light FORD E SERIES 1997 4.G Owner's Guide

vehicle. The damage may not be
covered by your warranty.
Your vehicle was not designed to
use fuel containing
manganese-based additives such as
MMT. Additionally, vehicles
certified to California emission
standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions
Control Information label) are
designed to operate on California
reformulated gasolines. If
California reformulated gasoline is
not available when you refuel, your
vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even
though your engine will perform
adequately on other gasolines, the
performance of the emission
control devices and systems may
be adversely affected. Repair of
damage caused by using a fuel that
your vehicle was not designed for
may not be covered by your
warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
regular gasoline with an (R+M)/2
octane rating of 87. We do not
recommend gasolines labeled as
ªregularº in high altitude areas that
are sold with octane ratings of 86
or even less.
Do not be concerned if your
vehicle sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions on the
87
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159

²Fluid leaks
²The
or service engine soon
lights illuminate in the
instrument cluster and remain
lit.
²Strange odors
²Engine runs more than five
seconds after shut-off or engine
misfires, surges, stalls or
backfires
²Loss of oil pressure
Important emission control
information
By law, anyone who manufacturers,
repairs, services, leases, trades
vehicles or supervises a fleet of
vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working. Do not make any
unauthorized changes to the
vehicle or engine. Changes that
cause more unburned fuel to reach
the exhaust system can increase
the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
When your vehicle is serviced,
never use a metal exhaust
collector. The use of a metal
collector may melt or deform
plastic parts.
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.
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Maintenance and care
163

REPLACING BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
It is a good idea to check the
operation of the following lights
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Backup lamps
²Hazard flashers
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless
they will be replaced immediately.
If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time,
contaminants may enter the lamp
and affect performance.
Headlamp bulb (aerodynamic)
Handle a halogen
headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach.
Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass.
The oil from your hand could
cause the bulb to break the next
time the headlamps are
operated.
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Maintenance and care
165

DescriptionNumber of
BulbsTrade Number
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Cargo lamp 1 211-2
Dome lamp (standard) 1 912
Instrument panel
illumination2 194
Map/reading lamp 2 211-2
Radio Illumination
1
Instrument Panel
Automatic transmission
gear selector1 194
Instrument Panel Controls
A/C control 1 161
Heater control 1 161
Instrument Cluster
Seat belt light 1 194
High beam indicator 1 194
Brake Warning 1 194
Turn signal indicator 1 194
Anti-lock brake system 1 194
Service engine soon 1 194
Air bag readniness 1 194
Door ajar 1 194
Oil pressure/engine
coolant1 194
1Replaceable at Ford authorized
radio service centers.
NA Ð Natural amber
K Ð Krypton filled bulb
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Maintenance and care
167

CLEANING AND CARING FOR
YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance
Guideº for a list of Ford-approved
cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of
water for best results. To avoid
spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately
after or during exposure to strong
sunlight.
During winter months, it is
especially important to wash the
vehicle on a regular basis. Large
quantities of dirt and road salt are
difficult to remove, and they also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories,
such as antennas, before entering
a car wash.
²After washing, apply the brakes
several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
The best way to determine when
the paintwork needs waxing is by
noting when water stops beading
on the surface. This could be every
three or four months, depending
on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or
synthetic-based waxes. Remove
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Maintenance and care
168

high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and
cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to
avoid cracking the engine block.
²Cover the highlighted areas to
prevent water damage when
cleaning the engine.
²Never wash or rinse the engine
while it is running; water in the
running engine may cause
internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine
cleaning of plastic. Clean with a tar
remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners,
solvents or petroleum-based
cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash the exterior lamps with the
same detergent you used to wash
the exterior of your vehicle. Use
glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do
not use a dry paper towel,
chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps.
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170

Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................52
and child safety seats ..............54
description ................................52
disposal ......................................58
indicator light ...........................57
passenger air bag .....................55
Audio system (see Electronic
sound system) .............................17
Battery .......................................144
servicing ..................................145
Brakes
adjustment ................................80
anti-lock .....................................80
fluid, checking and adding ....134
parking ......................................80
Brake-shift interlock ...................85
Break-in period .............................4
Bulbs, replacing ........................165
headlamps ...............................166
specifications ..........................167
Cleaning your vehicle ...............168
engine compartment ..............170
fabric ........................................172
instrument panel ....................172
plastic parts ............................171
safety belts ..............................172
tail lamps .................................171
washing ....................................168
waxing .....................................169
wheels ......................................170
Climate control system ..............17
Controls
steering column ........................23
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
proper solution .......................137
Driveline universal joint and
slip yoke ....................................144
Driving under special
conditionsheavy load .................................86
Emission control system ..........162
emissions warranty .................163
Engine ........................................178
check engine temperature
warning, message center .......129
Engine block heater ...................77
Engine coolant
checking and adding ..............136
checking hoses .......................138
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter .......133
specifications ..........................130
Entry system
illumination ...............................36
Exhaust fumes ............................78
Fail safe cooling ........................139
Flashing the lights ......................27
Fuel ............................................157
calculating fuel economy .......161
improving fuel economy ..........99
octane rating ...........................160
quality ......................................160
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................157
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......100
Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................104
power distribution box ...........108
Fuses ..........................................102
Gauges, Mechanical ....................11
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................12
engine oil pressure gauge ........13
fuel gauge ..................................12
Gearshift ......................................24
Hazard flashers ....................27,100
Headlamps
turning on and off ....................15
Hood ..........................................128
Index
183

Idle
relearning ................................145
Ignition .........................................23
Inspection
maintenance testing ...............164
Jump-starting your vehicle 120,122
attaching cables ......................121
disconnecting cables ..............122
Lamps
cargo lamps ...............................30
courtesy lamps ..........................31
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................9
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............8
brake ............................................8
charging system ..........................9
check engine ...............................8
door ajar ....................................10
engine oil pressure ...................10
high beam .................................10
safety belt ...................................9
Load limits
trailer towing ............................89
Lubricant specifications ...........175
Odometer .....................................13
Overdrive .....................................24
Parking brake
operation ..............................81,82
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....174
Power features
door locks ..................................32
mirrors .......................................31
Power point electrical outlet .....17
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....140
Refill capacities for fluids ........174
Relays .................................102,111
Remote entry system .................34
locking/unlocking doors ...........34
panic alarm ...............................35
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................36replacing the batteries .............35
Reporting safety defects ..........183
Safety restraints
adjusting the safety belts .........49
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .................................47
extension assembly ..................50
for children ...............................58
lap and shoulder belts .............45
maintenance ..............................51
proper use .................................43
warning light and chime ..........51
Safety seats for children
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .......................61,62,66
Seats ............................................37
adjusting the seat, manual .......37
adjusting the seat, power ........38
bench seat .................................39
lumbar support .........................39
quick release rear captain's
chair ...........................................41
Servicing your vehicle ..............124
precautions when servicing ...124
Special notice ................................2
ambulance conversions ..............2
diesel-powered vehicles .............3
Speed control ..............................28
accelerating ...............................29
resetting ....................................29
resuming a set speed ...............30
turning off .................................28
Speedometer ...............................12
Starting your vehicle ..................73
preparing to start your
vehicle .......................................74
starting a warm engine ............77
Steering, power ...........................82
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................26
Tires ...........................................153
changing ...........................112,114
Index
184

checking the pressure ............153
replacing ...........................116,155
rotating ....................................155
snow tires and chains ............156
spare tire .................................112
tire grades ...............................151
treadwear ................................151
Towing your vehicle .................123
Trailer towing ..............................94
safety chains .............................96
tips .............................................97
trailer brakes .............................96
trailer lamps ..............................96
Transmission
automatic operation .................83
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................141
Trip odometer .............................14Turn signal
indicator lights ..........................10
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................181
Ventilating your vehicle .............79
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage
gauge) ..........................................13
Warning chimes ...........................11
headlamps on ............................11
key in ignition ...........................11
safety belt .................................11
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................135
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ........................................149
checking and replacing wiper
blades ......................................150
operation ...................................27
Index
185