1997 FORD F150 wheel

could get caught in moving
parts. Take precautions with
long hair.
²Do not work on a vehicle with
the engine running in an
enclosed space, unless you are
sure you have enough
ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open
flames and other lit material
away from the battery and all
fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the
engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will
drive properly, as explained in
Batteryin this chapter.
Working with the engine off
²Automatic transmission
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
²Manual transmission
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (First).
2. Turn off the engine and remove
the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission
com_working_off.02
com_working_on.02
Maintenance and care
155

1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
²Manual transmission
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (First).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
f12_opening_hood
Maintenance and care
156

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
f12_servicing_tires
Maintenance and care
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
f12_rotating_tires
Maintenance and care
185

When replacing full size
tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires.
Use only the tire sizes that are
listed on the tire pressure decal.
Make sure that all tires are the
same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only
the tire combinations
recommended on the decal. If
you do not follow these
precautions, your vehicle may
not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all
replacement tires are of
the same size, type, load-carrying
capacity and tread design (e.g.,
ªAll Terrainº, etc.), as originally
offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires
with ªhigh performanceª
tires or larger size tires.
Failure to follow these
precautions may adversely
affect the handling of the vehicle
and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Identifying tire types
Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label to determine
the specific size tire and wheel
Ford Motor Company recommends
for use on this vehicle.
f12_iden_tire_types
f12_snow_tires
Maintenance and care
187

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
Maintenance and care
208

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

VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
STYLESIDE
DimensionBody Style
Regular
Cab 4x2Regular Cab
4x4Super Cab
4x2Super Cab
4x4
A=Overall
height1.84 m (72.7
in) (SWB)
1.83 m (72.4
in) (LWB)1.91 m (75.5
in) (SWB)
1.90 m(75.1
in) (LWB)1.84 m (72.7
in) (SWB)
1.83 m (72.4
in)(LWB)1.91 m (75.5
in) (SWB)
1.90 (75.1
in)(LWB)
B=Track
front/rear1.66 m (65.4
in)/1.66 m
(65.4 in)1.66 m (65.4
in)/1.66 m
(65.4 in)1.66 m (65.4
in)/1.66 m
(65.4 in)1.66 m (65.4
in)/1.66 m
(65.4 in)
C=Overall
width1.99 m
(78.4 in)1.99 m
(78.4 in)1.99 m
(78.4 in)2.01 m
(79.5 in)
D=Wheel
base3.04 m
(119.9
in)(SWB)
3.51 m
(138.5
in)(LWB)3.04 m
(119.9
in)(SWB)
3.51 m
(138.5
in)(LWB)3.51 m
(138.5
in)(SWB)
3.99 m
(157.1 in)
(LWB)3.51 m
(138.5
in)(SWB)
3.99 m
(157.1
in)(LWB)
D
E
f12_styleside
Capacities and specifications
218