1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS Owners Manual

101
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[MC05750( ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[MC05775( ALL)01/96]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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[MC05800( ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0060020-D
The API Certification Mark
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[MC05900( ALL)01/96]
Neveruse:
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[MC06000( ALL)01/96]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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[MC06100( ALL)01/96]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[MC06200( ALL)01/96]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
[MC06800( ALL)01/96]
Engine oils with anSAE 10W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle which provide the
best engine protection for all climates down to
S5ÊF (S20ÊC). SAE5W-30 engine oils may also
be used down toS15ÊF (S25ÊC).
%*
[MC06900( ALL)01/96]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

102 %
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[MC07000( ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[MC07100( ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[MC07200( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[MC07300( ALL)01/96]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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[MC07500( E M)01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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[MC07600( ALL)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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[MC07700( ALL)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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[MC07800( ALL)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

103
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[MC07900( ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0010364-D
Engine oil dipstick
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[MC08000( ALL)01/96]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine
damage or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed from the
engine.
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[MC08100( ALL)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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[MC08200( ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[MC08300( ALL)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

104 %
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[MC08400( EFM)01/96]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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[MC08500( ALL)01/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
[MC08700( M)01/96]
quarter page art:0021101-A
Oil change intervals
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[MC08800( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Idling the engine for extended periods
will accumulate more hours of use on
your vehicles than is actually indicated
by the mileage odometer.
Consequently, the odometer reading
can be often misleading when
determining the right time to change
your engine oil and filter.
*
[MC09100( ALL)01/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
%*
[MC09300( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[MC09400( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC09500( ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

105
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[MC09600( ALL)01/96]
Brake Fluid
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[MC09625( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
*
[MC09650( ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
*
[MC09675( ALL)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic brake fluid reservoir on the master
cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
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[MC09700( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
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[MC09725( ALL)01/96]
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with
running water for 15 minutes. Get medical
attention if irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical
attention immediately.
%*
[MC09750( ALL)01/96]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the filler cap from the reservoir. Fill the
reservoir to the MAX line with Ford High
Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AB
or DOT 3 equivalent fluid meeting Ford
specification ESA-M6C25-A.
*
[MC09775( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If brake fluid is spilled on painted
surfaces, it must be flushed and wiped
away immediately. Brake fluid may
dissolve the paint finish on your
vehicle.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

106
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[MC09800( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT
3, you will cause permanent damage to
your brakes.
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[MC09825( ALL)01/96]
Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line.
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[MC09850( ALL)01/96]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
Ð below the seam or ridge on the outside of the
plastic reservoir Ð have the brake system
inspected.
*
[MC09875( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
[MC09925( M)01/96]
one third page art:0020867-B
Brake master cylinder
[MC09950( M)01/96]
Parking Brake Reservoir
[MC09975( M)01/96]
To inspect the parking brake fluid, refer to the
1997 Ford Service Manualor a qualified service
technician.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

107
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[MC10700( ALL)01/96]
Driveline Universal Joint and Slip
Yoke
[MC10800( M)01/96]
The universal joints that come standard with
your vehicle do require lubrication. Lubrication
will be necessary at the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
%
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[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
[MC11750( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine coolant
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[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine typesin this chapter.
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[MC11850( ALL)01/96]
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a
long period of time the engine coolant reservoir
may eventually empty. If the engine coolant
reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings
before removing the radiator cap. If it is
necessary to fill the radiator, refer to theEngine
Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for
instructions.
[MC11900( M)01/96]
Your cooling system is of the coolant recovery
type. The engine coolant recovery reservoir is a
one-piece molded unit. Engine coolant in the
system expands with heat and overflows into the
engine coolant recovery reservoir. When the
system cools down, coolant is drawn back into
the radiator.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

108 [MC11950( ALL)01/96]Adding engine coolant
% [MC12200( M)01/96]
one third page art:0020728-C
Adding engine coolant
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[MC12300( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC12350( ALL)01/96]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
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[MC12400( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
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[MC12450( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Follow these steps to minimize risk of
personal injury.
*
[MC12500( ALL)01/96]
1. Before you remove the radiator cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool. Even when the
engine is cool, be careful when you remove
the radiator cap.
*
[MC12550( ALL)01/96]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to the first stop.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996