checking oil FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS 2012 12.G Owners Manual

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer toscheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level dipstick.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
•If the oil level iswithin the lower and upper holes,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
•If the oil level isbelow the lower hole,engine oil must be added to
raise the level within the normal operating range.
•Do not overfill the engine with oil. Oil levels above the upper
hole mark may cause engine damage.If the engine is overfilled,
some oil must be removed from the engine by an authorized dealer.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Maintenance and Specifications
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Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal operating range, add
only certified engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the
engine oil filler cap and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the
opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
Use SAE 5W-20 engine oil
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 Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC), comprised of U.S. and Japanese
automobile manufacturers.
To protect your engine and engine’s warranty, use MotorcraftSAE
5W-20 or an equivalent SAE 5W-20 oil meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C945-A.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum fuel economy and
durability performance meeting all requirements for your
vehicle’s engine.Refer toMaintenance product specifications and
capacitieslater in this chapter for more information.
Maintenance and Specifications
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ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed inscheduled maintenance information.The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water.
For best results, coolant concentration should be tested with a
refractometer such as Rotunda tool 300-ROB75240E available from your
dealer. Ford does not recommend the use of hydrometers or coolant test
strips for measuring coolant concentration. The level of coolant should
be maintained at the FULL COLD level or within the COLD FILL RANGE
in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the
instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Improved freeze protection.
•Improved boiling protection.
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Proper function of calibrated gauges.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the FULL COLD level, or within the
COLD FILL or MIN / MAX range as listed on the engine coolant
reservoir (depending upon application).
Maintenance and Specifications
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A
ABS (see Brakes) .......................55
Air cleaner filter .......123–124, 127
Ambulance packages ....................5
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................101
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..........................55–56
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................................60
fluid, adding ............................120
fluid, checking ........................120
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specification ..................128
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........128
refill capacities ........................128
B
Battery .........................................98
acid, treating emergencies .......98
jumping a disabled battery ......80
maintenance-free ......................98
replacement, specifications ...127
servicing ....................................98
Brakes ....................................54–55
anti-lock ...............................55–56
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................56
fluid, checking and
adding ..............................118, 120
fluid, refill capacities ..............128
fluid, specifications .................128
lubricant specifications ..........128
shift interlock ............................58
Bulbs ............................................21
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....128Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire ...........................74
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ................92
wheels ........................................92
Coolant
checking and adding ..............101
refill capacities ................104, 128
specifications ..........................128
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................23
Customer Assistance ..................64
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..................................134, 137
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .......................88
Getting roadside assistance .....64
Getting the service you need ..85
Ordering additional owner’s
literature ...................................90
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program .....................................88
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................20
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................120
engine oil ...................................96
Driving under special
conditions ....................................62
through water ...........................63
E
Electronic message center .........16
Index
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Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ............................80
Emergency Flashers ...................65
Emission control system ..........114
Engine ........................................131
cleaning .....................................92
coolant .....................................101
fail-safe cooling .......................105
idle speed control .....................98
lubrication specifications .......128
refill capacities ........................128
service points ......................94–95
Engine oil ....................................96
checking and adding ................96
dipstick ......................................96
filter, specifications ..........97, 127
recommendations .....................97
refill capacities ........................128
specifications ..........................128
Event data recording ....................5
Exhaust fumes ............................54
F
Fail safe cooling ........................105
Fluid capacities .........................128
Fuel ............................................107
calculating fuel economy .......111
capacity ...................................128
choosing the right fuel ...........109
detergent in fuel .....................110
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...................................107, 111
filter, specifications ........106, 127
improving fuel economy ........111
octane rating ...................109, 131
quality ......................................110
running out of fuel .................110
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................107Fuses ......................................66–67
G
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................111
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers ...........................65
Headlamps ...................................20
daytime running lights .............20
flash to pass ..............................21
high beam .................................20
turning on and off ....................20
I
Ignition .................................51, 131
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................115
Instrument panel
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................21
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ........80
K
Keys
positions of the ignition ...........51
L
Lamps
daytime running light ...............20
headlamps .................................20
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headlamps, flash to pass ..........21
instrument panel, dimming .....21
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ............56
Loading instructions ...................47
Load limits ...................................42
Lubricant specifications ...........128
Lug nuts ......................................79
M
Message center ...........................16
english/metric button ...............18
system check button ................18
warning messages .....................18
Motorcraftparts ......................127
O
Octane rating ............................109
Oil (see Engine oil) ....................96
P
Parking brake ..............................57
Parts
(see Motorcraftparts) ...........127
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) .................................70
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....117
fluid, refill capacity ................128
fluid, specifications .................128
R
Relays ....................................66, 74
Roadside assistance ....................64S
Safety defects, reporting ............91
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............143
Servicing your vehicle ................93
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................127, 131
Special notice ................................5
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................128
Speed control ..............................23
Starting your vehicle ............51–53
jump starting ............................80
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................22
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................22
Tires .......................................25–26
alignment ..................................35
care ............................................31
changing ..............................74, 77
checking the pressure ..............30
inflating .....................................27
replacing ..............................33, 78
rotating ......................................36
safety practices .........................34
sidewall information .................37
snow tires and chains ..............42
spare tire ...................................74
terminology ...............................26
tire grades .................................26
treadwear ............................25, 32
Towing .........................................48
trailer towing ............................48
wrecker ......................................83
Index
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