engine coolant FORD F250 2006 User Guide

Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and distilled water. Add the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is obtained.
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 Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44–D
with the factory-filled coolant.Mixing Motorcraft Specialty 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.
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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
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 authorized 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.
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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.
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. If your vehicle is equipped with a
diesel engine, refer to theRefill capacitiessection of your6.0 Liter
Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide
Supplement.
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.
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•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.
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 message center will indicate
the engine is overheating.
•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.
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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.
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.
FUEL FILTER
For fuel filter replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the fuel filter.
Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
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.
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REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Front axle Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantF-250/350
(Dana 60 axle)5.8 pints (2.8L)
F-350/450/550
(Dana 60 axle)5.8 pints (2.8L)
Rear axle Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
F-250 /350
(10.50 inch axle)16.9 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/S130)
1
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 -
gas engines
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)
Engine coolant -
diesel engine
2Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Refer to your6.0 Liter Power
Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement
Engine oil
(includes filter
change) - gas
engines
6
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)5.4L V8 and 6.8L
V10 engines7.0 quarts
(6.6L)
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Fluid Ford Part Name Application Capacity
Engine oil
(includes filter
change) - diesel
engineRefer to your6.0 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection
Turbo Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement
Fuel tank N/A Mid-ship tank
(optional on
Chassis Cab)19.0 gallons
(71.9L )
Short box 30.5 gallons
(115.5L)
Long box 38.0 gallons
(143.9L)
Aft axle 40.0 gallons
(151.4L)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to FULL
COLD range on
dipstick
Transfer case
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F4x4 vehicles 2.0 quarts
(1.9L)
Manual
transmission fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT F6-speed manual 5.8 quarts
(5.5L)
4
Automatic
transmission
fluid
3
Motorcraft
MERCONSP
AT FTorqShift
(5–speed)17.5 quarts
(16.6L)
5(includes
remote filter
element change)
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.25 quarts
(4.0L)
1Add 8 oz. (236 ml) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3 or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118–A for complete refill of limited
slip axles. Ford design rear axles contain a synthetic lubricant that does
not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water. Dana
rear axles also contain a synthetic lubricant but do require a change.
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor change intervals
on Dana rear axles.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
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LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemFord part name
or equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Spindle bearingHigh
Temperature 4X4
Front Axle and
Wheel Bearing
GreaseE8TZ-19590–A
XG-11 (FAD)ESA-M1C198–A
Front axle (4X4)Motorcraft SAE
80W-90 Premium
Rear Axle
LubricantXY-80W-90–QL WSP-M2C197–A
Rear axleMotorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
(10.5 inch)
1
XY-75W140–QL WSL-M2C192-A
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90 Synthetic
Rear Axle
Lubricant
(Dana 80)
1
XY-75W90–QLS WSS–M2C918–A
Motorcraft SAE
75W–140
Synthetic Rear
Axle Lubricant
(Dana S110/S130
axles)
1
XY-75W140-QL WSL–M2C192–A
Brake fluid and
clutch fluid (if
equipped)Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A or
WSS-M6C62-A
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
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A
Accessory delay ..........................58
Air cleaner filter .......283–284, 286
Air conditioning ..........................36
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................108–109
and child safety seats ............110
description ..............................109
disposal ....................................112
driver airbag ............................111
indicator light .........................112
operation .................................111
passenger airbag .....................111
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................113
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................260
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................172–173
Audio system
(see Radio) ................20, 22, 25, 28
Automatic transmission ............176
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................177
fluid, adding ............................279
fluid, checking ........................279
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
Auxiliary power point .................56
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........290
refill capacities ........................287
traction lok ..............................175
B
Battery .......................................258
acid, treating emergencies .....258jumping a disabled battery ....226
maintenance-free ....................258
replacement, specifications ...286
servicing ..................................258
BeltMinder .................................104
Brakes ........................................172
anti-lock ...........................172–173
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................173
fluid, checking and adding ....278
fluid, refill capacities ..............287
fluid, specifications .................290
lubricant specifications ..........290
parking ....................................173
shift interlock ..........................176
trailer .......................................159
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................45
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....287
Cassette tape player .......20, 22, 25
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............118
child safety belts ....................118
Child safety seats ......................121
attaching with tether straps ..124
in front seat ............................122
in rear seat ..............................122
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............242
instrument panel ....................244
interior .....................................245
interior trim ............................245
plastic parts ............................244
safety belts ..............................245
washing ....................................241
waxing .....................................241
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wheels ......................................242
wiper blades ............................244
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............36
Clutch
fluid ..........................................278
operation while driving ..........180
recommended shift speeds ....180
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................71
Console ........................................67
overhead ..............................55–56
Controls
steering column ........................66
Coolant
checking and adding ..............260
refill capacities ................264, 287
specifications ..........................290
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................61
Customer Assistance ................202
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................248
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................238
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............239
Getting roadside assistance ...202
Getting the service you
need .........................................234
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................240
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................238
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................279
engine oil .................................254
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........290
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................283
Driving under special
conditions ..................179, 192, 196
sand .........................................194
snow and ice ...........................196
through water .................195, 198
E
Electronic message center ...68–69
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................226
Emergency Flashers .................204
Emission control system ..........275
Engine ........................................293
cleaning ...................................242
coolant .....................................260
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................265
idle speed control ...................258
lubrication specifications .......290
refill capacities ........................287
service points ..................251–252
starting after a collision .........204
Engine block heater .................172
Engine oil ..................................254
checking and adding ..............254
dipstick ....................................254
filter, specifications ........257, 286
recommendations ...................257
refill capacities ........................287
specifications ..........................290
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