1997 FORD F250 maintenance

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[PI02300( ALL)04/01]
Table of ContentsIntroduction ...................................................... 1
Instrumentation .............................................. 11
Audio ................................................................ 27
Controls and Features .................................. 57
Seating and Safety Restraints .................... 95
Starting ........................................................... 137
Driving ........................................................... 145
Roadside Emergencies ................................ 223
Maintenance and Care ............................... 257
Capacities and Specifications ................... 317
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 333
Customer Assistance ................................... 335
Accessories .................................................... 347
Quick Index.................................................... 359
Index ............................................................... 367
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[II01600(FM)01/96]
Finding Information in This Guide
[II01700(FM)01/96]
After you have read this guide once, you will
probably return to it when you have a specific
question or need additional information. To help
you find specific information quickly, you can
use the table of contents or the index.
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[II01800(F )03/96]
TheQuick Indexat the end of the book
provides a page number following each item
which indicates where detailed information can
be found.
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[II02000(FM)01/96]
This guide has atable of contentsat the
beginning of the book to show chapter titles.
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[II02100(FM)01/96]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book
and search in the alphabetical listing for the
word that best describes the information you
need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We
have designed the Index so that you can find
information under a technical term.
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[II02200(FM)01/96]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[II02300(FM)01/96]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your
dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of
Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box
1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.
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[II02400(FM)01/96]
Your Maintenance Schedule
Booklet
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[II02500(FM)03/96]
TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the
services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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About the Warranties
[II02700(F )04/96]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended
Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions
Warranties.
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[II03100(FM)01/96]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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[II03250(FM)03/96]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
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[II04000(F )03/96]
Ford Extended Service Plan
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[II04010(F )05/96]
More Protection for Your Vehicle
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[II04020(F )05/96]
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended
Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only
extended service program with the Ford name
on it and the only service contract backed by
Ford Motor Company.
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[II04030(F )05/96]
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed
and administered by Ford. It provides:
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[II04040(F )05/96]
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protection against repair costs after your
Bumper to Bumper Warranty expires;
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and
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other benefits during the warranty period
(such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage
for certain maintenance and wear items).
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NOTICE TO OWNERS OF
DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLES
[II05000(F )04/96]
Read the7.3L Diesel Engine Owner's Guide
Supplementfor information regarding correct
operation and maintenance of your
diesel-powered light truck.
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[II05100(FM)01/96]
Your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
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[II05200(FM)04/96]
You should include your Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) any time you write to Ford
Motor Company about your vehicle.
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[II05300(F )03/96]
The Vehicle Identification Number is attached to
your vehicle in the following places:
[II05350(F )04/96]
Complete Ford Built Vehicles
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[II05400(F )03/96]
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on the metal tag attached to the top of the
instrument panel on the driver's side Ð you
can see the tag by looking through the
windshield from outside your vehicle.
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[II05450(F )03/96]
one inch art:0010558-A
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN/Serial Number)
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[II05500(F )03/96]
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on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
Ðthis label is attached to the left front door
lock facing or the door latch post pillar. It is
required by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration and is made of special
material. If someone tampers with it, it will
be destroyed and/or a destruction pattern
will appear.
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[SS36600(F )03/96]
Safety Belt Maintenance
[SS36700(F )03/96]
Check your safety belt system periodically to
make sure that it works properly and isn't
damaged. If the webbing shows any wear, nicks
or cuts, have it examined by a qualified
technician to determine if replacement is
necessary. Always have your safety belt system
checked after a collision by a qualified
technician.
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[SS36800(F )03/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies
(slide bar) (if so equipped), child safety seat
tether bracket assemblies (if so equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after
any collision. Ford recommends that all safety
belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a
collision be replaced. However, if the collision
was minor and a qualified technician finds that
the belts do not show damage and continue to
operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation
is noted.
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172 [GF18000(F )04/96]NOTE: Dash mounted four wheel drive
indicator lights are off when your
vehicle is in neutral.
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[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]
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Do not use 4WD LOW on dry, hard-surfaced
roads.
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[GF19500(F )01/96]
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Special maintenance procedures are necessary
after operating with drive components in
water.
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[GF19550(F )01/96]
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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.
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213 [GF22295(FM)05/96]
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter
critical vehicle components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions, and reliability.
[GF22300(FM)01/96]
Servicing your vehicle if you tow
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[GF22310(FM)05/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule
booklet for additional information.
[GF22320(FM)01/96]
Trailer towing tips
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[GF22330(FM)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning,
stopping and backing in an area away from
heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of the
vehicle/trailer combination.
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[GF22340(FM)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with
someone outside at the rear of your trailer to
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the
steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight
movement of the steering wheel results in a
much larger movement of the rear of the trailer.
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[GF22350(FM)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached. Trailer brakes should be applied first,
whether manually or automatically controlled,
when approaching a stop.
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[GF22360(FM)01/96]
For a good handling truck-trailer combination,
the trailer tongue load should be approximately
10-15% of the loaded trailer weight.
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[GF22370(FM)01/96]
Make a thorough check of your equipment
before starting out on the road. After you have
traveled about 50 miles (80 km) stop in a
protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel
lug nuts for tightness.
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216 [GF22710(F )04/96]q
If necessary, add weight to the rear of the
vehicle or bed to obtain the above and to
comply with U.S. Federal Hydraulic Brake
Requirements, when aftermarket equipment is
added.
[GF22720(F )04/96]
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The Front Axle Accessory Reserve Capacity
and the Total Accessory Reserve Capacity
listed on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label will help you to determine if the
addition of a snowplow will overload the
vehicle. The total of the weights of all
permanently installed accessories including
the snowplow mount, but not the snowplow
or any other easily removable accessories
must not exceed the Total Accessory Reserve
Capacity. Additionally, the portion of these
weights distributed to the front axles must
not exceed the Front Axle Accessory Reserve
Capacity.
[GF22730(F )04/96]
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The weight of the snowplow and related
equipment should be properly matched to the
load capacity of your vehicle. The weight of
the installed equipment must not load the
vehicle beyond the GAWR and GVWR listed
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
[GF22750(F )04/96]
Equip your vehicle with lights that conform to
Federal and local regulations for snowplowing.
See your dealer for the correct type of wiring.
[GF22760(F )04/96]
Do not plow snow until your vehicle has been
driven 500 miles (800 km). Maintain the vehicle
and snowplow equipment in accordance with
their respective manufacturer's recommendations.
Refer to the notes under Scheduled Maintenance
Services when plowing snow for extended
periods.
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