2003 FORD WINDSTAR engine coolant

•Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant).Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
•Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant.These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.
•Do not mix with recycled coolant unless from a Ford-approved
recycling process (seeUse of Recycled engine coolantsection).
For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Maintenance and Specifications
199

Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes in vehicles originally equipped
with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored). However, not
all coolant recycling processes produce coolant that meets Ford
specification ESE-M97B44–A. Use of such coolant may harm the engine
and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than–36°C[–34°F]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
Maintenance and Specifications
200

•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Maintenance and Specifications
201

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the correct operating range. Be sure to put the
cap back on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the“MIN”and
“MAX”lines are within the normal
operating range, there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating range, the performance of your brake
system could be compromised, seek service from your dealer
immediately.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
211

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine coolant
2Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant
(green-colored)
or
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)Without rear
heater14.0L (14.8
quarts)
With rear heater 15.0L (15.9
quarts)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Fuel tank N/A All 98.4L (26.0
gallons)
Automatic
transaxle fluidMotorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAll 13.0L (13.7
quarts)
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll Fill to line on
reservoir
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. Refer to
Lubricant Specificationsin this chapter. DOT 3 fluid is recommended.
However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be used.
2Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.
Maintenance and Specifications
221

LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
PM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantF7AZ-19G208-BA
and
F5AZ-19553-AAESR-M13P4-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Engine
Coolant (green
colored)VC-4–A (in
Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-M97B44-A
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow colored)VC-7–A WSS-M97B51-A1
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor OilXO-5W20-QSP WSS-M2C153-H
with API
Certification
Mark
Door latch, hood
latch, auxiliary
hood latch, door
and liftgate
hinges, striker
plates, seat
tracks, sliding
door both sides
(upper and
lower track) and
fuel filler door
hinge.Multi-Purpose
GreaseXG-4 or XL-5 ESB-M1C93-B
orESR-M1C159-A
Maintenance and Specifications
222

A
Accessory delay ..........................50
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................111–112, 115
and child safety seats ............113
description ......................112, 115
disposal ....................................117
driver air bag ..................114, 116
indicator light .........................113
operation .........................114, 116
passenger air bag ...........114, 116
side air bag ..............................115
Air cleaner filter .......................220
Air filter, cabin ............................34
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................196
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................134–135
Anti-theft system ........................86
arming the system ....................86
disarming a triggered system ..86
Audio system
(see Radio) ................16, 18, 20, 24
Automatic transaxle .................139
fluid, adding ............................212
fluid, checking ........................212
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
fluid, specification ..................224
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................140
Auxiliary power point .................50
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........222
B
Battery .......................................194acid, treating emergencies .....194
jumping a disabled battery ....167
maintenance-free ....................194
replacement, specifications ...220
servicing ..................................194
BeltMinder .................................106
Brakes ........................................134
anti-lock ...........................134–135
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................135
fluid, checking and adding ....211
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
fluid, specifications .........222, 224
lubricant specifications ..222, 224
parking ....................................135
shift interlock ..........................139
Bulbs ............................................40
C
Calculating load ........................145
Capacities for refilling fluids ....220
Cargo net .....................................73
Cassette tape player ...................24
CD-single premium .........16, 18, 20
Cell phone use ............................56
Cellular telephone (see your
Cellular Phone Guide) ................56
Certification Label ....................225
Child safety restraints ..............118
child safety belts ....................118
Child safety seats ......................121
in front seat ............................122
in rear seat ......................122, 124
tether anchorage hardware ...125
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............183
instrument panel ....................185
Index
230

interior .....................................185
interior trim ............................185
plastic parts ............................184
washing ....................................182
waxing .....................................182
wheels ......................................183
wiper blades
............................184
Compass, electronic
..............51, 70
Console
........................................55
overhead
....................................46
Controls
power seat
.................................88
Coolant
checking and adding
..............196
refill capacities
................200, 220
specifications
..................222, 224
Cruise control
(see Speed control)
....................53
Cupholder(s)
...............................91
Customer Assistance
................150
Ford accessories for your
vehicle
.....................................186
Ford Extended
Service Plan
............................175
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada
.....................179
Getting roadside assistance
...150
Getting the service
you need
.................................173
Ordering additional owner’s
literature
.................................180
The Dispute Settlement
Board
.......................................175
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program
...................................178D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................35
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................212
engine oil .................................191
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........222
power sliding ............................47
Driving under special
conditions ..................................141
through water .........................144
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................167
Emission control system ..........209
Engine ........................................224
cleaning ...................................183
coolant .....................................196
idle speed control ...................194
lubrication
specifications ..................222, 224
refill capacities ........................220
service points ..........................190
starting after a collision .........151
Engine block heater .................134
Engine oil ..................................191
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................191
checking and adding ..............191
dipstick ....................................191
filter, specifications ........193, 220
recommendations ...................193
refill capacities ........................220
specifications ..................222, 224
Exhaust fumes ..........................134
Index
231