1997 FORD EXPEDITION service

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
²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Starting
106

BRAKES
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.com_brakes.01
com_abs.01
com_using_abs.01
exd_braking_abs_sys
Driving
107

Never hold the steering wheel to
the extreme right or the extreme
left for more than a few seconds
when the engine is running. This
action could damage the power
steering pump.
Speed sensitive steering
The steering in your vehicle is
speed sensitive. At high speeds,
steering assist will decrease to
improve steering feel. At lower
speeds, maneuverability will be
increased.
If the amount of effort required to
steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the
power steering system checked by
your dealer or a qualified service
technician.
exd_speed_sensitive_steering
com_traction-lok.01
Driving
110

An on board air compressor and
solenoids are used to raise and
lower the vehicle. It is normal to
occasionally hear a buzz or clicking
from the vehicle even when the
ignition is turned off. The system
stays energized for 40 minutes
after the ignition is turned off to
compensate for any load changes
made after the vehicle is parked.
Air suspension service system
switch
The air suspension service system
switch is located below the glove
box at the lower right side of the
passenger foot well. Normal vehicle
operation does not require any
action by the driver. If this switch
is in the OFF position, the air
suspension system will not operate
and the CHECK SUSP warning
light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
Check air suspension light
The warning and indicator light
CHECK SUSP illuminates when the
air suspension switch is turned off
or an air suspension system fault
has been detected.
OFF
CHECK
SUSP
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exd_check_air_susp_light
Driving
113

If the light is displayed while
driving and the air suspension
system service switch is not turned
off, safely pull off the road at your
earliest convenience. Turn the
ignition switch from 4(On) to 3
(Off) and 4(On) again. If the
warning light reappears, turn the
air suspension switch off and have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer
or qualified service technician.
If the vehicle is loaded beyond the
recommended maximum payload,
the CHECK SUSP light may
illuminate. To correct this
condition, remove or redistribute
the payload according to the
recommended requirements and
follow the procedure outlined
above.
TRANSMISSION OPERATION
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.
exd_transmission
exd_automatic
Driving
114

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle
may require the use of a trailer
tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads
on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires,
and suspension. For your safety
and to maximize vehicle
performance, be sure to use the
proper equipment while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load
limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle
for towing. Refer toPreparing
to towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving
while trailer towing. Refer to
Driving while towingin this
chapter.
²Service your vehicle more
frequently if you tow a trailer.
Refer to the severe duty
schedule in the ªService Guideº.
²Do not tow a trailer until your
vehicle has been driven at least
800 km (500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions
included with towing accessories
for the proper installation and
adjustment specifications.
Driving
127

Servicing while towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle requires
more frequent service than a
vehicle not used for towing. Refer
to the ªService GuideºSevere
Duty Schedulefor more
information on maintenance
intervals.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with
an intregal hitch and requires only
a ball with a 1 inch shank
diameter. The bumper has a 1814
kg (4000 lb) trailer weight and 181
kg (400 lb) tongue weight
capability.
Use a frame mounted weight
distributing hitch for trailers over
1814 kg (4000 lb).
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by
avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled
maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
exd_step_bumper
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Driving
133

Even after a fuse is replaced, it
will continue to blow if the cause
of the overload is not identified
and corrected. If the fuse
continues to blow, have the
vehicle's electrical system checked
by a qualified service technician.
Fuse ratings
Fuse rating Color
5 amp Beige
10 amp Red
15 amp Blue
20 amp Yellow
25 amp Natural
30 amp Green
40 amp Orange
50 amp Red
60 amp Blue
exd_ratings_fuses
Roadside emergencies
136