This is a quick maintenance guide for the 1988-1996 Ford F-150, and 1988-98 F-250, and F-350 (not including new style 1997-98 F-250) pickup trucks, which is taken directly from Haynes manual 36058.
Most of these recommended routine maintenance tasks you can do yourself at home for practically no money, as long as you have a few simple tools and the time to invest. If you need more guidance, or even step by step instructions and a video demonstration, get the online manual, or our traditional printed manual.
Maintenance Schedule
The following intervals are based on the assumption that you will be doing the service work yourself, as opposed to paying to have the work done. These are our recommended minimum maintenance intervals for vehicles that are driven daily, and in many cases are shorter than the factory’s recommendations. Because frequent maintenance enhances the efficiency, performance and resale value of your Jeep, we encourage you to follow our schedule. If you drive in dusty areas, tow a trailer, idle or drive at low speeds for extended periods, or drive for short periods (less than four miles at a time) in below freezing temperatures, even smaller intervals are recommended.
When the vehicle is new, follow the maintenance schedule to the letter, record it in your owner’s manual and keep all receipts to protect the warranty and resale value. In many cases the initial maintenance check is done by the dealer at no cost (check with the service department when you buy the truck for more information).
Normal driving conditions
Every 250 miles or weekly, whichever comes first
- Fluid level checks
- Tire and tire pressure checks
Every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above plus . . .
- Check the power steering fluid level
- Check the automatic transmission fluid level
- Change the engine oil and oil filter
7500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above plus . . .
- Wheel inspection and lug nut torque check
- Battery check, maintenance and charging
- Underhood hose check and replacement
- Drivebelt check, adjustment and replacement
- Lubrication - driveline, steering and chassis
Every 15,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above plus . . .
- Fuel system check
- Cooling system check
- Wheel removal and tire rotation
- Windshield wipers - inspection and blade replacement
- Brake check
- Suspension and steering - inspection
- Exhaust system check
- Clutch hydraulic linkage check
- Driveline fluid level checks
- Replace fuel filter
- Clutch linkage adjustment - early models
- Automatic transmission - band adjustment
Every 30,000 miles or 30 months, whichever comes first
All items listed above plus . . .
- Spark plug replacement
- Spark plug wire, distributor cap and rotor check and replacement
- Cooling system servicing, draining, flushing and refilling
- Air filter - inspection and replacement
- PCV valve and filter - inspection and replacement
- Wheel bearings - check, repack and adjustment
- Front spindle/knuckle needle bearing (4x4) - check and repack
- Front locking hubs (4X4) - lubricant check and repack
Every 60,000 miles
- Manual transmission - oil change
- Transfer case - oil change
- Automatic transmission - fluid change
- Evaporative emissions system - inspection
Every 100,000 miles
- Differential(s) - lubricant change
Severe driving conditions
Every 1000 miles
- Lubrication - driveline, steering and chassis
- Brake check
- Check axle lube for contamination (if submerged in water)
- Wheel bearings - check, repack and adjustment
Every 3000 miles or 3 months
- Change the engine oil and filter
- Replace air filter (dusty conditions only)
- Change rear axle lubricant (heavy duty axles only
Every 30,000 miles or 30 months
- Manual transmission - oil change
- Transfer case - oil change
- Automatic transmission - fluid change
Severe conditions include the following. If your vehicle is operated mostly under severe conditions, perform these maintenance tasks at the more frequent intervals specified:
- Operating in dusty areas (dirt roads, or off-road)
- Idling for extended periods and/or low speed operation
- Mostly short trips (less than 4 miles) when outside temperatures remain below freezing
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature is regularly above 90-degrees F (32-degrees C)
- In hilly or mountainous terrain
- Frequent trailer towing
- Frequent off road use or if the vehicle is driven through water
