or replacement
is not needed.
CHANGING THE 12V BATTERY WARNING:
This vehicle may be
fitted with more than one battery,
removal of cable from only one battery
does not disconnect the vehicle
electrical system. Be sure to disconnect
cables from all batteries when
disconnecting power. Failure to do so
may cause serious personal injury or
property damage. WARNING:
Batteries normally
produce explosive gases which can
cause personal injury. Therefore, do not
allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery.
When working near the battery, always
shield your face and protect your eyes.
Always provide proper ventilation. WARNING:
When lifting a
plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure
on the end walls could cause acid to flow
through the vent caps, resulting in
personal injury and/or damage to the
vehicle or battery. Lift the battery with a
battery carrier or with your hands on
opposite corners. WARNING:
Keep batteries out of
reach of children. Batteries contain
sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with skin,
eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes when
working near the battery to protect
against possible splashing of acid
solution. In case of acid contact with skin
or eyes, flush immediately with water for
a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed,
call a physician immediately. WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
hands after handling.
Note: If your vehicle battery has a cover,
make sure it is reinstalled after the battery
has been cleaned or replaced.
Note: Electrical or electronic accessories
or components added to the vehicle by the
dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
Your vehicle is fitted with a Motorcraft®
maintenance-free battery which normally
does not require additional water during
its life of service.
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For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the
top of the battery clean and dry. Also,
make certain the battery cables are always
tightly fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or
terminals, remove the cables from the
terminals and clean with a wire brush. You
can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water.
Always dispose of automotive batteries in
a responsible manner. Follow your local
authorized standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center to find
out more about recycling automotive
batteries.
Reconnecting the Battery
Because your vehicle
’s engine is
electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained
by power from the battery. When the
battery is disconnected or a new battery
is installed, the engine must relearn its idle
and fuel trim strategy for optimum
driveability and performance. Flexible fuel
vehicles (FFV) must also relearn the
ethanol content of the fuel for optimum
driveability and performance.
To begin this process.
1. Switch off all accessories and start the
engine.
2. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
3. Allow the engine to idle for at least one
minute.
4. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Fully press the foot brake. Release the parking brake. Shift the gearshift lever
to Drive (D) and allow the engine to
idle for at least one minute.
6. Drive the vehicle for approximately 10 mi (16 km) to complete the
relearning process. Note:
If you do not carry out the above
process, the idle quality of your vehicle may
be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
Flexible fuel vehicles operating on E85 may
experience poor starts and driveability
problems until the fuel trim and ethanol
content have been relearned.
When the battery is disconnected or a new
battery installed, the transmission must
learn its adaptive strategy. As a result of
this, the transmission may shift firmly. This
operation is considered normal and fully
updates transmission operation to its
optimum shift feel. We recommend that
the negative battery cable terminal be
disconnected from the battery if you plan
to store your vehicle for an extended period
of time. This minimizes the discharge of
your battery during storage.
Dual Batteries
(If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be fitted with a
frame-mounted battery located on the
passenger side frame rail, behind the front
passenger door. This battery is connected
in parallel with the battery in the engine
compartment. Both batteries are used to
start the vehicle.
CHECKING THE WIPER
BLADES Run the tip of your fingers over the edge of
the blade to check for roughness.
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Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid
or water applied with a soft sponge or
cloth.
CHANGING THE WIPER
BLADES
You can manually move the wiper arms
when the ignition is off. This allows for ease
of blade replacement and cleaning under
the blades.
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm away
from the glass. 2. Release the wiper blade lock (A) and
separate the wiper blade from the
wiper arm.
3. Install in the reverse order. Note:
Make sure that the wiper blade locks
into place. Lower the wiper arm and blade
back on the windshield. The wiper arms will
automatically return to their normal position
when you turn the ignition on.
• Replace wiper blades at least once per
year for optimum performance.
• You can improve poor wiper quality by
cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield.
ADJUSTING THE HEADLAMPS
We properly aim the headlamps on your
vehicle at the assembly plant. If your
vehicle has been in an accident, have an
authorized dealer check the alignment of
your headlamps.
Vertical Aim Adjustment
Procedure
You can only adjust the headlamps
vertically. Your vehicle does not require
horizontal aim adjustments. 8 feet (2.4 meters).
A
Center height of lamp to ground.
B
25 feet (7.6 meters).
C
Horizontal reference line.
D
To adjust the headlamps:
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1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a
wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) away.
2. Measure the height of the headlamp bulb center from the ground and mark
an
8 ft (2.4 m) horizontal reference line
on the vertical wall or screen at this
height.
Note: To see a clearer light pattern for
adjusting, you may want to block the light
from one headlamp while adjusting the
other.
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and open
the hood. 4.
On the wall or screen, you will observe
a flat zone of high intensity light
located at the top of the right hand
portion of the beam pattern. If the top
edge of the high intensity light zone is
not at the horizontal reference line, you
will need to adjust the headlamp. 5. Locate the vertical adjuster on each
headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise or counterclockwise in order
to adjust the vertical aim of the
headlamp.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 to adjust the
other headlamp.
7. Close the hood and switch off the lamps.
REMOVING A HEADLAMP
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood. 2. Remove the three screws from the
headlamp assembly and pull the
assembly straight out.
