Ford F-550 (2017 year). Manual — part 46

Diesel Fuel Additives

It should not be necessary to add any
aftermarket additives to your fuel if you
use a high quality diesel fuel that conforms
to ASTM industry specifications.
Aftermarket additives can damage the fuel
injector system or engine.

Use Motorcraft® cetane booster or an
equivalent cetane booster additive if you
suspect fuel has low cetane. Use
Motorcraft® anti-gel & performance
improver or an equivalent additive if there
is fuel gelling.

Do not use alcohol-based additives to
improve cetane quality, to prevent fuel
gelling or any other use. The use of alcohol
additives may result in damage to the fuel
injectors and system. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 428).

The Vehicle Warranty may not cover
repairs needed to correct the effects of
using an aftermarket product that does
not meet Ford specifications in your fuel.

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL

Avoid running out of fuel because this
situation may have an adverse effect on
engine components.

If you have run out of fuel:

•

You may need to cycle the ignition from
off to on several times after refueling
to allow the fuel system to pump the
fuel from the tank to the engine. On
restarting, cranking time will take a few
seconds longer than normal. With
keyless ignition, just start the engine.
Crank time will be longer than usual.

•

Normally, adding 1.06 gal (4 L) of fuel
is enough to restart the engine. If the
vehicle is out of fuel and on a steep
grade, more than 1.06 gal (4 L) may be
required.

SELECTIVE CATALYTIC
REDUCTION SYSTEM - DIESEL

Your vehicle may have a selective catalytic
reduction system. The system helps reduce
emission levels of oxides of nitrogen from
the exhaust system. The system
automatically injects diesel exhaust fluid
into the exhaust system to enable correct
selective catalytic reduction system
function.

Note: Selective catalytic reduction systems
are not fitted to vehicles in markets where
only high-sulfur diesel fuel is available.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Level

In order for the system to operate correctly
you must maintain the diesel exhaust fluid
level.

A warning message appears in the
information display when the diesel
exhaust fluid level is low. If a warning
message appears, refill the diesel exhaust
fluid tank as soon as possible. See
Information Messages (page 128).

Filling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Tank

WARNINGS

Keep diesel exhaust fluid out of
reach of children. Avoid contact with
skin, eyes or clothing. In case of

contact with your eyes, flush immediately
with water and get prompt medical
attention. In case of contact with your skin,
clean immediately with soap and water. If
you swallow any diesel exhaust fluid, drink
plenty of water, call a physician
immediately.

WARNINGS

Only refill the diesel exhaust fluid
tank in a well ventilated area. When
you remove the diesel exhaust fluid

tank filler cap or a diesel exhaust fluid
container cap, ammonia vapors may
escape. Ammonia vapors can be irritating
to skin, eyes and mucous membranes.
Inhaling ammonia vapors can cause
burning to the eyes, throat and nose and
cause coughing and watery eyes.

E226045

The diesel exhaust fluid tank has a blue
filler cap. The tank is behind the left-hand
front wheel. Fill the tank using a fluid pump
at a diesel exhaust fluid filling station or a
diesel exhaust fluid container. We
recommend Motorcraft® diesel exhaust
fluid. See Capacities and Specifications
(page 428).

E163354

)

E163354

Only use diesel exhaust fluid that is
certified by the American Petroleum
Institute (API). Non-certified diesel exhaust
fluid use can cause damage not covered
by the vehicle Warranty.

Note: Do not put diesel exhaust fluid in the
fuel tank. This can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle Warranty.

You can purchase diesel exhaust fluid at
an authorized dealer, most highway truck
stops or you can contact roadside
assistance for help in finding a retailer that
sells diesel exhaust fluid. In addition, there
is a government website to help you find
the nearest location to purchase diesel
exhaust fluid:
http://www.discoverdef.com.

Filling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank
Using a Fuel Station Pump

Filling the diesel exhaust fluid tank using
a nozzle is similar to fuel fill. The nozzle
shuts off automatically when the tank is
full.

Filling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank
Using a Container

The following procedure applies to
Motorcraft diesel exhaust fluid or similar
fluid containers. Always follow the
manufacturer's instructions.

1.

Remove the diesel exhaust fluid
container cap. Place the spout on to
the container and tighten it until you
feel a strong resistance.

2. Remove the diesel exhaust fluid tank

filler cap.

3. Insert the spout in to the filler neck until

the seal on the spout seats on to the
filler neck. Pour the fluid in to the tank.
When the tank is full the fluid will stop
flowing automatically.

4. Return the container to the vertical

position slightly below the diesel
exhaust fluid filler neck. Allow any fluid
remaining in the spout to drain back in
to the container.

