1998 FORD F150 battery

4.6L/5.4L engines
1. Battery
2. Automatic transmission fluid
dipstick
3. Engine oil filler
4. Engine oil dipstick
5. Clutch fluid reservoir (if
equipped)
6. Power steering fluid reservoir
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Air filter assembly
9. Engine coolant recovery
reservoir
10. Windshield washer fluid
reservoir
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
109
1234657
8
Maintenance and care
156

3. Add only enough fluid through
the filler opening so that the fluid
level is at the bottom of the
opening.
Use only fluid that meets Ford
specifications. Refer to the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT
AND SLIP YOKE
The universal joints standard with
your vehicle do not require
lubrication. If the original universal
joints are replaced with universal
joints equipped with grease
fittings, lubrication will be
necessary.
BATTERY
Your vehicle may be equipped with
a Motorcraft maintenance-free
battery. If the original equipment
battery needs replacing, it may be
replaced with a low-maintenance
battery. The low-maintenance
battery normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service. However, for severe usage
or in high temperature climates,
check your battery electrolyte
level, at least every 24 months or
40,000 km (24,000 miles). Keep
Maintenance and care
175

the electrolyte in each cell up to
the ªlevelº indicator. Do not overfill
the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the
battery is low, you can add plain
tap water to the battery, as long as
you do not use hard water (water
with a high alkali content). If
possible, however, try to only fill
the battery cells with distilled
water. If the battery needs water
often, have the charging system
checked.
For longer, trouble-free operation,
keep the top of the battery clean
and dry. Also, make certain the
battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the
battery or terminals, remove the
cables from the terminal(s) and
clean with a wire brush. You can
neutralize the acid with a solution
of baking soda and water. Reinstall
the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small
quantity of grease to the top of
each battery terminal to help
prevent corrosion.
If your battery has a
cover/shield, make sure it is
reinstalled after the battery is
replaced.
Because your vehicle's engine is
electronically controlled by a
computer, some control conditions
are maintained by power from the
battery. When the battery is
disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the engine must relearn
Maintenance and care
176

its idle conditions before your
vehicle will drive properly. To
begin this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park)
(automatic transmissions) or the
neutral position (manual
transmissions), turn off all
accessories and start the vehicle.
2. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
3. The relearning process will
automatically complete as you
drive the vehicle.
²If you do not allow the engine to
relearn its idle, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is
eventually relearned.
²If the battery has been
disconnected or a new battery
has been installed, the clock and
the preset radio stations must
be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible
manner. Follow your
communities standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least
twice a year or when they seem
less effective. Substances such as
tree sap and some hot wax
Maintenance and care
177

identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty
Guideº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªcheck
engine/service engine soonº light is
on, reference the applicable light
description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the
ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system
or its battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is
reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the OBD-II
system for I/M testing, a minimum
of 30 minutes of city and highway
driving is necessary as described
below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving
in stop and go, city type traffic
with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
Maintenance and care
191

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 4.2L engine 4.6L engine 5.4L engine
Spark
plugs-platinum*AGSF-34EE AWSF-32PP AWSF-22E
Air filter FA-1632 FA-1632 FA-1632
Fuel filter FG-872 FG-872 FG-872
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-152 EV-98 EV-233
Battery (manual
transmission)BXT-59 BXT-59 BXT-59
Battery (automatic
transmission)BXT-65-750 BXT-65-750 BXT-65-750
Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
REFILL CAPACITIES
FluidFord Part
NameApplication Capacity
Front axleMotorcraft
SAE 75W90
Front Axle
Lubricant4x4 vehicles 1.8-2.0L
(3.5-3.7 pints)
Rear axle
1, 4
Motorcraft
SAE
75W140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
LubricantF-150 2.6-2.7L
(5.5-5.8 pints)
Capacities and specifications
205

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................60
and child safety seats ..............61
description ................................60
disposal ......................................64
indicator light ...........................63
passenger air bag ...........62,65,66
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .......22,23,26
Air suspension
description ................................87
warning light .............................11
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................84
Anti-theft system ........................40
Battery .......................................175
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............162
Brakes ..........................................83
anti-lock .....................................83
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................84
fluid, checking and adding ....162
Brake-shift interlock ...................88
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................192
headlamps ...............................193
specifications ..........................197
Changing a tire .........................141
Child safety seats ........................70
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............198
engine compartment ..............200
fabric ........................................201
instrument panel ....................201
plastic parts ............................201
safety belts ..............................202
tail lamps .................................201washing ....................................198
waxing .....................................199
wheels ......................................199
Clutch
fluid ..........................................163
Controls .......................................19
Daytime running light system ...17
Driving under special
conditions ..................................105
high water ...............................105
slippery roads ..................106,107
Emission control system ..........189
Engine ........................................210
check engine temperature
warning, message
center ...............................155,156
service points ..........................155
Engine block heater ...................80
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......164,165
disposal ....................................166
refill capacities ........................167
Engine oil ...........................156,160
changing oil and oil filter .......161
checking and
adding ........................156,158,160
Exhaust fumes ............................81
Fail safe cooling ........................168
Foglamps ............................196,197
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .........98
control trac ........................19,102
indicator light ...........................99
lever operated electric shift ....99
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......188
improving fuel economy ........130
octane rating ...........................187
quality ......................................187
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................184
Fuel gauge ...................................13
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......131
Index
216