1997 FORD RANGER instrument panel

126
[SS12645(R)01/96]
RWARNING
If the light fails to illuminate when the passenger air bag
switch is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is
in ON, have the passenger air bag switch serviced at
your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[SS12650(R)01/96]
The passenger air bag will remain off until it is turned on.
When the infant seat is removed, turn the air bag on. To turn
the passenger air bag on:
[SS12655(R)01/96]1.
Insert the ignition key into the switch.
[SS12660(R)01/96]2.
Rotate the ignition key counterclockwise until it points to the
ON printed on the instrument panel.
[SS12665(R)01/96]3.
Remove the ignition key from the switch.
[SS12670(R)01/96]4.
Check that the amber OFF light is not illuminated when the
ignition switch is placed in ON.
[SS12675(R)01/96]
RWARNING
If the light is illuminated when the passenger air bag
switch is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in
ON, have the passenger air bag switch serviced at your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.
[SS12680(R)01/96]
The amber OFF light warns the driver and any passengers that
the passenger air bag is turned off. The passenger air bag
should be turned off ONLY when the rear-facing infant seat is
installed at the right front or center front seats.
[SS12685(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Keep the passenger air bag turned on unless there is a
rear-facing infant seat installed in the front seat. When
the passenger air bag switch is turned off, the passenger
air bag will not inflate in a collision.
File:06unssr.ex
Update:Fri Mar 21 09:43:41 1997

128
[SS12900(R)01/96]
The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The
right front passenger seat air bag (if equipped) is in the upper
right hand section of the instrument panel ledge above the
glove compartment.
*
[SS13010(R)05/96]
If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact
and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is
designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more
severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight)
head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses
the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal
collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the
air bag.
*
[SS13020(R)05/96]
When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate
rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a
second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by
releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole
process takes place in a matter of seconds.
[SS13025(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the
air bag cover on the steering wheel or in front seat areas
that may come in contact with a deploying air bag.
Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of
personal injury in the event of a collision.
*
[SS13030(R)05/96]
RWARNING
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation.
Do not try to touch them after inflation.
File:06unssr.ex
Update:Fri Mar 21 09:43:41 1997

176
[GF16190(R)05/96]
Four-wheel drive operation (4x4 HIGH or 4x4 LOW) on dry
pavement is not recommended. Operating the vehicle in
four-wheel drive on dry pavement will increase noise, vibration,
tire wear, decrease fuel economy, and make four-wheel drive
disengagement difficult for the transfer case.
[GF16200(R)05/96]
Electric shift system indicator lights
[GF16210(R)05/96]
A 4WD indicator light and a 4WD LOW indicator light are
located in the instrument cluster. If either light flashes, take
your vehicle in for service.
[GF16220(R)05/96]
n
Two-Wheel Drive mode Ð Neither the 4WD nor the 4WD
LOW lights are lit.
[GF16230(R)05/96]
n
4WD High Ð Only the 4WD light is lit.
[GF16240(R)05/96]
n
4WD LOW mode Ð Both the 4WD and 4WD LOW lights
are lit.
[GF16250(R)05/96]
To shift from Two-Wheel Drive to 4WD High:
[GF16260(R)05/96]
To shift into 4WD High rotate the 4WD switch located on the
instrument panel to 4x4 High. This shift can be done at a stop
or at speeds up to 55 miles per hour (88 km/h). When the
vehicle is driven, the automatic locking hubs will engage. If the
vehicle is stopped while in 4WD and the vehicle direction is
reversed from the previous direction, the automatic locking hubs
will momentarily disengage and re-engage. The automatic
locking hubs may click as they automatically engage in the new
direction.
File:09ungfr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:55:24 1997

178
*
[GF16330(R)05/96]
For example:
[GF16340(R)05/96]
If you were driving the vehicle forward in 4WD, the
automatic locking hubs will disengage the next time the
vehicle is driven in reverse in two-wheel drive for
approximately 10 feet (3 meters) in a straight line.
[GF16350(R)05/96]
If you were driving the vehicle in reverse in 4WD, the
automatic locking hubs will disengage the next time the
vehicle is driven forward in two-wheel drive for
approximately 10 feet (3 meters) in a straight line.
*
[GF16360(R)05/96]
Operating in two-wheel drive mode with the hubs locked
increases fuel consumption, noise, vibration, and wear. For
prolonged two-wheel drive operation on dry pavement,
disengagement of the automatic locking hubs, which is not
required for two-wheel drive operation, stops all movement of
front-wheel drive components while operating in two-wheel
drive.
[GF16370(R)05/96]
During axle break-in or operation in extremely cold
temperatures, the automatic locking hubs may not release
completely. It may be necessary to drive the vehicle for 10 to 15
minutes before repeating the release procedure.
[GF16380(R)05/96]
To shift from 4x4 HIGH or 2WD to 4x4 LOW:
[GF16390(R)05/96]
Stop the vehicle, depress the brake and place the automatic
transmission in N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on vehicles
with a manual transmission. Rotate the 4WD switch on the
instrument panel to 4x4 LOW. Both the 4WD and 4WD LOW
lights are now lit.
File:09ungfr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:55:24 1997

