check engine light FORD F250 1998 User Guide

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer
fluid
Check the washer fluid whenever
you stop for fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
If the level is low, add enough fluid
to fill the reservoir. In very cold
weather, do not fill the reservoir all
the way.
Do not put engine coolant
in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
ENGINE COOLANT
Check the level of the coolant in
the reservoir at least once a
month. Be sure to read and
understandPrecautions when
servicing your vehiclein this
chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been
checked for a long period of time,
the engine coolant reservoir may
eventually empty. If this occurs,
add engine coolant to the coolant
reservoir. For more information on
engine coolant maintenance, refer
toAdding engine coolantin this
chapter.
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parts in performance and
durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive
your vehicle in dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust
system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange
odors, smoke, loss of oil pressure,
the charging system warning light,
the ªCheck Engineº light or the
temperature warning light. These
events could indicate that the
emission control system is not
working properly.
If you smell exhaust fumes
of any kind inside your
vehicle, have the dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust
fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Do not make any unauthorized
changes to your vehicle or engine.
By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades
vehicles, or supervises a fleet of
vehicles are not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from
working. Information about your
vehicle's emission system is on the
Vehicle Emission Control
Information Decal located on or
near the engine. This decal
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identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune up specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty
Guideº for complete emission
warranty information.
Readiness for
inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªcheck
engine/service engine soonº light is
on, reference the applicable light
description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may
not pass the I/M test with the
ªcheck engine/service engine soonº
light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system
or its battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is
reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the OBD-II
system for I/M testing, a minimum
of 30 minutes of city and highway
driving is necessary as described
below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of
driving on an expressway or
highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving
in stop and go, city type traffic
with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least
eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and
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Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..........................................60
and child safety seats ..............61
description ................................60
disposal ......................................64
indicator light ...........................63
passenger air bag ...........62,65,66
Air conditioning
manual heating and air
conditioning system .......22,23,26
Air suspension
description ................................87
warning light .............................11
Ambulance packages ....................3
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
description ................................84
Anti-theft system ........................40
Battery .......................................175
voltage gauge ............................16
Brake fluid
checking and adding ..............162
Brakes ..........................................83
anti-lock .....................................83
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light .............................84
fluid, checking and adding ....162
Brake-shift interlock ...................88
Break-in period .............................2
Bulbs, replacing ........................192
headlamps ...............................193
specifications ..........................197
Changing a tire .........................141
Child safety seats ........................70
Chime
headlamps on ............................12
Cleaning your vehicle ...............198
engine compartment ..............200
fabric ........................................201
instrument panel ....................201
plastic parts ............................201
safety belts ..............................202
tail lamps .................................201washing ....................................198
waxing .....................................199
wheels ......................................199
Clutch
fluid ..........................................163
Controls .......................................19
Daytime running light system ...17
Driving under special
conditions ..................................105
high water ...............................105
slippery roads ..................106,107
Emission control system ..........189
Engine ........................................210
check engine temperature
warning, message
center ...............................155,156
service points ..........................155
Engine block heater ...................80
Engine coolant
checking and adding .......164,165
disposal ....................................166
refill capacities ........................167
Engine oil ...........................156,160
changing oil and oil filter .......161
checking and
adding ........................156,158,160
Exhaust fumes ............................81
Fail safe cooling ........................168
Foglamps ............................196,197
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .........98
control trac ........................19,102
indicator light ...........................99
lever operated electric shift ....99
Fuel
calculating fuel economy .......188
improving fuel economy ........130
octane rating ...........................187
quality ......................................187
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................184
Fuel gauge ...................................13
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......131
Index
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Fuse panels
instrument panel ....................133
power distribution box ...........138
Fuses ...................................132,133
Gauges, Mechanical ....................13
engine coolant temperature
gauge .........................................14
Hazard flashers .........................131
Headlamps
autolamp system .......................18
flashing ......................................35
high beam .................................35
turning on and off ....................17
Heating ........................................20
High beams
indicator light ...........................10
Hood
release lever ............................154
Ignition
positions of the ignition ...........27
removing the key ......................98
Instrument panel
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................18
Jump-starting your
vehicle .................................147,149
attaching cables ......................148
disconnecting cables ..............149
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................44
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
Lamps
interior lamps ...........................36
map lamps .................................36
parking lamps .........................195
Lights, warning and indicator
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..............9
anti-theft ...................................10
brake ............................................9
charging system ........................10check engine ............................6,7
door ajar ....................................11
engine oil pressure ...................10
four-wheel drive ........................11
fuel reset ................................6,12
safety belt ...................................9
turn signal indicator ...................9
Load limits
trailer towing ..........................110
Lubricant specifications ....205,208
Manual transmission ...................92
shift speeds .....................94,96,97
Mirrors
side view mirrors (power) .......38
Odometer .....................................15
Off road driving, 4-wheel drive 104
Overdrive ................................35,36
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................43
Parking brake ..............................85
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....205
Power door locks ........................38
Power steering
fluid, checking and adding ....169
Recreational towing, all wheels
on the ground ...........................123
Relays ........................................132
Remote entry system .................42
illuminated entry ......................47
locking/unlocking doors ...........43
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................46
replacing the batteries .............45
Reporting safety defects ..........215
Safety restraints
automatic locking mode
(retractor) .......................54,55,56
extension assembly ..................57
for children ...............................68
lap and shoulder belts ........53,54
maintenance ..............................58
proper use .................................51
Index
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