checking oil FORD F450 2010 Owners Manual

To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance information for the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil dipstick.
• 5.4L/6.8L gasoline engines only;
for diesel engine information,
refer to the 6.0 and 6.4 Liter
Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement.
6. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again.
• If the oil level is between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is
acceptable. DO NOT ADD OIL.Maintenance and Specifications
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USA (fus)

• If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
• Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to Checking the engine
oil in this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
normal operating range on the engine oil level dipstick.
4. Install the dipstick and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard or until the cap is fully seated.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level dipstick and/or the engine oil filler cap removed. Maintenance and Specifications
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USA (fus)

• Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
intervals listed in scheduled maintenance information. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -34°F (-36°C). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester. The level of
coolant should be maintained at the FULL COLD level or within the
COLD FILL RANGE in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add
coolant per the instructions in the Adding engine coolant section.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly. A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
• Freeze protection down to -34°F (-36°C).
• Boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
• Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
• Proper function of calibrated gauges.
L E A D
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
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2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)

plastic parts ............................348
safety belts ..............................351
washing ....................................345
waxing .....................................346
wheels ......................................346
wiper blades ............................348
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ....98, 102
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................53
AM/FM/CD .................................46
Clutch
fluid ..........................................384
operation while driving ..........278
recommended shift speeds ....278
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................36
Console ......................................122
overhead ..........................121–122
Controls
power seat ...............................167
steering column ......................134
Coolant
checking and adding ..............365
refill capacities ................368, 391
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ......................................131
Customer Assistance ................303
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................353
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................400
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................342
Getting roadside assistance ...303
Getting the service you
need .........................................338
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................343 Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................341
D
Daytime running lamps (see
Lamps) .......................................108
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................384
engine oil .................................360
Driving under special
conditions ..................277, 293, 297
sand .........................................295
snow and ice ...........................297
through water .................296, 299
DVD system .................................67
E
Electronic message center ...24, 32
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................331
Emergency Flashers .................304
Emission control system ..........379
Engine ........................................395
cleaning ...................................347
coolant .....................................365
diesel ...........................................7
fail-safe cooling .......................369
idle speed control ...................363
refill capacities ........................391
service points ..................357–358
starting after a collision .........305
Engine oil ..................................360
checking and adding ..............360
dipstick ....................................360
filter, specifications ........362, 390
recommendations ...................362Index
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2010 F-250/350/450/550 (f23)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA (fus)