1997 FORD F150 engine

Positions of the ignition
1 (Accessory)- allows electrical
accessories such as the audio
system and wiper/washer to
operate when the engine is not
running.
2 (Lock)- locks the steering
wheel and automatic gearshift
lever (if equipped).
35
2
4
1
f12_ignition_positions
Controls and features
32

3 (Off)- shuts off the engine and
all accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
4 (On)- tests the warning lights.
Key remains here when engine is
running.
5 (Start)- cranks the engine. Key
returns to 4(On) when released.
Speed control (if equipped)
To turn speed control on
²Press ON
To turn speed control off
²Press OFF or
²Turn off the vehicle ignition.
Once speed control is switched off,
the previously programmed set
speed will be erased.
To set a speed
Press SET ACCEL. For speed
control to operate, the speed
control must be ON and the
vehicle speed must be greater than
48 km/h (30 mph).
ON
OFF
RES
SET
ACCEL
COAST
f12_speed_cont
com_speed_on.01 com_speed_off.01
com_set_speed.01
Controls and features
33

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

Illuminated entry
The interior lamps illuminate
when:
²either front door handle is lifted
or
²the remote entry system is used
to unlock the door or sound the
personal alarm. SeeRemote
entry systemfor more
information.
The system automatically turns off
after 25 seconds or when the
ignition is turned to the Start or
Accessory positions.
The inside lights will not turn off
if:
²they have been turned on with
the dimmer control or
²any door is open.
Battery saver
Battery saver is a feature that
automatically shuts off power to
these lights after 40 minutes:
²glove box lamp
²engine compartment lamp
²overhead lamps.
Battery saver prevents the battery
from being drained if these lights
are left on or if a door is not
completely closed. Battery power
is restored if the remote entry
transmitter is used, any door is
opened or the ignition key is
turned to On.
LOCKUN
LOCK
PANIC
f12_battery_saver
Controls and features
41

STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the
engine's idle revolutions per
minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to
warm the engine. If the engine idle
speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle
to idle for more than ten minutes.
Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other
damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle
in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start
the engine. SeeGuarding
against exhaust fumesin this
chapter for more instructions.
com_important_precautions.05
Starting
83

If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
Preparing to start the vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the
spark ignition system. This system
meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment
standard requirements regulating
the impulse electrical field strength
of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected
engine, avoid pressing the
accelerator before or during
starting. Only use the accelerator
when you have difficulty starting
the engine. For more information
on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the vehiclein this
chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants
have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts
and their proper usage, refer to
com_preparing_start.01
Starting
84

3. Turn the key to the ON position
(without turning the key to
START).
Make sure the following lights
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to
illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is
fastened, the
light does not
illuminate.
!MPH 1050
3070
4080
120
140
18 0
40
20
0
10090 60
8060100
20 km/h
0010
000005CH
EF
DOOR
AJARLOW
FUEL
MPH
CHECK
ENGINEABS
L H18
8
BRAKE
!
LOW
FUEL
ABS
BRAKE
3
MPH 1050
3070
4080
120
140
18 0
40
20
0
10090 60
8060100
20 km/h
0010
0000052
4
5
6 01LH
CH
EF
818RPMx1000CHECK
ENGINE
Starting
87

STARTING PROCEDURE
Starting the engine
1. Turn the key to 5 (Start)
without pressing the accelerator.
The key will return to 4 (On).
2. If the engine does not start
within five seconds, wait ten
seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in
two attempts OR the temperature
is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
accelerator and start the engine
while holding the accelerator
down. Release accelerator when
engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds,
apply the brake and release the
parking brake.
Using the engine block heater
(if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the
engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine
faster and allows the
heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly
recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach
Ð23ÉC (±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in
at least three hours before starting
3
2
1
5
4
com_starting_vehicle.01
com_engine_heater.01
Starting
88