1997 FORD WINDSTAR maintenance schedule

Introduction
3
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[II02100(ALL)01/96]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book and search in the
alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the
information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a technical term.
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[II02200(ALL)01/96]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[II02300(ALL)01/96]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by
writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service
Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y
4G3.
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Your Maintenance Schedule Booklet
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TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the services that are most
important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record
log is also provided to help you keep track of all services
performed.
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About the Warranties
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Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
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Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
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If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you can get a new
one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer,
or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
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279
Maintenance and Care
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How Ford Makes Servicing Your Vehicle
Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00400(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[MC00500(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
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We give you aMaintenance Schedulebooklet that makes
tracking routine service for your vehicle easy.
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This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
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If you need professional servicing, see the chapter onCustomer
Assistancein this Owner Guide.
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Check yourWarranty InformationBooklet to find out which parts
are covered.
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Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
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Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
[MC01400(ALL)04/96]
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If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts.
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[MC01500(ALL)01/96]
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Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
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Maintenance and Care
287
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity arePREFERREDfor
your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel
economy and engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil
filter must still be changed according to the maintenance
schedule.
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Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
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Checking the engine oil level:
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Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
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Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
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Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
[MC05700(ALL)01/96]4.
Locate the dipstick labelled ªEngine Oilº and carefully pull it
out of the engine.
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[MC05800(ALL)01/96]5.
Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
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7-1/2 pica art:0050073-D
Engine oil dipstick
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Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil
level is beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some oil must be
removed from the engine.
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Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
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It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
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Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
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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.
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Maintenance and Care
317
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Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Fuel Economy Estimates
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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.
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Improving Fuel Economy
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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:
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Do not drive with your foot on the brake.
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Watch traffic so that you do not have to stop suddenly.
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Do not accelerate suddenly. Drive at a steady speed
whenever you can.
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Do not let the engine idle for a long time.
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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.
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Keep the tires properly inflated. To find out the
recommended tire pressure, seeChecking the pressure of the
tireslater in this chapter.
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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.
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Emission Control System
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Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
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To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
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Use only unleaded fuel.
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Avoid running out of fuel.
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Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
[MC30400(ALL)07/96]
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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.
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380
Lights, warning and indicator (continued)
check engine..................... 13
door ajar....................... 16
hazard warning light............... 27,108
high beam...................... 18
low fuel....................... 19
low washer fluid................. 18,26
oil pressure.................... 15,25
safety belt...................... 12
service engine soon.................. 13
speed control.................... 114
theft system..................... 39
traction control system................ 37
turn signal indicator................ 17,102
Load limits
GAWR....................... 245
GVWR....................... 245
trailer towing..................236, 246
Lubricant specifications................ 335
Luggage rack..................... 241
Lug nuts
anti-theft...................... 266
tightening sequence................. 271
Lumbar support pad.................. 149
M
Maintenance schedule and record (see separate Maintenance
Schedule and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see servicing)............... 279
Master cylinder, brakes................ 289
Methanol in fuel................... 314
Mileage, calculating fuel economy............ 316
Mirrors
automatic dimming rearview mirror.......118, 122
dual electric remote control............. 130
heated....................... 131
rearview...................... 129
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