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![FORD F250 1997 Owners Manual 138
[TO01000(FM)01/96]
Starting your vehicle
%*
[TO01100(FM)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO01200(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas FORD F250 1997 Owners Manual 138
[TO01000(FM)01/96]
Starting your vehicle
%*
[TO01100(FM)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO01200(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas](/manual-img/11/57800/w960_57800-136.png)
138
[TO01000(FM)01/96]
Starting your vehicle
%*
[TO01100(FM)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[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:
*
[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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307
%*
[MC41200(F )03/96]
Lights and Bulb Replacement
*
[MC41250(F )01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
*
[MC41300(F )01/96]
q
headlamps
*
[MC41350(F )01/96]
q
tail lamps
*
[MC41400(F )01/96]
q
brakelamps
*
[MC41450(F )01/96]
q
high-mount brakelamp
*
[MC41500(F )01/96]
q
hazard flasher
*
[MC41550(F )01/96]
q
turn signals
*
[MC41600(F )05/96]
q
license plate lamps
%*
[MC41650(F )01/96]
The alignment of your headlamps should be
checked if:
*
[MC41700(F )01/96]
q
oncoming motorists frequently signal you to
turn off your vehicle's high beams when you
do not have the high beams on
*
[MC41750(F )01/96]
q
the headlamps do not seem to give you
enough light to see clearly at night
*
[MC41800(F )01/96]
q
the headlamp beams are pointed substantially
away from a position slightly down and to
the right
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308 %
*
[MC41850(F )01/96]
Headlamp Bulb
*
[MC41950(F )03/96]
The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable
bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace
the bulb, rather than the whole lamp.
*
[MC42000(F )01/96]
RWARNING
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.
*
[MC42050(F )01/96]
NOTE: If the bulb is accidently touched, it
should be cleaned with rubbing
alcohol before being used.
*
[MC42100(F )01/96]
Do not remove the burned-out bulb unless you
can immediately replace it with a new one. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the headlamp housing
and affect its performance.
[MC42150(F )04/96]
one third page art:0020406-B
Parts of a headlamp
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![FORD F250 1997 Owners Manual 309
*
[MC42200(F )03/96]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC42250(F )01/96]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch on the
instrument panel is in the OFF position.
[MC42300(F )04/96]
2. Lift the hood and b FORD F250 1997 Owners Manual 309
*
[MC42200(F )03/96]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC42250(F )01/96]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch on the
instrument panel is in the OFF position.
[MC42300(F )04/96]
2. Lift the hood and b](/manual-img/11/57800/w960_57800-307.png)
309
*
[MC42200(F )03/96]
Removing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC42250(F )01/96]
1. Make sure that the headlamp switch on the
instrument panel is in the OFF position.
[MC42300(F )04/96]
2. Lift the hood and behind the headlamp
remove the electrical connector by grasping
the wires and pulling rearward.
*
[MC42550(F )01/96]
3. Remove the bulb retaining ring by turning it
1/8 of a turn to free it from the socket. Then
slide the ring off the plastic base. Keep the
ring.You must use it again to hold the new
bulb in place.
*
[MC42650(F )01/96]
4. Carefully remove the bulb assembly from its
socket by gently pulling it rearward without
turning.
*
[MC42750(F )03/96]
Installing the headlamp bulb
*
[MC42800(F )01/96]
1. With the flat side of the bulb's plastic base
facing upward, insert the glass end of the
bulb into the socket. You may need to turn
the bulb left or right to line up the grooves
in the plastic base with the tabs in the
socket. When the grooves are aligned, push
the bulb into the socket until the plastic base
contacts the rear of the socket.
*
[MC42850(F )01/96]
2. Slip the bulb retaining ring over the plastic
base until it contacts the rear of the socket.
Lock the ring into the socket by rotating it
clockwise until you feel a ªstop.º
*
[MC42900(F )01/96]
3. Push the electrical connector into the rear of
the plastic base until it snaps, locking it into
position.
