Why Maintain Your Vehicle?
Carefully following the maintenance schedule helps protect against major repair expenses resulting from neglect or inadequate maintenance and may help to increase the value of your vehicle when you sell or trade it. Keep all receipts for completed maintenance with your vehicle.
We have established regular maintenance intervals for your vehicle based upon rigorous testing. It is important that you have your vehicle serviced at the proper times. These intervals serve two purposes; one is to maintain the reliability of your vehicle and the second is to keep your cost of owning your vehicle down.
It is your responsibility to have all scheduled maintenance performed and to make sure that the materials used meet the specifications identified in this owner's manual. See
Capacities and Specifications - 6.8L.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance invalidates warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance.
Why Maintain Your Vehicle at Your Dealership?
Factory-trained Technicians
Service technicians participate in extensive factory-sponsored certification training to help them become experts on the operation of your vehicle. Ask your dealership about the training and certification their technicians have received.
Genuine Ford and Motorcraft Replacement Parts
Dealerships stock Ford, Motorcraft and Ford-authorized branded re-manufactured replacement parts. These parts meet or exceed our specifications. Parts installed at your dealership carry a nationwide 12-month or
12,500 mi (20,000 km) parts and labor limited warranty.
If you do not use Ford authorized parts they may not meet our specifications and depending on the part, it could affect emissions compliance.
Convenience
Many dealerships have extended evening and Saturday hours to make your service visit more convenient and they offer one stop shopping. They can perform any services that are required on your vehicle, from general maintenance to collision repairs.
Note:
Not all dealers have extended hours or body shops. Please contact your dealer for details.
Protecting Your Investment
Maintenance is an investment that pays dividends in the form of improved reliability, durability and resale value. To maintain the proper performance of your vehicle and its emission control systems, make sure you have scheduled maintenance performed at the designated intervals.
Your vehicle is equipped with the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system, which displays a message in the instrument cluster display at the proper oil change interval. This interval may be up to one year or
10,000 mi (16,000 km).
Your vehicle can be driven in such a way that dilutes and increases the level of oil by short trips that do not allow the engine to get to operating temperature, extended idling, and low speed driving for long periods of time.
A message appears in the instrument cluster display when it is time for an oil change. Make sure you perform the oil change within two weeks or
500 mi (800 km) of the message appearing. Make sure you reset the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor after each oil change. See
Instrument Cluster.
If your instrument cluster display resets prematurely or becomes inoperative, you should perform the oil change interval at six months or
5,000 mi (8,000 km) from your last oil change. Never exceed one year or
10,000 mi (16,000 km) between oil change intervals.
Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple, complex, performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using different specifications and performance features. That is why it is important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.
Ford Motor Company has recommended maintenance intervals for various parts and component systems based upon engineering testing. Ford Motor Company relies upon this testing to determine the most appropriate mileage for replacement of oils and fluids to protect your vehicle at the lowest overall cost to you and recommends against maintenance schedules that deviate from the scheduled maintenance information.
We strongly recommend the use of only genuine Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized re-manufactured replacement parts engineered for your vehicle.
Additives and Chemicals
This owner's manual and the Ford Workshop Manual list the recommended additives and chemicals for your vehicle. We do not recommend using chemicals or additives not approved by us as part of your vehicle’s normal maintenance. Please consult your warranty information.
Oils, Fluids and Flushing
In many cases, fluid discoloration is a normal operating characteristic and, by itself, does not necessarily indicate a concern or that the fluid needs to be changed. However, a qualified expert, such as the factory-trained technicians at your dealership, should inspect discolored fluids that also show signs of overheating or foreign material contamination immediately.
Make sure to change your vehicle’s oils and fluids at the specified intervals or in conjunction with a repair. Flushing is a viable way to change fluid for many vehicle sub-systems during scheduled maintenance. It is critical that systems are flushed only with new fluid that is the same as that required to fill and operate the system or using a Ford-approved flushing chemical.
