1998 FORD F150 maintenance

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 17
Seating and safety restraints 48
Starting and driving
Starting 76
Driving 83
Roadside emergencies 131
Servicing
Maintenance and care 152
Capacities and specifications 205
Reporting safety defects 215
Index 216
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Copyright
r1997 Ford Motor Company
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Contents
1

Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON to remind
you to fasten your safety belts. For
more information, refer to the
Seating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. Also illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
Illumination after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light remains
on, continues to flash or fails to
illuminate, have the system
serviced immediately.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior
bulbsin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
!
BRAKE
ABS
Instrumentation
9

When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle
speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area
(the area between the ªHº and
ªCº). If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle, switch off the ignition and
let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the
temperature of the engine coolant,
not the coolant level. If the coolant
0
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MPH
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160
0 1020304050
60
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H
C
Instrumentation
14

Battery voltage gauge
This gauge shows the battery
voltage when the ignition is in the
ON position. If the pointer moves
and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated),
have the vehicle's electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle
remains in the normal range (the
area between the ªHº and ªLº).
If the gauge indicates low
pressure, switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer to
Checking and adding engine oil
in theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct,
have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified
technician.
818
L
H
Instrumentation
16

belt. Manufacturer identification is
located at the end of the webbing
on the label. Also, use the safety
belt extension only if the safety
belt is too short for you when fully
extended. Do not use extensions
to change the fit of the shoulder
belt across the torso.
Safety belt warning light and
indicator chime
The seat belt warning light
illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
Conditions of operation
If... Then...
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes and
the warning chime sounds for four to
eight seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
warning chime is sounding...The safety belt warning light turns off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to ON...The safety belt warning light remains
off.
Safety belt maintenance
Check the safety belt systems
periodically to make sure they
work properly and are not
damaged. Check the safety belts to
make sure there are no nicks,
wears or cuts. All safety belt
Seating and safety restraints
58

assemblies, including retractors,
buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height
adjusters (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be
inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt
assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced.
However, if the collision was minor
and a qualified technician finds
that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly,
they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use
during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is
noted.
Failure to replace the
safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result
in severe personal injuries in the
event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and
maintaining the safety beltsin
theMaintenance and care
section.
Seating and safety restraints
59

Instrumentationchapter. Routine
maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the
following:
²The readiness light will either
flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after
ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be
heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the
problem and light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even
intermittently, have the SRS
serviced at your dealership or by a
qualified technician immediately.
Unless serviced, the system may
not function properly in the event
of a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag
equipped vehicles
For disposal of air bags or air bag
equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician.
Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
Seating and safety restraints
64

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
scheduled maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal
and often does not indicate a
performance concern with the
vehicle's brake system. In normal
operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or
intermittent squeal or groan noises
when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the
first few brake applications in the
morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking
and can be aggravated by
environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt
or mud. If a ªmetal-to-metal,º
ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is
present while braking, the brake
linings may be worn-out and
should be inspected by a qualified
service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an
anti-lock braking system (ABS), a
noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal
may be observed during ABS
braking events. Pedal pulsation
coupled with noise while braking
under panic conditions or on loose
gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads
is normal and indicates proper
functioning of the vehicle's
anti-lock brake system. If the
vehicle has continuous vibration or
Driving
83