*
[MC43000(F )01/96]
4. Turn the headlamps on and make sure that
they work properly. If the headlamp was
correctly aligned before you changed the
bulb, you should not need to align it again.
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Page 356 of 377

Index 367
Index
A
ABS warning light
(see Anti-lock brake system)....... 16
Accessory position on the ignition . . . 67±68
Accessory power source, power
point outlet.............. 66
Additives, engine oil.......... 264
Air bag supplemental restraint system,
and child safety seats......... 122
Air cleaner filter
location............... 261
specifications............. 317
Alarm, activating remote personal..... 90
Alcohol, in fuel............. 297
Antenna, radio (see Electronic
sound system)............. 27
Antifreeze (see Engine coolant)...... 274
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description.............. 145
see also Brake............ 145
warning light.............. 16
warninig light............. 15
Appeals (see Dispute settlement board) . . 338
Assistance (see Customer assistance) . . . 335
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system)............. 27
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)..... 63
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic overdrive . . 151, 155
fluid, adding............. 284
fluid, checking............ 283
fluid, refill capacities......... 318
fluid, specification.......... 324
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Index 369
Brakes (continued)
fluid, refill capacities.......268, 318
fluid, specifications........269, 324
front disc.............. 145
if brakes do not grip well.....147±148
master cylinder............ 268
new brake linings............ 9
noise................ 145
parking............... 149
power braking............ 145
rear anti-lock............. 146
servicing............... 268
stopping distances........148, 218
when storing your vehicle....... 332
Brake-shift interlock.........140, 154
Break-in period.............. 9
Brights (high beams)........... 20
Bulbs, replacing............. 307
halogen............... 308
headlamps.............. 308
high-mount brakelamp........ 310
C
Canada, customer assistance....... 344
Canada, warranty information....... 4
Capacities for refilling fluids....... 318
Carbon monoxide in exhaust....... 143
Car seats for children
(see Child safety seats)........ 122
Cassette tape player (see Electronic
sound system)........... 42,47
Catalytic converter........... 302
CD player (see Electronic sound system) . . 35
Chains, tires.............. 292
Changing a tire............. 236
Charging system gauge.......... 18
Charging system warning light....... 18
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370 Index
Child safety restraints.......... 120
child safety belts........... 121
child safety seats........... 122
Child safety seats............ 122
and air bags............. 122
attaching with tether straps...... 133
automatic locking mode (retractor) . . . 122
in front seat............. 122
in rear outboard seat......... 122
in rear seat.............. 122
tether anchorage hardware....... 133
Chime
headlamps on.............. 21
key in ignition............. 69
safety belt............... 17
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing........ 235
see also fuses............. 225
Cleaning your vehicle.......... 312
CD player and discs........... 39
chrome and aluminum parts...... 313
engine compartment.......... 315
exterior.............312±313
exterior lamps............ 314
fabric................ 314
headlamps.............. 314
instrument panel........... 313
instrument panel lens......... 314
interior................ 314
interior lamps............. 314
mirrors................. 81
plastic parts............. 313
polishing............... 313
rustproofing............. 313
safety belts.............. 314
tail lamps.............. 314
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Index 377
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating.............. 184
definition............175, 182
driving with a heavy load....... 175
location............... 182
Gearshift
automatic operation.......... 152
column-mounted........... 152
floor-mounted............ 159
gearshift override.........140, 154
locking the gearshift.......... 67
manual operation........... 158
positions.............152, 159
shifting the gears.........152, 159
shift-lock.............140, 154
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) . . . 175
calculating.............. 184
definition............175, 182
driving with a heavy load....... 175
location............... 182
H
Hazard flashers.............. 74
Headlamps
aiming................ 307
checking alignment.......... 307
cleaning............... 314
daytime running lights......... 63
flashing................ 72
high beam............... 72
replacing bulbs..........307±308
turning on and off........... 62
warning chime............. 21
Heavy duty front suspension package . . . 215
High beams
indicator light............. 20
operation............. 62,72
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