1997 FORD F250 Owners Manual

169
case gets stuck in the N (neutral) position or is
difficult to shift into either 4H or 4L, it may be
necessary to let the vehicle roll slightly and/or
turn off the engine (particularly on vehicles
equipped with automatic transmissions).
[GF17050(F )04/96]
To shift into and out of N (neutral)
[GF17100(F )04/96]
To shift into N (neutral), stop the vehicle and
engage the parking brake. Place the automatic
transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the
clutch on manual transmission vehicles. From
either the 4H or 4L position, push the transfer
case shift knob down (toward the ground) and
at the same time move the transfer case shift
lever to the N (neutral) position. The N (neutral)
position should only be used for vehicle towing
or transfer case mounted PTO use (transfer case
PTO opening available on F-350 as an option).
[GF17200(F )04/96]
NOTE: Dash mounted four wheel drive
indicator lights are off when your
vehicle is in neutral.
[GF17250(F )04/96]
To shift from N (Neutral) to either 4H or 4L,
stop the vehicle and engage the parking brake.
Place the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL
or depress the clutch on manual transmission
vehicles. Push the transfer case knob down
(toward the ground) and at the same time move
the transfer case shift lever to the desired
position. If it is difficult to shift into either 4H or
4L, it may be necessary to let the vehicle roll
slightly and/or turn off the engine (particularly
on vehicles equipped with automatic
transmissions).
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

170 % [GF17300(F )04/96]Lever Operated System With Manual
Locking Hubs
*
[GF17350(F )01/96]
To shift from 2H to 4H:
*
[GF17400(F )01/96]
Stop the vehicle and engage the manual locking
hubs by turning both hub lock selector knobs
clockwise to the LOCK position. Move the
transfer case shift lever straight back to the 4H
position. After both hubs have been turned to
the LOCK position, shifts between 2H and 4H
(or 4H to 2H) may take place at any speed.
[GF17450(F )04/96]
one third page art:0020146-C
Locking hub positions
[GF17500(F )04/96]
q
Do not drive the vehicle in 4H or 4L with the
manual locking hubs in the FREE position.
[GF17550(F )04/96]
q
Do not drive the vehicle with the left and
right manual locking hubs set to different
positions.
*
[GF17600(F )01/96]
To shift from 4H to 2H:
*
[GF17650(F )03/96]
Move the transfer case shift lever forward to the
2H position. This can be done at any speed.
However, the front driveline will remain
engaged to the front wheels until the manual
locking hubs are disengaged. To disengage the
manual locking hubs, stop the vehicle and rotate
both hub lock selector knobs counterclockwise to
the FREE position.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

171
*
[GF17700(F )01/96]
Operating in 2H with the hubs in the LOCK
position increases fuel consumption, noise,
vibration, and wear. For prolonged 2H operation
on dry pavement, set the manual locking hubs
to the FREE position.
*
[GF17750(F )01/96]
To shift between 4H and 4L:
[GF17800(F )04/96]
Stop the vehicle and place the automatic
transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the
clutch on manual transmission vehicles. Push the
transfer case shift knob down (toward the
ground) and at the same time pull or push the
lever straight forward or rearward (depending
on the desired position 4H or 4L) in order to
shift the transfer case. This shift should be with
one continuous motion without pausing in the N
(neutral) position. Pausing in the neutral position
can result in gear clash and difficult shifting. If,
while shifting between 4H and 4L, the transfer
case gets stuck in the N (neutral) position or is
difficult to shift into either 4H or 4L, it may be
necessary to let the vehicle roll slightly and/or
turn off the engine (particularly on vehicles
equipped with automatic transmission).
[GF17850(F )04/96]
To shift to N (neutral) from either 4H or 4L
[GF17900(F )04/96]
To shift into N (neutral), stop the vehicle and
engage the parking brake. Place the automatic
transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the
clutch on manual transmission vehicles. From
either the 4H or 4L position, push the transfer
case shift knob down (toward the ground) and
at the same time move the transfer case shift
lever to the N (neutral) position. The N (neutral)
position should only be used for vehicle towing
or transfer case mounted PTO use (transfer case
PTO opening available on F-350 only).
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

