1996 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

Servicing Your Windstar
329
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[SV24100(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast
for road conditions, you could lose control of your
vehicle. Under some circumstances, driving at very high
speeds for extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose
control of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
[SV24300(ALL)12/93]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your tires,
including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge. Check
the tire pressure when tires are cold, that is, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less
than 3 miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the
driver's door pillar.
*
[SV24400(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
%*
[SV24800(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
[SV24900(ALL)02/95]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them at the mileage shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet which came with your
vehicle.
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330
[SV25100(ALL)03/94]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050224-A
Rotating the tires
*
[SV25300(ALL)01/93]
If your vehicle has the optional full-size spare tire, you may
rotate the spare tire into the rotation pattern.
[SV25500(ALL)11/93]
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may remove the
full-size (if equipped) spare tire from the wheel and remount it
on an aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into your
vehicle's rotation pattern.
%*
[SV25600(ALL)04/95]
Replacing the Tires
*
[SV25700(ALL)01/93]
Replace tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a
wear band, it has only 1/16 of an inch (1.59 mm) of tread left.
*
[SV25800(ALL)11/93]
7-1/2 pica art:0040200-A
A worn-out tire
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Servicing Your Windstar
331
*
[SV25900(ALL)01/95]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread. Some spots wear more heavily than others.
*
[SV26100(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[SV26200(ALL)03/90]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size,
type, load-carrying capacity, and tread design (e.g. ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
*
[SV26225(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh performanceº tires
or larger size tires.
*
[SV26250(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Use of aftermarket wheel assemblies may damage your
vehicle or cause accidents resulting in serious injuries.
*
[SV26300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose
control and roll over.
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332
*
[SV26400(ALL)01/93]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
%*
[SV27400(ALL)02/95]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[SV27500(ALL)01/93]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
*
[SV27600(ALL)12/93]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on
this vehicle. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (254-305 mm) or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
*
[SV27700(ALL)01/93]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
%*
[SV27800(ALL)01/95]
Treadwear
*
[SV27900(ALL)01/93]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
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Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

Servicing Your Windstar
333
*
[SV28000(ALL)01/95]
Traction A B C
[SV28100(ALL)12/93]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
*
[SV28300(ALL)01/95]
Temperature A B C
[SV28400(ALL)12/93]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stadard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
%*
[SV28700(ALL)04/95]
Snow Tires and Chains
*
[SV28800(ALL)01/95]
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide
traction in rain or snow. However, during the winter months in
some climates, you may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
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334
*
[SV28900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
When using snow tires, make sure they are the same size
and grade as the tires you normally use on your vehicle.
*
[SV29000(ALL)02/95]
Do not use chains when using a temporary spare. For full size
tires, use chains on the tires only in an emergency or if the law
requires them where you live. When you use the tire chains:
*
[SV29100(ALL)01/95]
n
Make sure the chains are the right size for your tires. Use
only SAE Class ªSº chains. Other types may damage your
vehicle.
*
[SV29200(ALL)01/93]
n
Put chains on tightly with the ends held down securely.
Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions.
*
[SV29300(ALL)01/93]
n
Drive slowly. If you can hear the chains rub or bang against
your vehicle, stop the vehicle and tighten the chains. If you
continue to hear the chains rub or bang against your vehicle,
remove the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
*
[SV29400(ALL)10/94]
n
Avoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
*
[SV29500(ALL)05/94]
n
Remove tire chains at the first opportunity after using them
on snow and ice. Do not use the chains on dry roads.
[SV29520(ALL)10/93]
Limited chain clearance exists with P215/70R15 tires. If your
vehicle is equipped with these tires, extra care must be observed
to avoid damage with chains.
[SV29530(ALL)10/93]
Be sure:
[SV29535(ALL)10/93]
n
The chains are fully tightened
[SV29540(ALL)05/95]
n
The vehicle is driven below 30 MPH (50 km/h)
[SV29550(ALL)10/93]
n
The vehicle is lightly loaded
[SV29560(ALL)10/93]
n
To avoid sharp turns
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Servicing Your Windstar
335
*
[SV29600(ALL)01/93]
Make sure your suspension insulators and bumpers are not
missing or worn to avoid damage to your vehicle.
%*
[SV29700(ALL)04/95]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[SV29800(ALL)05/95]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool,
abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
*
[SV29900(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
*
[SV31300(ALL)05/95]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
[SV31400(ALL)08/94]
Under normal circumstances, you need to change the fluid at
30,000 miles (48,000 km) for normal operating conditions or
21,000 miles (34,000 km) for severe duty. However, if the
transaxle is not working properly (for example, slipping or
shifting slowly), or you notice some sign of fluid leakage, the
fluid level should be checked.
*
[SV31500(ALL)01/93]
It is best to check the transaxle fluid level at normal operating
temperature, after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid level without
having to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal operating
temperature if outside temperatures are above50ÊF (10ÊC).
*
[SV31600(ALL)01/93]
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds or in city traffic during hot
weather, or if it has been pulling a trailer, the engine
should be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
the fluid to cool before checking.
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336
%*
[SV31700(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV31800(ALL)01/93]
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine and move
the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gearshift lever in the P (Park) position, fully set the parking
brake and leave the engine running.
*
[SV32000(ALL)01/93]
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
[SV32100(ALL)10/93]
When checking fluid at normal operating temperature, the fluid
level should be within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
[SV32200(ALL)08/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0050021-A
The automatic transmission dipstick
[SV32250(ALL)11/93]
NOTE: Your vehicle should not be driven until some fluid
has been added if the fluid level is below the bottom
hole on the dipstick and the outside temperature is
above50ÊF (10ÊC). Addonly enough fluid to bring the
level above the bottom hole. The fluid level should be
rechecked at normal operating temperature.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996