coolant FORD F350 2003 User Guide

•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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
229
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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.
Maintenance and Specifications
230
ProCarManuals.com

FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
1,2Motorcraft SAE
75W-140
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-250 /350
(10.50 inch
axle)3.3L (6.9 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
75W-90
Synthetic Rear
Axle LubricantF-350/450
(DANA 80)4.0L (8.5 pints)
Motorcraft SAE
80W-90
Premium Rear
Axle LubricantF-550
(Dana 135)11.6L (24.5
pints)
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
3Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
orMotorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)5.4L V8 engine
with A/C25.0L (26.4
quarts)
6.8L V10 engine 27.0L (28.5
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)-Gas
enginesMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilAll 5.7L (6.0
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)-Diesel
engineRefer to your 6.0L Diesel Supplement
Maintenance and Specifications
255
ProCarManuals.com

1Your vehicle’s rear axle(s) may be filled with a synthetic lubricant that
may require a lubricant change. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide. Axle lubricant quantities should not need to be checked unless a
leak is suspected, service is required or the axle assembly has been
submerged in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any time the
rear axle has been submerged in water.
2Add 236 ml (8 oz.) of Additive Friction Modifier XL-3or equivalent
meeting Ford Specification EST-M2C118-A for complete refill of
Traction-Lok axles.
3Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
4Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the end of the dipstick. Check the
container to verify the fluid being added is of the correct type. Refer to
your scheduled maintenance guide to determine the correct service
interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCON
and MERCON
V. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCON
type
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCON
V type fluid.
MERCON
, MERCON
V and MERCON
SP are not
interchangeable. DO NOT mix MERCON
, MERCON
V and
MERCON
SP. Use of dual usage fluids in an automatic
transmission application requiring MERCON
SP may cause
transmission damage. Use of a transmission fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
5Service refill capacity is determined by filling the transmission to the
bottom of the filler hole with the vehicle on a level surface. The 6–speed
manual transmission is equipped with an in-tank cooler. Verify the fluid
level after operating vehicle to assure correct fluid level.
6Indicates only approximate dry-fill capacity. Some applications may vary
based on cooler size and if equipped with an in-tank cooler. The amount
of transmission fluid and fluid level should be set by the indication on
the dipstick’s normal operating range.
Maintenance and Specifications
257
ProCarManuals.com

ItemFord part
name or
equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)VC-4–A (in
Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-M97B44-A
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oilMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilXO-5W20-QSP 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
MERCON
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCON

Maintenance and Specifications
259
ProCarManuals.com

A
Accessory delay ..........................54
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................90
and child safety seats ..............92
description ................................90
disposal ......................................94
driver air bag ............................92
indicator light ...........................93
operation ...................................92
passenger air bag .....................92
passenger deactivation
switch ........................................95
Air cleaner filter .......246–247, 254
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................224
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................115
Audio system
(see Radio) ................20, 22, 25, 29
Automatic transmission ............118
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................119, 121
fluid, adding ............................242
fluid, checking ........................242
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specification ..................261
Auxiliary power point .................53
Axle
lubricant specifications ..258, 261
refill capacities ........................254
traction lok ..............................117
B
Battery .......................................222
acid, treating emergencies .....222jumping a disabled battery ....193
maintenance-free ....................222
replacement, specifications ...254
servicing ..................................222
BeltMinder ...................................85
Brakes ........................................114
anti-lock ...................................115
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................115
fluid, checking and adding ....241
fluid, refill capacities ..............254
fluid, specifications .........258, 261
lubricant specifications ..258, 261
parking ....................................116
shift interlock ..........................118
Bulbs ............................................42
C
Calculating load ........................145
Capacities for refilling fluids ....254
Cassette tape player ...................29
CD changer .................................32
CD-single premium .........20, 22, 25
Cell phone use ............................60
Certification Label ....................269
Child safety restraints ................99
child safety belts ......................99
Child safety seats ......................102
attaching with tether straps ..106
in front seat ............................104
in rear seat ..............................104
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............210
instrument panel ....................212
interior .....................................212
interior trim ............................212
plastic parts ............................211
Index
275
ProCarManuals.com

washing ....................................209
waxing .....................................209
wheels ......................................210
wiper blades ............................211
Clutch
fluid
..........................................241
operation while driving
..........124
recommended shift speeds
....125
Compass, electronic
....................62
calibration
.................................63
set zone adjustment
.................63
Console
........................................60
overhead
....................................51
Coolant
checking and adding
..............224
refill capacities
................228, 254
specifications
..................258, 261
Cruise control
(see Speed control)
....................57
Customer Assistance
................175
Ford accessories for your
vehicle
.....................................214
Ford Extended Service
Plan
..........................................202
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada
..............206
Getting roadside assistance
...175
Getting the service you
need
.........................................200
Ordering additional owner’s
literature
.................................207
The Dispute Settlement
Board
.......................................202
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program
...................................205D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................40
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................242
engine oil .................................219
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........258
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................246
Driving under special
conditions ..................123, 136, 139
sand .........................................138
snow and ice ...........................140
through water .................138, 143
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................193
Emission control system ..........238
Engine ........................................261
cleaning ...................................210
coolant .....................................224
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe coolant ......................229
idle speed control ...................222
lubrication specifications ......258,
261
refill capacities ........................254
service points ..........................218
starting after a collision .........176
Engine block heater .................114
Engine oil ..................................219
checking and adding ..............219
dipstick ....................................219
filter, specifications ........221, 254
recommendations ...................221
Index
276
ProCarManuals.com