engine overheat FORD F150 1998 10.G Owners Manual

When refueling the vehicle from
empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less
than the advertised capacity due to
the reserve fuel.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle
speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal
operating temperature, the needle
remains within the normal area
(the area between the ªHº and
ªCº). If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle, switch off the ignition and
let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant
recovery cap while the
engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the
temperature of the engine coolant,
not the coolant level. If the coolant
0
000000000
MPH
20km/h 406080
100
120
140
160
0 1020304050
60
70
80
90
100
H
C
Instrumentation
14

is possible that a fuse has blown
and the vehicle's brakelamps may
not be operating properly. Refer to
Fuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle
until you verify that the
brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud
or snow it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse
gears in a steady pattern. Press
lightly on the accelerator in each
gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for
more than a few minutes. The
transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking
brake fully and make sure
the gearshift is latched in P
(Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
Driving with a 4±speed
automatic transmission
Understanding gearshift
positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards
you and downward to move the
automatic gearshift.
Driving
89

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
solid area of the trail. Do not
reduce the tire pressures but shift
to a lower gear and drive steadily
through the terrain. Apply the
accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
Mud and water
If you must drive through high
water, drive slowly. Traction or
brake capability may be limited.
When driving through water,
determine the depth; avoid water
higher than the bottom of the hubs
(if possible) and proceed slowly. If
the ignition system gets wet, the
vehicle may stall.
Driving
105

either full left or full right to
provide maximum airflow to the
radiator.
If you are driving less than 24 km
(15 miles) at speeds up to 64 km/h
(40 mph) in cold weather, you will
not need to worry about blade
position to provide maximum
airflow.
Transmission operation while
plowing
²Shift transfer case to 4L (4WD
Low) when plowing in small
areas at speeds below 8 km/h
(5 mph).
²Shift transfer case to 4H (4WD
High) when plowing larger areas
or light snow at higher speeds.
Do not exceed 24 km/h
(15 mph).
²Do not shift the transmission
from a forward gear to R
(Reverse) until the engine is at
idle and the wheels are stopped.
²If the vehicle is stuck, shift the
transmission in a steady motion
between forward and reverse
gears. 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.
Driving
129

Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle
year-round in non-extreme
climates.
What you should know about
fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is
depleted, this feature allows the
vehicle to be driven temporarily
before incremental component
damage is incurred. The ªfail safeº
distance depends on ambient
temperatures, vehicle load and
terrain.
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 service engine soon light 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.
H
C
Maintenance and care
168