check engine FORD F150 1997 10.G User Guide

²Allow more room for stopping
with a trailer attached.
²Practice turning, stopping and
backing in an area before
starting on a trip to get the feel
of the vehicle/trailer
combination.
²When turning, drive slightly
beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs and other obstacles.
²When stopped in traffic for long
periods of time in hot weather,
place the automatic transmission
gearshift in P (Park) to increase
idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner
efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not
be parked on a grade. If you
must park on a grade, place
wheel chocks under the trailer's
wheels.
²After you have travelled about
80 km (50 miles), thoroughly
check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel
lug nuts.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during
boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water
level to rise above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break
higher than 15 cm (six inches)
above the bottom edge of the
rear bumper.
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HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle breakdown,
approaching danger, etc. Depress
to activate all indicators
simultaneously. Depress again to
switch off. The warning lights can
be operated when the ignition is
off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not
start after a collision, the fuel
pump shut±off switch may have
been activated. The shut±off
switch is a device intended to stop
the electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position.
2. Check fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset
the fuel pump shut-off switch by
pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
ON position. Pause for a few
seconds and return the key to the
OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks
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SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Service recommendations
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items
in the engine compartment for
easy location.
²As possible, we design parts that
can be replaced without tools.
²We provide you with a ªService
Guideº which makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle
easy.
If your vehicle requires
professional service, your
dealership can provide necessary
parts and service. Check your
ªWarranty Information Bookletº to
find out which parts and services
are covered.
Use only recommended fuels,
lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications.
Motorcraft parts are designed and
built to provide the best
performance in your vehicle.
Precautions when servicing
your vehicle
Be especially careful when
inspecting or servicing your
vehicle. Here are some general
precautions for your safety:
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²If you must work with the
engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that
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154

Oil filters
Ford production and aftermarket
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed
for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter
is used that does not meet Ford
material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock
may be experienced. It is
recommended that you use the
appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
Checking engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
Check the engine oil level more
frequently if the vehicle is carrying
a heavy load, towing a trailer,
idling for extended periods (like
police, taxi or shuttle service
vehicles) or driven at high speeds
for extended periods of time.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground. If the engine is warm, turn
the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into
the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is latched in P
(Park) (automatic transmission) or
1 (First) (manual transmission).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully remove the
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161

the MAX line, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur
and some oil must be removed
from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil.
2. If the oil level is below the MIN
line, then add engine oil.
3. Remove the yellow oil filler cap.
4. Use a funnel to add oil through
the opening.
Make sure you use a certified
engine oil of the preferred
viscosity.
5. Recheck the oil level. Make sure
that the oil level is not above the
MAX line on the dipstick.
Continuous contact with
usedmotor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
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CHECKING AND ADDING
ENGINE COOLANT
Adding engine coolant
Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
If sprayed on the windshield,
engine coolant could make it
difficult to see through the
windshield.
When the engine is cool, add a
50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir ± DO NOT ADD
DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR.
Add straight water only in an
emergency, but you should replace
it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant
and distilled water as soon as
possible.
Check the coolant level in the
coolant recovery reservoir the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to
bring the liquid level to the fill line
on the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
COOLANT FILL
LEVEL
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167

Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends
that Ford and Lincoln-Mercury
dealers use recycled engine
coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all
coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm
engine and cooling system
components.
Always dispose of used
automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of
automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's cooling system can hold,
refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specifications
chapter.
Have your dealer check the engine
cooling system for leaks if you
have to add more than a liter
(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
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169

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.
Checking the cooling system
hoses
Inspect all engine and heater
system hoses and hose connections
for:
²deterioration
²leaks
²loose hose clamps
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
Vehicles equipped with 4.6L or
5.4L engines have a fail-safe
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170

cooling mode. If the engine coolant
supply is depleted, this feature
allows the driver to drive the
vehicle (with limited power) for a
short distance in order to get the
vehicle to a service facility. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
The actual distance your vehicle
can be driven depends on vehicle
load, road conditions and outside
temperature.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine overheats, the engine
will automatically switch from
eight to alternating four cylinder
operation. Each disabled cylinder
acts as an air pump and cools the
engine.
When this occurs, the engine
coolant temperature gauge will
move into the red area and the
light illuminates.
The
CHECK
ENGINElight will illuminate,
indicating that vehicle service is
required.
The vehicle will still operate, but
will have limited engine power and
no air conditioning capability.
Continued operation will increase
engine temperature and cause the
engine to completely shut down.
The vehicle will coast to a stop.
As the engine temperature cools,
the engine may be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as
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soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.
When fail-safe mode is
activated
²Pull off the road as soon as
possible.
²Immediately turn the engine off
to prevent severe engine
damage.
²Wait for the engine to cool.
²Check the coolant level.
CHECKING AND ADDING
POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid
level at least twice a year.
1. Start the engine.
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