cooling FORD F150 2000 10.G User Guide

Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.
Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36É C [±34É F]):
²it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
²NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
²increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
²it is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
²NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Maintenance and care
210

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The ªfail-safeº distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
²the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²theService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
²the engine power will be limited.
²the air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
²the engine will completely shut down.
²steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.C
H
Maintenance and care
211

check engine/
service engine soon light .........11
cleaning ...................................243
coolant .....................................206
fail-safe coolant ......................211
idle speed control ...................218
lubrication
specifications ..................251, 253
refill capacities ........................248
service points ..................199±200
starting after a collision .........176
Engine block heater .................136
Engine oil ..................................200
checking and adding ..............200
dipstick ....................................200
filter, specifications ........203, 247
recommendations ...................203
refill capacities ........................248
specifications ..................251, 253
Exhaust fumes ..........................137
F
Fail safe cooling ........................211
Floor mats ...................................81
Fluid capacities .........................248
Foglamps .....................................21
Four-Wheel
Drive vehicles ......................14, 153
control trac ...............................23
description ..............................156
driving off road .......................157
electronic shift ..................23, 156
indicator light ...................14, 154
lever operated shift ................154
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................143
Fuel ............................................227
calculating fuel economy .......231cap ...........................................230
capacity ...................................248
choosing the right fuel ...........229
comparisons with EPA
fuel economy estimates .........234
detergent in fuel .....................230
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................227, 230, 232
filter, specifications ........231, 247
fuel pump shut-off switch .....176
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........231
low fuel warning light ..............10
octane rating ...................229, 253
quality ......................................229
running out of fuel .................230
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................227
Fuses ..................................177, 179
G
Garage door opener ....................74
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............230
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................231
Gauges .........................................16
battery voltage gauge ...............18
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................17
engine oil pressure gauge ........19
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................17
speedometer .............................17
tachometer ................................18
trip odometer ............................18
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....160
calculating ...............................162
definition .................................160
Index
275