1997 FORD F150 Owners Manual

Checking and adding transfer
case fluid
1. Clean the filler plug.
2. Remove the filler plug and
inspect the fluid level.
3. Add only enough fluid through
the filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
Use only fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Refer to the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
BATTERY
If the original equipment
maintenance-free battery needs
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178

replacing, it may be replaced with
a low-maintenance battery. For
information on replacement
batteries, refer toMotorcraft part
numbersin theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
The gases around the
battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin,
eyes, and clothing.
Servicing your battery
A low-maintenance replacement
battery has removable vent caps
for checking the electrolyte level
and adding water. Check the
electrolyte level every 24 months
or 40,000 km (24,000 miles) in
average temperatures below 32ÉC
(90ÉF).
Keep the electrolyte level in each
cell up to the level indicator. Do
not overfill.
If the level gets low, refill the
battery with distilled water. If the
battery needs water quite often,
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179

have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
Your vehicle is equipped with a
battery saver feature designed to
prevent your battery from
accidental wear down due to doors
left ajar. For information on this
system, refer to theControls and
featureschapter.
Relearning idle conditions
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the computer must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To
complete this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P
(Park)(automatic transmission) or
N (Neutral)(manual transmission).
2. Turn off all accessories, and
start the engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
4.The relearning process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to
relearn its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually relearned.
²If the battery has been
disconnected or a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
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180

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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181

1. Pull the arm away from the
windshield and lock it into the
service position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Depress lock tab
and push wiper mounting arm
away from wiper blade assembly.
3. Attach new wiper blade by
pulling wiper mounting arm down
on wiper blade until lock tab is
engaged.
TIRES
Information about tire quality
grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires
that have their Tire Quality Grade
(described below) molded into the
tire's sidewall. These Tire Quality
Grades are determined by
standards that the United States
Department of Transportation has
set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. They do not apply
to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches or
limited production tires as defined
in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of
Transportation-Tire quality
grades:The U.S. Department of
Transportation requires Ford to
give you the following information
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182

about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire grade 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire grade
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured
under test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction
tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing
the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
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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
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184

hour or driven less than 5 km [3
miles]).
The cold pressure amount is listed
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label located on the
inside driver door latch pillar.
Improperly inflated tires
can affect vehicle handling
and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
Rotating the tires
Rotate your tires at regular
intervals to ensure even wear.
Refer to the following diagrams for
rotation cycles. Rotation intervals
are listed in the ªService Guide.º
Your wheels and tires are
match-mounted for improved ride.
Before you begin a tire repair,
mark the wheel and tire to ensure
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185