1997 FORD WINDSTAR engine

298
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[MC13100(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your
vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering pump.
*
[MC13200(ALL)01/96]
If you must check the power steering fluid when it is cold,
make sure that the fluid reaches at least the minimum (MIN)
mark. The reading will only be accurate if the fluid temperature
is approximately 70Ê to100ÊF (21Ê to 38ÊC).
%*
[MC13300(ALL)01/96]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
[MC13400(ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC13500(ALL)01/96]
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).
*
[MC13600(ALL)01/96]
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.
%*
[MC13700(ALL)01/96
]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC13800(ALL)01/96]
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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

312
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[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

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

316
%*
[MC27400(ALL)01/96
]
Running Out of Fuel
*
[MC27500(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle runs out of fuel, try to stop on level ground
away from traffic. Add at least two gallons (8 liters) of fuel to
start your vehicle again. If your vehicle is not on level ground,
you may need as much as five gallons (20 liters) of fuel to start
it.
[MC27600(ALL)01/96]
You may need to turn the ignition to START several times
before engaging the starter (leaving it in that position several
seconds each time) before the fuel system starts to pump fuel
from the tank to the engine.
%*
[MC27700(ALL)03/96
]
Fuel Economy
*
[MC27800(ALL)01/96]
Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of your vehicle
and can be calculated as Miles Per Gallon (MPG) or Liters Per
100 Kilometers (L/100K).
[MC27900(ALL)01/96]
To calculate the fuel economy:
*
[MC28000(ALL)01/96]1.
Fill the tank completely and record the initial odometer
reading.
*
[MC28100(ALL)01/96]2.
Every time you buy fuel record the amount (in gallons or
liters) purchased.
[MC28200(ALL)01/96]3.
Divide the total number of miles that you have driven by
the total number of gallons that your vehicle has used. This
will give you the average numbers of miles per gallon.
[MC28300(ALL)01/96]
In metric, multiply the number of liters used by 100 and
divide the answer by the number of kilometers traveled. This
will give you the number of liters used per 100 km.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Mon Jul 8 14:29:32 1996

Maintenance and Care
317
*
[MC28400(ALL)01/96]
Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Fuel Economy Estimates
[MC28500(ALL)01/96]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and therefore are estimates
which may not reflect the actual conditions you experience. The
tests also do not exactly duplicate your personal style of
driving, including all your stops, starts, and lane changes. Other
factors that may affect fuel economy include using the air
conditioning, driving speed, vehicle load and tire inflation
pressure. The EPA fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee
that you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
%*
[MC28600(ALL)01/96
]
Improving Fuel Economy
[MC28700(ALL)01/96]
You can improve the fuel economy for your vehicle in three
ways:
[MC28800(ALL)07/96]1.
Maintain your vehicle effectively. A well-tuned, properly
maintained vehicle gives you better fuel economy. Follow the
schedules for maintaining your vehicle that are in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet.
[MC28900(ALL)04/96]2.
Drive your vehicle efficiently. Change your driving habits to
conserve fuel:
[MC29000(ALL)04/96]
n
Do not drive with your foot on the brake.
[MC29100(ALL)04/96]
n
Watch traffic so that you do not have to stop suddenly.
[MC29200(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not accelerate suddenly. Drive at a steady speed
whenever you can.
[MC29300(ALL)04/96]
n
Do not let the engine idle for a long time.
[MC29400(ALL)01/96]
n
Do not carry loads that are too heavy. To find out the limits
for the loads that your vehicle can carry, seeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
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
321
%*
[MC31700(ALL)03/96
]
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
*
[MC31800(ALL)07/96]
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 that additional mixed city and highway driving is
required to complete the check of the OBD II system.
*
[MC31825(ALL)07/96]
The driving modes required to reach the ready condition consist
of a minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving as
described below:
*
[MC32000(ALL)07/96]
n
At least twenty minutes driving in stop and go, city type
traffic with at least four idle periods.
*
[MC32100(ALL)07/96]
n
At least ten minutes of driving on an expressway or
highway.
*
[MC32200(ALL)07/96]
Before completing the above driving modes, the engine must be
warmed up and at operating temperature. Once started, the
vehicle must not be turned off during these driving modes.
[MC33200(ALL)01/96]
Lights
*
[MC33300(ALL)01/96]
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights
frequently:
*
[MC33400(ALL)01/96]
n
headlamps
*
[MC33500(ALL)01/96]
n
tail lamps
*
[MC33600(ALL)01/96]
n
brakelamps
*
[MC33700(ALL)01/96]
n
hazard flasher
*
[MC33800(ALL)01/96]
n
turn signals
*
[MC33900(ALL)05/96]
n
license plate lamps
*
[MC34000(ALL)01/96]
n
fog lamps
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