2003 Ford Excursion 7.3L Diesel Supplement 3rd Printing - Page 32

General maintenance information * Heavy duty trailer towing with ambient temperatures above 10°C (50°F) requires 15W-40 engine oil. The use of correct oil viscosities for Diesel engines is important for satisfactory operation. Determine which oil viscosity best suits the temperature range you expect to encounter for the next service interval. A symbol has been developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) VICE CH ER to help you select the proper engine SAE oil. It will be included on the oil 15W-40 container you purchase. The top section of the symbol shows the oil performance by the API designation. This should match the owner guide recommendation. The center section will show the SAE viscosity grade. The lower section will state energy conserving if the oil has proven fuel saving capabilities. API S Changing engine oil and filter Change your oil and filter according to the scheduled maintenance guide. Change more frequently if your vehicle operation includes extended periods of idling or low-speed operation, driving for a long time in cold temperatures or driving short distances. See the following section Engine Lubrication for Severe Service Operation for all severe duty restrictions. Use Ford Engine Oil Filter Part No. F4TZ-6731-A (FL-1995) or equivalent. These filters protect your engine by filtering harmful, abrasive or sludge particles. The FL-1995 filters particles significantly smaller than most available "will fit" filters. To replace, use an oil filter wrench to unscrew the filter from the oil cooler fitting. Turn it horizontally to let excess oil drain off, and remove. 32 /SL -4