1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS maintenance

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Table of ContentsIntroduction ...................................................... 1
Instrumentation ................................................ 9
Controls and Features .................................. 21
Starting ............................................................. 37
Driving ............................................................. 45
Roadside Emergencies .................................. 77
Maintenance and Care ................................. 99
Capacities and Specifications ................... 147
Customer Assistance ................................... 155
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 163
Maintenance Schedule and Record .......... 169
Index ............................................................... 203
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:16:39 1996

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Integrity is never compromised.Our conduct
worldwide must be pursued in a manner that
is socially responsible and commands respect
for its integrity and for its positive
contributions to society.
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Things to Know About Using
This Guide
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This guide will familiarize you with operational,
maintenance and safety information about your
new vehicle. It is supplemented by a Warranty
Information Booklet. We urge you to read these
publications carefully and follow the
recommendations to help assure enjoyable and
safe operation of your new vehicle.
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This chassis is designed to fulfill an infinite
variety of personal and business transportation
needs. Of necessity, a vehicle capable of such a
multitude of functions is much more than a
passenger vehicle and will therefore look, feel,
drive and function somewhat differently from a
passenger vehicle. These characteristics will also,
in part, be a result of the equipment you have
chosen for your particular vehicle application(s).
Therefore, it is very important that you read and
thoroughly familiarize yourself and others
operating your vehicle with this guide.
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NOTES and WARNINGS
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NOTESgive you additional information about
the subject matter you are referencing.
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WARNINGSremind you to be especially careful
in those areas where carelessness can cause
damage to your vehicle or personal injury to
yourself, your passengers or other people. Please
read allWARNINGScarefully.
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Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists
the services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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About the Warranties
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Your vehicle is covered by four types of
warranties:
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Basic Vehicle Warranty
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Extended Warranties on certain parts
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Emissions Warranties
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Noise Emissions Warranty Coverage;
applicable only on vehicles over 10,000 GVW
Ð Gross Vehicle Weight Ð in pounds.
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Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
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When descending a steep grade with a trailer,
operate in Drive rather than Overdrive. If
additional braking is needed, shift the automatic
transmission gearshift into 2 (Second) gear or 1
(Low).
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Servicing your vehicle if you tow
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If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
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Trailer towing tips
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Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
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Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
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Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,
whether manually or automatically controlled,
when approaching a stop.
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For a good handling truck-trailer combination,
the trailer tongue load should be approximately
10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
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Make a thorough check of your equipment
before starting out on the road. After you have
traveled about 50 miles (80 km) stop in a
protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel
lug nuts for tightness.
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Lower the vehicle until the tire touches the
ground, and tighten lug nuts in the same
sequence to the specifications shown in the
chart below.
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Finish lowering the vehicle and replace any
wheel covers, ornaments, or hub caps that
your vehicle has. Make sure that they are
snapped into place.
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Put the tire, jack, and wrench away. (Make
sure jack is securely fastened so it doesn't
rattle when you drive.)
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Make sure the spare tire and jacking
equipment are stowed and secured in the
proper storage location.
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Unblock the wheels.
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Retighten the wheel lug nuts to the specified
torque at 100 miles (160 km), and again at 500
miles (800 km) of new vehicle operation and at
the intervals specified in theMaintenance Schedule
and Recordbooklet.
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Also retighten to the specified torque at 500
miles (800 km) of operation after any wheel
change or any time the lug nuts are loosened.
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RWARNING
Failure to retighten wheel lug nuts at
mileages specified could allow wheels to
come off while the vehicle is in motion.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:23:45 1996

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Removing jumper cables
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1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (S) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
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2. Remove the negative (S) cable from the
booster battery.
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3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
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4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
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After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
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If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
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Maintenance and Care
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Service Made Easy
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
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Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed in
theOwner Maintenance Checklist, be alert for any
unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice
something unusual, see that your vehicle is
serviced promptly.
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Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or
servicing your vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
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If you must work with the engine running,
avoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. Take
appropriate precautions with long hair.
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Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed
space with the engine running, unless you are
sure you have enough ventilation.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

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Engine Oil Recommendations
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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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one third page art:0060020-D
The API Certification Mark
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Neveruse:
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ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
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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).
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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.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996