1999 FORD WINDSTAR wiper blades

4. The relearning process will automatically complete as you drive the
vehicle.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle quality
of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle trim is
eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and the preset radio stations must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
If the battery has been discharged, disconnected or a new battery has
been installed, the power sliding door may need to be reset. Refer to
Power Sliding Door-Resetting the PSDin theControls and Features
chapter.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
208

Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the
windshield and lock into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from
the wiper arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the blade and
pull the wiper blade down toward
the windshield to remove it from the
arm.
3. Attach the new wiper to the
wiper arm and press it into place
until a click is heard.
INFORMATION ABOUT TIRE QUALITY GRADES
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.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on
passenger cars. 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 or limited production tires as defined in
Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation-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.
Maintenance and care
209

Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle regularly with
cold or lukewarm water. Never use
strong detergents or soap. If your
vehicle is particularly dirty, use a
quality car wash detergent. Always
use a clean sponge, washing glove
or similar device and plenty of water
for best results. To avoid spots,
avoid washing when the hood is still
warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to wash the vehicle on a
regular basis. Large quantities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove and also cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use cleaning fluid or
alcohol with a clean cloth to remove any bugs and tar before waxing
vehicle. Use tar remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have wax applied at a
commercial car wash, it is recommended that you clean the wiper blades
and windshield as described inCleaning the wiper blades and
windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
touch-up paint, repair foil or aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory
line. Observe the application instructions on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Maintenance and care
231

Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover if necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the wiper blade rubber
element with undiluted windshield washer solution or a mild detergent.
To avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could be caused by
substances on the windshield such as tree sap and some hot wax
treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
windshield with a non-abrasive cleanser such as the non-abrasive
Bon-Amitpowder. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.Do notuse
abrasive cleansers on glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with water. The
windshield and wiper blades should be cleaned on a regular basis, and
blades or rubber elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning seats equipped with side air bags
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum cleaner.
Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions that come with
the cleaner. Do not saturate the seat cover with upholstery cleaner.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the seat mounted side air bag. Such products could contaminate
the side air bag system and affect performance of the side air bag in a
collision.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of the upper portion of
the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the driver
from undesirable windshield reflection.
Maintenance and care
233

Accessory delay ..........................78
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................................124
and child safety seats ............126
description .......................125,128
disposal ....................................131
indicator light ..................128,130
passenger air bag ............126,129
Air filter, cabin ..........................203
Anti-theft system ...99,100,101,102
,103
arming the system ..................100
disarming a triggered system 100
Automatic transaxle .................155
driving with ...............156,157,158
Brakes ........................................151
anti-lock ............................151,152
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................152
fluid, checking and adding ....195
shift interlock ..........................155
Break-in period .............................3
Cargo net ...................................104
CD player .....................64,65,66,67
Child safety seats
attaching with tether straps ..136
in rear seat .......................133,136
tether anchorage
hardware ...................137,138,140
Cleaning your vehicle ...............230
built-in child seat ...........141,142,
145,146
engine compartment ..............232
exterior .............................231,234
exterior lamps .........................233
interior .....................................234
plastic parts ............................232
washing ....................................231
waxing .....................................231
wheels ......................................232
windows ..................................235
wiper blades ............................233Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .......22,23,24
Console ........................................90
overhead ....................................86
Controls
power seat ...............................108
Coolant ......................................199
checking and adding ..............197
refill capacities ........................199
Cupholder(s) .110,112,113,115,117
Defrost
rear window ..............................37
Doors
power sliding .............87,88,89,90
Emission control system ..........222
Engine
check engine/service engine
soon light ...............................9,10
coolant .....................................197
idle speed control ...................206
service points ...................190,191
starting after a collision .........167
Engine block heater .................149
Engine oil
checking and adding ..............193
dipstick ....................................192
specifications ...................192,194
Exhaust fumes ..........................150
Floor mats ...................................91
Fuel
choosing the right fuel ...........216
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................221
detergent in fuel .....................217
filling your vehicle
with fuel ...........................214,215
gauge .........................................12
quality ......................................217
running out of fuel .................218
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................214
Fuses ...................................168,169
Index
243

Radio ...37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,
46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,
55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63
Relays ........................................168
Remote entry system .................91
illuminated entry ............26,96,99
locking/unlocking doors .92,93,94
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................98
replacing the batteries .............97
Reverse sensing system .............67
Roof rack ...................................166
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................11
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................241
Safety defects, reporting ..........242
Safety restraints
cleaning the safety belts .......123,
124,235
extension assembly ................122
for children .............................131
lap belt ....................................121
warning light and chime ..11,122,
123
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) .............118,119,120,122
Seats ..........................................105
child safety seats ....................132
cleaning .....................233,234,235
Seats-easy access/easyout
feature .......................................106
Servicing your vehicle ..............188
Spark plugs, specifications .......236
Specification chart, lubricants .238
Speed control ..............................70
Speedometer ...............................13
Starting your vehicle .........147,149
jump starting ............182,183,185Steering wheel
tilting .........................................76
Tachometer .................................12
Tires .............................209,210,211
changing .............177,178,179,180
checking the pressure ............211
replacing ..................................212
rotating ....................................211
snow tires and chains ............213
tire grades ...............................210
treadwear ................................210
Towing ..................162,163,164,165
wrecker ....................................187
Traction control ...................69,153
active light ..................................6
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............237
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) ...............201,202,203
Trip odometer .............................14
Turn signal ..................................11
Universal transmitter (see
garage door opener) ....81,82,83,84
Vehicle dimensions ...................239
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................241
Vehicle loading ..........................159
Ventilating your vehicle ...........150
Warning chimes .............................6
Washer fluid ..............................196
Water, Driving through .............159
Windows ......................................77
rear wiper/washer .....................75
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and cleaning ............208
operation ...................................74
replacing wiper blades ...........209
Index
245