power steering FORD F250 2003 User Guide

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
5.4L V8/6.8L V10 gasoline engines
Refer to the6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplementfor diesel engine component locations.
1. Engine oil dipstick
2. Clutch fluid reservoir (manual transmission)
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Air filter assembly
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
8. Battery
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Transmission fluid dipstick (automatic transmission)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
217

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
andsymbol will
illuminate.
•TheService 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:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
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.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
228

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
Check the fluid level when it is at ambient temperature, 20°–80°F (-7°
–25°C):
1. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be between the arrows
in the FULL COLD range. Do not add fluid if the level is within this
range.
2. If the fluid level is low, start the engine.
3. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
4. Turn the engine off.
5. Recheck the fluid level on the dipstick. Do not add fluid if the level is
between the arrows in the FULL COLD range.
6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL COLD range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels below the“MAX”line
that do not trigger the brake system
warning lamp are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are outside of the normal operating range,
the performance of your brake system could be compromised, seek
service from your dealer immediately.
M
AX
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
239

Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Fuel tank N/A Mid-ship tank
(optional on
Chassis Cab)71.9L (19.0
gallons)
Right side
saddle mounted
tank (optional
on Chassis Cab)87.1L (23.0
gallons)
Short box 109.8L (29.0
gallons)
Long box 143.9L (38.0
gallons)
Aft axle 151.4L (40.0
gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to FULL
COLD range on
dipstick
Transfer case
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 vehicles 1.9L (2.0
quarts)
Manual
transmission
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F6-speed manual 5.5L (5.8
quarts)
5
Automatic
transmission
fluid
4
Motorcraft
MERCONAT F4R100
(4–speed)16.7L (17.7
quarts)6
Motorcraft
MERCONSP ATFTorqShift
(5–speed)16.6L (17.5
quarts)
6(includes
remote filter
element
change)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.0L (4.25
quarts)
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
255

ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)
WSS-M2C153-H
and API
Certification
Mark
Hinges, latches,
striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge and seat
tracksMulti-Purpose
GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 ESR-M1C159-A
or
ESB-M1C93–B
Lock cylindersMotorcraft
penetrating and
lock lubricantXL-1 none
Transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots,
brake and clutch
pedal shaft (if
equipped)Motorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KESA-M1C75-B
Power steering
fluid and
transfer case
fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Manual
transmission
(6-speed)Motorcraft
MERCONAT F
2
XT-2-QDX MERCON
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
258

Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................177
Power door locks ..................65, 71
Power point .................................52
Power steering ..........................117
fluid, checking and adding ....239
fluid, refill capacity ................254
fluid, specifications .........257, 260
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................117
R
Radio ..........................19, 21, 23, 27
AM/FM .......................................19
Relays ........................................176
Remote entry system .................67
illuminated entry ......................70
locking/unlocking doors ...........65
Reverse sensing system ...........127
Roadside assistance ..................174
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............89
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................77, 79–81, 83
Safety defects, reporting ..........207
Safety restraints ..............77, 79–83
belt minder ...............................85
extension assembly ..................89
for adults .............................79–81
for children ...............................99
lap belt ......................................84
safety belt maintenance ...........89
warning light and chime ..........85
Safety seats for children ..........102Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................77
Seats ............................................72
child safety seats ....................102
cleaning ...................................212
Servicing your vehicle ..............215
Snowplowing .................8, 170–172
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........182
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................253, 260
Special notice ................................9
ambulance conversions ..............8
diesel-powered vehicles .............7
four-wheel drive vehicles 172–173
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................257, 260
Speed control ..............................56
Starting your vehicle .......110–111,
113
jump starting ..........................192
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................49
Stereo
AM/FM .......................................19
T
Tailgate ........................................64
Tilt steering wheel ......................49
Tires ...................................247–248
changing ..........................182, 184
checking the pressure ............248
replacing ..................................251
rotating ....................................249
snow tires and chains ............252
tire grades ...............................248
treadwear ................................247
2003 F250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
278