2002 Ford F150 Bi-fuel Supplement 1st Printing - Page 25

Maintenance and care Many localities have restrictions on refueling CNG and LPG fueled vehicles. In these localities, only qualified technicians at designated refueling stations are allowed to refuel your vehicle. Refer to your local authorized Ford dealer for more information. Fuel fill procedure - compressed natural gas (CNG) Two methods for filling the CNG fuel tank(s) are available to CNG Bi-fuel vehicle owners: • The fast-fill method - available at many of the commercial and privately owned CNG refueling stations. • The slow-fill method - available for purchase or lease from a number of commercial or natural gas utility companies. "Fast-filling" a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle involves rapidly raising the pressure in the vehicle's tank(s) by a "fast-fill" refueling station (typical fill time: 3-5 minutes). "Fast-filling" a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle provides the greatest convenience to the driver in terms of time spent refueling. "Fast-fill" refueling technology does not presently allow a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle to be completely refueled to its maximum rated capacity. Therefore, "fast-filling" results in a reduced driving range and an initial fuel gauge reading of Full. However, within approximately 10 minutes, the fuel gauge of a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle that has been "fast-filled" will drop about 1/8th of a tank lower to reflect the reduced amount of fuel that was actually added. "Slow-filling" a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle involves slowly raising the pressure in the vehicle's tank(s) by a "slow-fill" refueling station (typical fill rate: 6-8 hours). "Slow-filling" a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle usually is done overnight and allows the greatest amount of CNG fuel to be added to a CNG Bi-fuel vehicle. A properly functioning "slow-fill" refueling station will fill the CNG fuel tank(s) to a fuel gauge reading of Full at a temperature of 21°C (70°F). The CNG fueling point, or fuel receptacle is located on the driver's side of the vehicle. The profiles of both the CNG fueling point and the fuel station nozzle are specified by ANSI/AGA NGV1-1994, CGA NGV1-M94. These profiles are specified for CNG vehicles and fuel stations for safety purposes. Three separate adapter profiles are available. P24, P30 and P36 respectively, are specified for the three different service pressures of 16 500 kPa (2 400 psi), 20 700 kPa (3 000 psi) and 24 800 kPa (3 600 psi). 25