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3.
Disconnect the electrical connector by
squeezing the release tab and pushing
the connector forward, then pulling it
rearward.
4. Remove the headlamp.
To install the new lamp, follow the
removal procedures in reverse order.
CHANGING A BULB
Lamp Assembly Condensation
Exterior lamps are vented to
accommodate normal changes in
pressure. Condensation can be a natural
by-product of this design. When moist air
enters the lamp assembly through the
vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur when the
temperature is cold. When normal
condensation occurs, a thin film of mist
can form on the interior of the lens. The
thin mist eventually clears and exits
through the vents during normal operation.
Clearing time may take as long as 48 hours
under dry weather conditions.
Examples of acceptable condensation are:
• Presence of thin mist (no streaks, drip
marks or droplets).
• Fine mist covers less than 50% of the
lens.
Examples of unacceptable moisture
(usually caused by a lamp water leak) are:
• Water puddle inside the lamp.
• Large water droplets, drip marks or
streaks present on the interior of the
lens.
Take your vehicle to a dealer for service if
any of the above conditions of
unacceptable moisture are present. Replacing Headlamp Bulbs WARNING: Make sure the bulbs
have cooled down before removing
them. Failure to follow this warning could
result in serious personal injury.
Note: Grasp the bulb by only its plastic base
and do not touch the glass. The oil from your
hand could cause the bulb to break the next
time the headlamps are operated.
Note: If the bulb is accidentally touched,
clean it with rubbing alcohol before use.
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in the off position, then open the hood.
2. Remove the headlamp. See Removing a Headlamp
(page 176).
3. Disconnect the electrical connector by
squeezing the release tab and pushing
the connector forward, then pulling it
rearward. 4. Remove the bulb assembly by turning
it counterclockwise and pulling it
straight out.
To install the new bulb, follow the removal
procedures in reverse order.
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Replacing Front Parking Lamp and
Direction Indicator Bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in
the off position, then open the hood.
2. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer
to Replacing Headlamp Bulbs in this
section.
3. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove.
4. Carefully pry up the bulb straight out of the socket.
To complete installation, follow the
removal procedures in reverse order.
Replacing Side Marker Bulbs 1. Make sure the headlamp switch is in
the off position, then open the hood. 2.
Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer
to
Replacing Headlamp Bulbs in this
section.
3. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise and remove.
4. Carefully pry up the bulb straight out of the socket.
To complete installation, follow the
removal procedures in reverse order.
Replacing
Brake/Tail/Turn/Reverse Lamp
Bulbs (Cut-Away Only)
1. Make sure the headlamps are off. 2. Remove the four screws and the lamp
lens from the lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the bulb straight out of the socket and push in the new bulb.
CHANGING THE ENGINE AIR
FILTER 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.
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Note:
Failure to use the correct air filter
element may result in severe engine
damage. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the engine if the
correct air filter element is not used.
When changing the air filter element, use
only the air filter element listed. See
Motorcraft Parts (page 219). The air filter
element should be replaced at the
appropriate intervals. See
Normal
Scheduled Maintenance (page 253).
Note: Failure to use the correct air filter
element may result in severe engine
damage. Resulting component damage
may not be covered by the vehicle Warranty. 1. Release the clips (x2) that secure the
two halves of the air filter housing
together. 2. Carefully separate the two halves of
the air filter housing. 3.
Remove the air filter element from the
housing.
4. Install a new air filter element. Be careful not to crimp the filter element
edges between the air filter housing.
This could cause filter damage and
allow unfiltered air to enter the engine
if not properly seated.
5. Install the air filter housing cover. Use special care to ensure that the air
cleaner cover is reinstalled correctly.
Verify that the tabs at the rear of the
air cleaner housing cover are fully
inserted into the slots at the rear of the
air cleaner housing tray.
6. Secure the air filter housing clips (x2).
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REPAIRING MINOR PAINT
DAMAGE
Authorized dealers have touch-up paint to
match your vehicle
’s color. Your vehicle
color code is printed on a sticker on the
front, left-hand side door jamb. Take your
color code to your authorized dealer to
make sure you get the correct color.
Before repairing minor paint damage, use
a cleaner such as Motorcraft Bug and Tar
Remover to remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect deposits, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout.
Always read the instructions before using
cleaning products.
CLEANING THE WHEELS
1. Regularly clean them with a wheel cleaner. We recommend that you use
Ford approved wheel cleaner if
available.
2. Remove dirt and brake dust with a sponge.
3. Remove tar and grease with a bug and
tar remover. We recommend that you
use Ford approved bug and tar remover
if available.
4. Thoroughly rinse the wheels with water
after cleaning.
If you intend on parking your vehicle for an
extended period after cleaning the wheels
with a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle for
a few minutes before doing so. This
reduces the risk of corrosion of the brake
discs, brake pads and linings.
Do not clean the wheels when they are hot.
Note: Some car washes could damage
wheel rims and covers. Note:
Using non-recommended cleaners,
harsh cleaning products, chrome wheel
cleaners or abrasive materials could
damage wheel rims and covers.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30
days or more, read the following
maintenance recommendations to make
sure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
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.
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