Ford F-450 (2017 year). Manual — part 83

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 engine
coolant for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.

Checking Coolant Corrosion
Inhibitor Additive Strength

At specific mileage intervals as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information
chapter, the coolant corrosion inhibitor
additive should be checked. An information
message may display in the optional
information display at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct
engine coolant concentration (freeze point
protection) and corrosion inhibitor additive
level (strength) of the coolant for
maximum engine performance and
protection.

Three products are available to confirm
the life and health of the coolant, one tool,
a test kit and a coolant inhibitor additive:

•

Robinair® Coolant and Battery
Refractometer 75240 –
Recommended refractometer to test
coolant concentration. (Rotunda tool
part number: ROB75240).

•

Rotunda 328-R071–ELC (Antifreeze
Coolant ELC Contamination Kit) –
Evaluates the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength. Note the first step is
to verify the vehicle’s coolant
concentration is in the correct range of
40 – 60%. Coolant concentrations
outside this range will not provide valid
test results. If the report results in a
pass, for example the cooling system
does not show excessive
contamination, the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is sufficient, and no
action is required. If the report results
as insufficient (does not pass), the
corrosion inhibitor additive strength of
the coolant is too low. If the engine
cooling system corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is low, add 47 fl oz
(1.4 L) of Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant Revitalizer. If the
secondary cooling system corrosion
inhibitor additive strength is low, add
16 fl oz (0.47 L) of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer.

•

Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant Revitalizer – Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level
based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination
Kit. The Revitalizer may be added two
times over the life of the coolant. If
additional dosages are required, the
cooling system must be flushed and
refilled per the instructions in the
Workshop Manual.

Make sure to follow the proper coolant and
additive specifications. See Capacities
and Specifications (page 411).

Coolant Change

At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. The
information display may display a message
to change coolant at this time. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 411).

Engine-driven Cooling Fan (Fan
Clutch)

Your vehicle may have an engine driven
cooling fan drive (also called a fan clutch).
This fan drive changes the fan speed to
match the vehicle’s changing cooling air
flow requirements. Fan speed, fan noise
level and fuel consumption all will increase
based on the driving conditions that
include trailer towing, hill climbing, heavy
loads, high speed and high ambient
temperature, individually or in combination.

The fan drive is designed to provide the
minimum fan speed (and resulting
minimum fan noise and fuel consumption)
required to meet the ever changing vehicle
cooling air flow requirements. You will hear
the amount of fan noise increasing and
decreasing as the engine power
requirements and vehicle driving conditions
change as you drive. This is to be expected
as being normal to the operation of your
vehicle. High levels of fan noise might also
be heard when your engine is first started,
and should normally decrease after driving
for a short time.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK

Have an authorized dealer check and
change the transmission fluid and filter at
the correct service interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 567).

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.

Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid

For scheduled intervals of the fluid checks
and changes, See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 567). 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.

Automatic transmission fluid expands
when warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid
check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal
operating temperature (approximately
19 mi (30 km)). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge,
located on the instrument cluster, is within
normal range.

1.

Drive the vehicle 19 mi (30 km)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 and leave

the engine running.

5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean

with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer to the 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.

Low Fluid Level

Type A

E163739

Type B

E163740

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

Type A

E163741

Type B

E163742

For vehicles equipped with 5-speed
transmissions, check the fluid at the
normal operating temperature of 151°F
(66°C) to 170°F (77°C) on a level surface.
For vehicles equipped with 6-speed
transmissions, check the fluid at the
normal operating temperature of 196°F
(91°C) to 215°F (102°C) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature can be
reached after approximately 19 mi
(30 km).

High Fluid Level

Type A

E163743

Type B

E163744

Fluid levels above the safe range may
result in transmission failure. An overfill
condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and engagement concerns, and
possible damage.

High fluid levels can be caused by an
overheating condition.

Adjusting Automatic Transmission
Fluid Levels

Note: Use of a non-approved automatic
transmission fluid may cause internal
transmission component damage.

Before adding any fluid, make sure the
correct type is used. The type of fluid used
is normally indicated on:

•

the dipstick handle.

•

See Capacities and Specifications
(page 411).

If necessary, add fluid in 8 fl oz (250 ml)
increments through the filler tube until the
level is correct.

Type A

E163745

Type B

E163746

If an overfill occurs, excess fluid should be
removed by a qualified technician.

Note: An overfill condition of transmission
fluid may cause shift and engagement
concerns, and possible damage.