1998 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

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Driving
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When to use N (Neutral)
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In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transaxle are not locked. Your
vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
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When to use
jOverdrive
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Overdrive is the normal driving position. When the gearshift
lever is placed in
jOverdrive, and the Overdrive Off button
has not been pressed, the vehicle will automatically upshift to
second, third and fourth gears. The transaxle will shift into the
correct gear when the right speed is reached.
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When to use D (Drive) Ð with the Overdrive Off button
activated
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You will notice that there is only one drive position on your
gearshift indicator (instead of Drive and Overdrive). However,
you will find a button and an indicator light located on the
gearshift lever. Push in the button on the end of the lever and
the OVERDRIVE OFF light on the end of the gearshift lever will
illuminate. With the OVERDRIVE OFF light illuminated, the
transaxle will operate in first, second and third gears and will
not shift into fourth gear. Operating in Drive (OVERDRIVE OFF
light illuminated) provides more engine braking than Overdrive
for descending hills or city driving.
[GF07000(ALL)01/96]
6 pica art:0050058-A
Overdrive button location
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To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive operation, press
the OVERDRIVE ON/OFF button again. Use this button to
select Overdrive or Overdrive Off whenever you drive your
vehicle.
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The transaxle will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the
vehicle is started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when
the vehicle was last shut off.
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NOTE: If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off
repeatedly when the vehicle is started, there is a
transaxle electronic system malfunction. Contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
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When to use 2 (Second)
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Use 2 (Second) when driving on slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on downgrades. This position
provides Second and First gear operation only.
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When to use 1 (First)
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Use 1 (First) to provide maximum engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts from First can be made by manually
shifting to 2 (Second) or
j(Overdrive). 1 (First) gear provides
only first gear operation. If you select First while driving at
higher speeds, the transaxle will shift to 2 (Second), and then
downshift to 1 (First) after the vehicle decelerates to the proper
speed.
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Parking
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Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park).
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels
from turning. To securely latch the gearshift in the P (Park)
position, pull it toward you, push it completely
counterclockwise against the stop, and then push it toward the
instrument panel.
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The gearshift is securely latched in P (Park) if you can not
rotate it in a clockwise direction without pulling it toward you.
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RWARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the
gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
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RWARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
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Forced Downshifts
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To gain extra acceleration in
j(Overdrive) (when passing
another vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The transaxle
will automatically downshift to the appropriate gear (third,
second or first).
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Vehicle Loading Information
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Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not
volume, so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, rim sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
The certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's
door opening.
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Each additional item of equipment affects how much cargo a
vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is overloaded, performance will
suffer and service concerns may arise.
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NOTE: The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and
rear GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The
GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR
when added together.
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RWARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in
these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
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Understanding Loading Information
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There are five terms that are used to describe a vehicle's ability
to carry a load:
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n
Base Curb Weight
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n
Payload
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n
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
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n
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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n
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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n
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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Base Curb Weight
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The base curb weight is the weight of the vehicle including fuel,
coolants, lubricants, emergency tools and spare wheel and tire.
It also includes any equipment that is standard. It does not
include passengers, cargo or optional equipment installed by
factory, dealer, aftermarket supplier or customer.
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Payload
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Maximum payload is the combined, maximum allowable weight
of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is
designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the base curb weight.
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Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
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The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or a
specification, but actual weight. If an owner loads up the vehicle
and weighs it, that's the GVW at that moment. If the owner
adds on more of a load and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW.
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
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To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your vehicle. The GVWR is the
maximum allowable weight of the vehicle when fully loaded
including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded down in the
rear and riding high in the front. This is a dangerous condition
that usually means that the rear suspension components are
under severe strain and that vehicle handling is impaired. There
is more to carrying a load than just payload or GVWR.
[GF10800(ALL)01/96]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
which is the maximum weight allowed on the axle system.
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The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is why
it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and can lead to
shortened service life or outright failure.
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The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific tire pressure.
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When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
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With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight
of your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
includes full fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as
well as the cargo load.
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Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
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The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and
passengers).
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Calculating the Payload for Your Vehicle
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To know how much weight your vehicle can carry:
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[GF11700(ALL)01/96]1.
Obtain the GVWR and GAWR from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
[GF11800(ALL)01/96]
Ð If you do not plan to pull a trailer, do not include these
ratings into your calculations.
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[GF11900(ALL)01/96]2.
Fill the fuel tank.
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[GF12000(ALL)01/96]3.
Weigh your vehicle without cargo.
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[GF12100(ALL)01/96]4.
Subtract vehicle actual weight from the GVWR to find out
how much more weight your vehicle can carry.
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[GF12200(ALL)01/96]5.
Weigh the vehicle again once it is loaded to make sure that
the GVWR and front and rear GAWR's are not exceeded.
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Trailer towing table
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eight pica
chart:0050061-C[GF12500(ALL)01/96]
If you suspect that your payload is excessive, have your vehicle
weighed at a highway weight station or another appropriate
commercial facility. Fill the fuel tank. Weigh the total vehicle
and trailer (if applicable), then separately weigh the vehicle at
the front and rear wheels. Finally, weigh the trailer separately if
applicable.
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Trailers
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Towing a trailer safely means having the proper weight on the
tongue (usually 10-15% of the trailer weight).
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If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your
vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds either GAWR, shift
the load or remove cargo accordingly.
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RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage, transaxle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
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Preparing to Tow
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For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that
all towing equipment is properly attached to your vehicle. If
you are not certain that you are using the right equipment in
the proper manner, see your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer.
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Hitches
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For towing trailers up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg), use a good
weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes
the trailer tongue load through the underbody structure.
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Do not use single clamp bumper hitches or hitches that attach
to the axle.
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Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure
all mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to
prevent exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
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Safety chains
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Always use safety chains between your vehicle and trailer.
Cross chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for
turning corners. Connect safety chains to the vehicle frame or
hook retainers.Never attach chains to the bumper.
File:09wngfs.ex
Update:Mon Oct 7 11:46:08 1996