1997 FORD F250 Owners Manual

138
[TO01000(FM)01/96]
Starting your vehicle
%*
[TO01100(FM)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
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[TO01200(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO01300(FM)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
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[TO01400(F )01/96]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[TO01600(FM)01/96]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[TO01700(F )01/96]
3.If you have an automatic transmission,
make sure that the gearshift lever is in P
(Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
*
[TO01900(F )01/96]
4.If you have a manual transmission,make
sure that the parking brake is fully set, push
the clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key. (Remember, the starter will operate only
if the clutch pedal is pushed in all the way).
%*
[TO02000(F )01/96]
Testing the Warning Lights
*
[TO02100(F )02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to the
Instrumentationchapter.
[TO02200(F )04/96]
If your Brake Warning Light does light up with
the key in the ON position, you may not have
fully released the parking brake or the brake
fluid may be low.
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139 %
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[TO02300(FM)01/96]
Starting Your Engine
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[TO02400(FM)01/96]
To start your engine:
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[TO02500(FM)01/96]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
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[TO02600(FM)01/96]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[TO02700(FM)01/96]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
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[TO02800(FM)01/96]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[TO02900(FM)01/96]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
%*
[TO03000(FM)01/96]
For a cold engine:
*
[TO03100(FM)01/96]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
*
[TO03200(FM)01/96]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
*
[TO03300(FM)01/96]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfifteen (15) secondsat a time.
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140 %
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[TO03400(FM)01/96]
For a warm engine:
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[TO03500(FM)01/96]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
*
[TO03600(FM)01/96]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
*
[TO03700(FM)01/96]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
%*
[TO03800(FM)05/96]
NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with a
brake-shift interlock feature. This
feature prevents you from shifting
from P (Park) unless you have the
brake pedal depressed. (The ignition
must be in the ON position.) If you
cannot shift from P (Park) with the
brake pedal depressed:
*
[TO03900(FM)05/96]
1. Apply the parking brake.
*
[TO04000(FM)05/96]
2. Remove the key.
*
[TO04100(F )05/96]
3. Insert the key and rotate it one position
clockwise (ignition in the OFF position).
*
[TO04200(FM)05/96]
4. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral). (If the vehicle is shifted back to P
[Park], you must repeat the previous steps.)
*
[TO04300(FM)05/96]
5. Start the vehicle.
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141
*
[TO04400(FM)05/96]
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the
alternate procedure described above, it is
possible that a fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be functional. Please
refer to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin
this Owner Guide for instructions on checking
and replacing fuses.
*
[TO04500(FM)05/96]
RWARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL
YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS
ARE WORKING.
[TO04600(FM)04/96]
For cold or warm engines:
*
[TO04700(FM)01/96]
If the engine still does not start after two
attempts:
*
[TO04800(FM)01/96]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[TO04900(FM)01/96]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[TO05000(FM)01/96]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[TO05100(FM)01/96]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[TO05200(FM)03/96]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up.
*
[TO05300(FM)05/96]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been activated. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
*
[TO05500(F )01/96]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs higher than when it's
warmed up. These faster engine speeds will
make your vehicle move slightly faster than its
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142normal idle speed. It should, however, slow
down after a short time. If it does not, have the
idle speed checked.
*
[TO05600(FM)01/96]
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle
for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked.
*
[TO05700(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the
risk of fire or other damage.
*
[TO05800(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
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.
*
[TO05900(F )01/96]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater (if
your vehicle has this option).
%*
[TO06000(F )01/96]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
*
[TO06100(F )01/96]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
*
[TO06200(F )01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use
your heater with ungrounded electrical
systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
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143
*
[TO06300(F )01/96]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can plug it in at
night to start your vehicle the following
morning.
*
[TO06400(F )01/96]
NOTE: Be sure to disconnect the engine block
heater before driving your vehicle.
*
[TO06500(FM)12/95]
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
*
[TO06600(FM)01/96]
Carbon monoxide, although colorless and
odorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Take
precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
*
[TO06700(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO06800(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you
smell exhaust fumes.
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144
*
[TO07100(FM)01/96]
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
*
[TO07200(FM)01/96]
q
your vehicle is raised for service
*
[TO07300(FM)01/96]
q
the sound of the exhaust system changes
*
[TO07400(FM)01/96]
q
your vehicle has been damaged in a collision
*
[TO07500(FM)01/96]
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.
*
[TO07600(FM)01/96]
If the engine is idling while you are stopped in
an open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust
the heating or air conditioning system to bring
in outside air.
*
[TO07800(F )01/96]
q
HEATING Ð Set fan speed at MEDIUM or
HIGH, the function selector knob on VENT,
FLOOR, MIX, or the DEFROST symbol and
the temperature control knob on any desired
position.
[TO08100(F )04/96]
q
AIR CONDITIONING Ð Set the fan speed at
MEDIUM or HIGH, the function selector
knob on NORM or VENT and the
temperature control knob on any desired
position.
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Update:Tue May 28 08:44:45 1996
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223
Roadside Emergencies
%*
[ER00205(FM)01/96]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
%*
[ER00210(FM)01/96]
Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
*
[ER00220(FM)03/96]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start even after a small collision, the fuel
pump shut-off switch may have been activated.
The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop
the fuel pump when your vehicle has been
involved in a substantial jolt.
*
[ER00225(FM)03/96]
Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle.
[ER00230(F )04/96]
one third page art:0020005-C
Fuel pump shut-off switch location
File:10lterf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:49:52 1996
ProCarManuals.com