Ford Low Cab Forward (Ford year). Manual — part 34

Do not use home heating oil or any diesel fuel not intended for
highway use. Red dye is used to identify fuels intended for
agricultural and non-highway use. Damage to the fuel injection
system, engine and exhaust catalyst can occur if an improper fuel
is used. Do not add gasoline, gasohol or alcohol to diesel fuel.
This practice creates a serious fire hazard and engine
performance problems.

Using low sulfur (16-500 ppm) or high sulfur (greater than
500 ppm) diesel fuel in a diesel engine designed to use only

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel increases the likelihood of engine oil
dilution with fuel which may lead to major engine damage.

Using low sulfur (16-500 ppm) or high sulfur (greater than
500 ppm) diesel fuel in a diesel engine designed to use only

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel will cause certain emission components to
malfunction which may also cause the Service Engine Soon light to
illuminate indicating an emissions-related concern.

Do not mix diesel fuel with gasoline, gasohol or alcohol. This
could cause an explosion resulting in personal injury.

Do not use starting fluid such as ether or gasoline. Such fluids
can cause immediate explosive damage to the engine and

possible personal injury.

Fuel quality

It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket additives to your fuel
tank if you use a properly formulated diesel fuel that meets ASTM D 975
specification. Aftermarket additives can damage the injector system or
engine. Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in
your fuel may not be covered by your warranty.

Do not blend used engine oil with diesel fuel under any
circumstances. Blending used oil with the fuel will significantly increase
your vehicle’s exhaust emissions and reduce engine life due to increased
internal wear.

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Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends diesel fuel specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Diesel fuel that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about fuel that meet the World-Wide
Fuel Charter.

Running out of fuel

Avoid running out of fuel as this will allow air to enter the fuel system,
which will make restarting the vehicle difficult.

If you have run out of fuel:
• If your vehicle is equipped with dual fuel tanks, add at least 4–5

gallons (15–19 liters) of fuel to each tank before attempting to restart
the engine.

• The fuel system must be primed before attempting to restart the

engine. Refer to the engine operator’s manual for instructions on
priming the engine.

• Use caution not to overheat and damage the starter by cranking

the engine for an excessive period of time. You may need to crank the
engine for a longer time than normal. If the engine fails to start in 30
seconds, turn the ignition to the OFF position and wait for two
minutes before cranking the engine again.

• Any remaining trapped air will self-purge from the fuel system once

the engine starts running.

• The engine may run rough and produce white smoke while air is in

the fuel system. This is normal and should stop after a short period of
time.

FUEL CONSUMPTION IMPROVEMENT MEASURES

There are two important factors you can control to improve fuel
economy: the mechanical condition of your vehicle and how you drive it.

A properly maintained vehicle will deliver better performance than a
neglected vehicle. Always follow your maintenance schedule to keep your
vehicle in top operating condition.

Also, your driving habits have a significant influence on use of fuel. By
following these suggestions, you can stretch your fuel use:
• Avoid changes in speed as much as possible.
• Anticipate changing traffic conditions. Sudden stops and fast

acceleration waste fuel.

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• Avoid extensive idling.
• Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake pedal.

Essentials of good fuel economy

Measuring techniques

Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving. You will get a more accurate measurement after
2,000–3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).

The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank(s) on your vehicle is equal
to the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank(s) as listed in Refill
capacities in this chapter. The advertised capacity is the amount of the
Indicated Capacity and the Empty Reserve combined. Indicated Capacity
is the difference in the amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the
fuel gauge indicates empty. Empty Reserve is the small amount of usable
fuel remaining in the fuel tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.

The amount of Empty Reserve varies and should not be relied
upon to increase driving range. When refueling your vehicle after
the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be able to refuel
the full amount of the advertised capacity of the fuel tank due to
the empty reserve still present in the tank.

Filling the tank

For consistent results:
• Use the same fill rate setting (low - medium - high) each time during

filling.

• Allow three automatic click-offs when filling.
• Always use fuel of a known quality, preferably a national brand.
• Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
• When refueling a vehicle equipped with dual fuel tanks, if the two

tanks are not filled equally, the fuel gauge reading may fluctuate
slightly until the fuel level between the two tanks balance out and
become equal.

Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.

Note: For vehicles equipped with dual fuel tanks, engine performance
may degrade if fuel is not added to both tanks when refueling.

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Calculating fuel economy

1. Fill the fuel tank(s) completely and record the initial odometer
reading (in miles or kilometers).

2. Each time you fill the tank(s), record the amount of fuel added (in
gallons or liters).

3. After at least three to five tank fill-ups, fill the fuel tank(s) and record
the current odometer reading.

4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the current odometer
reading.

5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to determine fuel
economy:
• Divide total miles traveled by total gallons used.
• Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total kilometers traveled.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle’s fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.

Driving style — good driving and fuel economy habits

Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.

Habits
• Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
• Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel

economy.

• Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
• Slow down gradually.
• Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
• Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%

less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).

• Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
• Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel

economy.

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