1997 FORD E SERIES engine

Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For
instructions, refer toChecking the
engine oilin this chapter.
2. If the fluid level is not within
the normal range, add only
certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through
the oil filler cap. Remove the filler
cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
the oil level is not above the full
mark on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Changing the engine oil and
filter
Change your engine oil and filter
according to the following
kilometers (mileage) and time
requirements, whichever occurs
first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km
(5,000 miles) or six months.
²Severe Duty Schedule ± 5,000
km (3,000 miles) or three
months. Severe duty operation
would include extensive idling,
trailer towing, driving in severe
dust and police, taxi or delivery
service.
com_oil_and_filter_change.01
Maintenance and care
133

Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced.
It is recommended you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
CHECKING AND ADDING
BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed at least once
each year:
²Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
²Visually inspect the fluid level.
²If necessary, add brake fluid
until the level reaches MAX. Do
not fill above this line.
²Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford
specifications. Refer to
Lubricant specificationsin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
com_checking-adding_fluid.01
Maintenance and care
134

Adding washer fluid
The vehicle's windshield washer
reservoir is located on the
passenger side of the engine
compartment. If fluid needs to be
added to the reservoir:
²Lift the windshield reservoir
cover.
²Add enough washer fluid to fill
the reservoir.
CHECKING AND ADDING
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a
month. Be sure to read and
understandPrecautions when
servicing your vehiclein this
chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information on
engine coolant maintenance, refer
toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
MAX FILL
MIN FILL
com_checking-adding_coolant.01
Maintenance and care
136

Automotive fluids are not
interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
When adding engine coolant
Ford recommends Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid, which is an
optimized formula that will protect
all metals and rubber elastomers
used in Ford engines for four years
or 80,000 km (50,000 miles).
It is neither necessary nor
recommended to use supplemental
coolant additives in your
gasoline-powered vehicle. These
additives may harm your engine
cooling system.
When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
engine coolant concentration
between 40% (-24ÉC [-11ÉF]) and
60% (-52ÉC [-62ÉF]), depending on
your local climate conditions.
A coolant concentration below 40%
will result in a loss of freeze
protection. A concentration above
60% may cause the engine to
overheat on a warm day.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in theSpecifications and
capacitieschapter. Use only a
premium nationally-recognized
brand name engine coolant or
equivalent.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
com_adding_coolant.01
Maintenance and care
137

standards for disposing of these
types of fluids. Call your local
recycling center to find out more
about recycling automotive fluids.
Adding engine coolant
Never remove the pressure
cap while the engine is
running or hot.
1. Before you remove the cap, turn
the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the cap and
turn it slowly counterclockwise.
3. Step back while the pressure
releases.
4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released, use
the cloth to remove the cap.
5. Add engine coolant until the
level is between the MIN and MAX
lines on the engine coolant
recovery reservoir.
Follow the recommended service
interval for changing engine
coolant as outlined in theService
Guide.
Checking the cooling system
hoses
Inspect all engine and heater
system hoses and hose connections
for:
²deterioration
²leaks
MAX FILL
MIN FILL
eco_adding_coolant
eco_checking_hoses
Maintenance and care
138

²loose hose clamps
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is
depleted, this feature allows the
vehicle to be driven temporarily
before incremental component
damage is incurred. The ªfail safeº
distance depends on ambient
temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The service engine soon light will
illuminate, indicating that vehicle
service is required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
H
C
eco_failsafe_cooling
eco_failsafe_works
eco_failsafe_activated
Maintenance and care
139

When fail-safe mode is
activated
²Pull off the road as soon as
possible.
²Immediately turn the engine off
to prevent severe engine
damage.
²Wait for the engine to cool.
²Check the coolant level.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid
level at least twice a year.
1. Remove the dipstick and wipe
indicator clean.
2. Put dipstick back into reservoir
and make sure it is fully seated.
3. Remove dipstick and read fluid
level.
4. Add power steering fluid until
the fluid level reaches full mark on
dipstick.
Use only fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Refer toCapacities
and specifications.
FULL COLD
eco_power_steering
eco_checking_adding_autotrans
Maintenance and care
140

speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface.
2. Start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park), set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry rag.
5. Install the dipstick.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level.
For 4R70W transmissions, the fluid
level should be within the
crosshatched area, or if the vehicle
has not been driven, between the
holes near the bottom of the
indicator.
P RN 21D
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA - CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
Maintenance and care
142