fluid FORD F250 1997 Owners Manual

15
%*
[IS01700(FM)01/96]
The Mechanical Cluster
*
[IS01800(FM)01/96]
The following warning lights and gauges are on
the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights
and gauges alert you to possible problems with
your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following sections detail what each
of these indicators means.
%*
[IS02600(FM)01/96]
Brake System Warning Light
[IS02800(F )04/96]
The warning light for the brakes can show three
things Ð that either the parking brake is not
fully released, that the brake fluid level is low in
the master cylinder reservoir or the vacuum
pressure is low on diesel engine vehicles. If the
fluid level is low, the brake system should be
checked by a qualified service technician.
*
[IS02900(FM)03/96]
This light illuminates when you turn the ignition
key to START to verify that the indicator bulb is
working. If the light stays on or illuminates after
you have released the parking brake fully, have
the hydraulic brake system serviced.
*
[IS03000(FM)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes
may not be working properly. Have the
brakes checked immediately.
[IS03100(FM)04/96]
one inch art:0020044-A
Brake warning light
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73 %
*
[CF28900(FM)01/96]
Variable Interval Wipers
[CF29000(FM)04/96]
In addition to two speed wipers, your vehicle is
equipped with wipers that you can set to
operate at varying intervals. For example, you
can set the interval so they wipe less often when
it drizzles or more often in heavier rain.
[CF29100(FM)04/96]
one third page art:0020831-A
Interval wiper on turn signal lever
*
[CF29200(FM)08/95]
To set the interval wipers, rotate the knob at the
end of the turn signal lever toward or away
from the instrument panel to the interval
operation you desire.
*
[CF29300(FM)01/96]
Windshield Washer
*
[CF29400(FM)01/96]
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the
wiper knob. For a constant spray, keep the knob
pushed in. After you release the knob, the
wipers operate for two to three cycles before
turning off (if wipers were off) or returning to
the selected setting.
*
[CF29500(FM)08/95]
Do not try to clean the windshield when the
washer fluid container is empty or activate the
washers at any time for more than 15 seconds
continuously. This could damage the washer
pump system.
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74 [CF29510(FM)05/96]The addition of shields to the front of the
vehicle as used to deflect bugs, may also
adversely affect the washer system from
delivering fluid to the windshield. Devices such
as bug shields are not recommended.
*
[CF29600(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the
defroster before you use the washer fluid.
In freezing weather, the washer solution
may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
*
[CF29700(F )03/96]
For information about refilling the washer fluid
or replacing your windshield wiper blades, see
Windshield washer fluid and Wipersin the Index.
%
*
[CF29800(FM)03/96]
Hazard Flasher
*
[CF29900(FM)01/96]
The hazard flasher is used to alert other drivers
to hazardous situations.
*
[CF30000(FM)01/96]
The flashers will continue to flash with the brake
pedal depressed.
*
[CF30200(FM)01/96]
The flashers work whether your vehicle is
running or not. The flashers work for up to two
hours when the battery is fully charged and in
good condition without draining the battery
excessively. If the flashers run for longer than
two hours or if the battery is not fully charged,
the battery can be drained.
*
[CF30300(FM)01/96]
To use the hazard flasher:
*
[CF30400(FM)01/96]
1. Push in the flasher button; it will pop out
and the lamps will begin to flash.
*
[CF30500(FM)01/96]
2. To stop the flashers, push in the flasher
button again.
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138
[TO01000(FM)01/96]
Starting your vehicle
%*
[TO01100(FM)01/96]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[TO01200(FM)02/96]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust
fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
*
[TO01300(FM)01/96]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[TO01400(F )01/96]
1. Make sure all occupants in the vehicle
buckle their safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[TO01600(FM)01/96]
2. Make sure the headlamps and other
accessories are turned off when starting.
*
[TO01700(F )01/96]
3.If you have an automatic transmission,
make sure that the gearshift lever is in P
(Park) and the parking brake is set before
you turn the key.
*
[TO01900(F )01/96]
4.If you have a manual transmission,make
sure that the parking brake is fully set, push
the clutch pedal to the floor, and put the
gearshift into Neutral before you turn the
key. (Remember, the starter will operate only
if the clutch pedal is pushed in all the way).
%*
[TO02000(F )01/96]
Testing the Warning Lights
*
[TO02100(F )02/96]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to the
Instrumentationchapter.
[TO02200(F )04/96]
If your Brake Warning Light does light up with
the key in the ON position, you may not have
fully released the parking brake or the brake
fluid may be low.
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Update:Tue May 28 08:44:45 1996
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146 [GF01200(F )04/96]Rear Disc Brakes (F-Super Duty and
F-Series Stripped Chassis Only)
[GF01300(FM)04/96]
The rear disc brakes are self-adjusting. They do
not require service other than periodic
lubrication of the caliper slide rails and
inspection for pad wear.
*
[GF01350(FM)01/96]
Hydraulic Power Brakes
*
[GF01400(F )03/96]
The hydraulic brake system is made up of two
independent hydraulic circuits. One hydraulic
circuit supplies fluid to the front disc brakes and
the other hydraulic circuit supplies fluid to the
rear drum brakes. These two circuits are
supplied by a common hydraulic brake fluid
reservoir, with a fluid level sensor.
*
[GF01500(FM)01/96]
The brake light in the instrument cluster will
light for low brake fluid in the common brake
fluid reservoir.
*
[GF01550(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
An increase in pedal travel will result in
reduced braking capability. The brake
system should be checked immediately.
