fuel additives FORD F-150 2018 Owners Manual

Switch the ignition on. Do not
start the engine until the
glow-plug indicator turns off.
When the glow plug pre-heat indicator
turns off, turn the key to start and release
the key as soon as the engine starts. After
starting the engine, the glow plugs may
remain on for a period. If you do not start
the engine before the glow plug activation
time ends, you will need to reset the glow
plugs by switching the ignition off. After
the engine starts, allow it to idle for about
15 seconds. This is to protect the engine.
Do not increase engine speed until the oil
pressure gauge indicates normal pressure.
For vehicles with keyless start:
1. Fully depress brake pedal and hold to allow time for glow-plugs to heat.
2. Press and release the start button.
Note: A message "Engine Start Pending,
Please Wait", along with the glow plug
indicator displays on the instrument cluster.
3. When the engine starts, release the brake pedal.
Cold Weather Operation
Note: Idling in cold weather does not heat
the engine to its normal operating
temperature. Long periods of idling,
especially in cold weather, can cause a
buildup of deposits which can cause engine
damage.
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also
makes starting easier under these
conditions. Refer to Engine oil
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 424).
Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperatures. Diesel fuel which has not
been properly formulated for the ambient
conditions may gel which can clog the fuel
filters. One indication that the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged is if the engine starts, stalls
after a short time, and then does not restart. If you have been using biodiesel,
you may need to use a fuel with lower
biodiesel content, try another brand, or
discontinue using biodiesel. Do not use
alcohol based additives to correct fuel
gelling. This may result in damage to the
fuel injectors and system. Use the proper
anti-gel and performance improvement
product. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 424).
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel and
water separator that recirculates fuel from
the engine to help prevent fuel filter
clogging. To avoid engine fuel starvation
during cold weather operation of 32°F
(0°C) or below, we recommended that
the fuel level in your tank should not drop
below 1⁄4 full. This helps prevent air from
entering the fuel system and stalling the
engine.
In cold weather below 32°F (0°C), the
engine may slowly increase to a higher idle
speed if left idling in park (P). As the engine
warms-up, the engine sound level
decreases due to the activation of
PCM-controlled sound reduction features.
If you operate your vehicle in a heavy
snowstorm or blowing snow conditions,
snow and ice can clog the engine air
induction. If this occurs, the engine may
experience a significant reduction in power
output. At the earliest opportunity, clear
all the snow and/or ice away from inside
the air filter assembly. Remove the air
cleaner cover and the pleated paper filter,
leaving the foam filter in and remove any
snow or ice. Make sure you install the foam
filter correctly in place. Remove any debris,
snow or ice on the foam filter by brushing
the surface with soft brush. Once you have
cleared all of the debris, reinstall the air
filter and assembly.
Do not use water, solvents, or a hard brush
for cleaning the foam filter.
177
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Starting and Stopping the Engine

Note:
Do not use home heating oil,
agricultural fuel, raw fats and oils, waste
cooking greases, biodiesel greater than 20%
or any diesel not intended for highway use.
Damage to the fuel injection system, engine
and exhaust catalyst, and diesel particulate
filter can occur if you use an improper fuel.
Red dye is used to identify fuels intended
for agricultural and non-highway use.
You may operate your vehicle on diesel
fuels containing up to 20% biodiesel, also
known as B20.
Biodiesel fuel is a chemically converted
product from renewable fuel sources, such
as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste
cooking greases.
To help achieve acceptable engine
performance and durability when using
biodiesel in your vehicle:
• Confirm the biodiesel content of the
fuel to be B20 (20% biodiesel) or less
• Only use biodiesel fuel of good quality
that complies with industry standards
• Follow the recommended service
maintenance intervals See General
Maintenance Information (page 561).
• Do not store biodiesel fuel in the fuel
tank for more than 1 month
• Consider changing brands or reducing
biodiesel content if you have cold
temperature fuel gelling issues or a
frequent LOW FUEL PRESSURE
message appearing
Use of biodiesel in concentrations greater
than 20% may cause damage to your
vehicle, including engine and/or exhaust
after-treatment hardware (exhaust
catalyst and particulate filter) failures.
Concentrations greater than 20% can also
cause fuel filter restrictions that may result
in a lack of power or damage to fuel
system components, including fuel pump
and fuel injector failures. We recommend SAE 5W-40 oil for fuels
with greater than 5% biodiesel (B5). For
more information about oil change
intervals and other maintenance when
operating on biodiesel
See Special
Operating Conditions Scheduled
Maintenance
(page 567).
Look for a label on the fuel pump to
confirm the amount of biodiesel contained
in a diesel fuel. Biodiesel content is often
indicated with the letter B followed by the
percent of biodiesel in the fuel. For
example, B20 indicates a fuel containing
20% biodiesel. Ask the service station
attendant to confirm the biodiesel content
of a diesel fuel if you do not see a label on
the fuel pump.
Biodiesel fuels degrade more easily than
diesel fuels not containing biodiesel and
should not be stored in the fuel tank for
more than 1 month. If you plan to park or
store your vehicle for more than 1 month,
then you should empty your vehicle fuel
tank of biodiesel fuel. You should fill the
tank with a pure petroleum-based diesel
fuel and run your vehicle for a minimum of
30 minutes.
Note: Degraded or oxidized biodiesel can
damage fuel system seals and plastics and
corrode steel parts.
During cold weather, if you have problems
operating on biodiesel, you may need to
use a diesel fuel with lower biodiesel
content, try another brand, or discontinue
the use of biodiesel.
Diesel Fuel Additives
It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket additives to your fuel if you
use a high quality diesel fuel that conforms
to ASTM industry specifications.
Aftermarket additives can damage the fuel
injector system or engine.
186
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Fuel and Refueling

