1997 FORD F150 Owners Manual

Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds
as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars
are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4WD operation is not
recommended on dry pavement.
Doing so could result in difficult
disengagement of the transfer
case, increased tire wear and
decreased fuel economy.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights
illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights
illuminate during normal driving,
have your vehicle serviced.
4x4± illuminates when 4H (4WD
High) or 4L (4WD Low) is
selected.
LOW RANGE ± illuminates when
4L (4WD Low) is selected.
f12_fourwd_lights
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Using lever-operated 4WD
system (if equipped)
2H (2WD High)± Power to rear
axle only.
4H (4WD High)± Power to front
and rear axles.
N (Neutral)± No power to either
axle.
4L (4WD Low)± Power to front
and rear axles at reduced speed.
Shifting from 2H (2WD High) to
4H (4WD High)
Move the transfer case lever to 4H
(4WD High) at a stop or any
forward speed up to 88 km/h (55
mph).
²At temperatures below
0ÉC(32ÉF), shifts from 2H (2WD
High) to 4H (4WD High) should
not be performed above 72 km/h
(45 mph).
²Do not shift into 4H (4WD High)
with the rear wheels slipping.
2H
4H
4L N
2H
4H
4L N
f12_shifting_2h_4h
f12_shifting_4h_2h
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Shifting from 4H (4WD High) to
2H (2WD High)
Move the transfer case lever to 2H
(2WD High) at a stop or any
forward speed up to 88 km/h (55
mph).
Shifting from 4H (4WD High) to
4L (4WD Low)
1. Depress the brake.
2. Place the gearshift lever in N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or depress the clutch (manual
transmission).
3. Pull the transfer case shift lever
through N (Neutral) directly to 4H
(4WD High) or 4L (4WD Low).
Shifting from N (Neutral) to 4H
(4WD High) or 4L (4WD Low)
With the transfer case in N
(Neutral) the vehicle is free to
move with either the automatic
transmission in P (Park) or with
the manual transmission in any
gear.
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the brake.
2H
4H
4L N
2H
4H
4L N
f12_shifting_4h_4l
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3. Place the gearshift in N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or depress the clutch (manual
transmission).
4. Place the transfer case lever in
the desired gear.
Using the N (Neutral) position
This position should only be used
when towing the vehicle. Refer to
Wrecker towingin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not leave the vehicle
unattended with the
transfer case in the N (Neutral)
position. Always set the parking
brake fully and turn off the
ignition when leaving the vehicle.
2H
4H
4L N
f12_neutral_tcase
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Using the electronic shift 4WD
system (if equipped)
Positions of the electronic shift
system
2H (2WD High)± Power to rear
axle only.
4H (4WD High)± Power
delivered to front and rear axles
for increased traction.
4L (4WD Low)± Power to front
and rear axles at low speeds.
Shifting from 2H (2WD High) to
4H (4WD High)
Move the 4WD control to 4H at a
stop or up to 88 km/h (55 mph).
At temperatures below 0ÉC (32ÉF),
shifts from 2H to 4H should not be
performed above 72 km/h (45
mph).
²Do not shift into 4H with the
rear wheels slipping.
2H4H
4L
2H4H
4L
f12_ct_2h_4h
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Shifting from 4H (4WD high) to
2H (2WD high)
Move the 4WD control to 2H at
any forward speed.
Shifting between 4H (4WD high)
and 4L (4WD low)
1. Bring the vehicle to a stop.
2. Depress the brake.
3. Place the gearshift in N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or depress the clutch (manual
transmission).
4. Move the 4WD control to the 4H
or 4L position.
Driving off-road with 4WD
Your vehicle is specially equipped
for driving on sand, snow, mud and
rough terrain and has operating
characteristics that are somewhat
different from conventional
vehicles, both on and off the road.
The following information will help
you learn to properly use 4WD.
2H4H
4L
2H4H
4L
f12_ct_4h_4l
f12_driving_offroad
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When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the
steering wheel from the outside.
Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain
or examine maps of the area
before driving. Map out your route
before driving in the area. For
more information on driving
off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº
supplement in your owner's
portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Allow the transmission to
engage, then press lightly on the
accelerator. DO NOT rock the
vehicle for more than a few
minutes. The transmission and
tires may be damaged or the
engine can overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 35 mph (55 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
f12_driving_sand
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112

solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Once through water, always try the
brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes.
Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying
light pressure on the brake pedal.
After driving through mud, clean
off residue stuck to rotating
driveshafts and tires. Excess mud
stuck on tires and rotating
driveshafts causes an imbalance
f12_driving_mud_water
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