1997 FORD E SERIES Owners Manual

STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
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73

If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Preparing to start the vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the vehiclein this
chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
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Starting
74

theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and
vehicle accessories are off.
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75

²Make sure the parking brake is
set.
²Make sure the gearshift is in P.
3. Turn the key to the ON position
(without turning the key to
START.)
DPRN 21
000000
0000
BRAKE
NORMALNORMAL
NORMAL
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76

Make sure the corresponding lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
STARTING PROCEDURE
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 5 (Start)
without pressing the accelerator.
The key will return to 4 (On).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release accelerator when
engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
3
2
1
5
4
eco_start_title
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77

faster and allows the
heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
Ð23ÉC (±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for
longer than three hours will not
harm the engine, so the heater can
be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical
shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded
electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust
fumes
Although odorless and colorless,
carbon monoxide is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions
to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust
fumes of any kind inside
your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes. These
fumes are harmful and could kill
you.
Have the exhaust and body
ventilation systems checked
whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
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78

²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in a closed area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (1 in).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
MAX
A C/
VENT
NORM
A C
/
OFF
FLR
MIX
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79

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
maintenance scheduling.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if
equipped)
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lock up during
brake applications and
compensating for this tendency.
The front wheels are prevented
from locking even when the brakes
are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during
hard braking.
Using ABS
²In an emergency, apply full force
on the brake. The ABS will be
activated immediately, thus
allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle
and, providing there is sufficient
space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle
to a quiet stop.
²We recommend that you
familiarize yourself with this
braking technique. However,
avoid taking any unnecessary
risks.
Parking brake
The parking brake should be used
whenever you park your vehicle. It
is not designed to stop a moving
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