Use Motorcraft® cetane booster or an
equivalent cetane booster additive if you
suspect fuel has low cetane. Use
Motorcraft® anti-gel & performance
improver or an equivalent additive if there
is fuel gelling.
Do not use alcohol-based additives to
improve cetane quality, to prevent fuel
gelling or any other use. The use of alcohol
additives may result in damage to the fuel
injectors and system. See Engine
Specifications (page 415).
Your warranty may not cover repairs
needed to correct the effects of using an
aftermarket product that does not meet
Ford specifications in your fuel.
FUEL QUALITY - E85
Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex Fuel
Vehicles
Flex fuel vehicles have one of the following
identifiers:
• Yellow fuel filler cap.
• Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.
• Yellow fuel filler housing.
• Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank filler
door. Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85). Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 280).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
187
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513

•
Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
• Leaded fuel, using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law.
The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.
Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline
We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.
FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE
Choosing the Right Fuel Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. The use of these fuels
could result in engine damage that will not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See
Towing (page 280).
Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.
We recommend Top Tier detergent
gasolines, where available to help minimize
engine deposits and maintain optimal
vehicle and engine performance. For
additional information, refer to
www.toptiergas.com.
Note: Use of any fuel for which the vehicle
was not designed can impair the emission
control system, cause loss of vehicle
performance, and cause damage to the
engine which may not be covered by the
vehicle Warranty.
Do not use:
• Diesel fuel.
• Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.
• Fuels containing methanol.
• Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.
188
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Fuel and RefuelingE161513

Only use oils certified for gasoline engines
by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
An oil with this trademark symbol
conforms to the current engine and
emission system protection standards and
fuel economy requirements of the
International Lubricants Specification
Advisory Committee (ILSAC).
To top up the engine oil level do the
following:
1. Clean the area surrounding the engine
oil filler cap before you remove it.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap. See Under Hood Overview (page 346).
Turn it counterclockwise and remove
it.
3. Add engine oil that meets our specifications. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 424). You may
have to use a funnel to pour the engine
oil into the opening.
4. Recheck the oil level.
5. If the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
6. Replace the engine oil filler cap. Turn it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.
Note: Do not add oil further than the
maximum mark. Oil levels above the
maximum mark may cause engine damage.
Note: Make sure you install the oil filler cap
correctly.
Note: Soak up any spillage with an
absorbent cloth immediately.
ENGINE OIL CHECK - DIESEL
To check the engine oil level consistently
and accurately, do the following:
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground. 2. Run the engine until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
3. Make sure the parking brake is on. Make
sure the transmission is in park (P) or
neutral (N).
4. Switch the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil
pan. Checking the engine oil level too
soon after you switch the engine off
may result in an inaccurate reading.
5. Open the hood. See
Opening and
Closing the Hood (page 345).
6. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth. See
Under
Hood Overview (page 346).
7. Replace the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level. See
Engine Oil Dipstick
(page 350).
8. Make sure that the oil level is between
the maximum and minimum marks. If
the oil level is at the minimum mark,
add oil immediately. See
Capacities
and Specifications (page 424).
9. If the oil level is correct, replace the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
Note: Do not remove the dipstick when the
engine is running.
Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.
Note: The oil consumption of new engines
reaches its normal level after approximately
3,000 mi (5,000 km)
.
Adding Engine Oil WARNING:
Do not remove the
filler cap when the engine is running.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.
352
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Maintenance

Specification
Name
-
Lock cylinders (U.S.):
Motorcraft® Penetrating and Lock Lubricant
XL-1
-
Lock cylinders (Canada):
Motorcraft® Penetrating Fluid
CXC-51-A
-
Lock cylinders (Mexico):
Motorcraft® Penetrating and Lock Lubricant
MXL-1
If you use oil and fluids that do not meet
the defined specification and viscosity
grade, this may lead to:
• Component damage which may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
• Longer engine cranking periods.
• Increased emission levels.
• Reduced engine performance.
• Reduced fuel economy.
• Reduced brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil for
your vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is not
available, use motor oils of the
recommended viscosity grade that meet
API SN requirements and display the API
Certification Mark for gasoline engines. Do
not use oil labeled with API SN service
category unless the label also displays the
API certification mark. An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
ILSAC.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:
Ford recommends using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet the Ford
performance standards. Keep brake fluid
clean and dry. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other
materials may result in brake system
damage and possible failure.
427
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142732