172 [GF18000(F )04/96]NOTE: Dash mounted four wheel drive
indicator lights are off when your
vehicle is in neutral.
*
[GF18050(F )01/96]
To shift from N (Neutral) to either 4H or 4L,
stop the vehicle and engage the parking brake.
Place the automatic transmission into N
(Neutral) or depress the clutch on manual
transmission vehicles. Push the transfer case shift
lever to the desired position. If it is difficult to
shift into either 4H or 4L, it may be necessary to
let the vehicle roll slightly and/or turn off the
engine (particularly on vehicles equipped with
automatic transmissions).
% [GF19350(F )04/96]Driving Off Road with 4-Wheel
Drive
[GF19400(F )04/96]
Most vehicles with four-wheel drive are
especially equipped for driving on sand, snow,
mud, or rough terrain and have operating
characteristics that are somewhat different from
conventional vehicles, both off and on the road.
The driving tips below will help you learn to
use four-wheel drive.
[GF19450(F )04/96]
q
Do not use 4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced
roads.
*
[GF19500(F )01/96]
q
Special maintenance procedures are necessary
after operating with drive components in
water.
*
[GF19550(F )01/96]
q
Manual locking hubs must be in LOCK
position before shifting into four-wheel drive.
[GF19600(F )04/96]
When using four-wheel drive, 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 rim from the
outside. Do not grip the spokes.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

173
*
[GF19650(F )01/96]
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from
concealed objects such as rocks and stumps.
Know the terrain or examine maps of the area in
question before driving. Map out your route
beforehand. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all four
tires on the ground, and they must be rolling,
not sliding or spinning.
[GF19700(F )04/96]
Transmission upshift in 4x4 with transfer case in
4L may be quite firm due to large total gear
reduction. This condition is normal.
*
[GF19750(F )01/96]
Sand
*
[GF19800(F )01/96]
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels of the vehicle on the most solid area of
the trail. Do not reduce the tire pressures but
shift to a lower gear and drive steadily through
the terrain. Apply accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
*
[GF19850(F )01/96]
Mud and Water
*
[GF19900(F )01/96]
When driving through water, determine the
depth; avoid water higher than the bottom of
the hubs (if possible) and proceed slowly. If the
ignition system gets wet, the vehicle may stall.
*
[GF19950(F )01/96]
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as
dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly, while applying light
pressure on the brake pedal.
*
[GF20000(F )01/96]
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires. Excess
mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance which could damage drive
components.
*
[GF20050(F )03/96]
NOTE: If the transmission and transfer case is
submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

174 [GF20055(F )05/96]NOTE: Change rear axle lubricant if the axle
has been submerged in water.
[GF20100(F )04/96]
NOTE: Refer to the Diesel Engine Owner's
Guide Supplement for driving through
deep water information.
%
*
[GF20150(F )01/96]
Additional Special Driving
Instructions for 4-Wheel Drive
Vehicle Operators
*
[GF20250(F )01/96]
Driving on Hill or Slope Terrain
[GF20300(F )04/96]
When driving on a hill, avoid driving crosswise
or turning on steep slopes, you could lose
traction and slip sideways. Drive straight up,
straight down or avoid the hill completely.
Know the conditions on the other side of a hill
before driving over the crest.
*
[GF20350(F )01/96]
When climbing a steep hill, start in a lower gear,
rather than finding it necessary to downshift
from a higher gear after the ascent has started.
This reduces strain on the engine and the
possibility of stalling.
*
[GF20400(F )01/96]
When descending a steep hill avoid sudden
braking. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will
help slow the vehicle and still maintain steering
control.
*
[GF20450(F )01/96]
Driving on Snow or Ice
[GF20500(F )04/96]
A four-wheel drive vehicle has advantages over
two-wheel drive vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle. If so equipped,
keep the vehicle in four-wheel drive if icy or
slippery conditions exist.
*
[GF20550(F )01/96]
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick
changes of direction on snow or ice. Apply the
accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

175
*
[GF20600(F )01/96]
All utility-type and Four-Wheel Drive vehicles
have special design and equipment features to
make them capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications. Specific design
characteristics give them higher centers of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars.
*
[GF20650(F )01/96]
RWARNING
Utility and four-wheel drive vehicles are
NOT designed for cornering at speeds as
high as passenger cars any more than
low-slung sports cars are designed to
perform satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers in these vehicles.
%
*
[GF20700(F )01/96]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[GF20710(F )01/96]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
*
[GF20715(F )01/96]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limits than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
*
[GF20720(F )01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com

176 [GF20725(F )04/96]Heavy duty front suspension package
(option)
[GF20730(F )04/96]
This optional front suspension package is
designed to handle the additional loads that will
be imposed on the vehicle by adding aftermarket
equipment, such as a snowplow. Refer to the
Safety Compliance Certification Label for details.
*
[GF20735(F )01/96]
Securing loads in cargo area
[GF20740(F )04/96]
To prevent damage to the pickup box and cab,
secure any movable cargo pieces using ropes or
straps and the tie down holes in the stake
pockets of the steel pickup box or the tie-down
bars in the flareside pickup box.
*
[GF20745(F )01/96]
half page art:0020154-A
Cargo tie down holes
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
ProCarManuals.com