1998 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

290
[MC14260(ALL)09/96]
Normal operating temperature is reached after driving
approximately 20 miles (32 km). The fluid level should be
within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
%*
[MC14300(ALL)01/96]
Adding Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[MC14400(ALL)01/96]
The fluid type is stamped on the dipstick. Before adding any
fluid, be sure that the correct type will be used.
*
[MC14500(ALL)01/96]
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (0.25 liter) increments through the filler
tube to bring the level to the correct area on the dipstick. If an
overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
%*
[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)09/96]
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery normally does not
require additional water during its life of service. However, for
severe service usage or in high temperature climates, check your
battery electrolyte level, at least every 24 months or 24,000 miles
(40,000 km). Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the ºlevelª
indicator. Do not overfill the battery cell. For longer, trouble-free
operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make
certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to the
battery terminals.
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Maintenance and Care
291
[MC15000(ALL)09/96]
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal(s) and clean 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)09/96]
If your original equipment battery requires replacement while
under warranty, it will be replaced with a Motorcraft service
battery, identical in design technology. Like the original
equipment battery, it should not require water addition during
its normal life of service; however, for severe service usage or in
high temperature climates, check your battery electrolyte level,
at least every 24 months or 24,000 miles (40 000 km). Do not
overfill the battery cell.
*
[MC15400(ALL)05/96]
If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add
plain tap water to the battery, as long as you do not use hard
water (water with a high mineral or alkali content). If possible,
however, try to only fill the battery cell with distilled water. If
the battery needs water often, have the charging system
checked.
%*
[MC15500(ALL)01/96]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
*
[MC15600(ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid
batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for
disposal.
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292
*
[MC15700(ALL)01/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0040201-A
Battery recycling symbol
*
[MC15800(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
%*
[MC15900(ALL)05/96
]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
*
[MC16000(ALL)02/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk
or water first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable
oil. Call a doctor immediately.
%*
[MC16100(ALL)02/96
]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
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Maintenance and Care
293
%*
[MC16200(ALL)02/96]
Wiper Blades
[MC16300(ALL)01/96]
Check the windshield wipers at least twice a year. Also check
them whenever they seem less effective than usual. Such
substances as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wipers.
*
[MC16400(ALL)01/96]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
[MC16500(ALL)01/96]
Your wipers have a service feature that allows you to pull the
wiper arms and blades away from the windshield and into an
upright position. This service position allows you easy access to
the blades from either side of your vehicle.
*
[MC16600(ALL)01/96]
To reach the wiper blades easily, turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY and turn your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to OFF. Moving the
wipers manually may damage them.
[MC16700(ALL)07/96]
Wiper Blade Replacement
*
[MC16800(ALL)01/96]
If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them,
you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly. When
replacing the wiper blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent.
*
[MC16900(ALL)08/95]
To replace the wiper blades:
*
[MC17000(ALL)01/96]1.
Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield and into the
lock position.
[MC17100(ALL)01/96]2.
Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper arm. Squeeze the
lock tabs of the plastic clip together to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield to remove
it from the arm.
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294
*
[MC17200(ALL)08/95]3.
Attach a new wiper blade to the wiper arm and press it into
place until you hear it click.
%*
[MC17300(ALL)01/96]
Tires
[MC17400(ALL)04/96]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
[MC17500(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressures. See
Checking the pressure of the tireslater in this chapter.
*
[MC17600(ALL)01/96]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
*
[MC17700(ALL)03/96]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[MC17800(ALL)03/96]
n
Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[MC17900(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
*
[MC18000(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast
for road conditions, you could lose control of your
vehicle. Under some circumstances, driving at very high
speeds for extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose
control of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
[MC18100(ALL)01/96]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your tires,
including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge. Check
the tire pressure when tires are cold, that is, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less
than 3 miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label located on the
driver's door pillar.
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Maintenance and Care
295
*
[MC18200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
%*
[MC18300(ALL)01/96]
Tire Rotation
*
[MC18400(ALL)01/96]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
[MC18500(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0050224-A
Rotating the tires
*
[MC18600(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle has the optional full-size spare tire, you may
rotate the spare tire into the rotation pattern.
[MC18700(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may remove the
full-size (if equipped) spare tire from the wheel and remount it
on an aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into your
vehicle's rotation pattern.
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296
%*
[MC18800(ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
*
[MC18900(ALL)01/96]
Replace tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a
wear band, it has only 1/16 of an inch (1.59 mm) of tread left.
*
[MC19000(ALL)01/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0040200-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC19100(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread.
*
[MC19200(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[MC19300(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size,
type, load-carrying capacity, and tread design (e.g. ºAll
Terrainª, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
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Maintenance and Care
297
*
[MC19400(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Do not replace your tires with ºhigh performanceª tires
or larger size tires.
*
[MC19500(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Use of aftermarket wheel assemblies may damage your
vehicle or cause accidents resulting in serious injuries.
*
[MC19600(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose
control and roll over.
*
[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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996