Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 45

FUEL QUALITY - GASOLINE

Choosing the Right Fuel

E161513

We recommend regular unleaded gasoline
with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane
rating of 87. Some fuel stations offer fuels
posted as regular unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating below 87, particularly in
high altitude areas. We do not recommend
fuels with an octane rating below 87.

Do not use any fuel other than those
recommended because they could lead to
engine damage that may not be covered
by the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Use of any fuel other than those
recommended can impair the emission
control system and cause a loss of vehicle
performance.

Do not use:
•

Diesel fuel.

•

Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.

•

Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol
or E85 fuel.

•

Fuels containing methanol.

•

Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.

•

Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).

•

Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law).

The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.

Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.

FUEL QUALITY - E85

Choosing the Right Fuel - Flex Fuel
Vehicles

Flex fuel vehicles have one of the following
identifiers:
•

Yellow fuel filler cap.

•

Yellow bezel around the fuel filler inlet.

•

Yellow fuel filler housing.

•

Yellow E85 label on the fuel tank filler
door.

E161513

Your vehicle is designed to operate on
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum
pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87 or
regular unleaded gasoline blended with a
maximum of 85% ethanol (E85).

Some fuel stations, particularly those in
high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as
regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating below 87. We do not recommend
these fuels.

For best overall vehicle and engine
performance, premium fuel with an octane
rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The
performance gained by using premium fuel
is most noticeable in hot weather as well
as other conditions, for example when
towing a trailer. See Towing (page 268).

Do not use any fuel other than those
recommended because they could lead to
engine damage that will not be covered by
the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Use of any fuel other than those
recommended can impair the emission
control system and cause a loss of vehicle
performance.

Do not use:
•

Diesel fuel.

•

Fuels containing kerosene or paraffin.

•

Fuels containing more than 85%
ethanol or E100 fuel.

•

Fuels containing methanol.

•

Fuels containing metallic-based
additives, including manganese-based
compounds.

•

Fuels containing the octane booster
additive, methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).

•

Leaded fuel (using leaded fuel is
prohibited by law).

The use of fuels with metallic compounds
such as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (commonly known
as MMT), which is a manganese-based
fuel additive, will impair engine
performance and affect the emission
control system.

Do not be concerned if the engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if the
engine knocks heavily while using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, contact
an authorized dealer to prevent any engine
damage.

Switching Between E85 and
Gasoline

We do not recommend repeatedly
alternating between E85 and gasoline. If
you switch from using E85 to gasoline, or
from gasoline to E85, add as much fuel as
possible, at least half a tank. Drive your
vehicle immediately for a minimum of 5 mi
(8 km) to allow it to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration. If you use E85
exclusively, we recommend that you fill
the fuel tank with regular unleaded
gasoline at each scheduled oil change.

FUEL QUALITY - DIESEL

Fuel Requirements - Choosing The
Right Fuel: Vehicles Operated
Where Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
Is Required (United
States/Canada/Puerto Rico/U.S.
Virgin Islands And Other Locales)

You should use Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
fuel (also known as ULSD) designated as
number 1-D or 2-D with a maximum of
15-ppm sulfur in your diesel vehicle. You
may operate your vehicle on diesel fuels
containing up to 20% biodiesel, also
known as B20. These fuels should meet
the ASTM D975 diesel or the ASTM D7467
B6-B20 biodiesel industry specifications.
Outside of North America, use fuels
meeting EN590 or equivalent local market
standard.

Note: The vehicle Warranty does not cover
damage caused by using an improper type
of fuel or fuel additive.

Note: 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.

Using low sulfur diesel fuel
(16-500 ppm) or high sulfur
diesel fuel (greater than 500

ppm) in your diesel engine will cause
certain emission components to
malfunction which may also cause the
service engine soon light to illuminate
indicating an emissions-related concern.

Diesel fuel is adjusted seasonally for cold
temperature. For best results at
temperatures below 19°F (-7°C), it is
recommended to use a diesel fuel which
has been seasonally adjusted for the
ambient conditions.

Fuel Requirements - Choosing The
Right Fuel: Vehicles Operated
Where Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
Is Not Required

For the engine to operate reliably on
low-sulfur or high-sulfur diesel fuel, the
engine must be a factory built high-sulfur
engine (available as a dealer order option
for select markets) or an ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel configured engine that has been
retrofitted for high-sulfur diesel fuel using
Ford Motor Company dealer service parts.
Failure to use retrofit components other
than those available through your
authorized dealer will result in coolant
system damage, engine overheating,
selective catalyst reduction system or
diesel particulate filter damage and
possible base engine damage.

