1999 FORD WINDSTAR tow

Replacing the battery
The transmitter is powered by one coin type three-volt lithium battery
CR2032 or equivalent. Typical operating range will allow you to be up to
10 meters (33 feet) away from your vehicle. A decrease in operating
range can be caused by:
²weather conditions
²nearby radio towers
²structures around the vehicle
²other vehicles parked next to the vehicle
To replace the battery:
1. Twist a thin coin between the two
halves of the transmitter near the
key ring. DO NOT TAKE THE
FRONT PART OF THE
TRANSMITTER APART.
2. Place the positive (+) side of new
battery in the same orientation.
Refer to the diagram inside the
transmitter unit.
3. Snap the two halves back
together.
Replacement of the battery willnotcause the remote transmitter to
become deprogrammed from your vehicle. The remote transmitter should
operate normally after battery replacement.
Controls and features
97

Integrated child seat head restraints
The Integrated Child Seat (ICS)
head restraints can only be adjusted
to two positions, full up or full
down.
The ICS must be properly stowed
and latched in order to adjust the
head restraint.
Seat mounted cup holders (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with cupholders mounted on the outboard
sides of the second row seat(s). The cupholder is designed to detach
from the seat when subjected to a heavy load. The cupholder can be
reinstalled by lining up the arms with the side shield holes and pushing
toward the seat.
Adjusting rear seats
Lift control to move seat forward or backward.
²2nd row bucket seat
Seating and safety restraints
110

Accessing the 3rd row seat
If your vehicle has an adjustable 2nd row bench seat, it can be adjusted
to allow easier access to the 3rd row seat by sliding the seat forward,
folding the seatback to the forward flat position, or using the recline
control to adjust seatback forward. The ICS (integrated child seat) bench
seat does not have any adjustments.
If your vehicle has 2nd row bucket seats, it has an easy entry seat
feature which allows ready access to the 3rd row seat.
To access the 3rd row seat with
2nd row buckets:
1. Pull the seatback recline control
up and allow seatback to flip
forward.
2. Push seatback toward front of
vehicle. This releases the seat track
automatically and the seat will move
forward.
3. After entering the 3rd row seat,
pull back the seatback until it latches. This will latch and lock the
seatback and the seat track. The seatback and seat will not return to
their original position.
Do not attempt to use this feature when the seatback is folded in the
forward flat position. The seatback must be in an upright position, as
shown, for the system to work properly.
Check to see that the seat and seatback is latched securely in
position. Keep floor area free of objects that would prevent
proper seat engagement. Never attempt to adjust the seat while the
vehicle is in motion.
Seating and safety restraints
112

Combination lap and shoulder belts
1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
The front and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front and rear seat passenger
outboard safety belts have locking cinch tongues described below:
Safety belts with locking cinch tongue
The locking cinch tongue will slide up and down the belt webbing when
the belt is in the stowed position or while putting seat belts on. When
the locking cinch tongue of the lap/shoulder combination seat belt is
latched into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the lap portion to
become shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from
becoming longer.
Before you can reach and latch a combination lap and shoulder belt
having a cinch tongue into the buckle, you may have to lengthen the lap
belt portion of it.
Seating and safety restraints
119

To fold up the child seat
1. Fold the protector flap onto the child seat cushion.
2. Push the built-in child seat up ensuring the wire handle on the bottom
of the child seat engages into the slot under the head restraint.
3. Ensure that the child seat is fully engaged into the seatback. The head
restraint will not operate if the child seat is not properly stowed.
Inspecting the built-in child seat after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles, retractors,
and seat latches. Interlocks and attaching hardware should be inspected
by a qualified technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use
during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. Built-in child restraints
not in use during a collision should be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
146

²GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum total weight of
the base vehicle, passengers, optional equipment and cargo. The
GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Compliance Label on the driver's door pillar.
²GCW (Gross Combined Weight): The combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the trailer.
²GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): Maximum combined
weight of towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo) and the
trailer. The GCWR indicates the maximum loaded weight that the
vehicle is designed to tow.
²Maximum Trailer Weight Rating: Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
²Maximum Trailer Weight: maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
²Trailer Weight Range: Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Remember to figure in the tongue load of your loaded trailer when
figuring the total weight.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Driving
160

Do not use replacement tires with lower load carrying capacities than the
originals because they may lower the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
limitations. Replacement tires with a higher limit than the originals do
not increase the GVWR and GAWR limitations.
The Certification Label, found on the inside pillar of the driver's door,
lists several important vehicle weight rating limitations. Before adding
any additional equipment, refer to these limitations. If you are adding
weight to the front of your vehicle, (potentially including weight added
to the cab), the weight added should not exceed the Front Axle Reserve
Capacity (FARC). Additional frontal weight may be added to the front
axle reserve capacity provided you limit your payload in other ways (i.e.
restrict the number of passengers or amount of cargo carried).
You may add equipment throughout your vehicle if the total weight
added is equal to or less than the Total Axle Reserve Capacity (TARC)
weight. You should NEVER exceed the Total Axle Reserve Capacity.
Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo and equipment being
carried is within the weight limitations that have been established for
your vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and Front and Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating limits. Under no circumstance should these
limitations be exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/tow
1. Use the appropriate maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR)
chart to find the maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear axle
ratio.
2. Weigh your vehicle as you customarily operate the vehicle without
cargo. To obtain correct weights, try taking your vehicle to a shipping
company or an inspection station for trucks.
3. Subtract your loaded vehicle weight from the maximum GCWR on the
following charts. This is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under maximum trailer weight
on the chart.
Driving
161

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your vehicle requires the optional trailer tow
electrical package and may require the use of an additional medium duty
trailer tow option package.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
²Stay within your vehicle's load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be
removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.
²Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
²Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
²Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to
Special Operating Conditions in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
²Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
²Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
If your vehicle is equipped with the optional heavy duty trailer tow
wiring, it is pre-wired for trailer towing. An electrical connector is
provided under the instrument panel for installing a customer-supplied
electric brake controller. Another electrical connector is provided at the
hitch. This connector provides power to the trailer for taillamps, stop
and turn lamps, back up lamps, battery charge, electric brakes (when a
customer provided controller is installed) and ground. The kit included
with your vehicle provides you with adaptors to attach the brake
controller and convert the hitch connector for Class I trailer usage.
Driving
162