Page 77 of 280
Trip elapsed drive time
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display your trip elapsed
drive time. When selected the
display will accumulate when the
key is in the RUN position.
1. Press the INFO control until the
message center display shows the TRIP TIME XX:XX:XX.
2. Hold the RESET control down for two seconds to clear display.
Display on/off
Select this function from the INFO menu to turn the upper two lines of
the message center display OFF or ON.
Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•Language
•Units (English/Metric)
•System Check
Language
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current
language to be displayed.
2. Pressing the RESET control
cycles the message center through
each of the language choices.
INFO
SETUP
RESET
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
77
Page 78 of 280

3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to set the
language choice.
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either
an OK message or a warning
message for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. Oil life in XX%
2. Charging system
3. Washer fluid level
4. Brake fluid level
5. Doors and liftgate status
6. Exterior lamps status
7. Traction Controlstatus
8. Tire inflation status
9. Fuel level status (hold to reset to relearn)
10. Distance to empty
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
78
Page 79 of 280

System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for 4
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
•Warning returns upon another event.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Driver’s door ajar Warning cannot be reset
Passenger door ajar
Left rear door ajar
Right rear door ajar
Transmission overheated Warning returns after 10 minutes
Check traction control (if
equipped)
Park brake set
Check brake system
Reduce engine power
Stop engine safely
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
79
Page 82 of 280
CHANGE OIL SOON.Displayed when the engine oil life remaining is 5
percent or less. When oil life left is between 5% and 0%, the CHANGE
OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil life left reaches 0%, the
OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 8 000 km (5 000 miles) or 180 days] perform the
following:
1. Press the SETUP control to
access the System Check function.
2. Press and release the RESET
control to display “OIL LIFE XX%
HOLD RESET NEW”.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to display “IF
NEW OIL HOLD RESET”.
4. Press and hold the RESET
control to display “OIL LIFE SET
TO 100%”. Your oil life is now reset.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
82
Page 83 of 280

To reset the oil monitoring system to your personalized oil life %:
1. Press the SETUP control to
access the System Check function.
2. Press and release the RESET
control to display “OIL LIFE XX%
HOLD RESET NEW”.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to display “IF
NEW OIL HOLD RESET”.
4. Release the RESET control
momentarily, then press RESET and
SETUP controls at the same time to
activate a service mode which will
display “OIL LIFE XX% RESET TO
ALTER”.
5. Press RESET until you find your personalized OIL LIFE XX%.
6. With your personalized OIL LIFE XX% displayed, press SETUP to
continue the system check.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel Computer
•Oil life
•Charging system
•Door sensor•Liftgate sensor
•Exterior lamps
•Traction control
•Washer fluid
•Brake Fluid
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
83
Page 186 of 280
This switch is located behind the
service panel on the right side of
the cargo area.
To reset the switch:
1. Turn the ignition OFF.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no leaks are apparent, reset the
switch by pushing in on the reset
button.
4. Turn the ignition ON.
5. Wait a few seconds and return
the key to OFF.
6. Make another check of leaks.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical components in the
vehicle are not working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are
identified by a broken wire within
the fuse. Check the appropriate
fuses before replacing any electrical
components.
Note:Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage
rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
15
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
186
Page 194 of 280

CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
•If your low tire warning light is on, refer toLow tire warningin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
The use of tire sealants is not recommended and may damage
your tires. The use of tire sealants may also damage your tire
pressure monitoring system (if equipped).
Temporary spare tire information
Your vehicle may have a temporary spare tire. The temporary spare tire
for your vehicle is labeled as such. It is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only. Replace this tire with a full-size tire as
soon as possible.
Note:The Low Tire Warning system
will detect the temporary spare tire
and illuminate the low tire warning
light until the spare tire is replaced
with a proper full-size tire. To reset
the system, refer toServicing your tiresin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not follow
these precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose control
of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
•use more than one temporary spare tire at a time
•exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) or drive further than 3,200 km (2,000
miles) total under any circumstances
•load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load rating listed on the
Safety Compliance Label
•tow a Class III trailer
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
194
Page 233 of 280

7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If 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.
•Always 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.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36° C (-34° F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the “cold full” of “cold fill range” level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
233