heating FORD F250 2007 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)
meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note:Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets 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 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.
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.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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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.
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.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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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 (
) 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.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
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Maintenance and Specifications
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Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 150°F-170°F (66°C-77°C) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles
(30 km) of driving.
You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (150°F-170°F
[66°C-77°C]).
The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at ambient temperature
(50°F-95°F [10°C-35°C]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the safe range
may result in transmission failure.
An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and/or
engagement concerns and/or possible damage.
High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition.
Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels
Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of
fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick handle and also in the
Maintenance Product Specifications and Capacitiessection in this
chapter.
Use of a non-approved automatic transmission fluid may cause
internal transmission component damage.
If necessary, add fluid in 1/2 pint (250 ml) increments through the filler
tube until the level is correct.
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............41
Clutch
fluid ..........................................285
operation while driving ..........185
recommended shift speeds ....186
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................77
Console ........................................72
overhead ..............................60–61
Controls
power seat .................................97
steering column ........................69
Coolant
checking and adding ..............267
refill capacities ................271, 294
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................66
Customer Assistance ................208
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................254
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................244
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............245
Getting roadside assistance ...208
Getting the service you
need .........................................240
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................246
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................244
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................45Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................286
engine oil .................................261
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................290
Driving under special
conditions ..................185, 198, 201
sand .........................................200
snow and ice ...........................202
through water .................200, 204
E
Electronic message center ...72, 74
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................233
Emergency Flashers .................210
Emission control system ..........281
Engine ........................................298
cleaning ...................................249
coolant .....................................267
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................272
idle speed control ...................265
refill capacities ........................294
service points ..................258–259
starting after a collision .........210
Engine block heater .................177
Engine oil ..................................261
checking and adding ..............261
dipstick ....................................261
filter, specifications ........264, 293
recommendations ...................264
refill capacities ........................294
Exhaust fumes ..........................176
F
Fail safe cooling ........................272
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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Fluid capacities .........................294
Foglamps .....................................45
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......190
description ..............................194
driving off road .......................196
electronic shift ................190, 194
indicator light .........................191
lever operated shift ................192
manual locking hubs ..............190
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................181
Fuel ............................................273
calculating fuel
economy ............................76, 278
cap ...........................................275
capacity ...................................294
choosing the right fuel ...........276
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................281
detergent in fuel .....................277
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................273, 275, 278
filter, specifications ........273, 293
fuel pump shut-off switch .....210
improving fuel economy ........278
octane rating ...................277, 298
quality ......................................277
running out of fuel .................278
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................273
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......210
Fuses ..................................211–212
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............275
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................278Gauges .........................................16
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................21
H
Hazard flashers .........................210
Head restraints ...........................94
Headlamps ...................................44
aiming ..................................47, 49
autolamp system .......................44
daytime running lights .............45
flash to pass ..............................46
high beam .................................46
replacing bulbs ...................52–55
turning on and off ....................44
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system ...........................38–39, 41
Hood ..........................................257
I
Ignition ...............................172, 298
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................125
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................283
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................251
cluster ........................................12
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................46
J
Jump-starting your vehicle ......233
2007 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
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