1997 FORD F250 oil

9
%*
[II06000(FM)01/96]
Breaking Your Vehicle In
*
[II06100(FM)01/96]
Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or
break-in period during the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in
period, you need to pay careful attention to how
you drive your vehicle.
%*
[II06300(FM)01/96]
q
Avoid sudden stops.Because your vehicle
has new brake linings, you should take these
steps:
*
[II06400(FM)01/96]
Ð Watch traffic carefully so that you can
anticipate when to stop.
*
[II06500(FM)01/96]
Ð Begin braking well in advance.
*
[II06600(FM)01/96]
Ð Apply the brakes gradually.
*
[II06700(FM)01/96]
The break-in period for new brake linings
lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or
1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.
*
[II06750(FM)03/96]
q
Wheel lug nuts must be retightened to proper
torque specifications at 500 miles/800 km of
new vehicle operation. Proper torque
specifications are provided in this guide. Also
retighten to proper torque specifications at
500 miles/800 km after any wheel change or
any other time the wheel lug nuts have been
loosened.
%*
[II06800(F )03/96]
q
Use only the type of engine oil that Ford
recommends.SeeEngine oil recommendations
in the Index. Do not use special ªbreak-inº
oils.
File:02ltiif.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:39:40 1996
ProCarManuals.com

19
*
[IS07400(FM)04/96]
If the battery is operating under cold weather
conditions, the pointer may indicate in the upper
range of the NORMAL band while the battery is
charging. If you are running electrical accessories
with the engine off or idling at a low speed, or
the battery is not fully charged, the pointer may
move toward the lower end of the NORMAL
band.
*
[IS07500(FM)04/96]
If it stays outside the NORMAL band, have your
vehicle's electrical system checked as soon as it
is safely possible.
*
[IS07600(F )03/96]
quarter page art:0020052-D
Battery voltage gauge
%*
[IS07800(FM)04/96]
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
*
[IS07900(FM)01/96]
This gauge indicates the engine's oil pressure,
not the oil level. However, if your engine's oil
level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. With
the engine running, the pointer should move
into the NORMAL band. If the pointer drops
below the NORMAL band while the engine is
running, you have lost oil pressure and
continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
*
[IS08000(FM)05/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
*
[IS08100(FM)04/96]
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
*
[IS08200(FM)04/96]
2. Shut off the engine immediately or severe
engine damage could result.
File:03ltisf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:40:24 1996
ProCarManuals.com

20
*
[IS08300(FM)01/96]
3. Check the engine's oil level, following the
instructions on checking and adding engine
oil. Refer toEngine oilin the Index. If you
do not follow these instructions, you or
others could be injured. To assure an
accurate reading, your vehicle should be on
level ground.
*
[IS08400(FM)01/96]
4. If the level is low, add only as much oil as
necessary before you start the engine again.
Do not overfill. Do not operate the engine if
the pointer is below the NORMAL band,
regardless of the oil level. Contact your
nearest dealer for further service actions.
*
[IS08500(F )03/96]
quarter page art:0020057-D
Engine oil pressure gauge
%*
[IS08700(FM)03/96]
High Beam Light
*
[IS08800(FM)01/96]
This light comes on when the headlamps are
turned on high beam or when you flash the
lights.
*
[IS08900(FM)03/96]
one inch art:0020537-B
High beam indicator light
File:03ltisf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:40:24 1996
ProCarManuals.com

250
*
[ER19450(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode
if exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could result in
injury or vehicle damage.
*
[ER19500(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and eyes.
Make sure that you can breathe fresh air.
%*
[ER19550(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.
%*
[ER19600(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
*
[ER19650(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.
*
[ER19700(F )01/96]
RWARNING
Do not push-start your vehicle. You could
damage the catalytic converter. For further
information, seeJumper Cablesin the
Index.
File:10lterf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:49:52 1996
ProCarManuals.com

261 [MC03900(F )04/96]
half page art:0020337-E
Hood and support
[MC04000(F )04/96]
NOTE: Be sure to oil the hood latch every six
months to maintain smooth operation.
*
[MC04200(F )01/96]
Always attempt to lift the hood after closing to
be sure it is securely latched.
%
*
[MC04300(F )03/96]
Engine Compartment
*
[MC04400(F )03/96]
Your vehicle has one of the following types of
engines:
[MC04800(F )04/96]
q
A 5.8 Liter EFI, V-8 engine, or
[MC04900(F )04/96]
q
A 7.5 Liter EFI, V-8 engine.
[MC05000(F )04/96]
NOTE: Read the7.3L Diesel Engine Owner
Guide Supplementfor information
regarding correct service points for
your diesel-powered vehicle.
*
[MC05100(F )03/96]
The following pages show diagrams of each
engine type and where to find items that you
should regularly service.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

264
%*
[MC05750(FM)01/96]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[MC05775(FM)01/96]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
[MC05800(FM)04/96]
one third page art:0060020-D
The API Certification Mark
*
[MC05900(FM)01/96]
Neveruse:
*
[MC06000(FM)01/96]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[MC06100(FM)02/96]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[MC06200(FM)01/96]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
[MC06300(F )05/96]
For vehicles with 5.8L engines
%*
[MC06400(F )03/96]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[MC06500(F )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.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com

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.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
ProCarManuals.com