2003 FORD WINDSTAR Owners Manual

•Two or more under inflated tires.
•Sudden loss of tire pressure.
•Vehicle speeds less than 30 km/h (20 mph), greater than 120 km/h
(70 mph) or driving duration less than 10 miles.
•Transporting a heavy load or towing a trailer.
•A different tire was replaced and was not the same brand, type, size,
speed rating, load carrying capacity and DOT code as the other tire on
the same axle.
•System was not reset after tire rotation, air pressure adjustment, a tire
change, wheel alignment or tire balancing.
•System was not reset after the ABS warning lamp illuminates.
The low tire warning feature can be turned off by your dealer.
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label.
•Reset low tire warning system
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
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217

•Four tire rotation
Reset low tire warning system after rotating tires.
Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
Reset low tire warning system after replacing tires.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed
rating, and load-carrying capacity. If one tire needs to be replaced
sooner than the other on the same axle replace it with the same brand,
type, size, speed rating, load carrying capacity and DOT code as the
other tire. Note: tires on the same axle (front or rear) must match for
the low tire warning system to function properly. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the label. If you do not follow these
precautions, your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
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218

Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g.,“All Terrain”,
“Touring”, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
Do not replace your tires with“high performance”tires or larger
size tires.
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control, vehicle
rollover and/or personal injury.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle’s original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
•Do not use tire chains with 235/60R16 and P235/55R17 size tires.
•Use only SAE Class S chains.
•Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
•Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
•If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
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219

•Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
•The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.8L OHV V6 engine
Air filter element FA-1616
Fuel filter FG-986B
Battery (standard) BXT-65-650
Battery (optional) BXT-65-750
Oil filter FL-400S
PCV valve EV-152
Spark plugs* AWSF-42EE***
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
*** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, and 3 have a“EG”suffix. Cylinders No.
4, 5, and 6 have a“E”suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use
only spark plugs with the service part number suffix letter“EE”as
shown on the engine decal.
REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
Fluid
1
All Fill to MAX line
on reservoir
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil3.8L engine 4.7L (5.0
quarts)
Maintenance and Specifications
220

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.
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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

Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Lock cylinders Penetrating and
Lock LubricantMotorcraft XL-1 none
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Automatic
transaxle
(4F50N)Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT F
2
XT-5-QM MERCONV
Disc brake
caliper railsMotorcraft
Silicone Brake
Caliper Grease
and Dielectric
CompoundXG-3 ESE-M1C171-A
Constant
velocity jointsMotorcraft CV
Joint Grease
(High Temp.)XG-5 WSS-MIC25B-A1
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Ultra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Use only brake fluids certified to meet Ford specifications. DOT 3 fluid
is recommended. However, if DOT 3 is not available, DOT 4 fluid can be
used.
2Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used MERCONand
MERCONV are not interchangeable. DO NOT MIX MERCONand
MERCONV. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide to determine the
correct service interval.
Maintenance and Specifications
223

ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.8L OHV V6 engine
Cubic inches 232
Required fuel 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.3-1.4 mm (0.052-0.056 inch)
Ignition system EDIS
Compression ratio 9.36:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Wagon mm (in) Van mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5102 (200.9) 5102 (200.9)
(2) Overall width 1945 (76.6) 1945 (76.6)
(3) Overall height
*1733 (68.2) 1728 (66.1)
(4) Wheelbase 3066 (120.7) 3066 (120.7)
(5) Track - Front 1643 (64.3) 1643 (64.3)
(5) Track - Rear 1600 (63.0) 1600 (63.0)
*Equipped with P225/60R16 tires.
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224