Scheduled Maintenance Services
Maintenance service adjustments must conform to specifications contained in this manual, and those shown on the Important Engine Information decal. Perform the following services at scheduled intervals because they essential to the life and performance of your vehicle. Ford recommends that you perform maintenance on all designated items to achieve best vehicle operation.
There are three types of maintenance intervals for general vehicle environments: On-Highway, City and Severe Service. In all applications, monitoring miles (kilometers) and time and when the engine is due for an oil change determine the actual interval. When the engine oil change is required before the truck lubrication interval, perform the lubrication at the same time in order to reduce your vehicle’s time out of service.
Air Brake Adjustment
WARNING:
Failure to maintain proper air brake adjustment can result in reduction or loss of braking ability. |
A qualified service technician, keeping to the instructions in the service manual, should perform air brake inspection and adjustment or repairs.
Cam Brakes - Automatic Slack Adjusters
WARNING:
Do not manually adjust the automatic slack adjusters to correct excessive push rod stroke as it may result in reduced brake effectiveness and a vehicle crash. Excessive push rod stroke indicates that a problem exists with the automatic adjuster, with the installation of the adjuster, or with foundation brake components that manual adjustment does not remedy. Seek service from a qualified facility for excessive push rod stroke. |
Inspect standard air brakes equipped with automatic slack adjusters for proper brake adjustment as listed in the maintenance schedule charts.
However, inspect the brakes more frequently when subjecting them to heavy use or adverse operating conditions such as:
- Frequent brake applications while fully loaded.
- Operation on hilly or mountainous terrain.
- Frequent operation on dirt, gravel or mud.
Some aftermarket brake linings also require more frequent inspections.
Owner Checks and Services
Make sure you perform the following basic maintenance checks and inspections every month or at six-month intervals.
Check Every Month
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Air filter restriction gauge.1
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Engine oil level.
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Fuel and water separator. Drain if necessary, or if indicated by the information display.1
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Function of all interior and exterior lights.
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Holes and slots in the tail pipe to make sure they are functional and clear of debris.1
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Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure.
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Windshield washer fluid level.
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Check Every Six Months
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Battery connections. Clean if necessary.
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Body and door drain holes for obstructions. Clean if necessary.
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Cooling system fluid level and coolant concentration (freeze-point protection).
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Door weatherstrips for wear. Lubricate if necessary.
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Hinges, latches and outside locks for proper operation. Lubricate if necessary.
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Parking brake for proper operation.
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Air brake adjustment. 1
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Seatbelts and seat latches for wear and function.
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Safety warning lamps (brake, ABS, airbag and seatbelt) for operation.
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Washer spray and wiper operation. Clean or replace blades as necessary.
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Tightening Lug Nuts
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Single rear wheels
| Tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque1 at
500 mi (800 km) after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire or wheel removal).
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Dual rear wheels
| Tighten the wheel lug nuts to the specified torque1 at
100 mi (160 km), and again at
500 mi (800 km) of new vehicle operation and after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire or wheel removal).
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Multi-point Inspection
In order to keep your vehicle running right, it is important to have the systems on your vehicle checked regularly. This can help identify potential issues and prevent major problems. We recommend having the following multi-point inspection performed at every scheduled maintenance interval to help make sure your vehicle keeps running great.
Multi-point Inspection
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Accessory drive belt(s)
| Horn operation
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Battery performance
| Radiator, cooler, heater and A/C hoses
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Engine air filter
| Suspension component for leaks or damage
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Exhaust system
| Steering and linkage
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Exterior lamps operation
| Tires (including spare) for wear and proper pressure2
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Fluid levels1; fill if necessary
| Windshield for cracks, chips or pits
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For oil and fluid leaks
| Washer spray and wiper operation
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Hood rest for lubrication
| Hazard warning system operation
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1Brake, coolant recovery reservoir, automatic transmission, power steering and window washer.
2If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary mobility kit, check the tire sealant expiration Use By date on the canister. Replace as needed.
Be sure to ask your dealership service advisor or technician about the multi-point vehicle inspection. It is a comprehensive way to perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle. Your checklist gives you immediate feedback on the overall condition of your vehicle.