F-250 Light Duty (1999 year). Manual — part 45

Recycled engine coolant

Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes.

Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44–A, and use of such coolant may harm engine
and cooling system components.

Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner.

Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.

Coolant refill capacity

To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
to Refill capacities in the Capacities and specifications chapter.

Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.

Severe winter climate

If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than –36°C [–34°F]), it may
be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant concentration in
your vehicle is such that the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months. Never increase the
coolant concentration above 60%. Increased engine coolant
concentrations above 60% will decrease the freeze protection
characteristics of the engine coolant. Vehicles driven year-round in
non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
distilled water for optimum freeze protection.

What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)

If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.

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180

How fail-safe cooling works

If the engine begins to overheat:
• the engine coolant temperature

gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.

• the

symbol will illuminate.

• the

symbol will illuminate.

• the Service Engine Soon

indicator light will illuminate.

If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.

When this occurs the vehicle will still operate, however:
• the engine power will be limited.
• the air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to increase.

Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.

When fail-safe mode is activated

You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.

2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.

3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.

4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.

5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.

H

C

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181

Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a

service facility as soon as possible.

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID

Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the “Service Guide” for the
service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCON

威 ATF.

1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).

2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.

3. Turn the engine off.

4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
ADD/MIN and MAX lines. Do not
add fluid if the level is in this range.

5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously checking the level until it reaches the range
between the ADD/MIN and MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap back on
the reservoir.

TRANSMISSION FLUID

Checking automatic transmission fluid

Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal operating
temperature (approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been

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182

operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.

1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.

3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.

4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.

5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.

6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.

7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated area for normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.

Low fluid level

Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F).

Correct fluid level

The transmission fluid should be
checked at normal operating temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a
level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after
approximately 30 km (20 miles) of driving.

You can check the fluid without driving if the ambient temperature is
above 10°C (50°F). However, if fluid is added at this time, an overfill
condition could result when the vehicle reaches normal operating
temperature.

The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at normal operating
temperature (66°C-77°C
[150°F-170°F]).

ADD

COLD

HOT

DO NOT ADD

DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT

IDLING IN PARK

ADD

COLD

HOT

DO NOT ADD

DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT

IDLING IN PARK

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