Ford E-350 (2012 year). Manual — part 70

• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top

cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.

• Close windows for high speed driving.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

WARNING: Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the

engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.

WARNING: Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.

Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
• Use only the specified fuel listed.
• Avoid running out of fuel.
• Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at

high speeds.

• Have the items listed in scheduled maintenance information

performed according to the specified schedule.

The scheduled maintenance items listed in scheduled maintenance
information are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.

If other than Ford, Motorcraft

威 or Ford-authorized parts are used for

maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.

Illumination of the service engine soon

indicator, charging system

warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.

An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.

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282

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal also lists engine displacement.

On-board diagnostics (OBD-II)

Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the
on-board diagnostics system (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When the service
engine soon

indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected

a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause the service engine
soon

indicator to illuminate. Examples are:

1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.

2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.

3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. See Fuel filler
cap in this chapter.

4. Driving through deep water—the electrical system may be wet.

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel, properly tightening the fuel cap or letting the
electrical system dry out. After three driving cycles without these or any
other temporary malfunctions present, the service engine soon
indicator should stay off the next time the engine is started. A driving
cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway
driving. No additional vehicle service is required.

If the service engine soon

indicator remains on, have your vehicle

serviced at the first available opportunity. Although some malfunctions
detected by the OBD-II may not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine soon

indicator on can

result in increased emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced engine and
transmission smoothness, and lead to more costly repairs.

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283

Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing

Some state/provincial and local governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could prevent
you from getting a vehicle registration. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M
test if the service engine soon

indicator is on or not working

properly (bulb is burned out), or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems have not been properly
checked. In this case, the vehicle is considered not ready for I/M testing.

If the service engine soon

indicator is on or the bulb does not

work, the vehicle may need to be serviced. Refer to On-board
diagnostics (OBD-II) in this chapter.

If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has just been serviced, or the
battery has recently run down or been replaced, the OBD-II system may
indicate that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To determine if the
vehicle is ready for I/M testing, turn the ignition key to the on position
for 15 seconds without cranking the engine. If the service engine
soon

indicator blinks eight times, it means that the vehicle is not

ready for I/M testing; if the service engine soon

indicator stays on

solid, it means that the vehicle is ready for I/M testing.

The OBD-II system is designed to check the emission control system
during normal driving. A complete check may take several days. If the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing, the following driving cycle consisting
of mixed city and highway driving may be performed:

15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by
20 minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle
periods.

Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.

POWER STEERING FLUID

Check the power steering fluid. Refer to scheduled maintenance
information.

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284

1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature.

2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.

3. Turn the engine off.

4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.

WARNING: For E-350 and E-450 vehicles with the Hydro-Boost
Brake System, do not press the brake pedal after the engine has

been turned off. Pressing the brake pedal after the engine has been
turned off will give a false power steering fluid level reading.

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer to Maintenance
product specifications and capacities in this chapter for the proper
fluid type.

Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level (if
the fluid level is below the MIN line).

Do not fill the power steering pump reservoir above the MAX line, as this
may result in leaks from the reservoir.

BRAKE FLUID
• E-150/E-250/E-350 Single Rear

Wheel

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285