1997 FORD WINDSTAR service

279
Maintenance and Care
*
[MC00200(ALL)01/96]
How Ford Makes Servicing Your Vehicle
Easy
*
[MC00300(ALL)01/96]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[MC00400(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
*
[MC00500(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
*
[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
n
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
*
[MC00700(ALL)03/96]
n
When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
[MC00800(ALL)07/96]
n
We give you aMaintenance Schedulebooklet that makes
tracking routine service for your vehicle easy.
*
[MC00900(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
[MC01000(ALL)01/96]
If you need professional servicing, see the chapter onCustomer
Assistancein this Owner Guide.
[MC01100(ALL)01/96]
Check yourWarranty InformationBooklet to find out which parts
are covered.
%*
[MC01200(ALL)01/96]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
*
[MC01300(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
[MC01400(ALL)04/96]
n
If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts.
*
[MC01500(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

Maintenance and Care
283
*
[MC03300(ALL)01/96]
To close the hood:
*
[MC03400(ALL)01/96]1.
Remove the prop rod from the slotted hole in the hood.
Place the rod in its retaining clip and close the hood with
enough force to make it latch. Be sure to oil the hood latch
every six months to maintain smooth operation.
*
[MC03500(ALL)01/96]2.
Try to lift the hood after closing it to be sure it is securely
latched.
%*
[MC03600(ALL)03/96]
Engine Compartment
[MC03700(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle has a 3.0 liter SFI, V-6 engine or an optional 3.8
liter SFI, V-6 engine. The following illustrations show diagrams
of your engine and where you can find items you should
service regularly.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

286
[MC04000(ALL)04/96]
What to Check When You Stop at a Service
Station
%*
[MC04100(ALL)01/96]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[MC04200(ALL)01/96]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil
meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the
American Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the
front of the container.
[MC04300(ALL)04/96]
Use only engine oils displaying the American Petroleum
Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on the front of the container:
*
[MC04400(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0001314-A
The API Certification Mark
*
[MC04500(ALL)01/96]
Neveruse:
*
[MC04600(ALL)01/96]
n
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[MC04700(ALL)02/96]
n
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[MC04800(ALL)01/96
]
n
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

Maintenance and Care
295
*
[MC10700(ALL)05/96]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula
that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford
engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant
additives in your gasoline powered vehicle. These additives may
harm your engine cooling system. Follow the recommended
service interval for changing your engine coolant.
*
[MC10800(ALL)05/96]
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.
[MC10900(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC11000(ALL)05/96]
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.
%*
[MC11100(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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

296
*
[MC11200(ALL)05/96]
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).
*
[MC11300(ALL)05/96]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's
coolant system can hold, seeRefill CapacitiesinCapacities and
Specificationschapter.
[MC11400(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC11500(ALL)05/96]
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.
%*
[MC11600(ALL)01/96
]
Checking Hoses
*
[MC11700(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC11800(ALL)05/96
]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
[MC11900(ALL)01/96]
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.
% [MC12000(ALL)04/96]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[MC12100(ALL)01/96]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least twice a
year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
*
[MC12200(ALL)01/96]
To check the level of your power steering fluid:
[MC12300(ALL)01/96]1.
Start the engine and let it run until the power steering fluid
reaches normal operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will reach the right temperature after at least five
minutes of idling or at least one mile (1 km) of driving.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

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

Maintenance and Care
307
*
[MC19700(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
%*
[MC19800(ALL)01/96
]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[MC19900(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC20000(ALL)01/96]
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).
*
[MC20100(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC20200(ALL)01/96
]
Treadwear
*
[MC20300(ALL)01/96]
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:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

312
*
[MC23600(ALL)01/96]
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal condition. It may be
caused by:
*
[MC23700(ALL)01/96]
n
too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions. Service stations
sometimes sell winter grade fuel in the summer.
*
[MC23800(ALL)01/96]
n
pulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high altitudes.
*
[MC23900(ALL)01/96]
n
extended periods of idling with the engine RPM increased
above the normal idle range.
*
[MC24000(ALL)01/96]
n
parking the vehicle in full sunlight for extended periods on
extremely hot days.
%*
[MC24100(ALL)01/96
]
Choosing the Right Fuel
*
[MC24200(ALL)03/96]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. Using leaded fuel is prohibited by
federal law and could damage your vehicle. The damage may
not be covered by your warranty.
*
[MC24300(ALL)05/96]
Vehicle inspection programs may detect misfueling. Under these
circumstances, you may be required by law to make costly
repairs at your own expense.
%*
[MC24400(ALL)04/96
]
Octane recommendation
*
[MC24500(ALL)03/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular unleaded gasoline with
an (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend
gasolines labeled ªregularº in high altitude areas that are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or even less.
*
[MC24600(ALL)02/96]
6 pica art:0040193-A
Typical octane rating label
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996