Use only a diesel engine configured for use
with high sulfur diesel fuel in markets with
diesel fuel that has sulfur content greater
than 15 ppm. Using low sulfur diesel fuel
(16–500 ppm) or high sulfur diesel fuel
(greater than 500 ppm) in a diesel engine
designed to use only Ultra Low Sulfur
Diesel fuel may result in damage to engine
emission control devices and the
aftertreatment system, potentially
rendering the vehicle inoperable.

Vehicles with engines configured for use
with high sulfur diesel fuel are only
available for sale in countries where ultra
low sulfur diesel fuel is generally not
available or mandated by the government.
Vehicles originally sold in a ultra low sulfur
diesel fuel market that are subsequently
exported to non- ultra low sulfur diesel fuel
markets will need to be retrofitted (at the
customer’s expense using Ford authorized
dealer service parts) in order to be reliably
operated on non- ultra low sulfur diesel
fuel.

Biodiesel

WARNINGS

Do not use home heating oil,
agricultural fuel, raw fats and oils,
waste cooking greases, biodiesel

fuels greater than 20% or any diesel fuel
not intended for 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.

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

injury.

WARNINGS

Do not add gasoline, gasohol or
alcohol to diesel fuel. This practice
creates a serious fire hazard resulting

in personal injury and engine performance
problems.

Do not use home heating oil or any
diesel fuel not intended for highway
use. Damage to the fuel injection

system, engine, exhaust catalyst and diesel
particulate filter can occur if an improper
fuel is used. Red dye is used to identify
fuels intended for agricultural and
non-highway use.

You may operate your vehicle on diesel
fuels containing up to 20% biodiesel, also
known as B20.

Biodiesel fuel is a chemically converted
product from renewable fuel sources, such
as vegetable oils, animal fats and waste
cooking greases.

To help achieve acceptable engine
performance and durability when using
biodiesel in your vehicle:
•

Confirm the biodiesel content of the
fuel to be B20 (20% biodiesel) or less

•

Only use biodiesel fuel of good quality
that complies with industry standards

•

Follow the recommended service
maintenance intervals. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 567).

•

Do not store biodiesel fuel in the fuel
tank for more than 1 month

•

Consider changing brands or reducing
biodiesel content if you have cold
temperature fuel gelling issues or a
frequent LOW FUEL PRESSURE
message appearing

•

Do NOT use raw oils, fats or waste
cooking greases

Use of biodiesel in concentrations greater
than 20% may cause damage to your
vehicle, including engine and/or exhaust
after-treatment hardware (exhaust
catalyst and particulate filter) failures.
Concentrations greater than 20% can also
cause fuel filter restrictions that may result
in a lack of power or damage to fuel
system components, including fuel pump
and fuel injector failures.

SAE 5W-40 or SAE 15W-40 oil is
recommended for fuels with greater than
5% biodiesel (B5). Refer to the Special
operating conditions section under the
Schedule Maintenance chapter for more
information about oil change intervals and
other maintenance when operating on
biodiesel.

Look for a label on the fuel pump to
confirm the amount of biodiesel contained
in a diesel fuel. Biodiesel content is often
indicated with the letter B followed by the
percent of biodiesel in the fuel. For
example, B20 indicates a fuel containing
20% biodiesel. Ask the service station
attendant to confirm the biodiesel content
of a diesel fuel if you do not see a label on
the fuel pump.

Biodiesel fuels degrade more easily than
diesel fuels not containing biodiesel and
should not be stored in the fuel tank for
more than 1 month. If you plan to park or
store your vehicle for more than 1 month,
then you should empty your vehicle fuel
tank of biodiesel fuel. You should fill the
tank with a pure petroleum-based diesel
fuel and run your vehicle for a minimum of
30 minutes.

Note: Degraded or oxidized biodiesel can
damage fuel system seals and plastics and
corrode steel parts.

During cold weather, if you have problems
operating on biodiesel, you may need to
use a diesel fuel with lower biodiesel
content, try another brand, or discontinue
the use of biodiesel.