warning FORD F-150 2021 Owners Manual

Post-Incident
1. Do not store a severely damaged
vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside
a structure or within 50 ft (15 m) of any
structure or vehicle.
2. Make sure that passenger and luggage
compartments remain ventilated.
3. As with any vehicle, call emergency assistance immediately if you see
sparks, smoke or flames coming from
the vehicle.
SWITCHING THE HAZARD
FLASHERS ON AND OFF The hazard flasher button is on
the instrument panel. Press the
button to switch the hazard
flashers on if your vehicle is creating a
safety hazard for other road users.
When you switch the hazard flashers on,
all front and rear direction indicators flash.
Note: The hazard flashers operate when
the ignition is in any position, or if the key is
not in the ignition. The battery loses charge
and could have insufficient power to restart
your vehicle.
Press the button again to switch them off.
JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
JUMP STARTING PRECAUTIONS 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 correct ventilation. 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:
Use only adequately
sized cables with insulated clamps. WARNING:
Make sure that the
cables are clear of any moving parts and
fuel delivery system parts. WARNING: Connect batteries with
only the same nominal voltage. WARNING: If the engine is running
while the hood is open, stay clear of
moving engine components. Failure to
follow this warning could result in serious
personal injury or death.
Do not attempt to push-start an automatic
transmission vehicle. This could cause
transmission damage.
Do not disconnect the battery of the
disabled vehicle. This could damage your
vehicle's electrical system.
PREPARING THE VEHICLE
Use only a 12 volt supply to start your
vehicle.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood
of the disabled vehicle, making sure the
two vehicles do not touch.
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JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE
Connecting the Jumper Cables
WARNING: Do not connect the
negative jumper cable to any other part
of your vehicle. Use the ground point.
Note: If you are using a jump pack or
booster box, follow the manufacturer's
instructions. 1. Pull the red rubber boot backward.
Connect the positive (+) jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal of the
discharged battery.
2. Connect the other end of the positive (+) jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster vehicle battery. 3.
Connect the negative (-) jumper cable
to the negative (-) terminal of the
booster vehicle battery.
4. Make the final connection of the negative (-) jumper cable to an
exposed metal part of the disabled
vehicle's engine, as shown in the
following illustration, away from the
battery and fuel injection system, or
connect the negative (-) jumper cable
to a ground connection point if
available.
Note: Do not use the hood latch as a
negative (-) connection point. This could
cause springs in the latch to burn and
prevent the hood from operating correctly. Starting the Engine
1.
Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and moderately rev the engine, or
gently press the accelerator to keep
the engine speed between 2000 and
3000 RPM, as shown in your
tachometer.
2. Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
3. Once you start the disabled vehicle, run
both vehicle engines for an additional
three minutes before disconnecting the
jumper cables.
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Removing the Jumper Cables
Remove the jumper cables in the reverse
order that they were connected.
Note:
Do not switch the headlamps on
when disconnecting the cables. The peak
voltage could blow the bulbs.
POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM
WHAT IS THE POST-CRASH
ALERT SYSTEM
The system helps draw attention to your
vehicle in the event of a serious impact.
HOW DOES THE POST-CRASH
ALERT SYSTEM WORK
The system is designed to turn the hazard
flashers on and to intermittently sound the
horn in the event of a serious impact that
deploys an airbag or the seatbelt
pretensioners.
POST-CRASH ALERT SYSTEM
LIMITATIONS
Depending on applicable laws in the
country your vehicle was built for, the horn
does not sound in the event of a serious
impact.
SWITCHING THE POST-CRASH
ALERT SYSTEM OFF
Press the hazard flasher switch or the
unlock button on the remote control to
switch the system off.
Note: The alert turns off when the vehicle
battery runs out of charge. AUTOMATIC CRASH SHUTOFF
WHAT IS AUTOMATIC CRASH
SHUTOFF
The automatic crash shutoff is designed
to stop the fuel going to the engine in the
event of a moderate or severe crash.
Note:
Not every impact causes a shutoff.
AUTOMATIC CRASH SHUTOFF
PRECAUTIONS WARNING: If your vehicle has been
involved in a crash, have the fuel system
checked. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in fire, personal injury or
death.
RE-ENABLING YOUR VEHICLE
1. Switch the ignition off.
2. Attempt to start your vehicle.
3. Switch the ignition off.
4. Attempt to start your vehicle.
Note: If your vehicle does not start after the
third attempt, have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible.