Driving
179
[GF16400(R)05/96]
To shift from 4x4 LOW to 4x4 HIGH or 2WD:
[GF16410(R)05/96]
Stop the vehicle, depress the brake and place the automatic
transmission into N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on vehicles
with a manual transmission. Rotate the 4WD switch on the
instrument panel to 4x4 HIGH or 2WD.
[GF16420(R)05/96]
It is not recommended to operate the vehicle in the 4WD modes
with a temporary spare. If 4WD operation is necessary, do not
operate at speeds above 10 mph or for distances above 50 miles.
Extended operation in 4WD with a temporary spare may result
in damage to drivetrain components.
%*
[GF17000(R)05/96]
4x4 Systems Ð Lever Operated
*
[GF17010(R)05/96]
The lever operated transfer case can be placed into four
positions. The 2H position is the two-wheel drive position in
which power is delivered only to the rear axle. The 4H position
provides four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front
and rear axles for increased traction. The 4L position provides
four-wheel drive with power delivered to the front and rear
axles when the above average power is required at reduced
speeds. In the N (neutral) position, there is no power delivered
to either axle.
File:09ungfr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:55:24 1997

Roadside Emergencies
219
[ER01100(R)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0021207-B
Fuse panel (located left side of instrument panel)
File:10unerr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:56:46 1997

224
[ER02550(R)05/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0090141-D
Power distribution box
%*
[ER02700(R)01/96]
Checking and Replacing Fuses
*
[ER02720(R)01/96]
If you need to check a fuse, follow these steps:
[ER02730(R)01/96]1.
Find the fuse panel, which is located in the left end of the
instrument panel. The power distribution box (described
earlier in this section) is found in the engine compartment,
mounted on a bracket attached to the left fender apron.
[ER02740(R)01/96]
To access the fuse panel, remove the fuse panel cover by
inserting your finger in the divot and pulling on the cover.
The underside of the cover contains four spare fuses. A fuse
pulling tool is located in the lower right corner of the fuse
panel in case you need to replace a blown fuse.
*
[ER02750(R)01/96]
The spare fuses for your vehicle are color coded as follows:
10 amp Ð red, 15 amp Ð light blue, 20 amp Ð natural, 30
amp Ð light green.
File:10unerr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:56:46 1997

Roadside Emergencies
245
[ER33000(R)01/96]
4x2ÐManualtransmission
*
[ER33100(R)01/96]
n
Release the parking brake.
[ER33200(R)01/96]
n
Place the transmission gearshift in the neutral position.
[ER33300(R)01/96]
n
Maximum speed is limited by towing equipment
manufacturer's recommendation, unlimited distance.
[ER33400(R)01/96]
4x4ÐManualshifttransfercase
*
[ER33500(R)01/96]
n
Release the parking brake.
[ER33600(R)01/96]
n
Place the transmission gearshift in the neutral position.
[ER33700(R)01/96]
n
Place the transfer case gearshift in the neutral position.
[ER33800(R)01/96]
n
Set the manual locking hubs in the FREE position.
[ER33900(R)01/96]
n
Maximum speed is 55 mph (88 km/h), unlimited distance.
[ER34000(R)01/96]
4 x 4 Electric shift transfer case
*
[ER34200(R)01/96]
n
Release the parking brake.
[ER34300(R)01/96]
n
Place the transmission gearshift in the neutral position.
[ER34400(R)05/96]
n
Ensure the transfer case is in 2H and the auto hubs are
unlocked.
[ER34600(R)01/96]
NOTE: Both the 4WD and 4WD Low indicator lights in the
instrument panel will be off when the 4WD switch is
in 2WD.
[ER34700(R)01/96]
For automatic transmissions:
[ER34800(R)01/96]
n
Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
[ER34900(R)01/96]
n
Maximum distance is 50 miles (80 km).
File:10unerr.ex
Update:Thu Mar 20 08:56:46 1997