Essential Maintenance Checklist for Your 2004-2008 Ford F-150 morsunled.hatenablog.com
The single most critical maintenance category for this generation is its fluids. Treat them with reverence and change them before the manufacturer’s extreme intervals. Engine Oil: For the ubiquitous 5.4L 3V Triton V8, clean oil is its best defense. Use a high-quality full-synthetic or blend and change it every 5,000 miles without fail. This helps prevent the notorious timing chain guide wear and phaser tick caused by sludge and oil starvation. Transmission Fluid: The 4R75E automatic is robust but benefits greatly from regular service. A fluid and filter change every 60,000 miles is cheap insurance against harsh shifts and premature wear. Coolant: Use only Motorcraft Gold or a certified equivalent. Flush and replace it every 100,000 miles to prevent electrolysis and internal corrosion, which can lead to heater core and intake manifold gasket failures. Differential & Transfer Case: These are often "lifetime" fluids only in theory. Changing them every 50,000-75,000 miles with the correct specification fluid ensures your 4WD system is ready when needed.