2021 Ford F-150 Owners Manual - Selective Catalytic Reduction System - Diesel

Selective Catalytic Reduction System - Diesel

The selective catalytic reduction system helps reduce emission levels of oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust system.

The selective catalytic reduction system injects diesel exhaust fluid into the exhaust system to enable correct selective catalytic reduction system function.

Note: Do not put diesel exhaust fluid in the fuel tank. This can cause damage that your vehicle Warranty may not cover.

Selective catalytic reduction systems are sensitive to contamination of the diesel exhaust fluid. Maintaining the purity of the fluid is important to avoid system malfunctions. If you remove or drain the diesel exhaust fluid tank, do not use the same fluid to refill the tank. The system has a sensor to monitor fluid quality.

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Driving without refilling, replacing contaminated diesel exhaust fluid, or having the selective catalytic reduction system repaired results in the following actions as required by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

• Within a preset distance to empty, speed is limited upon vehicle restart. Prior to this occurring a message appears in the information display.

• Further vehicle operation without refilling or replacing contaminated diesel exhaust fluid causes the engine to enter an idle-only condition. This only occurs upon vehicle refueling, vehicle idling in park for 1 hour, or engine shutdown for 10 minutes or more and is indicated by a message in the information display indicating required actions to resume normal operation. It is required to add a minimum of 1.0 gal (3.8 L) of diesel exhaust fluid to the tank to exit the idle-only condition, but your vehicle is still in the speed-limiting mode until you refill the tank completely.

Note: For vehicle speed limiting or idle-only condition, normal vehicle operation resumes when you refill the diesel exhaust fluid tank or repair the contaminated system. If the system is contaminated or inoperative, have your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

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Only use diesel exhaust fluid that is certified by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

You can purchase diesel exhaust fluid at an authorized dealer, or contact roadside assistance for help in finding a retailer that sells diesel exhaust fluid.

Note: Non-certified diesel exhaust fluid use can cause damage that your Warranty may not cover

• Diesel exhaust fluid is non-flammable, non-toxic, colorless and water-soluble liquid.

• In order for the system to operate correctly you must maintain the diesel exhaust fluid level.

• Do not overfill the diesel exhaust fluid tank.

• Diesel exhaust fluid is corrosive.

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Avoid spilling diesel exhaust fluid on painted surfaces, carpeting or plastic components. Immediately wipe away any diesel exhaust fluid that has spilled with a damp cloth and water. If it has already crystallized, use warm water and a sponge.

Do not store the diesel exhaust fluid bottle in your vehicle. If it leaks it could cause damage to interior components or release an ammonia odor inside your vehicle.

Do not re-use the diesel exhaust fluid container once it is emptied.

Store diesel exhaust fluid out of direct sunlight and in temperatures between 23–68°F (-5–20°C).

The system has a diesel exhaust fluid quality sensor. Dilution of diesel exhaust fluid or use of any other liquid in the selective catalytic reduction system leads to a diesel exhaust fluid system fault, eventually leading to the vehicle only operating in idle-only mode.

Do not dilute diesel exhaust fluid with water or any other liquid.

Diesel exhaust fluid may freeze if the ambient temperature is below 12°F (-11°C). Your vehicle has a preheating system which allows diesel exhaust fluid to operate below 12°F (-11°C). If you do not use your vehicle for an extended period when the ambient temperature is below 12°F (-11°C), the fluid in the tank may freeze. If the tank is overfilled and the fluid freezes it may cause damage that your Warranty will not cover.

Filling the diesel exhaust fluid tank using a fuel station pump is similar to refueling your vehicle.

Fully open the fuel filler door.

Remove the diesel exhaust fluid tank filler cap.

Note: The diesel exhaust fluid tank has a blue filler cap.

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Fully insert the diesel exhaust fluid pump nozzle.

Operate the diesel exhaust fluid pump nozzle within the area shown.

Note: The pump nozzle shuts off when the tank is full.

Slightly raise the diesel exhaust fluid pump nozzle and then slowly remove it.

Replace the diesel exhaust fluid tank filler cap. Turn it clockwise until you feel a strong resistance and it clicks.

The following procedure applies to Motorcraft diesel exhaust fluid or similar fluid containers. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Fully open the fuel filler door.

Remove the diesel exhaust fluid container cap.

Place the spout on to the container and tighten it until you feel a strong resistance.

Remove the diesel exhaust fluid tank filler cap.

Note: The diesel exhaust fluid tank has a blue filler cap.

Insert the spout into the filler neck until the seal on the spout fully seats.

Pour the fluid into the tank.

Note: The fluid stops flowing when the tank is full.

Return the container to the vertical position slightly below the diesel exhaust fluid filler neck.

Allow any fluid remaining in the spout to drain back into the container.

Remove the spout from the diesel exhaust fluid filler neck.

Replace the diesel exhaust fluid tank cap. Turn it clockwise until you feel a strong resistance and it clicks.

Remove the spout from the diesel exhaust fluid container and replace the cap.

Note: If there is diesel exhaust fluid left in the container retain it for later use. The spout is reusable. Wash the spout with clean water prior to storage. Do not use the diesel exhaust fluid spout with any other fluid.

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The information display shows a series of messages about the amount of diesel exhaust fluid available. A systems check displays messages indicating the amount of diesel exhaust fluid available or displays a warning message indicating the approximate distance remaining as the fluid in the diesel exhaust fluid tank nears empty. See Selective Catalytic Reduction System – Information Messages (page 249).

For filling information please refer to the Capacities and Specifications section of the owner's manual. See Diesel Exhaust Fluid Capacity and Specification (page 249).

As the diesel exhaust fluid level nears empty, the warning symbol displays and a series of

tones and messages starting at 500 mi (800 km) remaining before diesel exhaust fluid is depleted. The warning symbol and messages continue until you refill the diesel exhaust fluid tank.

The warning lamp illuminates and a message appears in the information display if the system becomes contaminated or inoperative.

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