1997 FORD F150 engine overheat

Tachometer (if equipped)
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area. If
it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Switch off
the ignition and let it cool. Refer to
Checking and adding engine
coolantorWhat you should know
about fail safe coolingin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Fuel gauge
Indicates the fuel level.
0RPMx1000
3
2
4
5
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Instrumentation
15

When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the
steering wheel from the outside.
Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain
or examine maps of the area
before driving. Map out your route
before driving in the area. For
more information on driving
off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº
supplement in your owner's
portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Allow the transmission to
engage, then press lightly on the
accelerator. DO NOT rock the
vehicle for more than a few
minutes. The transmission and
tires may be damaged or the
engine can overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 35 mph (55 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
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Driving
112

If you are driving more then 24 km
(15 miles) at temperatures above
freezing, angle the plow blade
either full left or full right to
provide maximum airflow to the
radiator.
If you are driving less than 24 km
(15 miles) at speeds up to 64 km/h
(40 mph) in cold weather, you will
not need to worry about blade
position to provide maximum
airflow.
Transmission operation while
plowing
²Shift transfer case to 4L (4WD
Low) when plowing in small
areas at speeds below 8 km/h (5
mph).
²Shift transfer case to 4H (4WD
High) when plowing larger areas
or light snow at higher speeds.
Do not exceed 24 km/h (15
mph).
²Do not shift the transmission
from a forward gear to R
(Reverse) until the engine is at
idle and the wheels are stopped.
²If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Do not rock the vehicle
for more than a few minutes.
The transmission and tires may
be damaged or the engine can
overheat.
Driving
133

cooling mode. If the engine coolant
supply is depleted, this feature
allows the driver to drive the
vehicle (with limited power) for a
short distance in order to get the
vehicle to a service facility. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
The actual distance your vehicle
can be driven depends on vehicle
load, road conditions and outside
temperature.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The
CHECK
ENGINElight will illuminate,
indicating that vehicle service is
required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
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Maintenance and care
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