2001 FORD WINDSTAR maintenance

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 27
Seating and safety restraints 119
Starting and driving
Starting 163
Driving 167
Roadside emergencies 185
Servicing
Maintenance and care 208
Capacities and specifications 257
Customer assistance 264
Reporting safety defects 277
Index 278
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Contents
1

wheelspin condition. It will be lit for a minimum of four seconds or for the
duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Traction ControlYoff light (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON position and
illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem has been disabled
(by the driver or as a result of a system failure). For more information,
refer to theDrivingchapter.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Anti-theft system
Refer toSecuriLockypassive
anti-theft systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toBulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter.
TRAC
OFF
THEFT
Instrumentation
9

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure the circuit is functional. If
the light remains on or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is
disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure the circuit is functional.
Also illuminates if the parking brake
is engaged. If the brake warning
lamp does not illuminate at these times, or remains on after releasing the
parking brake, seek service immediately.
ABS
!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door is
open. It may also momentarily
illuminate after the engine is started
and all doors are closed.
Bulb Warning
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and one of the
exterior bulbs has burned out.
Low washer fluid
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and when
the windshield washer fluid is low.
Low tire warning
Illuminates for approximately three
seconds when the ignition is turned
to the ON position to indicate the
low tire warning system is enabled.
If the light remains on while driving,
the tire pressures should be checked. Refer toLow tire warningin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Sounds to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Instrumentation
13

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers
(miles) of the vehicle.
Trip odometer
Registers up to 1 600 kilometers (1
000 miles) of individual journeys. To
display, depress the control. To
reset, depress and hold the control
for 2 seconds. To set back to
odometer, depress the control again.
TEMP
H
mi
mi trip
Instrumentation
16

driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission service as
soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE LAMPS. Displayed when the brake lamps are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center high-mount
brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPS. Displayed when the headlamps are activated
and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and
have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing headlamp bulbs
in theMaintenance and carechapter.
CHECK TAIL LAMPS.Displayed when the tail lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as possible and have
the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK FRONT TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK REAR TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK SIDE REPEATER LAMPS (if equipped).Displayed when
the turn signals are activated and at least one is burned out. Check the
lamps as soon as possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
TURN SIGNAL ON REMINDER.Displayed when the turn signal is
activated and the vehicle is driven more that 0.8 km (1/2 mile).
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toWindshield
washer fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlyin theDrivingchapter.
CHECK ADVANCETRAC (if equipped).Displayed when the
AdvanceTracysystem is not operating properly. If this message is
displayed on the message center the AdvanceTracysystem might be
Instrumentation
21

Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
LOW TIRE WARNING (IF EQUIPPED)
Refer to theTiresection of the
Maintenance and Carechapter for
more information.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the reverse gear is selected.
Tire
Reset
Controls and features
75

Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational
The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument
cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer
to theRestraints Warning Lightsection in theInstrumentation
chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not
required.
The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, driver seat
position sensor, and passenger occupant classification sensor (if
equipped). In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning
light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated
by one or more of the following.
²The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
²The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal
Safety System serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
Safety belt precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
Seating and safety restraints
134