1997 FORD F150 oil

Oil filters
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced. It is
recommended that you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
Checking engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
Check the engine oil level more
frequently if the vehicle is carrying
a heavy load, towing a trailer,
idling for extended periods (like
police, taxi or shuttle service
vehicles) or driven at high speeds
for extended periods of time.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is warm, turn
the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or
1 (First) (manual transmission).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully remove the
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161

engine oil dipstick (4.2L and
4.6L/5.4L engines shown).
²4.2L engine
²4.6L/5.4L engine
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert
the dipstick fully, then remove it
again. The oil level should be in
the range shown on the dipstick.
6. If the oil level is below the
minimum line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is below
the MIN line, add engine oil as
necessary. If the oil level is above
MAX MIN
MAX MIN
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162

the MAX line, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil.
2. If the oil level is below the MIN
line, then add engine oil.
3. Remove the yellow oil filler cap.
4. Use a funnel to add oil through
the opening.
Make sure you use a certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity.
5. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
that the oil level is not above the
MAX line on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
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163

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.
If you smell exhaust fumes
inside your vehicle, have
your dealer inspect your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
On vehicles without
original equipment floor
covering or insulation, do not let
passengers ride in your truck in
a manner that allows contact
between skin and the metal floor.
If you notice one or more of the
following, the emissions system
may not be working properly. Have
your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.
²Fluid leaks
²The
orCHECK
ENGINElights
illuminate in the instrument
cluster and remain lit
²Strange odors
²Engine runs more than five
seconds after shut-off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires
²Loss of oil pressure.
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195

Do not remove lamp bulbs unless
they will be replaced immediately.
If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp
and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
Handle a halogen
headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach.
Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass.
The oil from your hand could
cause the bulb to break the next
time the headlamps are
operated.
1. Make sure that the headlamp
control is in the position.
2. Open the hood.
3. At the back of the headlamp,
pull clips rearward and up 19 mm
(about 3/4 in.) to release the
headlamp assembly.
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199

Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage
from road debris may be repaired
with touch-up paint, paint repair
foil or aerosol paint spray from the
Ford accessory line. Observe the
application instructions on the
products.
Remove particles such as bird
droppings, tree sap, insect
remains, tar spots, road salt and
industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash the wheels with the same
detergent you use to clean the
body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, fuel or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will
damage the finish of special wheel
surfaces. Use a tar remover to
remove grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when
they are clean because grease and
f12_cleaning_wheels
com_engine_cleaning.01
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208

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
ComponentEngine
4.2L 4.6L 5.4L
Spark
plug-platinum
1AWSF-42EE AWSF-32PP AWSF-22F
Air filter FA-1632 FA-1632 FA-1632
Fuel filter FG-872 FG-872 FG-872
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98 EV-233
BatteryBXT-59
(manual)
BXT-65-750
(automatic)BXT-59
(manual)
BXT-65-750
(automatic)BXT-59
(manual)
BXT-65-750
(automatic)
1Replacement double platinum spark plug9EE9will replace9E9and
9EG9and9P9will replace9P9and9PG9suffixed plugs. Refer to the
Engine data chart for spark plug gap specifications.
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord part
nameVehicle type Capacity
Axle; frontFord 22.35
cm (8.8 in)
Ring Gear4WD 1.65L (3.5 pts.)
Axle; rearFord 22.35
cm (8.8 in)
and 24.76 cm
(9.75 in) Ring
Gear
Conventional
and Traction
-Lok(1)F-150 2.6L (5.5 pts.)
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f12_refill
Capacities and specifications
213

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