5. Remove the spout from the diesel

exhaust fluid filler neck. Replace the
diesel exhaust fluid tank cap.

6. Remove the spout from the diesel

exhaust fluid container and replace the
cap.

Note: If there is diesel exhaust fluid left in
the container retain it for later use. The
spout is re-useable. Wash the spout with
clean water prior to storage. Do not use the
diesel exhaust fluid spout with any other
fluid.

Filling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank in
Cold Climates

Diesel exhaust fluid may freeze if the
ambient temperature is below 12°F (-11°C).
Your vehicle has a preheating system
which allows diesel exhaust fluid to
operate below 12°F (-11°C). If you do not
use your vehicle for an extended period
when the ambient temperature is below
12°F (-11°C), the fluid in the tank may
freeze. If the tank is overfilled and the fluid
freezes it may damage the tank. This is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Warning
Messages and Vehicle Operations

WARNINGS

Diesel exhaust fluid must be refilled
when low or replaced when
contaminated or your vehicle speed

becomes limited to 50 mph (80 km/h). In
these conditions, drive with caution and
refill diesel exhaust fluid immediately. If
the diesel exhaust fluid becomes empty
or contaminated and fluid is not replaced,
your vehicle becomes limited to engine idle
only once stopped. In these conditions, be
cautious where you stop your vehicle
because you may not be able to drive long
distances or maintain highway speeds until
you refill or replace the diesel exhaust fluid.

Tampering with or disabling selective
catalytic reduction system results in
severe vehicle performance

limitation including eventual speed limiting
to 5 mph (5 km/h).

The information display shows a series of
messages about the amount of diesel
exhaust fluid available. A systems check
displays messages indicating the amount
of diesel exhaust fluid available or displays
a warning message indicating the
approximate distance remaining as the
fluid in the diesel exhaust fluid tank nears
empty. See Information Messages
(page 128).

E163176

As the diesel exhaust fluid level
nears empty, the warning
symbol displays and a series of

tones and messages starting at 500 mi
(800 km) remaining before diesel exhaust
fluid is depleted. The warning symbol and
messages continue until you refill the
diesel exhaust fluid tank.

Continued driving without refilling results
in the following actions as required by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) and
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA):
•

Within a preset distance to empty,
speed is limited upon vehicle restart.
Prior to this occurring a message
appears in the information display.

•

Further vehicle operation without
refilling the diesel exhaust fluid tank
causes the engine to enter an idle-only
condition. This only occurs upon vehicle
refueling or at an extended idle. A
message indicates the required actions
to resume normal operation. It is
required to add a minimum of 1.0 gal
(3.8 L) of diesel exhaust fluid to the
tank to exit the idle-only condition, but
your vehicle is still in the speed-limiting
mode until you refill the tank
completely.

Note: For either vehicle speed limiting or
idle-only condition, normal vehicle operation
resumes when you refill the diesel exhaust
fluid tank.

Note: When filling the diesel exhaust fluid
tank from empty, there may be a short delay
before detecting the increased level of fluid.
The increased level detection must occur
before your vehicle returns to full power.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Guidelines
and Information

•

Use only diesel exhaust fluid that
carries the American Petroleum
Institute (API) certified diesel exhaust
fluid trademark or ISO 22241.

•

Do not put diesel exhaust fluid in the
diesel fuel tank.

•

Do not overfill the diesel exhaust fluid
tank.

•

Diesel exhaust fluid is corrosive.

•

Do not re-use the diesel exhaust fluid
container once it is emptied.

•

Avoid spilling diesel exhaust fluid on
painted surfaces, carpeting or plastic
components. Immediately wipe away
any diesel exhaust fluid that has spilled
with a damp cloth and water. If it has
already crystallized, use warm water
and a sponge.

•

Store diesel exhaust fluid out of direct
sunlight and in temperatures between
23°F (-5°C) and 68°F (20°C).

•

Diesel exhaust fluid freezes below 12°F
(-11°C).

•

Do not store the diesel exhaust fluid
bottle in your vehicle. If it leaks it could
cause damage to interior components
or release an ammonia odor inside your
vehicle.

•

Diesel exhaust fluid is non-flammable,
non-toxic, colorless and water-soluble
liquid.

•

The system has a diesel exhaust fluid
quality sensor. Dilution of diesel
exhaust fluid or use of any other liquid
in the SCR system leads to a diesel
exhaust fluid system fault, eventually
leading to the vehicle only operating in
idle-only mode.

•

Do not dilute diesel exhaust fluid with
water or any other liquid.

•

An ammonia odor may be smelled
when the cap is removed or during
refill. Refill diesel exhaust fluid in a well
ventilated area.