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RECOVERY TOWING
ACCESSING THE FRONT TOWING
POINT
WARNING: Using recovery hooks
is dangerous and should only be done by
a person familiar with proper vehicle
recovery safety practices. Improper use
of recovery hooks may cause hook failure
or separation from the vehicle and could
result in serious injury or death. WARNING:
Slowly remove the
slack from the recovery strap prior to
pulling. Failure to do so can introduce
significantly higher loads which can
cause the recovery hooks to break off, or
the recovery strap to fail which can cause
serious injury or death. WARNING:
Never link two straps
together with a clevis pin. These heavy
metal objects could become projectiles
if the strap breaks and can cause serious
injury or death. WARNING:
Switch the ignition off
before removing the recovery hook.
Failure to do so could result in personal
injury. WARNING: The recovery hook can
become hot. Let the recovery hook cool
down before removing it. Failure to do
so could result in personal injury.
Your vehicle has frame-mounted front
recovery hooks.
Note: Do not apply a load to the recovery
hooks that is greater than the gross vehicle
weight rating of your vehicle. Before using recovery hooks:
•
Make sure all attaching points are
secure and capable of withstanding
the applied load.
• Do not use chains, cables or tow straps
with metal hook ends.
• Only use recovery straps that have a
minimum breaking strength two to
three times the gross vehicle weight of
the stuck vehicle.
• Make sure the recovery strap is in good
condition and free of visible cuts, tears
or damage.
• Use a damper device such as a tarp,
heavy blanket or piece of carpet, and
place it over the recovery strap to help
absorb the energy in the event the
strap breaks.
• Make sure the stuck vehicle is not
loaded heavier than its gross vehicle
weight rating specified on the
certification label.
• Align the tow vehicle and stuck vehicle
in a straight line, within 10 degrees.
• Keep bystanders to the sides of the
vehicle, at a distance of at least twice
the length of the recovery strap. This
helps avoid injury from the hazard of a
recovery hook or strap breaking, or a
vehicle lurching into their path.
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TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
PRECAUTIONS
Use the following guidelines when towing
your vehicle. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in vehicle damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Note:
Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Note: If you are unsure of the vehicle ’s
configuration, contact an authorized dealer.
RECREATIONALLY TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE - 4X4 WARNING: Do not disconnect the
battery when recreationally towing your
vehicle. This prevents the transfer case
from shifting properly and could cause
the vehicle to roll, even if the
transmission is in park (P). WARNING:
Placing the transfer
case in its neutral position could cause
your vehicle to freely roll. Make sure you
press and hold the brake pedal and the
vehicle is in a secure, safe position when
you place the transfer case in its neutral
position.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing. An example of
recreational towing would be towing your
vehicle behind a motorhome. These
guidelines are to make sure that you do
not damage the transmission. You can only tow your vehicle with all
wheels on the ground by placing the
transfer case in its neutral position and
engaging the recreational tow feature.
Perform the following steps after
positioning your vehicle behind the tow
vehicle and properly securing them
together.
Note:
Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.
Note: Failure to put the transfer case in its
neutral position can damage vehicle
components.
Note: You can check the towing status at
any time by opening the driver door or
turning the ignition to the accessory or on
position. Neutral Tow Enabled Leave
Transmission in Neutral
appears in the
instrument cluster display to confirm you
can recreationally tow your vehicle.
Note: If your vehicle has an anti-theft
alarm, make sure you switch perimeter
sensing on when towing. See
Setting the
Alarm Security Level (page 135).
Switching
Neutral Tow On
1. Start your vehicle.
2. Press the 2H button on the four-wheel
drive mode control.
3. Place your vehicle in temporary neutral
mode. See
Entering Temporary
Neutral Mode (page 286).
4. Switch your vehicle off by pressing the
push button ignition switch once or
turning the key as far toward the off
position as possible. A message
appears in the instrument cluster
display.
5. Switch your vehicle to accessory mode
by pressing the push button ignition
switch once without pressing the brake
pedal or by turning the key to the on
position.
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FUSE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Always disconnect the
battery before servicing high current
fuses. WARNING:
To reduce risk of
electrical shock, always replace the
cover to the power distribution box
before reconnecting the battery or
refilling fluid reservoirs. WARNING:
Always replace a fuse
with one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse with a
higher amperage rating can cause severe
wire damage and could start a fire. UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX
LOCATING THE UNDER HOOD
FUSE BOX ACCESSING THE UNDER HOOD
FUSE BOX
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MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Service your vehicle regularly to help
maintain its roadworthiness and resale
value. There is a large network of
authorized dealers that are there to help
you with their professional servicing
expertise. We believe that their specially
trained technicians are best qualified to
service your vehicle properly and expertly.
They are supported by a wide range of
highly specialized tools developed
specifically for servicing your vehicle.
If your vehicle requires professional service,
an authorized dealer can provide the
necessary parts and service. Check your
warranty information to find out which
parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants,
fluids and service parts conforming to
specifications. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 574).
• Do not work on a hot engine.
