1998 FORD F150 engine

As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is
activated
²Pull off the road as soon as
possible.
²Immediately turn the engine off
to prevent severe engine
damage.
²Wait for the engine to cool.
²Check the coolant level.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid at
least twice a year. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONt
ATF power steering fluid.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge will be near the
center of the NORMAL band).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
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169

The transmission fluid should be in
this range if at room temperature
(10ÉC-35ÉC [50ÉF-95ÉF]) (see
figure to the right).
If your vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the
vehicle should be turned off for
about 30 minutes to allow the fluid
to cool before checking.
1. Park the vehicle on a level
surface and engage the parking
brake.
2. With the parking brake engaged
and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the
gear ranges. Allow sufficient time
for each gear to engage.
3. Latch the gearshift lever in P
(Park) and leave the engine
running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry lint free
rag.
5. Install the dipstick making sure
it is fully seated in the filler tube.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level. The fluid level
should be in the crosshatched area
on the dipstick.DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA • CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
ADD COLD HOT DO NOT ADD
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172

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
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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
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177

promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin
thoroughly with soap and water.
²If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses, flush
with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
²Be particularly careful if you are
taking ªAntabuseº or other
forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism.
Breathing gasoline vapors or
skin contact could cause an
adverse reaction. Consult a
physician immediately.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The
use of leaded fuel is prohibited by
law and could damage your
vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to
use fuel or fuel additives with
metallic compounds, including
manganese-based compounds
containing MMT.
Vehicles certified to California
emission standards (indicated on
the underhood Vehicle Emissions
Control Information label) are
designed to operate on California
reformulated gasolines. If
California reformulated gasoline is
not available when you refuel, your
vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even
though your engine will perform
adequately on other gasolines, the
performance of the emission
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186

control devices and systems may
be adversely affected.
Repair of damage caused by using
a fuel that your vehicle was not
designed for may not be covered
by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
regular unleaded with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
ªregularº in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.
Do not be concerned if your
vehicle sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions on fuel
with the recommended octane, see
your dealer or a qualified service
technician to prevent any engine
damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting,
rough idle or hesitation problems
try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer
or a qualified service technician.
The American Automobile
Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
issued a gasoline specification to
provide information on high quality
fuels that optimize the
performance of your vehicle. We
recommend the use of gasolines
that meet the AAMA specification
if they are available.
87
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187

parts in performance and
durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªCheck Engineº light or the
temperature warning light. These
events could indicate that the
emission control system is not
working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes
of any kind inside your
vehicle, have the dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust
fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to your vehicle or engine.
By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades
vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your
vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control
Information Decal located on or
near the engine. This decal
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190

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
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