The American Petroleum Institute (API)
service symbol is used to identify the
proper engine oil for your engine. The API
service symbol will be displayed on the oil
container you purchase. The API symbol
displays the oil performance category in
the top half of symbol and the viscosity
grade in the center of the symbol.
Note:
An engine block heater is
recommended at temperatures below -9°F
(-23°C). 1. For severe duty service, use SAE
5W-40 API CK-4.
2. For bio-diesel fuel blends (B20 max), use SAE 5W-40 API CK-4.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that your
vehicle warranty does not cover.
Note: We recommend using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet our performance
standards. Keep brake fluid clean and dry.
Contamination with dirt, water, petroleum
products or other materials may result in
brake system damage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that require
MERCON® ULV transmission fluid should
only use MERCON® ULV transmission fluid.
The use of any other fluid may cause
transmission damage.
CAPACITIES AND SPECIFICATIONS - 3.3L DURATEC - V6
Capacities WARNING:
The air conditioning refrigerant system contains refrigerant under
high pressure. Only qualified personnel should service the air conditioning refrigerant
system. Opening the air conditioning refrigerant system can cause personal injury.
432
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE258300 E276509

Specification
Name
-
Lock cylinders (U.S.):
Motorcraft® Penetrating and Lock Lubricant
XL-1
-
Lock cylinders (Canada):
Motorcraft® Penetrating Fluid
CXC-51-A
-
Lock cylinders (Mexico):
Motorcraft® Penetrating and Lock Lubricant
MXL-1
If you use oil and fluids that do not meet
the defined specification and viscosity
grade, this may lead to:
• Component damage which may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
• Longer engine cranking periods.
• Increased emission levels.
• Reduced engine performance.
• Reduced fuel economy.
• Reduced brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil for
your vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is not
available, use motor oils of the
recommended viscosity grade that meet
API SN requirements and display the API
Certification Mark for gasoline engines. Do
not use oil labeled with API SN service
category unless the label also displays the
API certification mark. An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
ILSAC.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:
We recommend using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet our performance
standards. Keep brake fluid clean and dry.
Contamination with dirt, water, petroleum
products or other materials may result in
brake system damage and possible failure.
436
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142732

Specification
Name
Motorcraft® Penetrating and Lock Lubricant
MXL-1
If you use oil and fluids that do not meet
the defined specification and viscosity
grade, this may lead to:
• Component damage which may not be
covered by the vehicle Warranty.
• Longer engine cranking periods.
• Increased emission levels.
• Reduced engine performance.
• Reduced fuel economy.
• Reduced brake performance.
We recommend Motorcraft® motor oil for
your vehicle. If Motorcraft® oil is not
available, use motor oils of the
recommended viscosity grade that meet
API SN requirements and display the API
Certification Mark for gasoline engines. Do
not use oil labeled with API SN service
category unless the label also displays the
API certification mark. An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
ILSAC.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:
We recommend using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet our performance
standards. Keep brake fluid clean and dry.
Contamination with dirt, water, petroleum
products or other materials may result in
brake system damage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that require
MERCON® ULV transmission fluid should
only use MERCON® ULV transmission fluid.
The use of any other fluid may cause
transmission damage.
Alternative Engine Oil for
Extremely Cold Climates
To improve engine cold start performance,
we recommend that you use the following
alternative engine oil in extremely cold
climates, where the ambient temperature
reaches -22.0°F (-30°C) or below. Specification
Name
WSS-M2C953-A1
Motorcraft® SAE 0W-30 Premium
Synthetic Blend Motor Oil:
Engine oil - SAE 0W-30
XO-0W30-QSP
441
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142732

An oil that displays this symbol conforms
to current engine, emission system and
fuel economy performance standards of
ILSAC.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that may
not be covered by your vehicle warranty.
Note:
Ford recommends using DOT 4 Low
Viscosity (LV) High Performance Brake Fluid
or equivalent meeting WSS-M6C65-A2. Use
of any fluid other than the recommended
fluid may cause degraded brake
performance and not meet the Ford
performance standards. Keep brake fluid
clean and dry. Contamination with dirt,
water, petroleum products or other
materials may result in brake system
damage and possible failure.
Note: Automatic transmissions that require
MERCON® LV transmission fluid should
only use MERCON® LV transmission fluid.
The use of any other fluid may cause
transmission damage.
Alternative Engine Oil for
Extremely Cold Climates
To improve engine cold start performance,
we recommend that you use the following
alternative engine oil in extremely cold
climates, where the ambient temperature
reaches -22.0°F (-30°C) or below. Specification
Name
WSS-M2C947-B1
Motorcraft® SAE 0W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend Motor Oil:
Engine oil - SAE 0W-20
XO-0W20-QSP
446
F-150 (TFC) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201709, Fifth-Printing Capacities and SpecificationsE142732