2004 FORD FREESTAR reservoir

Turn signal warning chime:Sounds when the turn signal lever has
been activated to signal a turn and not turned off after the vehicle is
driven more than 0.8 km (1/2 mile).
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between “H” and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
15

REDUCED ENGINE POWER.Displayed when the engine temperature
exceeds safe driving operating range and the vehicle limits engine power
to prevent engine damage.
STOP ENGINE SAFELY.Displayed when the engine temperature
exceeds safe driving operating range and the engine must be shut down
to prevent damage. Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and turn off the
engine. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer 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 LEFT OR RIGHT 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 to
Replacing headlamp bulbsin theLightschapter.
CHECK LEFT OR RIGHT PARK LAMPS.Displayed when the park
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 LEFT OR RIGHT 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 TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Control
system is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction control
in theDrivingchapter.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
CHECK TIRES.Displayed when low tire pressure is detected in one or
more tires. Refer toChecking the tire pressurein theMaintenance
and specificationschapter.
TURN SIGNAL ON REMINDER.Displayed when the turn signal is
activated and the vehicle is driven more that 0.8 km (1/2 mile).
WASHER FLUID LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toWindshield
washer fluidin theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driver Controls
81

STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
•Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• an improperly inflated tire
• uneven tire wear
• loose or worn suspension components
• loose or worn steering components
• improper steering alignment
A high crown in the road or high crosswinds may also make the steering
seem to wander/pull.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the RUN position unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with the ignition
in the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Insert the key and turn it to the
position between 2 (OFF/LOCK)
and 3 (RUN). A detent position will
be felt between positions 2 and 3.
Apply the brake pedal and shift
to N (Neutral) . The positions of
the ignition are as follows: 1 –
ACCESSORY , 2 – OFF/LOCK, 3 –
RUNand4–START.
When the key is in position between OFF/LOCK and RUN, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
4
3
2
1
2004 Windstar (win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
171

Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Always replace the cover to the power distribution box before
reconnecting the battery or refilling fluid reservoirs
If the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, refer to the
Batterysection of theMaintenance and specificationschapter.
The cover for the power distribution box can be removed by releasing
the tab on the back left corner of the cover, then pulling the cover up.
The high-current fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
1 — Not used
2 30A** Right cooling fan
3 30A** Left cooling fan
4 30A** Starter solenoid
5 30A** Right-hand power sliding door
6 30A** SJB accessory #2 (driver power
window)
7 30A** Auxiliary blower motor
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
190

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
3.9L/4.2L V6 engines
1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Air filter assembly
3. Power distribution box
4. Battery
5. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Engine oil filler cap
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
227

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Add fluid to fill the reservoir if the
level is low. In very cold weather, do
not fill the reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets
Ford specification WSB-M8B16–A2.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic compounds may restrict the
use of methanol, a common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection without damaging the
vehicle’s paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
If you operate your vehicle in temperatures below 4.5° C (40°
F), use washer fluid with antifreeze protection. Failure to use
washer fluid with antifreeze protection in cold weather could result in
impaired windshield vision and increase the risk of injury or accident.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant reservoir. Washer
fluid placed in the cooling system may harm engine and cooling system
components.
Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate
Washer fluid for the liftgate is supplied by the same reservoir as the
windshield.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
228

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

Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36° C (-34° F).
•Boiling protection up to 129° C (265° F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the “cold fill level” or within the “cold
fill range” as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
234