1997 FORD F150 4WD

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
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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
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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
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112

When descending a steep hill,
avoid sudden braking. Rapid
pumping of the brake pedal will
help slow the vehicle and still
maintain steering control.
When speed control is on and you
are driving uphill, your vehicle
speed may drop considerably,
especially if you are carrying a
heavy load.
If vehicle speed drops more than
15±25 km/h (8±14 mph), the speed
control will cancel automatically.
Resume speed with accelerator
pedal.
If speed control cancels after
climbing the hill, reset speed by
pressing and holding the SET
ACCEL button (to resume speeds
over 50 km/h (30 mph).
Automatic transmission may shift
frequently while driving up steep
grades. Eliminate frequent shifting
by shifting out of
D(Overdrive)
into D (Drive).
Driving on snow and ice
A 4WD vehicle has advantages
over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice
but can skid like any other vehicle.
Avoid sudden applications of
power and quick changes of
direction on snow and ice. Apply
the accelerator slowly and steadily
when starting from a full stop.
When braking, apply the brakes as
you normally would. In order to
allow the anti-lock brake system
(ABS) to operate properly, keep
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Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.
Servicing when towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
more information.
SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends the following
specifications for low speed,
personal use snow removal:
²F-150 4WD long wheelbase or
F-250 4WD Regular Cab
²4.6L or 5.4L engine
²Super engine cooling
²Heavy duty front suspension
package
²Automatic transmission with
auxiliary automatic transmission
fluid cooling
²All-terrain tires
Do not install a snowplow and
plow with your vehicle until it has
been driven at least 800 km (500
miles).
Installing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before installing a snowplow:
²Front GAWR must not exceed
63% of the GVW. Add ballast
weight to the back of the
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If you are driving more then 24 km
(15 miles) at temperatures above
freezing, angle the plow blade
either full left or full right to
provide maximum airflow to the
radiator.
If you are driving less than 24 km
(15 miles) at speeds up to 64 km/h
(40 mph) in cold weather, you will
not need to worry about blade
position to provide maximum
airflow.
Transmission operation while
plowing
²Shift transfer case to 4L (4WD
Low) when plowing in small
areas at speeds below 8 km/h (5
mph).
²Shift transfer case to 4H (4WD
High) when plowing larger areas
or light snow at higher speeds.
Do not exceed 24 km/h (15
mph).
²Do not shift the transmission
from a forward gear to R
(Reverse) until the engine is at
idle and the wheels are stopped.
²If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Do not rock the vehicle
for more than a few minutes.
The transmission and tires may
be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Driving
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Position Amps Description
9 - Not used
10 - Not used
11 30 Wiper system
12 5 On-board diagnostic (OBD II) data link
connector
13 15 Brake ON/OFF switch, rear anti-lock brake
module and brake pressure switch
14 15 Interior lamps and accessory delay relay
15 5 GEM module/CTM module
16 20 High beam headlamps
17 - Not used
18 5 Instrument illumination
19 10 Air bag diagnostic monitor, instrument cluster
20 5 GEM module/CTM module and powertrain
control module (PCM)
21 15 Starter relay
22 10 Air bag diagnostic monitor and passenger air
bag deactivate switch
23 10 4WD clutch relay, electronic flasher, 4WD/2WD
vacuum solenoids and trailer tow battery charge
relay
24 10 I/P blower relay
25 5 4WABS module and relay
26 10 Right low beam headlamp and DRL module
27 5 Foglamp relay
28 10 Left low beam headlamp
29 5 Autolamp, instrument cluster, transmission
control indicator lamp and switch
30 30 Ignition coils and PCM relay
31 - Not used
Roadside emergencies
138

Fuses
Position Amps Description
7 15 Parking and tail lamps
8 30 Headlamps
9 15 Daytime running lamps and fog lamps
10 25 Auxiliary power point
11 - Not used
12 - Not used
13 - Not used
14 60/20 4WABS/rear anti-lock brake
15 50 Air suspension compressor
16 40 Trailer tow battery charge and stop/turn lamps
17 30 4WD transfer case shift motor and clutch
18 30 Driver power seat
19 20 Fuel pump
20 50 Instrument panel fuse panel ignition switch feed
21 50 Instrument panel fuse panel ignition switch feed
22 50 I/P fuse panel battery feed
23 40 I/P blower
24 30 PCM power
25 30 Power windows
26 - Not used
27 - Not used
28 30 Trailer tow electronic brake
29 - Not used
Diodes
Position Description
1 Rear ABS diode
2 PCM diode
Roadside emergencies
140