Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis (2017 year). Manual — part 4

Engine Oil Pressure Gauge

Indicates engine oil pressure. The needle
should stay in the normal operating range
(between L and H). If the needle falls
below the normal range, stop the vehicle,
turn off the engine and check the engine
oil level. Add oil if needed. If the oil level is
correct, have your vehicle checked by your
authorized dealer.

Speedometer

Indicates vehicle speed. Vehicle speed is
limited to either 65 mph (105 km/h) or 75
mph (120 km/h).

Transmission Fluid Temperature
Gauge

Normal area

The transmission fluid is within the normal
operating temperature (between H and
C).

Yellow area

The transmission fluid is higher than
normal operating temperature. This can
be caused by special operation conditions
(i.e. snowplowing, towing or off-road use).
Operating the transmission for extended
periods of time with the gauge in the
yellow area may cause internal
transmission damage. Altering the severity
of the driving conditions is recommended
to lower the transmission temperature into
the normal range.

Red area

The transmission fluid is overheating. Stop
the vehicle to allow the temperature to
return to normal range.

If the gauge is operating in the yellow or
red area, stop the vehicle and verify the
airflow is not restricted such as snow or
debris blocking airflow through the grill. If
the gauge continues to show high
temperatures, see your authorized dealer.

Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge

WARNING

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

At normal operating temperature, the
needle will remain in the center section.

Note: Do not restart the engine until the
cause of overheating has been resolved.

If the needle enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Stop the engine,
switch the ignition off and determine the
cause once the engine has cooled down.

Fuel Gauge

Note: The fuel gauge may vary slightly
when your vehicle is moving or on a slope.

Switch the ignition on. The fuel gauge
indicates approximately how much fuel
you have left in the fuel tank. The arrow
adjacent to the fuel pump symbol
indicates on which side of your vehicle the
fuel filler door is located.

The needle should move toward F when
you refuel your vehicle. If the needle points
to E after adding fuel, have an authorized
dealer check the system soon.

After refueling, some variability in the
position of the needle is normal:

•

It may take a short time for the needle
to reach F after leaving the gas station.
This is normal and depends upon the
slope of the pavement at the gas
station.

•

The fuel amount dispensed into the
tank is a little less or more than the
gauge indicated. This is normal and
depends upon the slope of the
pavement at the gas station.

•

If the gas station nozzle shuts off
before the tank is full, try a different
gas pump nozzle.

•

There is a small reserve left in the tank
when the fuel gauge reaches empty.

Low Fuel Reminder

A low fuel reminder triggers when the fuel
gauge needle is at one-sixteenth or about
50 miles (80 km) to empty, whichever
occurs first.

Variations:

Note: The low fuel warning and distance-to-empty warning can appear at different fuel
gauge positions depending on fuel economy conditions. This variation is normal.

Distance-to-empty

Fuel gauge position

Driving type (fuel economy

conditions)

30 miles to 80 miles (48 km

to 129 km)

1/16th

Highway driving

10 miles to 35 miles (16 km

to 56 km)

1/16th-1/4

Severe duty driving (trailer

towing, extended idle)

WARNING LAMPS AND
INDICATORS

The following warning lamps and
indicators will alert you to a vehicle
condition that may become serious. Some
lamps will illuminate when you start your
vehicle to make sure they work. If any
lamps remain on after starting your vehicle,
refer to the respective system warning
lamp for further information.

Note: Some warning indicators appear in
the information display and function the
same as a warning lamp but do not display
when you start your vehicle.

Anti-Lock Braking System

If it illuminates when you are
driving, this indicates a
malfunction. You will continue

to have the normal braking system
(without ABS) unless the brake system
warning lamp is also illuminated. Have the
system checked by your authorized dealer.

Battery

If it illuminates while driving, it
indicates a malfunction. Switch
off all unnecessary electrical

equipment and have the system checked
by your authorized dealer immediately.

Brake System

E144522

Illuminates when you engage the
parking brake with the ignition
on.

If it illuminates when you are driving, check
that the parking brake is not engaged. If
the parking brake is not engaged, this
indicates low brake fluid level or a brake
system malfunction. Have the system
checked immediately by your authorized
dealer.

WARNING

Driving your vehicle with the warning
lamp on is dangerous. A significant
decrease in braking performance

may occur. It will take you longer to stop
your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked by
your authorized dealer immediately. Driving
extended distances with the parking brake
engaged can cause brake failure and the
risk of personal injury.

Brake Reserve System

(If Equipped)

E146190

Illuminates to indicate normal
hydromax booster reserve
system activation when the

engine is off and the service brake pedal is
applied.

This light may also illuminate momentarily
if the engine is running and the driver turns
the steering wheel fully in one direction
while braking.

If the light remains on while the engine is
running, this indicates inadequate hydraulic
booster pressure or reserve pump system
failure. Stop the vehicle as soon as
possible and seek service immediately by
your authorized dealer.

Cruise Control

(If Equipped)

E71340

Illuminates when you switch this
feature on. See Using Cruise
Control (page 38).

Direction Indicator

Illuminates when the left or right
direction indicator or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If

the indicators stay on or flash faster, check
for a burned out bulb.

Electronic Throttle Control

Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a limp-home
operation. See your authorized

dealer as soon as possible.

Fasten Safety Belt

It will illuminate and a chime will
sound to remind you to fasten
your safety belt.

High Beam

Illuminates when you switch the
high beam headlamps on. It will
flash when you use the

headlamp flasher.

Service Engine Soon

If the service engine soon
indicator light stays illuminated
after the engine is started, it

indicates that the On-Board Diagnostics
(OBD-II) system has detected a
malfunction of the vehicle emissions
control system. Refer to On-Board
Diagnostics (OBD-II) in the Fuel and
Refueling chapter for more information
about having your vehicle serviced. See
Emission Control System (page 30).

If the light is blinking, engine misfire is
occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate
fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle
serviced immediately.

WARNING

Under engine misfire conditions,
excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic

converter, the fuel system, interior floor
coverings or other vehicle components,
possibly causing a fire. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately.

The service engine soon indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first turned
on prior to engine start to check the bulb
and to indicate whether the vehicle is ready
for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing.

Normally, the service engine soon light will
stay on until the engine is cranked, then
turn itself off if no malfunctions are
present. However, if after 15 seconds the
service engine soon light blinks eight times,
it means that the vehicle is not ready for
I/M testing. See Emission Control
System (page 30).

Transmission Tow/Haul

(If Equipped)

E161509

Illuminates when the tow/haul
feature has been activated. If the
light flashes steadily, have the

system serviced immediately, damage to
the transmission could occur.

AUDIBLE WARNINGS AND
INDICATORS

Fail-Safe Cooling Warning Chime

Sounds when the coolant gauge pointer
has moved to hot. There are three stages
of chimes:

•

Stage 1 is a single chime when the
engine temperature begins to overheat.

•

Stage 2 is multiple chimes and engine
power becomes limited in order to help
cool the engine.

•

Stage 3 is multiple chimes and the
engine will shut down.

Headlamps On Warning Chime

Sounds when you remove the key from the
ignition and open the driver's door and you
have left the headlamps or parking lamps
on.

Key in Ignition Warning Chime

Sounds when you open the driver's door
and you have left the key in the ignition.

Parking Brake On Warning Chime

Sounds when you have left the parking
brake on and drive your vehicle. If the
warning chime remains on after you have
released the parking brake, have the
system checked by your authorized dealer
immediately.

Shift to Park Warning Chime

Sounds when you open the driver's door
and your vehicle is not in park.