four wheel drive FORD F150 1997 10.G Owners Manual

increase the performance of your
vehicle up to the permitted
maximum speeds.
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS
GUIDE
The information found in this
guide was in effect at the time of
printing. Ford may change the
contents without notice and
without incurring obligation.
Notice to owners of utility type
vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle,
please read this Owner's Guide
carefully. Your vehicle is not a
passenger car. As with other
vehicles of this type, failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to readDriving off road
in theDrivingchapter as well as
the ªFour Wheelingº supplement
included with 4WD and utility type
vehicles.
Using your vehicle with a
snowplow
For more information and
guidelines for using your vehicle
with a snowplow, refer to the
Drivingchapter.
Using your light truck as an
ambulance
Do not use this vehicle as
an ambulance.
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Introduction
3

Transmission control indicator
light (TCIL)
The TCIL (OFF), located on the
end of the gearshift lever, may
flash steadily if a malfunction has
been detected. If the TCIL is
flashing, contact your Ford dealer
as soon as possible. If this
condition persists, damage to the
transmission could occur.
For more information, refer to the
Drivingchapter.
4x4 light (if equipped)
Illuminates when 4H (Four-Wheel
Drive) or 4L (Four-Wheel Drive
Low) is engaged.
4x4 low range (if equipped)
Illuminates when 4L (Four-Wheel
Drive Low) is engaged.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned on and the
engine is off. If the light stays on
or continues to flash, the ABS
needs to be serviced.
Fuel reset
Illuminates when the ignition key
is turned to the ON position and
the fuel pump shut-off switch has
been triggered. For more
information, refer toFuel pump
shut-off switchin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
OVERDRIVE OFF
4x4
LOW
RANGE
ABS
FUEL
RESET
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Instrumentation
11

Removing key from ignition
Turn the ignition key to Lock.
Push the release lever forward
while removing the key from the
ignition.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION (4WD) (IF
EQUIPPED)
When Four±wheel drive (4WD) is
engaged, power is supplied to all
four wheels through a transfer
case. 4WD power can be selected
when additional driving power is
desired.
All utility-type vehicles and 4WD
vehicles have special design and
equipment features to make them
capable of performing in a wide
variety of off-road applications.
Specific design characteristics give
them higher centers of gravity than
ordinary passenger cars.
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Driving
105

Utility and four-wheel
drive vehicles arenot
designed for cornering at speeds
as high as passenger cars any
more than low-slung sports cars
are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road
conditions. Avoid sharp turns or
abrupt maneuvers in these
vehicles.
4WD operation is not
recommended on dry pavement.
Doing so could result in difficult
disengagement of the transfer
case, increased tire wear and
decreased fuel economy.
4WD system indicator lights
The 4WD system indicator lights
illuminate only under the following
conditions. If these lights
illuminate during normal driving,
have your vehicle serviced.
4x4± illuminates when 4H (4WD
High) or 4L (4WD Low) is
selected.
LOW RANGE ± illuminates when
4L (4WD Low) is selected.
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Driving
106

When using 4WD, maintain
steering wheel control at all times,
especially in rough terrain. Since
sudden changes in terrain can
result in abrupt steering wheel
motion, make sure you grip the
steering wheel from the outside.
Do not grip the spokes.
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle
damage from concealed objects
such as rocks and stumps.
You should either know the terrain
or examine maps of the area
before driving. Map out your route
before driving in the area. For
more information on driving
off-road, read the ªFour Wheelingº
supplement in your owner's
portfolio.
If your vehicle gets stuck
If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. Allow the transmission to
engage, then press lightly on the
accelerator. DO NOT rock the
vehicle for more than a few
minutes. The transmission and
tires may be damaged or the
engine can overheat.
Do not spin the wheels at
over 35 mph (55 km/h).
The tires may fail and injure a
passenger or bystander.
Sand
When driving over sand, try to
keep all four wheels on the most
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Driving
112