1999 FORD F150 service indicator

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir.
MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
181

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 theCapacities
and specificationschapter.
DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND SLIP YOKE
Your vehicle may be equipped with universal joints that require
lubrication. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for maintenance
intervals. If the original universal joints are replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings, lubrication will also be necessary.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
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
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
Maintenance and care
186

²Your ªService Engine Soonº light may come on. For more information
on the ªService Engine Soonº light, refer to theInstrumentation
chapter.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a one-eighth turn
on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly
installed. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap and reinstall it
being careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a genuine
Ford or Motorcraft part. The customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if a genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
Fuel Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter that is mounted on the
underbody.
Maintenance and care
198

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.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,Check Engine
indicator light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke or loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
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
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, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. 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 complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
203

Accessory delay ..........................70
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................95
and child safety seats ..............96
description ................................95
disposal ......................................98
indicator light ...........................98
passenger air bag .....................96
passenger deactivation
switch ..............61,99,100,101,102
Air cleaner filter ................188,189
Air suspension ...........................119
warning light .............................11
Anti-theft system ..............76,77,78
Armrests ......................................88
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive ...................121,122,123
Axle
refill capacities ........................215
Battery
voltage gauge ............................14
Brakes ........................................115
anti-lock ............................115,116
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............116
fluid, checking and adding ....174
shift interlock ..........................120
Break-in period .............................2
CD player .....................52,54,55,56
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..109
in rear seat .......................106,108
tether anchorage hardware ...109
Cleaning your vehicle ...............209
engine compartment ..............211
exterior .............................210,213
exterior lamps .........................211
interior .....................................212
plastic parts ............................211
washing ....................................209
waxing .....................................210wheels ......................................210
wiper blades ............................212
Clutch
fluid ..........................................175
operation while driving ..........123
recommended
shift speeds ......................125,126
Controls
power seat .................................86
Coolant ...............................178,179
checking and adding ..............177
refill capacities ........................179
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................186
Driving under special
conditions ...........................132,133
sand .........................................132
snow and ice ...........................133
through water .........................132
Emission control system ..........202
Engine
coolant .....................................177
idle speed control ...................186
service points ...................170,171
starting after a collision .........149
Engine block heater .................113
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............173
dipstick ....................................172
specifications ...................172,174
Exhaust fumes ..........................113
Fail safe cooling .................179,180
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles ..10,128
description .......................130,131
driving off road .......................131
electronic shift ...................18,130
indicator light ....................10,128
lever operated shift ..128,129,130
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........196
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................202
Index
225

detergent in fuel .....................197
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................195,198
quality ......................................197
running out of fuel .................197
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................195
Fuses ...................................150,151
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) ...199,200,201
Gauges .........................................12
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................13
engine oil pressure gauge ........15
fuel gauge ..................................12
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................135
Hazard flashers .........................149
Headlamps
aiming ......................................209
bulb specifications ..................208
high beam ..............................9,68
warning chime ..........................11
Heating ........................................56
heater only system ..............56,57
heating and air
conditioning system ............58,60
Hood ..........................................169
Ignition .......................................219
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................203
Instrument panel ..........................6
cleaning ...................................212
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............11
positions of the ignition ...........61
removing from the ignition ....127
Lamps
autolamp system .......................17
daytime running light ...............16
fog lamps ...................................16headlamps .................................16
headlamps, flash to pass ..........68
instrument panel, dimming .....17
interior lamps ...........................69
replacing bulbs ..204,206,207,208
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................62
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
air suspension .........................119
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
door ajar ....................................11
engine oil pressure ...................10
fuel reset ...................................11
low fuel ........................................6
safety belt ...................................8
service engine soon ....................7
turn signal indicator ...................9
Lumbar support, seats ..........87,88
Manual transmission
reverse .....................................127
Mirrors
fold away ...................................72
side view mirrors (power) .......71
Motorcraft parts ........................198
Octane rating ............................197
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................68
Parking brake ............................117
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................154
Power door locks ..............70,80,81
Power steering ..........................118
fluid,
checking and adding .......181,182
Radio ....19,20,21,22,24,25,26,27,28
29,30,31,33,34,35,36
Relays ........................................150
Remote entry system ............79,80
Index
226