1997 FORD F250 oil

267 %
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[MC08400(FM)01/96]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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[MC08500(FM)01/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
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[MC08600(F )01/96]
one third page art:0060618-C
Oil change intervals
[MC08800(FM)04/96]
NOTE: Idling the engine for extended periods
will accumulate more hours of use on
your vehicles than is actually indicated
by the mileage odometer.
Consequently, the odometer reading
can be often misleading when
determining the right time to change
your engine oil and filter.
[MC08900(F )04/96]
If you are using your Ford vehicle in a manner
which allows it to remain stationary while the
engine is running for long periods (door to
door delivery, taxi, police, power/utility
company trucks, or similar duty), then Ford
recommends you increase the frequency of oil
and filter changes to an interval equivalent to
200 ENGINE HOURS of use. Since most
vehicles are not equipped with hourmeters, it
may be necessary for you to approximate your
idle time and plan oil/filter changes
accordingly.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

268 [MC09000(F )04/96]If the above conditions do not apply, change
the engine oil and oil filter every 6 months or
5,000 miles (8,000 km), whichever comes first.
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[MC09100(FM)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
[MC09200(F )04/96]
NOTE: Refer to thePower Stroke Diesel Engine
Owner's Guide Supplementfor oil
viscosity, filter application and oil and
filter change intervals.
%*
[MC09300(FM)04/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[MC09400(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
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[MC09500(FM)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
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[MC09600(FM)01/96]
Brake Fluid
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[MC09625(FM)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
*
[MC09650(FM)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
*
[MC09675(FM)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic brake fluid reservoir on the master
cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

287 %
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[MC23800(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
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[MC23850(FM)02/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
%*
[MC23900(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends
when lifting a battery could cause acid to
spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or
with your hands on the opposite corners.
%
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[MC24900(FM)01/96]
Tires
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[MC25400(FM)03/96]
Checking Tire Pressure
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[MC25410(FM)02/96]
q
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
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[MC25420(FM)02/96]
q
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold,
after the vehicle has been parked for at least
one hour or has been driven less than 3 miles
(5 km).
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[MC25430(FM)03/96]
q
Adjust tire pressure to recommended
specifications found on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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[MC25500(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, possibly
resulting in loss of vehicle control.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

303
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[MC39175(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.
*
[MC39200(F )01/96]
RWARNING
On vehicles without original equipment
floor covering or insulation, do not let
passengers ride in your truck in a manner
that allows contact between skin and the
metal floor.
*
[MC39225(FM)01/96]
If other than Ford or Motorcraft or Ford
authorized remanufactured parts are used for
maintenance, replacement, or for the service of
components affecting emissions control, the
owner should be assured that such parts are
warranted by their manufacturer to be
equivalent to genuine Ford Motor Company
parts in performance and durability. Please
consult your warranty information booklet for
complete warranty information.
*
[MC39250(F )01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[MC39275(FM)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

308 %
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[MC41850(F )01/96]
Headlamp Bulb
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[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.
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[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.
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[MC42050(F )01/96]
NOTE: If the bulb is accidently touched, it
should be cleaned with rubbing
alcohol before being used.
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[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
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

313 %
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[MC49100(F )01/96]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
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[MC49200(F )01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the
underside, with a mild detergent.
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[MC49300(F )01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC49400(F )01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC49500(F )01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct
sunlight
*
[MC49600(F )01/96]
q
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC49700(F )01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits
and protect the finish.
%*
[MC49800(F )01/96]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
[MC49900(F )04/96]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with the
same detergent you use to wash the vehicle
body, such as Ford Premium Car Wash
Concentrate. You can use Ford Extra Strength
Tar and Road Oil Remover or equivalent to
clean grease, oil, and tar from chrome-plated
parts, including wheelcovers, aluminum wheels,
bumpers, or anodized aluminum parts.
%*
[MC50000(F )01/96]
Cleaning Plastic Parts
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[MC50100(F )01/96]
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are
plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if
necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning.
*
[MC50200(F )01/96]
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents
or petroleum-based cleaners.
%*
[MC50300(F )01/96]
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove
oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil
remover. If rustproofing is not removed from
plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
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315
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[MC51700(F )01/96]
NOTE: Before using any cleaner, test it on a
small, hidden area of fabric. If the
fabric's color or texture is adversely
affected by a particular cleaner, do not
use it.
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[MC51800(F )01/96]
Cleaning the Engine
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[MC51900(F )01/96]
A clean engine is more efficient because a
buildup of grease and dirt acts as an insulator,
keeping the engine warmer than usual.
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[MC52000(F )01/96]
q
Extreme care must be used if a power washer
is used to clean the engine. The high pressure
fluid could penetrate sealed parts and
assemblies causing damage or malfunctions.
*
[MC52100(F )04/96]
q
In order to avoid possible cracking of the
engine block or fuel injection pump, do not
spray a hot engine or injection pump with
cold water.
*
[MC52200(F )04/96]
q
The alternator, distributor and air intake must
be covered. Covering these components will
help prevent water damage.
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[MC52300(F )01/96]
q
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running. Water getting into the engine may
cause internal damage.
%*
[MC52400(F )03/96]
Cleaning the Wheels
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[MC52450(F )03/96]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you
use to wash your vehicle's body. Do not use
acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, abrasives,
fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil
remover to remove grease and tar.
*
[MC52500(F )03/96]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if
the brushes are abrasive.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

316 [MC52510(F )04/96]Cleaning F-350 Aluminum Dual Rear Wheels
[MC52520(F )04/96]
If you have factory-installed Forged Aluminum
Wheels on your F-350, you may use the cleaning
instructions below to help provide optimum
appearance season after season.
[MC52530(F )04/96]
1. Keep your F-350 Forged Aluminum Wheels
looking great with simple care. Wash the
wheels with steam or high pressure water
from a hose, and a mild detergent, such as
Ford's Premium Car Wash Concentrate, or
equivalent. Do not use harsh alkaline
cleaners.
[MC52540(F )04/96]
2. You can brighten the wheels, even after
years of use, with readily-available buffing
compounds, such as Ford Custom Bright
Metal Cleaner or equivalent. Follow the
buffing instructions that come with the
compound.
[MC52550(F )04/96]
3. When tires are removed, the entire wheel
must be cleaned and inspected. Remove any
soil or oxidation products from the tire side
of the rim with a wire brush.
[MC52560(F )04/96]
4. Aluminum alloys resist corrosion. This is
why your Forged F-350 Aluminum Wheels
never need sanding or painting. However,
certain environments can lead to corrosion:
salt, chloride compounds used for snow
removal and highly alkaline materials. Wash
corrosives elements off the wheel before they
have time to react.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com