engine coolant FORD F250 2005 User Guide

Do not add engine coolant when the engine is hot. Steam and
scalding liquids released from a hot cooling system can burn you
badly. Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts.
Do not put engine coolant in the windshield washer fluid
container. If sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
•Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA, OR and NM),
VC-7–B (CA, OR and NM), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
•Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 and VC-3
(US) or CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification
WSS-M97B44–D with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft
Speciality Orange Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life
product with your factory filled coolant can result in degraded
corrosion protection.
•A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “FULL COLD” level. For all other vehicles which have a
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coolant degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to
remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “COLD FILL RANGE” or the “FULL COLD” level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
toChecking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 quart (1.0 liter) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
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Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
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 this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –34° F [–36° C ]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer 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:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer 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.
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.
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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 “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
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.
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4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
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 pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
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REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Front axle Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantF-250/350
(Dana 60 axle)6.3 pints (3.0L)
F-350/450/550
(Dana 60 axle)6.3 pints (3.0L)
Rear axle Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-250 /350
(10.50 inch
axle)
1
6.9 pints (3.3L)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-350 (DANA
80)
18.5 pints (4.0L)
Motorcraft SAE
75W–140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-450/550
(Dana S110)14.0 pints (6.6L)
Brake fluid (and
clutch fluid-if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line or
step (for clutch)
on reservoir
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)5.4L V8 engine
with A/C26.4 quarts
(25.0L)
6.8L V10 engine 27.5 quarts
(26.0L)
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ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA, OR
and NM),
VC-7-B (CA, OR
and NM)WSS-M97B51-A1
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-M2C930-A
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
/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
Steering linkageMotorcraft
Premium
Long-Life GreaseXG-1-C or
XG-1-KWSD-M1C227-A
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A
Accessory delay ..........................59
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................107–108
and child safety seats ............109
description ..............................108
disposal ....................................111
driver air bag ..........................110
indicator light .........................111
operation .................................110
passenger air bag ...................110
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................112
Air cleaner filter ...............280, 282
Air conditioning ..........................36
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................257
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................183–184
Audio system
(see Radio) ................20, 22, 25, 28
Automatic transmission ............187
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................188
fluid, adding ............................275
fluid, checking ........................275
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specification ..................289
Auxiliary power point .................57
Axle
lubricant specifications ..286, 289
refill capacities ........................283
traction lok ..............................186
B
Battery .......................................255acid, treating emergencies .....255
jumping a disabled battery ....224
maintenance-free ....................255
replacement, specifications ...282
servicing ..................................255
BeltMinder .................................103
Brakes ........................................183
anti-lock ...........................183–184
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................183
fluid, checking and adding ....274
fluid, refill capacities ..............283
fluid, specifications .........286, 289
lubricant specifications ..286, 289
parking ....................................184
shift interlock ..........................187
trailer .......................................171
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................45
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....283
Cassette tape player .......20, 22, 25
Cell phone use ............................66
Certification Label ....................296
Child safety restraints ..............117
child safety belts ....................117
Child safety seats ......................119
attaching with tether straps ..123
in front seat ............................121
in rear seat ..............................121
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............241
instrument panel ....................243
interior .....................................244
interior trim ............................243
plastic parts ............................242
safety belts ..............................244
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Index
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washing ....................................240
waxing .....................................240
wheels ......................................241
wiper blades ............................243
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clutch
fluid ..........................................274
operation while driving ..........191
recommended shift speeds ....191
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................70
Console ........................................66
overhead ....................................56
Controls
steering column ........................65
Coolant
checking and adding ..............257
refill capacities ................261, 283
specifications ..................286, 289
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................62
Customer Assistance ................213
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................246
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................237
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............238
Getting roadside assistance ...213
Getting the service you
need .........................................231
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................238
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................234
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................236D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................275
engine oil .................................251
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........286
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................279
Driving under special
conditions ..................190, 203, 207
sand .........................................205
snow and ice ...........................208
through water .................206, 209
E
Electronic message center ...66, 68
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................224
Emergency Flashers .................214
Emission control system ..........271
Engine ........................................289
cleaning ...................................241
coolant .....................................257
diesel ...........................................7
fail-safe coolant ......................262
idle speed control ...................255
lubrication specifications ......286,
289
refill capacities ........................283
service points ..................249–250
starting after a collision .........214
Engine block heater .................182
Engine oil ..................................251
checking and adding ..............251
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