1998 FORD WINDSTAR maintenance

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[PI01800(ALL)05/95]
Table of ContentsIntroduction..................... 1
Instrumentation.................... 7
Audio........................ 29
Controls and Features................. 71
Seating and Safety Restraints............. 135
Starting...................... 205
Driving...................... 211
Roadside Emergencies................ 235
Maintenance and Care................ 269
Capacities and Specifications............. 323
Reporting Safety Defects............... 329
Customer Assistance................ 331
Accessories..................... 341
Quick Index.................... 349
Index........................ 359
Service Station Information............. 380
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Update:Mon Oct 7 11:38:09 1996

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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[II02400(ALL)05/96]
Your Maintenance Schedule Booklet
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[II02500(ALL)03/96]
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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[II02600(ALL)01/96]
About the Warranties
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[II02700(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
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[II02800(ALL)01/96]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
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[II02900(ALL)03/96]
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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Update:Tue Sep 10 12:34:48 1996

Instrumentation
11
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The Mechanical Cluster
[IS01400(ALL)12/95]
The following warning lights and gauges are on the Mechanical
Cluster. All of these indicators alert you to the status of vehicle
systems or possible problems with your vehicle. Some of the
lights listed are optional. The following section explains each of
the indicators.
[IS02100(ALL)12/95]
Warning and Indicator Lights
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Brake System Light
[IS02300(ALL)07/96]
The warning light for the brakes indicates two things Ð that
either the parking brake is on or not fully released, or that the
brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the
fluid level is low, add fluid to the reservoir as defined under
the procedure in ªMaintenance and Care.º
[IS02400(ALL)08/96]
6 pica art:0050144-C
The brake system light
[IS02500(ALL)07/96]
The BRAKE light normally comes on when you turn the
ignition key to the ON or START position to verify that the
indicator bulb is working. If the light stays on or comes on
when the engine is running and after you have released the
parking brake fully, check the brake fluid.
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[IS02600(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
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Oil Pressure Light
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6 pica art:0050150-B
The oil pressure light
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This light indicates the engine's oil pressure, not the oil level.
However, if your engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil
pressure. The light should come on every time your ignition key
is turned to ON or START, and should go out when the engine
starts. If the light stays on or turns on while the engine is
running, you have lost oil pressure and continued operation will
cause severe engine damage.
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[IS05700(ALL)08/96]
If you lose engine oil pressure:
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[IS05800(ALL)08/96]1.
Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
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[IS05900(ALL)08/96]2.
Shut off the engine immediately. If you do not stop the
engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage
could result.
[IS06000(ALL)08/96]3.
Check the engine's oil level. (See ªChecking and Adding
Engine Oilº in theMaintenance and Carechapter of this
Owner Guide.) If you do not follow these instructions, you
or others could be injured. To ensure an accurate reading,
your vehicle should be on level ground.
[IS06100(ALL)08/96]4.
If the level is low, add only as much oil as necessary before
you start the engine again. Do not overfill. Do not operate
the engine if the light is on regardless of the oil level.
Contact your nearest dealer for further service.
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10-1/2 pica
art:0050085-A
Unfastening the lap belt in the center rear seating position
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Safety Belt Maintenance
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[SS17300(ALL)02/96]
Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that
they work properly and are not damaged.
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[SS17400(ALL)03/96]
All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front
seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if so equipped),
child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if so equipped), and
attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles
involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not
show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not
need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
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[SS17700(ALL)02/96]
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
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[SS17800(ALL)09/96]
For some people, the safety belt may be too short even when it
is fully extended. You can add about eight inches (20 cm) to the
belt length with a safety belt extension assembly (part number
16611C22). Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from
your dealer.
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Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

Seating and Safety Restraints
173
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To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a
crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module, which
controls a readiness lamp and a warning tone. The diagnostic
module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system,
the air bag readiness light, the air bag power and the air bag
inflators.
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[SS20900(ALL)03/96]
The air bag supplemental restraint system uses a readiness light
and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. The
readiness light is in the instrument cluster. When you turn the
ignition key to ON, this light will illuminate for approximately
six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system
is operating normally.NOTE:Maintenance of the air bag system
is not required.
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A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
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the readiness light will either flash or stay illuminated,
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or it will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned
on,
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a group of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will
repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.
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If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the air
bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer
immediately.
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Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles
[SS21600(ALL)12/95]
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your
local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bags MUST be
disposed of by qualified personnel.
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Inspection after a collision
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RWARNING
All built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles,
retractors, seat latches, interlocks, and attaching hardware
should be inspected by a qualified dealer technician after
any collision.
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[SS27000(ALL)01/96]
If the child seat was in use during a collision, Ford recommends
replacing it. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified
technician finds that the child restraints do not show damage
and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. If there is any bending of the vehicle seatback or seat
structure, it should also be replaced. Built-in child seats not in
use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
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[SS27300(ALL)08/95]
Built-in child seat maintenance
[SS27400(ALL)04/96]
Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belts system of your
child seat. See your Ford Dealer if the shoulder belt webbing is
frayed, or if the buckle and tongue are damaged and/or do not
function properly.
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[SS27500(ALL)01/96]
Safety Belts for Children
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[SS27600(ALL)01/96]
Children who are too large for child safety seats should always
wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or
contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child
that will safely fit in the seat.)
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[SS27700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as
described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a
collision will be much greater.
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Update:Fri Oct 11 10:48:20 1996

Driving
227
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When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive
rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift into
2 (Second) or 1 (First) gear.
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Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[GF15100(ALL)07/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet for additional information.
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Trailer Towing Tips
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Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
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Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at the
bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
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When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
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[GF15600(ALL)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
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[GF15700(ALL)01/96]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
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[GF15800(ALL)01/96]
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out
on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km),
stop in a protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for
tightness.
File:09wngfs.ex
Update:Mon Oct 7 11:46:08 1996