1997 FORD F150 open hood

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.
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156

Opening the hood
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the
instrument panel.
2. While applying downward
pressure on the hood, push the
hood latch handle located just left
of the center of the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
After closing the hood, try to lift it
to be sure that it is closed
securely.
Lubricate the hood latch every six
months to ensure proper
operation.
HOOD
f12_4.2L_engine_components
Maintenance and care
157

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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Maintenance and care
161

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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Maintenance and care
199

Replacing dome lamp bulb (if
equipped)
1. Carefully pull the dome lamp
lens from the lamp assembly.
2. Remove the dome lamp bulb
and replace it with a new bulb.
3. Carefully snap the dome lamp
lens into the dome lamp assembly.
Replacing dome/map lamp bulb
(if equipped)
1. Carefully pull the dome/map
lamp lens from the lamp assembly.
2. Remove the dome/map lamp
bulb and replace it with a new
bulb.
3. Carefully snap the dome lamp
lens into the dome/map lamp
assembly.
Replacing engine compartment
lamp bulb (if equipped)
1. Open the hood.
2. Carefully pull the engine
compartment lamp bulb from the
lamp assembly and replace with a
new bulb.
f12_dome_map_lamp
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Maintenance and care
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