Ford Low Cab Forward (Ford year). Manual — part 35

Conditions
• Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy.
• Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first

8–10 miles (12–16 km) of driving.

• Flat terrain driving improves fuel economy over hilly roads.
• Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top

cruise gear and with steady pressure on the accelerator.

• Close windows for highway driving.

DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)

Your vehicle is equipped with a diesel particulate filter (DPF), as part of
the after-treatment exhaust system, to trap soot and other large particles
produced by the engine combustion process. The soot that accumulates
in the filter must be periodically reduced to ash to prevent excessive
exhaust restriction. The soot reduction process, also known as “filter
regeneration,” is generally performed automatically by your engine and
after-treatment system.

The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very
high. Never work around, or attempt to repair, any part of the

exhaust system until it has cooled. Use special care when working
around the diesel particulate filter. The DPF heats up to a high
temperature after only a short period of engine operation, and can
remain hot even after the engine is turned off. Failure to follow these
instructions may result in personal injury.

Diesel particulate filter regeneration

Under most operating conditions, DPF regeneration will be transparent
to the operator. A small increase in engine/turbo sound-level is normal
during filter regeneration. If, however, your engine is operated for
extended periods of time under one of the following conditions, operator
assistance may be required to facilitate the filter regeneration process:
• Vehicle is operated in stop-and-go traffic and/or maintains low speeds

as in a city/delivery driving

• Engine is started and shut-off frequently
• Vehicle payload is relatively light
• Vehicle is regularly operated in cold ambient temperatures (i.e. below

0°F [-18°C])

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142

Diesel Particulate Filter Four–Level Loading Chart

Level/Lamp status

Filter status

Requested action

Level 1
DPF lamp solid

Regeneration required.

Drive on highway at

highway speeds OR

start “parked

regeneration” to

prevent loss of engine

performance.

Level 2
DPF lamp flashing
(once per second)

Nearly full. Engine

performance is limited.

Level 3
DPF lamp flashing +
Check Engine lamp
solid

Full. Engine is

increasingly limited.

Perform “parked

regeneration” to

prevent loss of engine

performance.

Level 4
Stop Engine lamp
solid

Over full. Engine

performance is highly

limited. Continued

operation may result

in irreparable damage

to the filter.

Pull vehicle safely off

roadway, turn on

hazard flashers and

shut down engine as

soon as possible. Seek

service immediately.

Instrument cluster lamp(s) will
illuminate and/or flash when
operator assistance is required. In
addition, engine performance will
become increasingly limited above
Level 1.

At Levels 1 and 2, two courses of action may be taken by the operator to
facilitate filter regeneration:

1. The vehicle may be driven on the highway at highway speeds,

2. The operator may perform a parked regeneration by following the
steps in Parked regeneration procedure.

At Level 3, performing a parked regeneration is the only available course
of action (short of professional servicing) available to the operator for
regenerating the filter. At Level 4, professional servicing is the only way
to regenerate the filter.

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143

Parked regeneration procedure

When performing the parked regeneration procedure, make
certain the vehicle is safely off roadway, and the exhaust system

is away from people, or any flammable materials, vapors, or structures.
Engine speed may increase during parked regeneration.

Note: Parked regeneration is only available when the DPF lamp on the
instrument cluster is illuminated (solid or flashing).

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground and safely off the
road with the exhaust system away from people, flammable materials,
vapors or structures.

2. Place transmission in P (Park).

3. Remove foot from the accelerator pedal.

4. Set the parking brake.

5. Within 5 seconds of setting the parking brake, remove foot from
the service brake pedal.

When these steps are performed successfully in the order outlined above,
the DPF lamp will begin flashing at a rate of once every 10 seconds. The
engine speed may also increase slightly. To allow parked regeneration to
continue uninterrupted:

1. The vehicle must remain parked.

2. The transmission must remain in P (Park).

3. The accelerator pedal and service brake pedal must not be depressed.

4. The parking brake must remain set.

On average (depending on filter level and other factors), the process will
take 20–30 minutes to complete. The DPF lamp will turn off when the
process is complete. Repeat Steps 1–5, if parked regeneration is
interrupted.

To discontinue parked regeneration

Depress any of the floor pedals to discontinue parked regeneration.

Diesel particulate filter maintenance and service

The DPF is designed to retain a relatively large amount of residual ash
and provide many miles and hours of maintenance-free operation. At
some point, generally beyond 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or 5,000 hours
of operation (whichever comes first), the DPF will require professional
cleaning to remove the accumulated ash

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144

The exact number of miles or hours of operation will vary greatly
depending upon vehicle/engine loading and operating conditions, ash
content of the engine oil, and quality of the diesel fuel used in your
truck. Adhering to recommended oil and fuel specifications will maximize
the miles and hours of operation before a DPF professional cleaning is
required.

Exhaust outlet assembly

The normal operating temperature of the exhaust system is very
high. Never work around or attempt to repair any part of the

exhaust system until it has cooled. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in personal injury.

The exhaust outlet assembly on your vehicle is a uniquely functioning
device that accompanies the DPF assembly. It is designed to help control
the temperature of the exhaust during the DPF regeneration process. Do
not modify or remove this device. Modification of the system
and/or additions of aftermarket devices can reduce the
effectiveness of the system, as well as cause damage to the
exhaust system and/or engine. Any modifications may also
invalidate the vehicle and/or engine warranties. See the vehicle
warranty guide for more information.

The inlet holes in the side of the assembly are functional. These holes
allow outside air to be drawn into the outlet assembly. The holes need to
be kept clear of mud and other foreign material to maintain proper
functionality of the system. One way to keep the holes clear is to spray
the outlet assembly with a hose when washing the vehicle. Failure to
keep the functional holes clear of foreign material may result in the holes
becoming blocked or plugged. Blocked/plugged holes or
modification/removal of the outlet assembly could result in
elevated exhaust temperatures which may result in
vehicle/property damage and/or personal injury.

NOISE EMISSIONS – EXTERIOR

In order to comply with the federal exterior noise regulations, your
vehicle may be equipped with noise emission items. Depending on the
vehicle configuration, it may have all or some of the following items:

Air Intake System
• Air Filter: should be inspected and its location should not be altered.

Do not alter inlet and outlet piping.

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