Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis (2017 year). Manual — part 8

an emission control device or prevent it
from working. Information about your
vehicle’s emission system is on the Vehicle
Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal
also lists engine displacement.

Please consult your warranty information
for complete details.

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II)

Your vehicle has a computer known as the
on-board diagnostics system (OBD-II) that
monitors the engine’s emission control
system. The system protects the
environment by making sure that your
vehicle continues to meet government
emission standards. The OBD-II system
also assists a service technician in properly
servicing your vehicle.

When the service engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II
system has detected a

malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may
cause the service engine soon indicator to
illuminate. Examples are:

1.

Your vehicle has run out of fuel—the
engine may misfire or run poorly.

2. Poor fuel quality or water in the

fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.

3. The fuel fill inlet may not have closed

properly. See Refueling (page 27).

4. Driving through deep water—the

electrical system may be wet.

You can correct these temporary
malfunctions by filling the fuel tank with
good quality fuel, properly closing the fuel
fill inlet or letting the electrical system dry
out. After three driving cycles without these
or any other temporary malfunctions

present, the service engine soon indicator
should stay off the next time you start the
engine. A driving cycle consists of a cold
engine startup followed by mixed city and
highway driving. No additional vehicle
service is required.

If the service engine soon indicator remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at the first
available opportunity. Although some
malfunctions detected by the OBD-II may
not have symptoms that are apparent,
continued driving with the service engine
soon indicator on can result in increased
emissions, lower fuel economy, reduced
engine and transmission smoothness and
lead to more costly repairs.

Readiness for Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M) Testing

Some state and provincial and local
governments may have
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) programs
to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting
a vehicle registration.

If the service engine soon
indicator is on or the bulb does
not work, your vehicle may need

service. See On-Board Diagnostics.

Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test if
the service engine soon indicator is on or
not working properly (bulb is burned out),
or if the OBD-II system has determined
that some of the emission control systems
have not been properly checked. In this
case, the vehicle is not ready for I/M
testing.

If the vehicle’s engine or transmission has
just been serviced, or the battery has
recently run down or been replaced, the
OBD-II system may indicate that the
vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. To
determine if the vehicle is ready for I/M
testing, turn the ignition key to the on

position for 15 seconds without cranking
the engine. If the service engine soon
indicator blinks eight times, it means that
the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing; if
the service engine soon indicator stays on
solid, it means that your vehicle is ready
for I/M testing.

The OBD-II system checks the emission
control system during normal driving. A
complete check may take several days.

If the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing,
you can perform the following driving cycle
consisting of mixed city and highway
driving:

1.

15 minutes of steady driving on an
expressway or highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at
least four 30-second idle periods.

2. Allow your vehicle to sit for at least

eight hours with the ignition off. Then,
start the vehicle and complete the
above driving cycle. The vehicle must
warm up to its normal operating
temperature. Once started, do not turn
off the vehicle until the above driving
cycle is complete.

If the vehicle is still not ready for I/M
testing, you need to repeat the above
driving cycle.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WARNINGS

Always set the parking brake fully
and latch the gearshift in park (P).
Turn the ignition to the off position

and remove the key whenever you leave
your vehicle.

Do not apply the brake pedal and
accelerator pedal simultaneously.
Applying both pedals simultaneously

for more than three seconds will limit
engine rpm, which may result in difficulty
maintaining speed in traffic and could lead
to serious injury.

Understanding the Positions of
Your Automatic Transmission

E161511

P R N D 3 2 1

Putting your vehicle in or out of gear:

1.

Fully press down the brake pedal.

2. Move the gearshift lever into the

desired gear.

3. Come to a complete stop.

4. Move the gearshift lever and securely

latch it in park (P)

Park (P)

This position locks the transmission and
prevents the wheels from turning.

Reverse (R)

With the gearshift lever in reverse (R), your
vehicle will move backward. Always come
to a complete stop before shifting into and
out of reverse (R).

Neutral (N)

With the gearshift lever in neutral (N), your
vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.

Drive (D)

Drive (D) is the normal driving position for
the best fuel economy. The overdrive
function allows automatic upshifts through
all available gears.

Third (3)

Transmission operates in third (3) gear
only. Use third (3) gear for improved
traction on slippery roads.

Second (2)

Transmission operates in second (2) gear
only. Use second (2) gear to start-up on
slippery roads.

First (1)

•

Transmission operates in first (1) gear
only.

•

Provides maximum engine braking.

•

Allows upshifts by moving gearshift
lever.

•

Will not downshift into first (1) gear at
high speeds; allows for first (1) gear
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.

Tow/Haul Mode

WARNING

Do not use the tow/haul feature
when driving in icy or slippery
conditions as the increased engine

braking can cause the wheels to slide and
your vehicle to swing around with the
possible loss of vehicle control.

E161510

E161509

To activate tow/haul, press the
button on the gearshift lever
once. The TOW HAUL indicator

light will illuminate in the instrument
cluster.

To deactivate the tow/haul feature and
return to normal driving mode, press the
button on the gearshift lever again. The
TOW HAUL light will deactivate. Tow/haul
will also deactivate when your power down
your vehicle.

The tow/haul feature:
•

Delays upshifts to reduce the frequency
of transmission shifting.

•

Provides engine braking in all forward
gears, which will slow your vehicle and
assist you in controlling your vehicle
when descending a grade.

•

Depending on driving conditions and
load conditions, may downshift the
transmission, slow your vehicle and
control your vehicle speed when
descending a hill, without pressing the
accelerator pedal. The amount of
downshift braking provided will vary
based upon the amount the brake
pedal is pressed.

The tow/haul feature improves
transmission operation when towing a
trailer or a heavy load. All transmission
gear ranges are available when using
tow/haul.

Automatic Transmission Adaptive
Learning

This feature may increase durability and
provide consistent shift feel over the life
of your vehicle. A new vehicle or
transmission may have firm shifts, soft
shifts or both. This operation is considered
normal and will not affect function or
durability of the transmission. Over time,
the adaptive learning process will fully
update transmission operation.

Forced Downshifts

•

Allowed in drive (D) with the tow/haul
feature on or off.

•

Press the accelerator pedal to the floor.

•

Allows transmission to select an
appropriate gear.