1997 FORD E SERIES engine

Deactivating overdrive
Press the transmission control
switch (TCS) on the end of the
gearshift lever. The Transmission
Control Indicator Light (TCIL)
(the word ªOFFº on the gearshift
lever) will illuminate. The
transmission will only operate in
gears one through three.
Deactivate overdrive when:
²driving with a heavy load
²driving in hilly terrain
²additional engine braking is
desired
Activating overdrive
To return to normal overdrive
operation, press the TCS again.
The light illuminating the word
ªOFFº will turn off.
When restarting your vehicle, the
transmission will automatically
return to the normal overdrive
operation mode.
eco_overdrive_activating
eco_trans_control_light
Controls and features
25

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.
com_important_precautions.05
Starting
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
eco_preparing_start
Starting
74

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
com_starting_vehicle.01
com_engine_heater.01
Starting
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
com_guarding_exhaust.01
Starting
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
eco_ventilation_info
Starting
79

Releasing parking brake
²Push parking brake pedal down
firmly, then release.
If the parking brake is fully
released, but the Brake
System light remains on, have
the brakes checked immediately.
They may not be working
properly.
STEERING YOUR VEHICLE
If the amount of effort needed to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant speed, have the vehicle
power steering system checked.
Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme left or right for more
than five seconds if the engine is
running. This can damage the
power steering pump.
After any severe impact or
collision involving the front end,
observe the steering wheel
alignment. If the spoke of the
eco_steeing_vehicle
Driving
82

steering wheel seem to be in a
different position while going
straight down the road, have the
suspension and steering checked
for possible damage.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OPERATION
Hold the brake pedal down
while you move the
gearshift lever from position to
position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and
injure someone.
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
P (Park)Ð Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
or out of P (Park).
When you leave your
vehicle, place the gearshift
lever in P (Park). Set the
parking brake fully, and shut off
the engine. Never park your
vehicle in N (Neutral). If you do
not take these precautions, your
vehicle may move suddenly and
injure someone.
R (Reverse)Ð Always come to a
complete stop before shifting into
or out of R (Reverse).
P RN 21D
P RN 21D
eco_automatic_trans
Driving
83