1997 FORD WINDSTAR ESP

300
%*
[MC14600(ALL)05/96
]
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.
*
[MC14700(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Always use Motorcraft MERCONHor equivalent
MERCONHautomatic transaxle fluid when you refill
your automatic transaxle fluid.
%*
[MC14800(ALL)01/96]
Battery
*
[MC14900(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC15000(ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC15100(ALL)01/96]
Battery replacement
*
[MC15200(ALL)05/96]
If your original equipment battery requires replacement while
under warranty, it may, in some cases, be replaced by a
Motorcraft low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance
battery has removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte
level and for adding water, if needed.
*
[MC15300(ALL)05/96]
Check your battery's electrolyte level, at least every 12 months
or 12,000 miles (20,000 km), in temperatures up to90ÊF (32ÊC).
Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the ªlevelº indicator. Do
not overfill the battery cell.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

308
*
[MC20400(ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
*
[MC20500(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC20600(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
[MC20700(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC20800(ALL)01/96
]
Snow Tires and Chains
*
[MC20900(ALL)03/96]
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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

Maintenance and Care
313
[MC24700(ALL)01/96]
In some parts of the country, ªregularº grade fuels are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or even less especially in high altitude
areas. We recommend that you do not use these fuels. Always
use a fuel with an octane rating of at least 87, even if it is sold
as a ªmidgradeº or ªpremium.º
%*
[MC24800(ALL)03/96
]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions on
the recommended octane rated fuel, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician to prevent any engine damage.
%*
[MC24900(ALL)05/96
]
Fuel quality
[MC25000(ALL)04/96]
If your vehicle has problems starting, rough idle, or hesitation
problems when the engine is cold, it may be caused by fuel
with low volatility. Try a different brand of fuel. If the
condition persists, see your dealer or qualified service
technician.
*
[MC25100(ALL)05/96]
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to
your fuel tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
*
[MC25200(ALL)05/96]
n
minimizing deposits in fuel injectors, combustion chambers
and on intake valves.
*
[MC25300(ALL)05/96]
n
assuring quick starting and smooth warm-up.
*
[MC25400(ALL)05/96]
n
protecting the fuel system from vapor lock in very hot
weather, which causes the engine to hesitate or stall and
makes restarts difficult.
*
[MC25500(ALL)05/96]
n
protecting your fuel system from rusting.
*
[MC25600(ALL)05/96]
n
preventing the fuel lines from freezing.
*
[MC25700(ALL)05/96]
n
preventing the fuel system from ªgumming upº when your
vehicle is not used for long periods of time.
*
[MC25800(ALL)05/96]
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to
your fuel tank if you continue to use a high-quality fuel.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

318
[MC29500(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep the tires properly inflated. To find out the
recommended tire pressure, seeChecking the pressure of the
tireslater in this chapter.
[MC29600(ALL)01/96]
n
Use your air conditioning system wisely. To find out about
fuel economy and air conditioning, seeClimate control systems
in the Index.
[MC29700(ALL)01/96]
In addition to your individual driving habits, optional
equipment, such as air conditioning, can have a significant effect
on fuel economy. Various aftermarket add-on items that increase
aerodynamic drag can also reduce fuel economy.
%*
[MC29800(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC29900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
*
[MC30000(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
*
[MC30100(ALL)01/96]
n
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC30200(ALL)01/96]
n
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC30300(ALL)01/96]
n
Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
[MC30400(ALL)07/96]
n
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule. The scheduled
maintenance services are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of your
vehicle and to its emission system.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

320
%*
[MC31200(ALL)01/96
]
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.
*
[MC31300(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC31400(ALL)08/95]
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.
*
[MC31500(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC31600(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

Maintenance and Care
329
%*
[MC38700(ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
%*
[MC38800(ALL)01/96
]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC38900(ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with
a mild detergent.
*
[MC39000(ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC39100(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC39200(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
*
[MC39300(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC39400(ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as
necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC39500(ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
*
[MC39600(ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford
has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
*
[MC39700(ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

348
*
[HS08400(ALL)05/96]
Use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without a proper conversion
may damage the effectiveness of your emissions control system
and may cause engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford
Motor Company is not responsible for any damage that is
caused by use of improper fuel.
*
[HS08500(ALL)06/95]
You may also have difficulty importing your vehicle back into
the U.S. if you use leaded fuel.
*
[HS08600(ALL)01/93]
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are traveling or
living in Central or South America, the Caribbean, or the
Middle East, contact the nearest Ford dealership. If the
dealership cannot help you, contact:
*
[HS08700(ALL)10/95]
7-1/2 pica art:0040273-C
*
[HS08800(ALL)06/95]
If you are in other foreign countries, contact the nearest Ford
dealership. If the dealership cannot help you, they can direct
you to the appropriate Ford affiliate office.
*
[HS08900(ALL)06/95]
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then relocate
outside of the U.S. or Canada, register your Vehicle
Identification Number and new address with Ford Motor
Company Export Operations.
File:14wnhss.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:25:33 1996

Accessories
353
*
[AC02000(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Mobile communication systems, particularly if not
properly installed, may adversely affect the operation
of the vehicle. For example, such systems, when
operated, may cause the engine to stumble or stall. In
addition, such systems may themselves be damaged,
or their operation affected, by the operation of the
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door
openers, and other transmitters whose power output is
5 watts or less, ordinarily will not affect vehicle
operation.)
*
[AC02100(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Because Ford has no control over the operation or
manufacture of such systems or their installation, Ford
cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or
damage if this equipment is used.
File:15wnacs.ex
Update:Thu Jul 18 11:02:08 1996