1997 FORD F150 ESP

preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of used
automotive batteries in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community's standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
CHANGING THE AIR FILTER
1. Loosen the clamp that secures
the air cleaner in place.
2. Separate the two halves of the
air cleaner.
3. Remove the air filter element
from the open end of the engine
air cleaner and replace it with a
new element. Be careful not to
crimp the filter edges between
halves. This could cause filter
damage if not properly seated.
4. Replace the two halves of the
air cleaner and secure the clamp.
For information on replacement air
filter elements, refer to the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
REPLACING THE WIPER
BLADES
If the windshield wiper blades do
not work properly after cleaning,
replacement of the blade element
may be necessary.
To replace the windshield wiper
blades:
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f12_changing_wiper_blades
Maintenance and care
181

controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Servicing the tires
Checking the tire pressure
Check the tire pressure at least
once a month or after rotating
tires and inflate tires as necessary.
Tire pressure is most accurate
when tires are cold (after vehicle
has been parked for at least one
f12_servicing_tires
Maintenance and care
184

into the rear of the plastic base
until it ªsnaps.º
9. Align top and bottom ribs of
parking lamp assembly with
corresponding slots on front of
vehicle.
10. Push gently until parking lamp
assembly seats (you will hear a
snap).
11. Replace screw removed in step
1.
Replacing foglamp bulbs
1. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the back of the
foglamp assembly.
2. Twist, then pull the bulb from
the foglamp assembly.
3. Install the new bulb.
4. Connect the electrical connector
to the back of the foglamp
assembly.
f12_foglamps
f12_tail_lamps
Maintenance and care
203

Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories,
such as antennas, before entering
a car wash.
²After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months, depending
on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes. Remove
any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to
remove. Use tar remover to
remove any tar spots.
com_waxing_vehicle.01
com_repairing_chips
Maintenance and care
207

FluidFord part name
or equivalentFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid and
clutch fluidHigh
Performance
DOT 3 brake
fluidC6AZ-19542-AB ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Engine coolantPremium engine
coolantE2FZ-19549-AA
or BESE-M97B44-A
Engine oilSuper Premium
Motorcraft Motor
Oil 5W30XO-5W30-BSP
or QSPWSS-M2C153-F
Grease; body
hinges, latches
and seat tracks.Multi-Purpose
GreaseD0AZ-19584-AA
or
D7AZ-19584-AAESB-M1C93-A
or
ESB-M1C106-B
Grease;
transmission
/steering/parking
brake linkages
and pivots.
Brake and
clutch pedal
shaft.Premium
Long-Life
GreaseXG-1-C ESA-M1C75-B
Parking brake
cableSpeedometer
cable lubricantE6TZ-19581-A ESF-M1C60-A
Power steering
fluid, transfer
case fluid and
transmission
fluid (manual
and automatic)Motorcraft
MERCONT
Multi-purpose
AT FXT-2-BDX or
QDXMERCONT
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
windshield
washer
concentrateC9AZ-19550-AC
or BCESR-M17P5-A
Capacities and specifications
216