1998 FORD WINDSTAR service

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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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.
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Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

Maintenance and Care
301
[MC23100(ALL)08/96]3.
To replace the fuel cap, align the tabs on the cap with the
notches on the filler pipe. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
*
[MC23200(ALL)08/96]4.
Push the fuel door closed.
[MC23250(ALL)08/96]
If the Service Engine Soon warning light comes on and stays on
when you start the engine, the fuel cap may not be properly
seated. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel cap and replace it,
being careful to align the cap properly. For more information,
seeWarning lightsin the Index.
*
[MC23300(ALL)01/96]
If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an authorized Motorcraft
or equivalent part.
%*
[MC23400(ALL)01/96
]
RWARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to work
improperly in a collision.
*
[MC23500(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: If you replace your fuel cap with an aftermarket fuel
filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for any
damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
[MC24100(ALL)08/96]
Choosing the Right Fuel
*
[MC24200(ALL)08/96]
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. Using leaded fuel is prohibited by
federal law. Any vehicle damage may not be covered by your
warranty.
[MC24300(ALL)08/96]
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel containing
manganese-based additives such as MMT. Additionally, vehicles
certified to California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are
designed to operate on California reformulated gasolines. If
California reformulated gasoline is not available when you
refuel, your vehicle can be operated on non-California fuels.
However, even though your engine will perform adequately on
File:11wnmcs.ex
Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

302other gasolines, the performance of the emission control devices
and systems may be adversely affected. Repair of damage
caused by using a fuel that your vehicle was not designed for
may not be covered by your warranty.
*
[MC24400(ALL)08/96]
Octane recommendations
[MC24500(ALL)08/96]
Your vehicle is designed to use regular gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend gasolines
labeled as ºregularª in high altitude areas that are sold with
octane ratings of 86 or even less.
*
[MC24600(ALL)08/96]
6 pica art:0040193-A
Typical octane rating label
*
[MC24601(ALL)08/96]
Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly.
However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions on
the recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
%*
[MC24900(ALL)05/96]
Fuel quality
*
[MC25000(ALL)08/96]
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation
problems, try a different brand of fuel. If the condition persists,
see your dealer or a qualified service technician.
*
[MC25100(ALL)08/96]
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA)
issued a gasoline specification to provide information on high
quality fuels that optimize the performance of your vehicle. We
recommend the use of gasolines that meet the AAMA
specification if they are available.
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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.
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Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

308
*
[MC30500(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up
the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
*
[MC30600(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the floor.
*
[MC30700(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the fuel system, the interior floor covering,
or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
*
[MC30900(ALL)01/96]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check
engine light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
*
[MC31000(ALL)01/96]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or
engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the
exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[MC31100(ALL)01/96]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or
prevent it from working. In some of the United States and in
Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
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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.
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Update:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996

310
%*
[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:Tue Oct 8 10:24:50 1996