check engine light FORD F150 2008 11.G User Guide

If the check fuel cap lightor a
“check fuel cap” message comes on,
the fuel filler cap may not be
properly installed. The light or
message can come on after several
driving events after you’ve refueled your vehicle.
At the next opportunity, safely pull off of the road, remove the fuel filler
cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it. The check fuel cap
light
or “check fuel cap” message may not reset immediately; it may
take several driving cycles for the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel
cap” message to turn off. A driving cycle consists of an engine start-up
(after four or more hours with the engine off) followed by city and
highway driving.
Continuing to drive with the check fuel cap light
or “check fuel cap”
message on may cause the
light to turn on as well.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive vacuum in
the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause the fuel cap
to disengage in a collision, which may result in personal injury.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Unleaded Gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of “Regular” unleaded
gasoline. “Premium” unleaded gasoline is not recommended because it
may cause these problems to become more pronounced. If the problems
persist, see your authorized dealer.
FFV engine (if equipped)
To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, it may be equipped with a yellow
fuel cap with the writing “E85/Gasoline”, or check if there is a label on
the fuel filler door, or check your VIN. When checking the VIN, look for
the engine type identifier (8th character). If your vehicle is an FFV, then
the character will be labeled as a “V”.
It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline and E
85. If you do
switch fuels, it is recommended that you add as much fuel as
possible—at least half a tank. Do not add less than five gallons (18.9 L)
when refueling. You should drive the vehicle immediately after refueling
for at least five miles (8 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration.
If you operate your vehicle 50% or more of the time on ethanol, you
should follow a different maintenance schedule. In addition to this it is
also recommended to fill the fuel tank with regular unleaded gasoline
once every 3,000 miles (4,828 km). Seescheduled maintenance
informationfor more information.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out of fuel because this situation may have an adverse
effect on powertrain components.
If you have run out of fuel:
•You may need to cycle the ignition from OFF to ON several times after
refueling to allow the fuel system to pump the fuel from the tank to
the engine. On restarting, cranking time will take a few seconds longer
than normal.
•Normally, adding 1 gallon (3.8L) of fuel is enough to restart the
engine. If the vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep grade, more than
1 gallon (3.8L) may be required.
•TheService engine soon
indicator may come on. For more
information on theService engine soon
indicator, refer to
Warning lights and chimesin theInstrument Clusterchapter.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•To maximize the fuel economy, drive with the tonneau cover installed
(if equipped).
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
authorized dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle.
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
367

A
Accessory delay ........................111
Air cleaner filter .......377–378, 380
Air conditioning ....................85, 87
Airbag supplemental
restraint system ................183–184
and child safety seats ............186
description ..............................184
disposal ....................................188
driver airbag ....................184, 187
indicator light .........................188
operation .........................184, 187
passenger airbag .............184, 187
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................351
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................265
Anti-theft system ......................155
arming the system ..................156
Armrests ....................................159
Audio system
(see Radio) ................23, 27, 29, 36
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................272
fluid, adding ............................372
fluid, checking ........................372
fluid, refill capacities ..............381
fluid, specification ..................381
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....44
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........381
refill capacities ........................381
traction lok ..............................268B
Battery .......................................349
acid, treating emergencies .....349
jumping a disabled battery ....315
maintenance-free ....................349
replacement, specifications ...380
servicing ..................................349
Belt-Minder.............................178
deactivating/activating the
Belt-Minder...........................181
Booster seats .............................193
Brakes ........................................264
anti-lock ...................................265
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................265
fluid, checking and adding ....371
fluid, refill capacities ..............381
fluid, specifications .................381
lubricant specifications ..........381
parking ....................................266
shift interlock ..................269–270
Bulbs ............................................97
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....381
Cargo cage .................................136
Cargo management system ......137
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................307
Child safety restraints ..............192
child safety belts ....................192
Child safety seats ......................196
attaching with tether
straps .......................................203
in front seat ....................197, 200
in rear seat ..............197, 200, 203
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
391

idle speed control ...................349
lubrication specifications .......381
refill capacities ........................381
service points ..................341–343
starting after a collision .........298
Engine block heater .................262
Engine oil ..................................345
checking and adding ..............345
dipstick ....................................345
filter, specifications ........348, 380
recommendations ...................348
refill capacities ........................381
specifications ..........................381
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................262
F
Fail safe cooling ........................356
Family entertainment system ....51
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....357
Floor mats .................................134
Fluid capacities .........................381
Foglamps .....................................92
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......282
driving off road .......................286
electronic shift ................284–285
indicator light .........................282
lever operated shift ................283
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................268
Fuel ............................................357
calculating fuel
economy ..........................128, 365
cap ...........................................360
capacity ...................................381
choosing the right fuel ...........362comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................367
detergent in fuel .....................362
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................357, 360, 365
filter, specifications ........357, 380
fuel pump shut-off switch .....298
improving fuel economy ........365
octane rating ...................363, 385
quality ..............................363–364
running out of fuel .................364
safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................357
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................357, 362–363
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......298
Fuses ..................................299–300
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............360
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................365
Gauges .........................................20
H
Hazard flashers .........................298
Head restraints .................158, 162
Headlamps ...................................91
aiming ..................................93–94
autolamp system .......................91
bulb specifications ....................97
daytime running lights .............92
flash to pass ..............................92
high beam .................................92
replacing bulbs .........................98
turning on and off ....................91
Heating
heater only system ...................81
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
393

heated ......................................114
programmable memory ..........149
side view mirrors (power) .....112
signal .......................................114
Moon roof ..................................119
Motorcraft parts ........338, 357, 380
N
Navigation system .......................80
O
Octane rating ............................363
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................345
P
Parking brake ............................266
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....380
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................165
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................300
Power door locks ......................144
Power mirrors ...........................112
Power point ...............................108
Power steering ..........................267
fluid, checking and adding ....370
fluid, refill capacity ................381
fluid, specifications .................381
Power Windows .........................110
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................268
R
Radio ..........................23, 27, 29, 36Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................51
Rear video camera ....................280
Relays ........................................299
Remote entry system ...............147
illuminated entry ....................151
locking/unlocking
doors ................................147–148
panic alarm .............................149
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................150
replacing the batteries ...........149
Reverse sensing system ...........277
Roadside assistance ..................296
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........183
Safety belts (see
Safety restraints) .............164, 167,
169–170, 173–175, 177
Safety defects,
reporting ............................327–328
Safety restraints ...............164, 167,
169–170, 173–175, 177
Belt-Minder...........................178
Belt-Minder,
deactivating/activating ...........181
extension assembly ................182
for adults .........169–170, 173–175
for children .............................192
lap belt ....................................172
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................165
safety belt maintenance .........183
warning light and
chime ...............................177–178
Safety seats for children ..........196
2008 F-150(f12)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
395