1998 FORD F150 air conditioning

²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²When placing objects on top of
your instrument panel, be
careful to not place them over
the defroster outlets. These
objects can block airflow and
reduce your ability to see
through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on
top of your instrument panel.
These objects can fall down into
the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage
your climate control system.
Manual heating and air
conditioning system
(if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle.
HI
COOL WARM
OFFPANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
& DEFMAX
A/C
PANEL &
FLOORLO
Controls and features
22

Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction of the
airflow to the inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning compressor
will operate in all modes except
PANEL and FLOOR. However, the
air conditioning will only function
if the outside temperature is about
10ÉC (50ÉF) or above.
Since the air conditioner removes
considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if
clear water drips on the ground
under the air conditioner drain
while the system is working and
even after you have stopped the
vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your
vehicle's climate control system
should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the
HI LO
COOL WARM
OFFPANEL
A/CFLOOR
DEFFLR
& DEFMAX
A/C
PANEL &
FLOOR
Controls and features
23

vehicle is parked. This allows the
vehicle to ªbreatheº through the
outside air inlet duct.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air
to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more
economical and will cool the
inside of the vehicle faster.
Airflow will be from the
instrument panel registers. This
mode can also be used to
prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the
vehicle. It is quieter than MAX
A/C but not as economical.
Airflow will be from the
instrument panel registers.
²PANEL-Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will
not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and
the fan will not operate. For
short periods of time only, use
this mode to prevent
undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle.
²PANEL & FLOOR-Distributes
outside air through the
instrument panel registers and
the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. For
added customer comfort, when
the temperature control knob is
anywhere in between the full
Controls and features
24

hot and full cold positions, the
air distributed through the floor
ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers.
²FLOOR-Allows for maximum
heating by distributing outside
air through the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be
cooled below the outside
temperature because the air
conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²FLR & DEF-Distributes outside
air through the windshield
defroster ducts and the floor
ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. For
added customer comfort, the air
distributed through the floor
ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the
windshield defroster ducts. If
the temperature is about 10ÉC
(50ÉF) or higher, the air
conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
²DEF
-Distributes outside
air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used
to clear ice or fog from the
windshield. If the temperature is
about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the
air conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
Controls and features
25

²the sound of the exhaust system
changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in
a collision
Important ventilating
information
If the engine is idling while the
vehicle is stopped in an open area
for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one
inch).
Adjust the heating or air
conditioning (if equipped) to bring
in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by
keeping all air inlet vents clear of
snow, leaves and other debris.
Starting
82

Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is
depleted, this feature allows the
vehicle to be driven temporarily
before incremental component
damage is incurred. The ªfail safeº
distance depends on ambient
temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The service engine soon light will
illuminate, indicating that vehicle
service is required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
H
C
Maintenance and care
168

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