%*
[GF01700(F )01/96]
Rear Anti-lock Brakes
[GF01800(F )04/96]
Except for F-Super Duty and F-Series
Commercial and Motorhome Stripped Chassis,
F-Series Light Trucks are equipped with a Rear
Antilock Brake System. This system prevents at
least one and often both rear wheels from
locking up when the brakes are applied in a
panic stop, for example.
*
[GF01900(F )01/96]
Even with the Anti-lock Brake System, you
should be careful when braking. Front brake
lock up on any surface, even on smooth
pavement causes loss of steering control. Heavy
braking on roads with loose surfaces such as
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158
*
[GF08550(FM)05/96]
Forced Downshifts
*
[GF08575(FM)05/96]
To gain extra acceleration injOverdrive or
Drive (O/D OFF), push the accelerator to the
floor. The transmission will automatically
downshift to the appropriate gear: third, second
or first.
*
[GF08625(FM)05/96]
Increasing the engine speed above idle without
vehicle movement (such as holding the brake) in
a forward or reverse gear causes transmission
stall.
*
[GF08650(FM)05/96]
NOTE: Continued operation in the stall
condition can result in transmission
overheat, malfunction or fluid
expulsion.
%
*
[GF12100(F )01/96]
Driving with a Manual
Transmission
%*
[GF12200(F )01/96]
Using the Clutch
*
[GF12300(F )01/96]
Make sure the gearshift lever is in the N
(Neutral) position and your right foot is holding
down the brake pedal. Then press the clutch
pedal to the floor with your left foot. Manual
transmission vehicles have a starter interlock
switch. The starter will not crank until the clutch
pedal is fully depressed. Start the engine and
allow it to idle for a few seconds. Move the
gearshift into 1 (First) or R (Reverse).
*
[GF12400(F )01/96]
To move the vehicle, release the clutch slowly
and at the same time press down slowly on the
accelerator so that the vehicle accelerates.
*
[GF12500(F )01/96]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold
your vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a
hill. These actions will seriously reduce clutch
life.
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173
*
[GF19650(F )01/96]
Drive cautiously to avoid vehicle damage from
concealed objects such as rocks and stumps.
Know the terrain or examine maps of the area in
question before driving. Map out your route
beforehand. To maintain steering and braking
control of your vehicle, you must have all four
tires on the ground, and they must be rolling,
not sliding or spinning.
[GF19700(F )04/96]
Transmission upshift in 4x4 with transfer case in
4L may be quite firm due to large total gear
reduction. This condition is normal.
*
[GF19750(F )01/96]
Sand
*
[GF19800(F )01/96]
When driving over sand, try to keep all four
wheels of the vehicle 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 accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning the wheels.
*
[GF19850(F )01/96]
Mud and Water
*
[GF19900(F )01/96]
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.
*
[GF19950(F )01/96]
Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as
dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly, while applying light
pressure on the brake pedal.
*
[GF20000(F )01/96]
After driving through mud, clean off residue
stuck to rotating driveshafts and tires. Excess
mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts
causes an imbalance which could damage drive
components.
*
[GF20050(F )03/96]
NOTE: If the transmission and transfer case is
submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
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221 %
*
[GF24270(FM)01/96]
High water
[GF24280(FM)04/96]
Never attempt to cross water that is fast flowing
or of unknown depth.
*
[GF24290(FM)01/96]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel hubs.
*
[GF24300(FM)01/96]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[GF24310(FM)01/96]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
*
[GF24320(F )03/96]
NOTE: If the transmission and transfer case is
submerged in water, their fluids should
be checked and changed, if necessary.
[GF24340(FM)04/96]
NOTE: All rear axle lube quantities must be
replaced every 100,000 miles
(160,000 km) or if the axle has been
submerged in water. Otherwise, the
lube should not be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair
required.
File:09ltgff.ex
Update:Thu May 30 15:25:49 1996
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230 [ER01300(FM)01/96]Power Distribution Box
*
[ER01350(FM)01/96]
The high current fuses contained in the Power
Distribution Box protect your vehicle's main
electrical systems from overloads; these fuses
provide the connection between the battery and
your vehicle's electrical systems.
*
[ER01400(FM)03/96]
The high current fuses are coded as follows: 30
amp Ð light green, 40 amp Ð orange, 50 amp
Ð red, 60 amp Ð blue.
*
[ER01450(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Always disconnect the battery before
servicing high current fuses.
*
[ER01500(FM)01/96]
Ford recommends that high current fuses be
replaced by a qualified technician.
*
[ER01550(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Always replace the cover to the Power
Distribution Box before reconnecting the
battery or refilling fluid reservoirs.
*
[ER01600(FM)01/96]
A blown high current fuse may be replaced but
will continue to blow until the cause of the
overload condition is corrected.
*
[ER01650(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has
the specified amperage rating. Using a
fuse with a higher amperage rating can
cause severe wire damage and could start
a fire.
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268 [MC09000(F )04/96]If the above conditions do not apply, change
the engine oil and oil filter every 6 months or
5,000 miles (8,000 km), whichever comes first.
*
[MC09100(FM)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
[MC09200(F )04/96]
NOTE: Refer to thePower Stroke Diesel Engine
Owner's Guide Supplementfor oil
viscosity, filter application and oil and
filter change intervals.
%*
[MC09300(FM)04/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
*
[MC09400(FM)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC09500(FM)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[MC09600(FM)01/96]
Brake Fluid
*
[MC09625(FM)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level
indicator in the master cylinder which lights the
BRAKE warning light on the instrument panel
when the brake fluid level is low.
*
[MC09650(FM)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
*
[MC09675(FM)01/96]
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You
can do this by looking at the fluid level in the
plastic brake fluid reservoir on the master
cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the
MAX mark.
File:11ltmcf.ex
Update:Tue May 28 08:52:04 1996
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