FORD E SERIES 1997 4.G Owners Manual

CHECKING AND ADDING
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
Service the automatic transmission
according to the scheduled
intervals in the9Service Guide.9
Before adding any fluid, make sure
the correct type will be used. This
information is indicated on the
dipstick.
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is below the bottom hole on
the blade type dipstick (4R70W
transmission) or below the COLD
area on the bullet type dipstick
(E4OD transmission) and outside
temperatures are above 10ÉC
(50ÉF).
Your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, it is
recommended that you check the
transmission fluid at least twice a
year. The fluid level should be
checked if the transmission is not
working properly, i.e., if the
transmission slips or shifts slowly
or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
It is preferable to check the
transmission fluid level at normal
operating temperature, after
approximately 32 km (20 miles) of
driving. However, you can check
the fluid level without driving to
obtain a normal operating
temperature if the outside
temperature is above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
If your vehicle has been operated
for an extended period at high
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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.
2. 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), set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
4. Remove the dipstick, wiping it
clean with a clean, dry rag.
5. Install the dipstick.
6. Remove the dipstick and inspect
the fluid level.
For 4R70W transmissions, the fluid
level should be within the
crosshatched area, or if the vehicle
has not been driven, between the
holes near the bottom of the
indicator.
P RN 21D
DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCHED AREA - CHECK WHEN HOT IDLING IN PARK
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Do not drive if the fluid level is
below bottom hole and outside
temperature is 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
above.
For E4OD transmissions, the fluid
level should be within the HOT
area, or if the vehicle has not been
driven, within the COLD area.
Do not drive if the fluid level is
below cold level area and outside
temperature is 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
above.
7. If necessary, add fluid in 250 ml
(1/2 pint) increments through the
filler tube until the level is at the
correct area on the dipstick. If an
overfill occurs, excess fluid should
be removed by a qualified
technician.
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143

DRIVELINE UNIVERSAL JOINT
AND SLIP YOKE
The universal joints standard with
your vehicle do not require
lubrication. If the original
equipment universal joints are
replaced with universal joints
equipped with grease fittings,
lubrication will be necessary at the
intervals shown in the ªService
Guideº supplement.
BATTERY
If the original equipment
maintenance-free battery needs
replacing, it may be replaced with
a low-maintenance battery. For
information on replacement
batteries, refer toMotorcraft part
numbersin theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
The gases around the
battery can explode if
exposed to flames, sparks, or lit
cigarettes. An explosion could
result in injury or vehicle
damage.
Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which burns skin,
eyes, and clothing.
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Servicing your battery
The low-maintenance battery has
removable vent caps for checking
the electrolyte level and adding
water. Check the electrolyte level
every 24 months or 40,000 km
(24,000 miles) in average
temperatures below 32ÉC (90ÉF).
Keep the electrolyte level in each
cell up to the level indicator. Do
not overfill.
If the level gets low, refill the
battery with distilled water. If the
battery needs water quite often,
have the charging system checked
for a possible malfunction.
Relearning idle conditions
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 computer must
ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To
complete this process:
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
2. Turn off all accessories, and
start the engine.
3. Let the engine idle for at least
one minute.
DPRN 21
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4. 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
preset radio stations must be
reset once the battery is
reconnected.
²Always dispose of used
automotive batteries in a
responsible manner. Follow your
community's standards for
disposal. Call your local
recycling center to find out
more about recycling automotive
batteries.
Disconnecting dual batteries (if
equipped)
Gasoline engines
Disconnect:
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1. Disconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
2. Disconnect the auxiliary battery
frame ground.
Remove the ground bolt.
Pull the cable away from the frame
and make sure that the cable does
not contact the frame.
Connect:
1. Reconnect the auxiliary battery
frame ground.
2. Reconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
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Diesel engines
Disconnect:
Secondary positive cable
remains energized after
disconnection. make sure the
tool does not contact any ground
surface.
1. Disconnect the secondary
positive cable from the primary
battery terminal.
2. Wrap the secondary positive
cable with a non-conductive
material to insulate.
3. Disconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
4. Disconnect the primary battery
positive cable.
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148

Connect:
Secondary positive cable
remains energized after
disconnection. make sure the
tool does not contact any ground
surface.
1. Reconnect the primary battery
positive cable.
2. Reconnect the primary battery
ground cable.
3. Unwrap the secondary positive
cable and reconnect to the primary
battery terminal.
WIPER BLADES
Check the windshield wiper blades
at least twice a year or whenever
the wipers seem less effective than
usual. Substances such as tree sap
and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes can
reduce the effectiveness of wiper
blades.
To make reaching the wiper blades
easy, simply turn the ignition to
the ON position and turn the
wipers on. Wait for the wipers to
reach a vertical position and turn
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the ignition to the LOCK position.
Do not move the wipers manually
across the windshield as this may
cause damage to the wiper system.
Inspect the wiper arm pivots on a
regular basis to ensure the wiper
arms move freely. Lubricate the
pivot points as necessary.
Replacing wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not work
properly after cleaning,
replacement of the blade assembly
or the blade element may be
necessary.
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from
the windshield and lock it into the
service position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Depress the lock
tab to release the wiper blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from
the arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
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