1997 FORD F150 cooling

Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm
engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's cooling system can hold,
refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Have your dealer check the engine
cooling system for leaks if you
have to add more than a liter
(quart) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold
climates [less than 36ÉC (34ÉF)], it
may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.
Refer to the chart on the coolant
container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is
such that the coolant will not
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f12_winter_climate
Maintenance and care
169

freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter
months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%.
Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
Checking the cooling system
hoses
Inspect all engine and heater
system hoses and hose connections
for:
²deterioration
²leaks
²loose hose clamps
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with 4.6L or
5.4L engines have a fail-safe
com_checking_hoses.01
f12_wysk_failsafe_cooling
Maintenance and care
170

cooling mode. If the engine coolant
supply is depleted, this feature
allows the driver to drive the
vehicle (with limited power) for a
short distance in order to get the
vehicle to a service facility. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
The actual distance your vehicle
can be driven depends on vehicle
load, road conditions and outside
temperature.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The
CHECK
ENGINElight will illuminate,
indicating that vehicle service is
required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
CHCH
Maintenance and care
171

FluidFord part
nameVehicle type Capacity
Axle; rearFord 26.03
cm (10.25 in)
Conventional
and Traction
Lok (2)F-250 3.3L (7.0 pts.)
Engine
coolantPremium
Cooling
System Fluid4.2L w/o A/C
4.2L with A/C
4.6L w/o A/C
4.6L with A/C
5.4L w/o A/C
5.4L with A/C14.9L (15.7 qts.)
16.4L (17.3 qts.)
16.9L (17.9 qts.)
18.4L (19.4 qts.)
16.9L (17.9 qts.)
18.3L (19.4 qts.)
Engine oil
1
Super
Premium
Motorcraft
Motor Oil
5W-304.2L
4.6L
5.4L5.7L (6.0 qts.)
5.7L (6.0 qts)
5.7L (6.0 qts.)
FuelUnleaded 87
octane4x2 Reg. Cab
4x2 SuperCab
4x4 Reg. Cab
4x4 SuperCab
Long Wheelbase94.6L (25.0 gal)
94.6L (25.0 gal)
92.7L (24.5 gal)
94.6L (25.0 gal)
113.6L (30.0 gal)
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONT
Multi-purpose
AT FAll 2.3L (2.4 pts.)
Transfer
case
fluid
3(if
equipped)Motorcraft
MERCONT
Multi-purpose
AT F4-wheel drive
transfer case1.9L (2.0 qts.)
Transmission
fluid;
automaticMotorcraft
MERCONT
Multi-purpose
AT F4R70W
E4OD (4x2)
E4OD (4x4)13.1L (13.9 qts.)
15.04L (15.9 qts.)
15.51L (16.4 qts.)
Capacities and specifications
214