• Make sure that nothing gets caught in
moving parts.
• Do not work on a vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed space,
unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
• Keep all open flames and other burning
material, such as cigarettes, away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Set the parking brake, shift the
transmission to park (P) and block the
wheels. OPENING AND CLOSING THE
HOOD WARNING:
Make sure that you fully
latch the hood before driving. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in
personal injury or death. 1.
Pull the hood release handle under the
left hand side of the instrument panel. 2. Pull the secondary release lever under
the front of the hood near the center
of your vehicle.
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ENGINE OIL
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK OVERVIEW
- DIESEL
Minimum.
A
Nominal.
B
Maximum.
C
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK OVERVIEW
- GASOLINE, HYBRID ELECTRIC
VEHICLE (HEV) Minimum.
A
Nominal.
B
Maximum.
C CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Check the oil level before starting the engine, or switch the engine off after
warming up and wait 10 minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth.
4. Reinstall the dipstick and make sure it is fully seated.
5. Remove the dipstick again to check the
oil level.
Note: If the oil level is between the
maximum and minimum marks, the oil level
is acceptable. Do not add oil.
6. If the oil level is at the minimum mark, immediately add oil.
7. Reinstall the dipstick. Make sure it is fully seated.
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. WARNING:
Do not add engine oil
when the engine is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury.
Do not use supplemental engine oil
additives because they are unnecessary
and could lead to engine damage that the
vehicle warranty may not cover.
1. Clean the area surrounding the engine oil filler cap before you remove it.
2. Remove the engine oil filler cap.
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Adding Coolant
WARNING: Keep your hands and
clothing clear of the cooling fan. WARNING:
Do not remove the
coolant reservoir cap when the engine is
on or the cooling system is hot. Wait 10
minutes for the cooling system to cool
down. Cover the coolant reservoir cap
with a thick cloth to prevent the
possibility of scalding and slowly remove
the cap. Failure to follow this instruction
could result in personal injury. WARNING:
Do not add engine
coolant when the engine is on or the
cooling system is hot. Failure to follow
this instruction could result in personal
injury. WARNING:
Do not add coolant
further than the MAX mark. WARNING:
Do not put coolant in
the windshield washer reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, coolant could
make it difficult to see through the
windshield. 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.
Note: Do not use stop leak pellets, cooling
system sealants, or non-specified additives
as they can cause damage to the engine
cooling or heating systems. Resulting
component damage may not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.
Note: Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable. It is very important to use prediluted
coolant approved to the correct
specification in order to avoid plugging the
small passageways in the engine cooling
system. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 574). Do not mix
different colors or types of coolant in your
vehicle. Mixing of engine coolants or using
an incorrect coolant may harm the engine
or cooling system components and could
void the vehicle Warranty.
Note: If prediluted coolant is not available,
use the approved concentrated coolant
diluting it to 50/50 with deionized or
distilled water. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 574). Using water that
has not been deionized may contribute to
deposit formation, corrosion and plugging
of the small cooling system passageways.
To top up the coolant level do the
following:
1. Unscrew the cap slowly. Any pressure escapes as you unscrew the cap.
2. Add enough prediluted coolant to reach the correct level.
Note: We do not recommend the use of
recycled coolant.
3. Replace the coolant reservoir cap. Turn
the cap clockwise until it contacts the
hard stop.
4. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, repeat step
2.
If you have to add more than
1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.
In case of emergency, you can add a large
amount of water without engine coolant
in order to reach a vehicle service location.
Service your vehicle as soon as possible.
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Water alone, without engine coolant, can
cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute, as they can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing:
•
Alcohol.
• Methanol.
• Brine.
• Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.
Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.
Severe Climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates, you
may need to increase the coolant
concentration above 50%.
Note: A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point protection.
Coolant concentrations above 60%
decrease the overheat protection
characteristics of the coolant and could
cause engine damage.
If you drive in extremely hot climates, you
may need to decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.
Note: A coolant concentration of 40%
provides improved overheat protection.
Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the overheat and corrosion
protection characteristics of the coolant and
could cause engine damage.
Coolant Change WARNING: Do not dispose of
coolant in the household refuse or the
public sewage system. Use an authorized
waste disposal facility. Change the coolant at specific mileage
intervals. Refer to the scheduled
maintenance information. See
Normal
Scheduled Maintenance (page 667).
Note: Dispose of used coolant in the
appropriate manner.
Follow your community's regulations and
standards for recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Fail-Safe Cooling
Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.
How Fail-Safe Cooling Works If the engine begins to overheat,
the coolant temperature gauge
moves toward the red zone:
A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine
automatically switches to alternating
cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
• Engine power is limited.
• The air conditioning system turns off.
Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.
When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
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