1997 FORD F150 tow

ICONS
Indicates a warning. Read the
following section onWarningsfor
a full explanation of them.
Indicates that vehicle information
related to recycling and other
environmental concerns will follow.
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment.
Correct vehicle usage and the
authorized disposal of waste
cleaning and lubrication materials
are significant steps towards this
aim.
WARNINGS
How can you reduce the risk of
personal injury and prevent
possible damage to others, your
vehicle and its equipment?
In this owner's guide, answers to
such questions are contained in
comments highlighted by the
warning triangle symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in
rules for your vehicle. Simply avoid
driving too briskly during the first
1,600 km (1,000 miles) of driving.
Vary speeds frequently. This is
necessary to give the moving parts
a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full
use of the brakes for the first
1,600 km (1,000 miles).
From 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
onwards you can graduallycom_icons.01
com_warn.01
com_breaking_vehicle.01
Introduction
2

Brake system warning
Extinguishes when the parking
brake is released. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level.
Safety belt
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind you to
fasten your safety belts. For more
information, refer toUsing the
safety restraints properlyin the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned to On. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash or remains on, have the
system serviced. For more
information, refer to
Supplemental restraints system
(SRS)in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Check engine warning light
This light illuminates when the
engine's Emission Control System
requires service. It will also
illuminate when the ignition key is
in the On position and the engine
is off. Refer toWhat you should
know about the on-board
diagnostic (OBD II) systemin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
!
BRAKE
CHECK
ENGINE
com_safety_belt.01
f12_air_bag_readiness
f12_check_engine
f12_tcil_light
Instrumentation
10

Foglamp control
The headlamp control also
operates the foglamps. The
foglamps can be turned on only
when the headlamps are in the
position.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
(located to the
right of the control) will illuminate.
Daytime running lights
(Canadian vehicles only)
The daytime running light system
turns the headlamps on, with a
reduced light output, when:
²the vehicle is running
²the parking brake is released
²the headlamp system is in the
position.
The Daytime Running
Light (DRL) system will
not illuminate the tail lamps and
parking lamps. Turn on your
headlamps at dusk. Failure to do
so may result in a collision.
PPANEL
DIM
f12_drl_lights
f12_dimmer_dial
Controls and features
19

High beam control
²Push the stalk forward to
activate the high beam lamps.
²Pull the stalk towards you to
activate the ªflash to passº
function.
Turn signals
Push the stalk down to activate
the left turn signal; push the stalk
up to activate the right turn signal.
f12_overdrive
Controls and features
37

Deactivate overdrive whenever
driving conditions (i.e., city traffic,
hilly terrain, etc.) cause the
transmission to shift excessively
between
D(Overdrive) and
D(Drive) ranges. Also deactivate
D(Overdrive) when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down
steep hills
²additional engine braking is
desired.
Transmission control indicator
light (TCIL)
The TCIL (OFF), located on the
end of the gearshift lever, may
flash steadily if a malfunction has
been detected. If the TCIL is
flashing, contact your Ford dealer
as soon as possible. If this
condition persists, damage to the
transmission could occur.
Hazard flasher control
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. Depress
control to activate all indicators
simultaneously. Depress control
again to turn off. The hazard lights
can be operated when the ignition
is off.
OVERDRIVE OFF
f12_tcil_light
f12_hazard
f12_tilt_steer
Controls and features
39

60/40 split rear seat (if
equipped)
When folded down, the rear seats
provide a ªload floorº of additional
storage space. To fold down the
rear seats:
1. Pull the straps to lower the seat
cushions.
2. Store the center safety belt in
the opening on the seat back.
When returning the seats to their
normal position:
1. Clear the load floor before
folding seat up.
2. Ensure the seat cushion is
latched into place.
3. Remove center safety belt from
its stowed position.
Check to assure that 60/40
Split rear seat cushion is
latched by pulling up and
forward on lap belt buckles.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Safety restraints precautions
The use of safety belts helps to
restrain you and your passengers
in case of a collision. In most
states and Canada, the law
requires the use of safety belts.
Always drive and ride with
your seatback upright and
the lap belt snug and low across
the hips.
f12_seat_belts
f12_safety_res_prec
Seating and safety restraints
58

pull downward until all of the belt
is extracted and a click is heard.
6. Allow the belt to retract. The
belt will click as it retracts to
indicate it is in the automatic
locking mode.
7. Pull the lap belt portion across
the child seat toward the buckle
and pull up on the shoulder belt
while pushing down on the child
seat.
8. Allow the safety belt to retract
to remove any slack in the belt.
9. Before placing the child in the
seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward
and back to make sure the seat is
securely held in place.
10. Try to pull the belt out of the
retractor to make sure the
retractor is in the automatic
locking mode (you should not be
Seating and safety restraints
81

particularly when one or more
wheels are on a surface with poor
traction.
AIR SUSPENSION (IF
EQUIPPED)
The air suspension system for the
rear wheels is designed to keep
your vehicle at a constant level by
adding or releasing air from the
rear springs to compensate for
increases or decreases in vehicle
load.
Normal vehicle operation does not
require any action by the driver.
The air suspension switch is
located behind an access panel
underneath the passenger side
instrument panel.
Press the air suspension switch to
OFF when jacking or hoisting your
vehicle.
On vehicles equipped with
Air Suspension, turn OFF
the Air Suspension switch prior
to jacking, hoisting or towing
your vehicle.
OFF
f12_air_suspension
f12_transmission
Driving
95