engine coolant FORD SUPER DUTY 2008 2.G User Guide

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” on the reservoir.
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.
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
toMaintenance Product Specifications and Capacitiesin this section.
If your vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine,refer to the
Maintenance Product Specifications and Capacitiessection of your
6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel Owner’s
Guide Supplement.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
327

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.
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.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
328

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.
•TheCheck engineindicator
(
) 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.
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.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
329

MAINTENANCE PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND CAPACITIES
Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Front axle 5.8 pints (2.8L)Motorcraft SAE 80W-90
Premium Rear Axle
LubricantXY-80W-90–QL /
WSP-M2C197–A
Spindle bearing —High Temperature 4X4
Front Axle and Wheel
Bearing GreaseE8TZ-19590–A
XG-11 (FAD) /
ESA-M1C198–A
Rear axle - F-250/350
(10.50 inch axle)
1
6.9 pints (3.3L)Motorcraft SAE 75W-140
Synthetic Rear Axle
LubricantXY-75W140–QL /
WSL-M2C192-A
Rear axle - F-350
(DANA 80)8.5 pints (4.0L)Motorcraft SAE 75W-90
Synthetic Rear Axle
LubricantXY-75W90–QLS /
WSS–M2C918–A
Rear axle - F-450/550
(Dana S110/S130)14.0 pints (6.6L)Motorcraft SAE 75W-140
Synthetic Rear Axle
LubricantXY-75W140–QL /
WSL-M2C192-A
Brake fluid (and clutch
fluid, if equipped)Fill to line or step
(for clutch) on
reservoirMotorcraft High
Performance DOT 3
Motor Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1–C / WSS-M6C62-A
Engine coolant - 5.4L
V8 engine with A/C
2
26.4 quarts
(25.0L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
352

Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Engine coolant - 6.8L
V10 engine
2
27.5 quarts
(26.0L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine and fuel coolant
- diesel engineRefer to the6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement
Engine oil (includes
filter change) - 5.4L V8
and 6.8L V10 gas
engines
6
7.0 quarts (6.6L)Motorcraft 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
Engine oil (includes
filter change) - diesel
engine
6
Refer to the6.0/6.4 Liter Power Stroke Direct Injection Turbo Diesel
Owner’s Guide Supplement
Fuel tank - Mid-ship
tank (optional on
Chassis Cab)19.0 gallons
(71.9L)——
Fuel tank - Short box30.5 gallons
(115.5L)——
Fuel tank - Long box38.0 gallons
(143.9L)——
Fuel tank - Aft axle40.0 gallons
(151.4L)——
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
353

Item Capacity Ford part nameFord part number /
Ford specification
Windshield washer fluid 3.5 quarts (3.3L)Motorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A /
WSB-M8B16–A2
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 Ford axles. Ford design rear axles contain a
synthetic lubricant that does not require changing unless the axle has been submerged in water.2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.3Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick blade or the dipstick handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being
added is of the correct type. Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationto determine the
correct service interval.
Automatic transmissions that require MERCON
SP should only use MERCON
SP fluid.
Use of a dual usage fluid in an automatic transmission requiring MERCON
SP may cause
transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the recommended fluid may cause
transmission damage.4Service 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 ensure correct fluid level.5Indicates 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.6Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
355

A
Accessory delay ..........................99
Air cleaner filter ...............348–350
Air conditioning ..........................75
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................................171–172
and child safety seats ............173
description ..............................172
disposal ....................................175
driver airbag ............................174
indicator light .........................175
operation .................................174
passenger airbag .....................174
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................176
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................324
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................235
Anti-theft system ......................148
arming the system ..................149
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................22, 24, 30
Automatic transmission ............240
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................241
fluid, adding ............................343
fluid, checking ........................343
fluid, refill capacities ..............352
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................36
Auxiliary power point .................96
Axle
refill capacities ........................352
traction lok ..............................239
B
Battery .......................................322acid, treating emergencies .....322
jumping a disabled battery ....290
maintenance-free ....................322
replacement, specifications ...350
servicing ..................................322
Belt-Minder
.............................167
Brakes ........................................235
anti-lock ...................................235
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................235
fluid, checking and adding ....342
fluid, refill capacities ..............352
parking ....................................236
shift interlock ..........................240
trailer .......................................223
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................85
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....352
Cassette tape player ...................22
Cell phone use ..............................7
Child safety restraints ..............181
child safety belts ....................181
Child safety seats ......................184
attaching with tether straps ..188
in front seat ............................185
in rear seat ..............................185
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............307
instrument panel ....................309
interior .....................................310
plastic parts ............................309
safety belts ..............................310
washing ....................................306
waxing .....................................306
wheels ......................................307
wiper blades ............................309
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
361

Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............75
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................31
AM/FM/CD .................................25
Clutch
fluid ..........................................342
operation while driving ..........244
recommended shift speeds ....244
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment
...............127
Console
......................................116
overhead
....................................96
Controls
power seat
...............................154
steering column
......................107
Coolant
checking and adding
..............324
refill capacities
................327, 352
Cruise control
(see Speed control)
..................104
Customer Assistance
................265
Ford accessories for your
vehicle
.....................................313
Ford Extended Service
Plan
..........................................302
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada
.....................303
Getting roadside assistance
...265
Getting the service you
need
.........................................298
Ordering additional owner’s
literature
.................................304
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program
...................................302D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................81
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................343
engine oil .................................319
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................348
Driving under special
conditions ..................243, 256, 259
sand .........................................258
snow and ice ...........................260
through water .................258, 262
DVD system .................................43
E
Electronic message
center .................................116, 122
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................290
Emergency Flashers .................267
Emission control system ..........338
Engine ........................................356
cleaning ...................................307
coolant .....................................324
diesel ...........................................8
fail-safe cooling .......................328
idle speed control ...................322
refill capacities ........................352
service points ..................316–317
starting after a collision .........267
Engine block heater .................234
Engine oil ..................................319
checking and adding ..............319
dipstick ....................................319
filter, specifications ........321, 350
2008 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
362