open hood FORD F250 1998 Owners Manual

Operating tips
²In humid weather, select DEF
before driving. This will
prevent your windshield from
fogging. After a few minutes,
select any desired position.
²To prevent humidity buildup
inside the vehicle, don't drive
with the climate control system
in the OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the
front seat that will interfere with
the airflow to the back seats (if
eqipped).
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If your vehicle has been parked
with the windows closed during
hot weather, the air conditioner
will do a much faster job of
cooling if you drive for two or
three minutes with the windows
open. This will force most of the
hot, stale air out of the vehicle.
Then operate your air
conditioner as you would
normally.
²When placing objects on top of
your instrument panel, be
careful to not place them over
the defroster outlets. These
objects can block airflow and
Controls and features
26
ProCarManuals.com

Working with the engine on
²Automatic transmission:
1. Set the parking brake fully and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine
with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it
while the engine is running.
²Manual transmission:
1. Set the parking brake, depress
the clutch and place the gearshift
in 1 (First).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and release the auxiliary latch that
is located under the front center of
the hood. Lift the hood until the
lift cylinders hold it open.
BRAKE
HOOD
Maintenance and care
154
ProCarManuals.com

1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert
the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the
MIN and MAX marks, the oil
level is acceptable.DO NOT
ADD OIL.
MIN MAX
Maintenance and care
157
ProCarManuals.com

²If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise
the level within the MIN-MAX
range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark
may cause engine damage. Some
oil must be removed from the
engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and
ensure it is fully seated.
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you
fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level
ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a
few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and
ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself
from engine heat.
Maintenance and care
158
ProCarManuals.com

Replacing headlamp bulbs
Handle a halogen
headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children's reach.
Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass.
The oil from your hand could
cause the bulb to break the next
time the headlamps are
operated.
1. Make sure that the headlamp
control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
3. At the back of the headlamp,
pull clips rearward and up (about
ôº) to release the headlamp
assembly.
4. Slide headlamp assembly
forward and off of guide ribs to
expose the back of the bulb and
wiring connector.
5. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by grasping the wire
and pulling it rearward.
6. Remove bulb retainer ring by
turning it counterclockwise about
1¤4turn, then slide the ring off the
plastic base.
7. Without turning, carefully pull
bulb assembly out of headlamp
assembly.
Maintenance and care
193
ProCarManuals.com