Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 44

Operation in Standing Water

Ingestion of water into the diesel engine
can result in immediate and severe
damage to the engine. If driving through
water, slow down to avoid splashing water
into the intake. If the engine stalls, and you
suspect ingestion of water into the engine,
do not try to restart the engine. Consult
your dealer for service immediately.

Your fuel tank vents to the atmosphere by
valves on top of the tank and through the
fuel cap. If water reaches the top of the
tank, the valves may pull water into the
fuel tank. Water in the fuel can cause
performance issues and damage the fuel
injection system.

DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER

The filter forms part of the emissions
reduction system on your vehicle. It filters
harmful diesel particulates (soot) from the
exhaust gas.

Regeneration

WARNING

Do not park or idle your vehicle over
dry leaves, dry grass or other
combustible materials. The

regeneration process creates very high
exhaust gas temperatures and the exhaust
will radiate a considerable amount of heat
during and after regeneration and after you
have switched the engine off. This is a
potential fire hazard.

Note: Avoid running out of fuel.

Note: During regeneration at low speed or
engine idle, you may smell a hot metallic
odor and could notice a clicking metallic
sound. This is due to the high temperatures
reached during regeneration and is normal.

Note: Changes in the engine or exhaust
sound may be heard during the regeneration
process.

The diesel particulate filter on your vehicle
requires periodic regeneration to maintain
its correct function. Your vehicle will carry
out this process automatically.

If your journeys meet one of the following
conditions:
•

You drive only short distances.

•

You frequently switch the ignition on
and off.

•

Your journeys contain a high level of
acceleration and deceleration.

You must carry out occasional trips with
the following conditions to assist the
regeneration process:
•

Drive your vehicle in more favorable
conditions, which you will find at higher
vehicle speeds in normal driving, on a
main road or freeway for a minimum
of 20 minutes. This drive may include
short stops that will not affect the
regeneration process.

•

Avoid prolonged idling and always
observe speed limits and road
conditions.

•

Do not switch the ignition off.

•

Select a suitable gear to ideally
maintain engine speed between 1500
and 3000 RPM.

SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
- 6.7L DIESEL

Switch the ignition off.

To help prolong engine life, we
recommended you allow the engine to idle
for three to five minutes, especially after
any of the following:
•

Continuous engine speed.

•

High ambient temperature.

•

High GVW or GCW operation, for
example heavy loads or trailers.

This allows the turbo charged engine to
cool down.

ENGINE IDLE SHUTDOWN

(If

Equipped)

Your vehicle may be equipped with an
engine idle shutdown system. This system
automatically shuts down your engine
when it has been idling in P (Park) or N
(Neutral) for five minutes (parking brake
set) or 15 minutes (parking brake not set).
When the engine idle shutdown process
has started:

•

A chime sounds and the information
display will show ENGINE TURNS OFF
IN 30 (seconds) and start counting
down

•

You can restart the five or 15-minute
timer by changing the position of the
accelerator pedal, brake pedal or the
park brake within the final 30 seconds

•

When the timer reaches zero, the
engine shuts down and this message
will appear in your information display
ENGINE TURNED OFF

•

One minute after the engine has shut
down, the electrical system simulates
key off, even though the ignition is still
in the on position, initiating normal
accessory delay period

•

You must move the ignition to the off
position to reset the system before
restarting your vehicle.

The engine idle shutdown idle timer does
not start if:

•

The engine is operating in power
take-off mode.

•

The engine coolant temperature is
below 60°F (16°C).

•

The exhaust emission control device is
regenerating.

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

(If

Equipped)

WARNINGS

Failure to follow engine block heater
instructions could result in property
damage or serious personal injury.

Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged adapters. There is a risk

of electrical shock.

Note: The heater is most effective when
outdoor temperatures are below 0°F
(-18°C).

The heater acts as a starting aid by
warming the engine coolant. This allows
the climate control system to respond
quickly. The equipment includes a heater
element (installed in the engine block) and
a wire harness. You can connect the
system to a grounded 120-volt AC
electrical source.

E236180

We recommend that you do the following
for a safe and correct operation:
•

Make sure your vehicle is parked in a
clean area, clear of combustibles.

•

locate the block heater cord in the front
tow hook pocket.

•

Use a 16-gauge outdoor extension cord
that is product certified by
Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) or
Canadian Standards Association
(CSA). This extension cord must be
suitable for use outdoors, in cold
temperatures, and be clearly marked
Suitable for Use with Outdoor
Appliances. Do not use an indoor
extension cord outdoors. This could
result in an electric shock or become a
fire hazard.

•

Use as short an extension cord as
possible.

•

Do not use multiple extension cords.

•

Make sure that when in operation, the
extension cord plug and heater cord
plug connections are free and clear of
water. This could cause an electric
shock or fire.

•

Make sure the heater, heater cord and
extension cord are firmly connected.

•

Check for heat anywhere in the
electrical hookup once the system has
been operating for approximately 30
minutes.

•

Make sure the system is unplugged and
properly stowed before starting and
driving your vehicle. Make sure the
protective cover seals the prongs of the
block heater cord plug when not in use.

•

Make sure the heater system is
checked for proper operation before
winter.

Using the Engine Block Heater

Make sure the receptacle terminals are
clean and dry prior to use. Clean them with
a dry cloth if necessary.

The heater uses 0.4 to 1.0 kilowatt-hours
of energy per hour of use. The system does
not have a thermostat. It achieves
maximum temperature after
approximately three hours of operation.
Using the heater longer than three hours
does not improve system performance and
unnecessarily uses electricity.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNINGS

Do not overfill the fuel tank. The
pressure in an overfilled tank may
cause leakage and lead to fuel spray

and fire.

The fuel system may be under
pressure. If you hear a hissing sound
near the fuel filler inlet, do not refuel

until the sound stops. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out, which could cause serious
personal injury.

Automotive fuels can cause serious
injury or death if misused or
mishandled.

Flow of fuel through a fuel pump
nozzle can produce static electricity.
This can cause a fire if you are filling

an ungrounded fuel container.

Fuel may contain benzene, which is
a cancer-causing agent.

When refueling always shut the
engine off and never allow sparks or
open flames near the fuel tank filler

valve. Never smoke or use a cell phone
while refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely
hazardous under certain conditions. Avoid
inhaling excess fumes.

Observe the following guidelines when
handling automotive fuel:
•

Extinguish all smoking materials and
any open flames before refueling your
vehicle.

•

Always turn off the vehicle before
refueling.

•

Automotive fuels can be harmful or
fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as
gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or
permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed,
call a physician immediately, even if no
symptoms are immediately apparent.
The toxic effects of fuel may not be
visible for hours.

•

Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too
much fuel vapor of any kind can lead
to eye and respiratory tract irritation.
In severe cases, excessive or prolonged
breathing of fuel vapor can cause
serious illness and permanent injury.

•

Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If
fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove
contact lenses (if worn), flush with
water for 15 minutes and seek medical
attention. Failure to seek proper
medical attention could lead to
permanent injury.

•

Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed
through the skin. If fuel is splashed on
the skin, clothing or both, promptly
remove contaminated clothing and
wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Repeated or prolonged skin
contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes
skin irritation.

•

Be particularly careful if you are taking
Antabuse or other forms of Disulfiram
for the treatment of alcoholism.
Breathing gasoline vapors could cause
an adverse reaction, serious personal
injury or sickness. If fuel is splashed on
the skin, wash the affected areas
immediately with plenty of soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately
if you experience any adverse reactions.