1996 FORD WINDSTAR service

322additives in your gasoline powered vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system. Follow the recommended
service interval for changing your engine coolant.
*
[SV20200(ALL)11/93]
NOTE: When adding to or changing your engine coolant, it is
important to maintain a coolant concentration between
40% (s11ÊF [s24ÊC]) and 60% (s62ÊF [s52ÊC])
depending on your local climate conditions. When
coolant concentration falls below 40%, you will lose
freeze protection; above 60%, your engine may
overheat on a warm day. If coolant concentration is
outside this range, you may lose corrosion and rust
protection for the metals in your engine cooling
system.
[SV20300(ALL)01/93]
NOTE: Do not use an engine coolant that does not meet all
14 requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
The use of a coolant that does not meet the 14
requirements may void your warranty for the engine
cooling system. Use only a premium, nationally
recognized brand name engine coolant.
*
[SV20400(ALL)02/94]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the Ford Rotunda
engine coolant recycling process and chemicals. Use only Ford
Rotunda recycled engine coolant or an equivalent non-Ford
Rotunda recycled engine coolant that is certified by the supplier
to meet Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
%*
[SV20500(ALL)01/93]
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.
*
[SV20700(ALL)01/93]
Leave the coolant in all year. Make sure that the coolant will
not freeze at the temperature level in which you usually drive
during winter months. Keep an engine coolant in your engine
that has a protection rating of at leasts20ÊF (s29ÊC).
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

Servicing Your Windstar
323
*
[SV20800(ALL)01/93]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's
coolant system can hold, seeRefill Capacitieslater in this chapter.
[SV20900(ALL)02/95]
You may add water by itself only in an emergency, but you
should replace it with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant as
soon as possible.
*
[SV21000(ALL)02/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add engine coolant more than once a month, or
you have to add more than a quart (liter) at a time.
%*
[SV21100(ALL)11/94]
Checking hoses
*
[SV21200(ALL)01/93]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration,
leaks and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine
coolant. Make whatever repairs or replacements are necessary
using Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
%*
[SV21300(ALL)05/95]
Engine coolant drain and flush
[SV21400(ALL)11/93]
To drain and flush your engine coolant, youMUSTsee your
Ford dealer or refer to the procedure in the service manual.
Failing to do so could result in engine damage.
%*
[SV21505(ALL)05/95]
Battery
*
[SV21510(ALL)02/95]
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does not require
additional water during its life of service. The vents are part of
the cover and cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make
certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery
terminals.
*
[SV21515(ALL)02/95]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a
wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of
baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done
cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top
of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

Servicing Your Windstar
327
%*
[SV22300(ALL)03/95]
Wiper Blades
[SV22400(ALL)02/95]
Check the windshield wipers at least twice a year. Also check
them whenever they seem less effective than usual. Such
substances as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wipers.
*
[SV22500(ALL)01/93]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
[SV22550(ALL)04/95]
Your wipers have a service feature that allows you to pull the
wiper arms and blades away from the windshield and into an
upright position. This service position allows you easy access to
the blades from either side of your vehicle.
*
[SV22600(ALL)04/95]
To reach the wiper blades easily, turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY and turn your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to OFF. Moving the
wipers manually may damage them.
*
[SV22700(ALL)03/95]
Replacing the wiper blades
*
[SV22800(ALL)01/95]
If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them,
you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly. When
replacing the wiper blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent.
*
[SV22900(ALL)10/93]
To replace the wiper blades:
*
[SV23000(ALL)04/95]1.
Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield and lock into
the service position.
[SV23100(ALL)04/95]2.
Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper arm. Squeeze the
lock tabs of the plastic clip together to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield to remove
it from the arm.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

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.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

Servicing Your Windstar
359
%*
[SV43100(ALL)03/95]
Emission Control System
*
[SV43200(ALL)05/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
*
[SV43300(ALL)05/95]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
*
[SV43400(ALL)01/95]
n
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[SV43500(ALL)01/95]
n
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[SV43600(ALL)01/93]
n
Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
*
[SV43700(ALL)03/95]
n
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet performed according to the specified schedule.
*
[SV43800(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
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.
*
[SV43900(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the floor.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

360
*
[SV43925(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the fuel system, the interior floor covering,
or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
*
[SV43950(ALL)03/95]
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
*
[SV44000(ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check
engine light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
*
[SV44100(ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV44200(ALL)01/93]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or
prevent it from working. In some of the United States and in
Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
%*
[SV44225(ALL)05/95]
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission
control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor Company
vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense by any
automotive repair establishment or individual using automotive
parts equivalent to those with which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

Servicing Your Windstar
361
*
[SV44235(ALL)05/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford replacement
parts. If other than Ford or Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance replacements or
for the service of components affecting emission control, such
non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It is the owner's
responsibility to determine the equivalency of such parts. Please
consult your warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV44250(ALL)02/92]
Never use a metal exhaust collector when you service your
vehicle. If the metal collector contacts any of your vehicle's
plastic trim or bumper parts they could melt or deform.
*
[SV44300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate properly. See
your dealer if the engine runs on for more than five seconds
after you shut it off or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
*
[SV44400(ALL)11/93]
Information about your vehicle's emissions control system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on or
near the engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and
gives some tune-up specifications.
%*
[SV44450(ALL)05/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance Testing
*
[SV44460(ALL)05/95]
In some localities it may become a legal requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) II system. If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery
has just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not ready
for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M testing, the law
specifies a ªneed for additional mixed city and highway driving
to complete the checkº of the OBD II system. As soon as all of
the OBD II system checks are successfully completed, the OBD
II system is set to the ready condition. The amount of driving
required to reach the ready condition varies with individual
driving patterns. To complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle defined below.
If the vehicle owner cannot or does not want to do the
additional driving required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of repair work.
File:wnsvs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:16:43 1996

382
Audio system (see Electronic sound system)....... 195
Autolamp system (see Headlamps)........... 123
Autolock (see Keyless entry).............. 154
Automatic transaxle
driving with.................... 235
fluid, adding.................... 337
fluid, checking................... 336
fluid, refill capacities................ 363
fluid, specification.................. 365
B
Backing up...................... 236
Basic vehicle warranty.................. 3
Battery
acid, treating emergencies............261, 325
battery saver.................... 151
charging system warning light........... 72,85
how to service................... 323
jumping a disabled battery.............. 261
maintenance-free.................. 323
proper disposal, recycling.............. 324
when storing your vehicle.............. 368
Brake fluid
brake warning light................ 68,84
checking and adding................ 337
specifications..................338, 365
Brakelamp, bulb replacement.............. 354
Brakes
adjustment..................... 240
anti-lock...................... 240
anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning light..... 69,88
applying the brakes................. 243
brake warning light................ 68,84
fluid, checking and adding.............. 337
fluid, specifications...............338, 365
front disc...................... 240
if brakes do not grip well.............. 242
new brake linings................... 4
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Tue Mar 19 08:12:49 1996