Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis (2017 year). Manual — part 23

4. Replace the coolant reservoir cap, turn

it clockwise until you feel a strong
resistance.

5. Check the coolant level in the coolant

reservoir the next few times you drive
your vehicle. If necessary, add enough
prediluted engine coolant to bring the
coolant level to the correct level.

If you have to add more than 1.1 qt (1 L) of
engine coolant per month, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating
and possible engine damage.

Note: During normal vehicle operation, the
coolant may change color from orange to
pink or light red. As long as the coolant is
clear and uncontaminated, this color change
does not indicate the coolant has degraded
nor does it require the coolant to be drained,
the system to be flushed, or the coolant to
be replaced.

Note: In case of emergency, you can add a
large amount of water without coolant in
order to reach a vehicle service location.
Water alone, without coolant, can cause
engine damage from corrosion, overheating
or freezing. When you reach a service
location, you must have the cooling system
drained and refilled with prediluted coolant
approved to the correct specification. See
Capacities and Specifications (page 129).

Do not use the following as a coolant
substitute:
•

Alcohol.

•

Methanol.

•

Brine.

•

Any coolant mixed with alcohol or
methanol antifreeze.

Alcohol and other liquids can cause engine
damage from overheating or freezing.

Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to
the coolant. These can be harmful and
compromise the corrosion protection of
the coolant.

Recycled Coolant

We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.

Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community’s regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.

•

Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted coolant for
optimum cooling system and engine
protection.

Coolant Change

At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 129).

Fail-Safe Cooling

Fail-safe cooling allows you to temporarily
drive your vehicle before any incremental
component damage occurs. The fail-safe
distance depends on ambient
temperature, vehicle load and terrain.

How Fail-Safe Cooling Works

If the engine begins to overheat, the
coolant temperature gauge moves toward
the red zone:

A warning lamp illuminates and
a message may appear in the
information display.

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

When this occurs, your vehicle still
operates, however:
•

Engine power is limited.

•

The air conditioning system turns off.

Continued operation increases the engine
temperature, causing the engine to
completely shut down. Your steering and
braking effort increases in this situation.

When the engine temperature cools, you
can re-start the engine. Have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.

When Fail-Safe Mode Is Activated

WARNINGS

Fail-safe mode is for use during
emergencies only. Operate your
vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long

as necessary to bring your vehicle to rest
in a safe location and seek immediate
repairs. When in fail-safe mode, your
vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and
may completely shut down without
warning, potentially losing engine power,
power steering assist, and power brake
assist, which may increase the possibility
of a crash resulting in serious injury.

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

Your vehicle has limited engine power
when in the fail-safe mode, drive your
vehicle with caution. Your vehicle does not
maintain high-speed operation and the
engine may operate poorly.

Remember that the engine is capable of
automatically shutting down to prevent
engine damage. In this situation:

1.

Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and switch the engine off.

2. If you are a member of a roadside

assistance program, we recommend
that you contact your roadside
assistance service provider.

3. If this is not possible, wait a short

period for the engine to cool.

4. Check the coolant level. If the coolant

level is at or below the minimum mark,
add prediluted coolant immediately.

5. When the engine temperature cools,

you can re-start the engine. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible to
minimize engine damage.

Note: Driving your vehicle without repair
increases the chance of engine damage.

Engine Coolant Temperature
Management

(If Equipped)

WARNING

To reduce the risk of crash and injury,
be prepared that the vehicle speed
may reduce and the vehicle may not

be able to accelerate with full power until
the coolant temperature reduces.

If you tow a trailer with your vehicle, the
engine may temporarily reach higher a
temperature during severe operating
conditions, for example ascending a long
or steep grade in high ambient
temperatures.

At this time, you may notice the coolant
temperature gauge moves toward the red
zone and a message may appear in the
information display.

You may notice a reduction in vehicle
speed caused by reduced engine power.
In order to manage the engine coolant
temperature. Your vehicle may enter this
mode if certain high-temperature and
high-load conditions take place. The
amount of speed reduction depends on
vehicle loading, grade and ambient
temperature. If this occurs, there is no need
to pull off the road. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.

The air conditioning may automatically
turn on and off during severe operating
conditions to protect the engine from
overheating. When the coolant
temperature decreases to the normal
operating temperature, the air conditioning
turns on.

If the coolant temperature gauge moves
fully into the red zone, or if the coolant
temperature warning or service engine
soon messages appear in your information
display, do the following:

1.

Pull off the road as soon as safely
possible and shift the transmission into
park (P).

2. Leave the engine running until the

coolant temperature gauge needle
returns to the normal position. After
several minutes, if the temperature
does not drop, follow the remaining
steps.

3. Switch the engine off and wait for it to

cool. Check the coolant level.

4. If the coolant level is at or below the

minimum mark, add prediluted coolant
immediately.

5. If the coolant level is normal, restart

the engine and continue.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK

WARNING

The dipstick cap and surrounding
components may be hot; gloves are
recommended.

Note: Automatic transmission fluid
expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until
it is at normal operating temperature
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your
vehicle has been 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 to normal operating
temperature 196°F - 215°F (91°C - 102°C)
before checking.

Refer to your scheduled maintenance
information for scheduled intervals for fluid
checks and changes.

Your transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked
if the transmission is not working properly,
(i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts
slowly) or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage. To check the fluid level:

1.

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

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

engage the parking brake

3. With the engine running, parking brake

engaged and your foot on the brake
pedal, 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. If
necessary, refer to Under Hood
Overview in this chapter for the
location of the dipstick.

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.

Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may
affect transmission operation and result
in damage to internal transmission
components.

Low fluid level

E161551

Do not drive the vehicle if there is no
indication of fluid on the dipstick and the
ambient temperature is above 50°F
(10°C).

Correct fluid level

E161552

The transmission fluid should be in this
range if at normal operating temperature
196°F - 215°F (91°C - 102°C).

The transmission fluid should be checked
at normal operating temperature 196°F -
215°F (91°C - 102°C) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature can be
reached after approximately 20 miles (30
km) of driving. You can check the fluid
without driving if the ambient temperature
is above 50°F (10°C). However, if fluid is
added at this time, an overfill condition
could result when the vehicle reaches
normal operating temperature