1997 FORD F150 service

your dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting,
rough idle or hesitation problems
try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
issued a gasoline specification to
provide information on high quality
fuels that optimize the
performance of your vehicle. We
recommend the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification
if they are available.
It should not be necessary to add
any aftermarket products to your
fuel tank if you continue to use a
high-quality fuel.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines
to improve air quality, including
reformulated gasolines, that
contain oxygenates such as a
maximum of 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. There should be no more
than 5% methanol with cosolvents
and additives to protect the fuel
system.
Calculating fuel economy
To accurately calculate your
vehicle's fuel economy:
1. Fill the tank completely and
record the initial odometer
reading.
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192

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT THE EMISSION
CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a
catalytic convertor which enables
your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission
requirements. For more
information on your vehicle's
emission control system, see the
Vehicle Emission Control
Information decal located on the
left side of the engine
compartment.
Follow these guidelines to ensure
proper emission system operation:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition
while the vehicle is in motion.
²Have regular maintenance
checks performed according to
the intervals in the ªService
Guide.º
When servicing your vehicle, never
use a metal exhaust collector. A
metal collector may melt or deform
plastic parts.
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194

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

Important emission control
information
By law, anyone who manufacturers,
repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles or supervises a
fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to the vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the
temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
Preparing your vehicle for
inspection/maintenance testing
In some localities it may become a
legal requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance test of the
on-board diagnostic (OBDII)
system. If the vehicle's powertrain
system or battery has just been
serviced, the OBD II system is
reset to a ªnot ready for I/M
testing condition.º To ready the
OBD II system for I/M testing, the
law specifies that additional mixed
city and highway driving is
necessary to complete the check of
the OBD II system.
The driving modes required to
reach the ready condition consist
of a minimum of 30 minutes of city
and highway driving as described
below:
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