cooling FORD F150 1997 10.G Owners Manual

Engine coolant temperature
Illuminates briefly when the
ignition key is turned to On (light
from optional cluster shown).
Illuminates when the engine
coolant temperature is high. Stop
the engine and check the engine
coolant temperature level as soon
as possible. Refer toChecking
and adding engine coolantand
What you should know about
fail-safe coolingin the
Maintenance and caresection.
Oil pressure
Illuminates briefly when the
ignition key is turned to On (light
from base cluster shown).
Illuminates when the oil pressure
is low. Stop the engine and check
the engine oil level as soon as
possible. Refer toChecking and
adding engine oilin the
Maintenance and caresection.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START
position and any door is open.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
DOOR
AJAR
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Instrumentation
9

Tachometer (if equipped)
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area. If
it enters the red section, the
engine is overheating. Switch off
the ignition and let it cool. Refer to
Checking and adding engine
coolantorWhat you should know
about fail safe coolingin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Fuel gauge
Indicates the fuel level.
0RPMx1000
3
2
4
5
6 1
CHCH
EF
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Instrumentation
15

The PANEL position allows outside
air to flow through the instrument
panel vents.
Select PANEL & FLOOR for air to
flow through these vents:
The PANEL & FLOOR position
directs outside air to flow between
the panel and floor vents. The air
conditioning will function to
provide cooling and
dehumidification when the outside
temperature is above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Select FLOOR for air to flow
through these vents:
PHI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/CREW
1FF
2SIDE 1-2
3FM 1STVOL – PUSH ON
AM
FMBASS TREBBAL FADE
AUTO
SET CLKSEEKTUNE
DISCSSCAN4DOLBY SYSTEMEJTAPE CDCOMP5SHUFFLE
6
PHI LOOFF*A/C*MAX
A/CREW
1FF
2SIDE 1-2
3FM 1STVOL – PUSH ON
AM
FMBASS TREBBAL FADE
AUTO
SET CLKSEEKTUNE
DISCSSCAN4DOLBY SYSTEMEJTAPE CDCOMP5SHUFFLE
6
Controls and features
27

OFF position
Select the OFF position for all
climate control functions to cease.
The outside inlet door will close
and the fan is shut off.
Maximum heating
Set mode control to FLOOR, turn
temperature control to maximum
heat (red) and set fan speed
control to HI.
Maximum cooling
Set mode control to MAX A/C, turn
the temperature control to
maximum cool (blue) and set fan
speed control to HI.
Ventilating with outside air
Set mode control to PANEL &
FLOOR or FLOOR, turn the
temperature control to the desired
temperature and turn fan speed
control to the desired speed.
FLR
& DEF MAX
A/CFLOOR PANEL &
FLOOR
DEF OFF
PANEL
A/CWARM COOL
LO
HI
FLR
& DEF MAX
A/CFLOOR PANEL &
FLOOR
DEF OFF
PANEL
A/CWARM COOL
LO
HI
FLR
& DEF MAX
A/CFLOOR PANEL &
FLOOR
DEF OFF
PANEL
A/CWARM COOL
LO
HI
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Controls and features
30

mph) with a trailer while towing in
hilly country or on hot days.
Speed control may shut off if you
are towing on very long, steep
grades.
When towing a trailer
If equipped with an automatic
transmission, use D (Drive) rather
than
D(Overdrive) while towing
up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting
and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transmission cooling.
If equipped with a manual
transmission, use 4 (Fourth) rather
than
D(Overdrive).
²Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
OVERDRIVE OFF
1
24R3D
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Driving
127

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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Driving
128

Exceeding these limits may allow
water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting
driveability, emissions and
reliability.
Servicing when towing
If you tow a trailer for long
distances, your vehicle will require
more frequent service intervals.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for
more information.
SNOWPLOWING
Ford recommends the following
specifications for low speed,
personal use snow removal:
²F-150 4WD long wheelbase or
F-250 4WD Regular Cab
²4.6L or 5.4L engine
²Super engine cooling
²Heavy duty front suspension
package
²Automatic transmission with
auxiliary automatic transmission
fluid cooling
²All-terrain tires
Do not install a snowplow and
plow with your vehicle until it has
been driven at least 800 km (500
miles).
Installing snowplow
Read the following instructions
before installing a snowplow:
²Front GAWR must not exceed
63% of the GVW. Add ballast
weight to the back of the
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Driving
129

If you must remove the coolant
recovery cap, follow these steps to
avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn
the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a
thick cloth around the cap. Slowly
turn cap counterclockwise to the
first stop.
3. Step back while the pressure
releases.
4. When you are sure that all the
pressure has been released, use
the cloth to press the cap down,
turn it counterclockwise and
remove it.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System
Fluid E2FZ-19549±AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8±B) or an
equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford Specification
ESE-M97B44±A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized
formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in
Ford cooling systems for 4 years or
80,000 km (50,000 miles).
Do not use alcohol or methanol
antifreeze or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in
your vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system.
The use of an improper coolant
may void the warranty of your
vehicle's engine cooling system.
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Maintenance and care
168

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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Maintenance and care
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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Maintenance and care
170