1999 FORD E SERIES coolant temperature

High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Oil pressure/Engine coolant
This light will come on when the
key is in the ON position and the:
²engine coolant temperature is
very high
²engine oil pressure is low
The light serves as a notice that a system needs your attention and to
check the engine coolant temperature gauge and the engine oil pressure
gauge.
Refer toEngine coolant temperature gaugeandEngine oil pressure
gaugein this chapter for more information.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver's door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime (if equipped)
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
Instrumentation
11

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 as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate. If the gauge enters the red section, the oil
pressure/engine coolant andCheck Engine/Service Engine Soon
indicators illuminate, refer toWhat you should know about fail-safe
coolingin theMaintenance and care chapter.
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 ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level. Add oil if needed (refer toEngine oil
in theMaintenance and carechapter). If the oil level is correct, have
your vehicle checked at your dealership or by a qualified technician.
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Instrumentation
13

Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster and allows the heater-defroster
system to respond quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach ±23ÉC
(±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before starting
the vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not harm
the engine, so the heater can be plugged in the night before starting the
vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is present in exhaust
fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle,
have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do
not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and
could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service.
²the sound of the exhaust system changes.
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
Starting
101

Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin theCapacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have
to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per month.
Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than ±36ÉC [±34ÉF]), it may
be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the coolant concentration in
your vehicle is such that the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months. Never increase the engine
coolant concentration above 60%. 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 begins to overheat:
²the engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²the
symbol will illuminate.
²theService Engine Soon
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate, however:
²the engine power will be limited.
²the air conditioning system will be disabled.
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Maintenance and care
154

Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
Maintenance and care
155

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................83
and child safety seats ..............84
description ................................83
disposal ......................................87
indicator light ...........................86
passenger air bag .....................85
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................109,110,111
Axle
refill capacities ........................189
Battery
disconnecting ............161,162,163
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................103
anti-lock .....................103,104,105
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................104
fluid, checking and adding ....150
shift interlock ..........................108
Break-in period ..........................2,3
CD player ....................................53
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ....93
in rear seat ................................90
tether anchorage
hardware ..............................93,97
Cleaning your vehicle ...............183
engine compartment ..............185
exterior .............................184,187
exterior lamps .........................186
interior .....................................186
plastic parts ............................186
washing ....................................184
waxing .....................................184
wheels ......................................185
windows ..................................187
wiper blades ............................186
Controls
power seat .................................72
Coolant ...............................153,154checking and adding ..............152
refill capacities ........................154
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................159
Emission control system ..........178
Engine
coolant .....................................151
idle speed control ...................159
service points ..........................147
starting after a collision .........123
Engine block heater .................101
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............149
dipstick ....................................147
specifications ...................147,149
Exhaust fumes ..........................101
Fail safe cooling .................154,155
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........171
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................177
detergent in fuel .....................172
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................170,173
gauge .........................................12
quality ......................................172
running out of fuel .................172
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................170
Fuses ...................................125,126
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ..............174,175,176,177
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
engine oil pressure gauge ........13
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................113
Hazard flashers .........................123
Headlamps
aiming ......................................183
Index
200