1997 FORD F250 light

254
*
[ER22700(FM)02/96]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[ER22800(FM)02/96]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[ER22900(FM)02/96]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
Driveability may be deteriorated slightly until all
drive modes are ªrelearned.ºYou may need to
use a battery charger to fully recharge the
battery.
*
[ER23000(FM)03/96]
If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theMaintenance and Carechapter.
%
*
[ER23100(FM)04/96]
Towing Your Vehicle
[ER23350(F )03/96]
The recommended method to tow your vehicle
is with flatbed or wheel lift equipment.
However, slingbelt towing is acceptable.On
vehicles equipped with an air dam,the towbar
will deform the rubber air dam.
*
[ER23500(FM)01/96]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
*
[ER23550(F )05/96]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an
accident.
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256
*
[ER24100(F )05/96]
NOTE: Confirm by observation that the front
driveshaft is not rotating prior to
towing with the rear wheels off the
ground.
[ER24200(F )04/96]
q
Place transfer case in N (Neutral).
[ER24300(F )04/96]
NOTE: The transfer case neutral setting is
located between 4H and 4L. In order to
place the transfer case in neutral, first
place the lever in the 4H position, then
push down (toward the ground) on the
shift knob and at the same time pull
slightly rearward until the lever is
between the 4H and 4L position. With
the ignition in the on position, both
4x4 and LOW RANGE indicator lights
will be off when the transfer case is in
neutral. These lights will also be off
when the transfer case is in the 2H
position.
[ER24400(F )04/96]
There are no wrecker or recreational vehicle
towing restrictions on method or distance if the
above preparations are made.
[ER24500(F )04/96]
q
Vehicle speed should not exceed 55 mph
(88 km/h). This applies with the front wheels
off the ground, the rear wheels off the
ground, or both front and rear wheels on the
ground.
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257
Maintenance and Care
%*[MC00200(FM)01/96]Service Made Easy
*[MC00300(F )01/96]Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*[MC00400(F )01/96]1. When we can, we design parts that do notneed to be serviced.
*[MC00500(F )01/96]2. We want to make servicing your vehicle aseasy as possible. To help you:
*[MC00600(F )01/96]qWe highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*[MC00700(F )03/96]qWhen possible, we design parts that can be
replaced without tools.
*[MC00800(F )02/96]qWe give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
*[MC00900(FM)01/96]This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*[MC01000(FM)01/96]If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check your Warranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see the Customer Assistance chapter of this
Owner Guide.
*[MC01100(FM)02/96]Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet be performed for
the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance
Checklist , be alert for any unusual noise,
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265 [MC06600(F )04/96]
For vehicles with 7.5L engine
[MC06800(FM)01/96]
Engine oils with anSAE 10W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle which provide the
best engine protection for all climates down to
S5ÊF (S20ÊC). SAE5W-30 engine oils may also
be used down toS15ÊF (S25ÊC).
%*
[MC06900(FM)03/96]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
%*
[MC07000(FM)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[MC07100(FM)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[MC07200(FM)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[MC07300(FM)01/96]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[MC07400(F )01/96]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
*
[MC07600(FM)01/96]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[MC07700(FM)01/96]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
*
[MC07800(FM)01/96]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
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266 [MC07900(FM)05/96]
quarter page art:0021609-AEngine oil dipstick (5.8L engine)
[MC07910(FM)05/96]
quarter page art:0021601-A
Engine oil dipstick (7.5L engine)
*
[MC08000(FM)01/96]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine
damage or high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed from the
engine.
*
[MC08100(FM)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[MC08200(FM)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[MC08300(FM)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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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.
*
[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.
*
[MC09400(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC09500(FM)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[MC09600(FM)01/96]
Brake Fluid
*
[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.
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280
%*
[MC18300(FM)01/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC18350(FM)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at
least twice a year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
*
[MC18400(FM)01/96]
To check the level of your power steering fluid:
*
[MC18450(FM)04/96]
1. Start the engine and let it run until the
power steering fluid reaches normal
operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when
the engine coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster is near the center of the
NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[MC18500(FM)01/96]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[MC18550(F )01/96]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[MC18650(FM)01/96]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[MC18700(FM)01/96]
one third page art:0021016-B
Power steering dipstick
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295
*
[MC31200(FM)01/96]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an
aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer
warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
*
[MC31300(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the cap.
*
[MC31400(F )01/96]
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal
condition. It may be caused by:
*
[MC31500(F )01/96]
q
Too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions.
The service stations sometimes sell winter
grade fuel in the summer.
*
[MC31600(F )01/96]
q
Pulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high
altitudes.
*
[MC31700(F )01/96]
q
Extended periods of idling with the engine
RPM increased above the normal idle range.
*
[MC31800(F )01/96]
q
Parking vehicle in full sunlight for extended
periods on extremely hot days.
%*
[MC32000(FM)01/96]
Choosing the Right Fuel
[MC32100(F )04/96]
NOTE: Read the7.3L Diesel Engine Owner
Guide Supplementfor information
regarding correct fuel requirements for
your diesel-powered vehicle.
*
[MC32200(FM)03/96]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. Using leaded fuel
is prohibited by federal law and could damage
your vehicle. The damage may not be covered
by your warranty.
*
[MC32250(FM)04/96]
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel
containing manganese-based additives such as
MMT. Additionally, vehicles certified to
California emission standards (indicated on the
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com