1998 FORD WINDSTAR ESP

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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

298
%*
[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.
*
[MC20400(ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
*
[MC20500(ALL)01/96]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
*
[MC20600(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
[MC20700(ALL)01/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stadard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

Maintenance and Care
307
[MC29500(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep the tires properly inflated. To find out the
recommended tire pressure, seeChecking the pressure of the
tireslater in this chapter.
[MC29600(ALL)01/96]
n
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.
%*
[MC29800(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
*
[MC29900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
*
[MC30000(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
*
[MC30100(ALL)01/96]
n
Use only unleaded fuel.
*
[MC30200(ALL)01/96]
n
Avoid running out of fuel.
*
[MC30300(ALL)01/96]
n
Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
[MC30400(ALL)07/96]
n
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.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

Maintenance and Care
309
%*
[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:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

Maintenance and Care
319
%*
[MC38700(ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
%*
[MC38800(ALL)01/96]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC38900(ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with
a mild detergent.
*
[MC39000(ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC39100(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC39200(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
*
[MC39300(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC39400(ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as
necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC39500(ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
*
[MC39600(ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford
has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
*
[MC39700(ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

338
*
[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 Oct 7 11:50:03 1996

Accessories
343
*
[AC02000(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Mobile communication systems, particularly if not
properly installed, may adversely affect the operation
of the vehicle. For example, such systems, when
operated, may cause the engine to stumble or stall. In
addition, such systems may themselves be damaged,
or their operation affected, by the operation of the
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door
openers, and other transmitters whose power output is
5 watts or less, ordinarily will not affect vehicle
operation.)
*
[AC02100(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Because Ford has no control over the operation or
manufacture of such systems or their installation, Ford
cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or
damage if this equipment is used.
File:15wnacs.ex
Update:Mon Oct 7 11:50:14 1996