check transmission fluid FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS 1999 10.G Owners Manual

Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
6.8L V10 ENGINE
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Air filter assembly
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil .
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
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Maintenance and care
55

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about
30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
Maintenance and care
65

You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(10°C-35°C [50°F-95°F]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and/or dipstick handle
and also in theLubricant specificationssection in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 250 mL (1/2 pint) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
If an overfill occurs, excess fluid
should be removed by a qualified
technician.
An overfill condition of
transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns
and/or possible damage.
Maintenance and care
66

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Transmission
4Motorcraft
MERCONAT FAll 16.8L
(17.7 quarts)5
Your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant and is
considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
checked or changed unless a leak is suspected, service is required or the
axle assembly has been submerged in water. The axle lubricant should
be changed any time the rear axle has been submerged in water.
1Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant (green in color). DO NOT USE Ford
Extended Life Engine Coolant (orange in color). Refer toAdding engine
coolant, in the Maintenance and Care chapter.
2Fill 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below bottom of fill hole.
3Fill Dana rear axles to 6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 3/4 inch) below
bottom of fill hole.
4Always use dipstick to determine exact fluid requirement.
5Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may
vary based on cooler size and if equipped with in-tank cooler. The
amount of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the
indication on the dipstick’s normal operating range.
Capacities and specifications
85

Air cleaner filter .........................84
Ambulance packages ....................3
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................29
fluid, refill capacities ................84
fluid, specification ....................87
Axle
lubricant specifications ............87
refill capacities ..........................84
Battery .........................................67
acid, treating emergencies .......67
charging system
warning light ...............................5
jumping a disabled battery ......48
maintenance-free ......................67
replacement, specifications .....84
servicing ....................................67
voltage gauge ............................11
Brakes .....................................25,26
anti-lock ................................25,26
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..............8,26
brake warning light ....................5
fluid, checking and adding ......58
fluid, refill capacities ................84
fluid, specifications ..............86,87
lubricant specifications .......86,87
shift interlock ............................28
Break-in period .............................2
Capacities for refilling fluids ......84
Cleaning your vehicle .................76
engine compartment ................77
exterior ......................................77
wheels ........................................76
Coolant ..............................59,61,62
checking and adding ................60
refill capacities .....................61,84
specifications .......................86,87
Dipstick
engine oil ...................................55Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
Driveline universal joint
and slip yoke ...............................67
Driving under special
conditions
through water ...........................33
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................48
Emission control system ............74
Engine ..........................................87
check engine/
service engine soon light ........6,7
coolant .......................................59
idle speed control .....................67
lubrication specifications ....86,87
refill capacities ..........................84
service points ............................55
Engine block heater ...................23
Engine oil ....................................55
checking and adding ...........55,56
dipstick ......................................55
filter, specifications .............57,84
recommendations .....................57
refill capacities .....................55,84
specifications .............55,57,86,87
Exhaust fumes ............................24
Fail safe cooling ..........................62
Fluid capacities ...........................84
Fuel ..............................................71
calculating fuel economy .........80
capacity .....................................84
choosing the right fuel .............73
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates ...................83
detergent in fuel .......................74
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...............................71,80
filter, specifications .............77,84
gauge .........................................10
improving fuel economy ..........80
low fuel warning light ................4
Index
90

fluid, refill capacity ..................84
fluid, specifications ..............86,87
Relays ..........................................39
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......................................9
Safety defects, reporting ............89
Safety restraints
warning light and chime .........5,9
Servicing your vehicle ................54
Spark plugs, specifications ....84,87
Special notice ...........................3,88
Specification chart,
lubricants ................................86,87
Speed control ..............................16
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle .............21,23
jump starting ............................48
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ........................................45,69
changing ....................................45
checking the pressure ..............69
replacing ...............................46,70
rotating ......................................70snow tires and chains ..............70
Towing .........................................34
trailer towing ............................34
wrecker ......................................53
Transmission ...............................28
fluid, checking and
adding (automatic) ..................65
fluid, refill capacities ................84
lubricant specifications ............87
Trip odometer .............................12
Turn signal ....................................9
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) .............................87
Vehicle loading ............................32
Ventilating your vehicle .............24
Warning chimes .............................9
Warning lights (see Lights) .........4
Water, Driving through ...............33
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers
operation ...................................19
Wrecker towing ...........................53
Index
92