Maintenance 172
General information...................................172
Opening and closing the hood............................173
Under hood overview..................................175
Engine oil dipstick....................................176
Engine oil check......................................176
Engine coolant check..................................177
Automatic transmission fluid check........................181
Power steering fluid check..............................184
Fuel filter...........................................184
Washer fluid check....................................185
Changing the vehicle battery.............................185
Checking the wiper blades..............................187
Changing the wiper blades..............................187
Air filter(s).........................................188
Adjusting the headlamps................................189
Changing a bulb......................................190
Removing a headlamp..................................191
Bulb replacement.....................................195
Bulb specification chart.................................200
Vehicle Care 201
Cleaning products.....................................201
Cleaning the exterior..................................201
Waxing.............................................203
Repairing minor paint damage............................203
Cleaning the engine...................................203
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades.....................204
Cleaning the interior...................................204
Cleaning the instrument panel and instrument cluster lens.......205
Cleaning leather seats..................................206
Cleaning the alloy wheels...............................206
Vehiclestorage.......................................207
Table of Contents5
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SYMBOL GLOSSARY
WARNING:You risk death or serious injury to yourself and
others if you do not follow the instruction highlighted by the
warning symbol.
These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Symbol Description Symbol Description Symbol Description
Safety alertSee Owner’s
ManualAnti-lock
braking
system
Avoid
smoking,
flames, or
sparksBatteryBattery acid
Brake
fluid – non
petroleum
baseBrake systemCabin air
filter
Check fuel
capChild Safety
Door Lock
and UnlockChild seat
lower anchor
Child seat
tether anchorCruise
controlDo not open
when hot
Engine air
filterEngine
coolantEngine
coolant
temperature
Engine oilExplosive gasFan warning
Fasten safety
beltFront airbagFront fog
lamps
8Introduction
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Shows the temperature of the engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will remain in the center section. If the needle
enters the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the engine, switch
the ignition off and determine the cause once the engine has cooled down.
Note:Do not restart the engine until the cause of overheating has been
resolved.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot.
Fuel Gauge
Indicates approximately how much fuel is left in the fuel tank (when the
ignition is on). The fuel gauge may vary slightly when the vehicle is in
motion or on a grade. The fuel icon and arrow indicates which side of
the vehicle the fuel filler door is located.
Information Display
Odometer
Located in the bottom of the information display Registers the
accumulated distance your vehicle has travelled.
Trip Computer
SeeTrip ComputerinInformation Displays.
WARNING LAMPS AND INDICATORS
The following warning lamps and indicators will alert you to a vehicle
condition that may become serious. Some lamps will illuminate when you
start your vehicle to make sure they work. If any lamps remain on after
starting your vehicle, refer to the respective system warning lamp for
further information.
Note:Some warning indicators appear in the information display and
function the same as a warning lamp but do not display when you start
your vehicle.
Airbag – Front
If it fails to illuminate on startup, continues to flash or remains
on, it indicates a malfunction. Have the system checked by your
authorized dealer. A chime will sound when there is a malfunction
in the indicator light.
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Anti-Lock Braking System
If it illuminates when you are driving, this indicates a
malfunction. You will continue to have the normal braking
system (without ABS) unless the brake warning lamp is also
illuminated. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Anti-Theft System
Flashes when the SecuriLock® passive Anti-Theft system has
been activated.
Brake System
It will illuminate when the parking brake is engaged and the
ignition is on.
If it illuminates when you are driving, check that the parking brake is not
engaged. If the parking brake is not engaged, this indicates low brake
fluid level or a brake system malfunction. Have the system checked
immediately by your authorized dealer.
WARNING:Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning
light on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance may occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle.
Have the vehicle checked by your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Driving extended distances with the parking brake engaged can cause
brake failure and the risk of personal injury.
Charging
Illuminates when the battery is not charging properly. If it stays
on while the engine is running, there may be a malfunction with
the charging system. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as
possible. This indicates a problem with the electrical system or a related
component.
Cruise Control (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch this feature on.
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Direction Indicator
Illuminates when the left or right turn signal or the hazard
warning flasher is turned on. If the indicators stay on or flash
faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Door Ajar
Displays when the ignition is on and any door is not completely
closed.
Engine Oil
If it illuminates with the engine running or when you are
driving, this indicates a malfunction. Stop your vehicle as soon
as it is safe to do so and switch the engine off. Check the
engine oil level.
Note:Do not resume your journey if it illuminates despite the level
being correct. Have the system checked by your authorized dealer.
Fasten Safety Belt
It will illuminate and a chime will sound to remind you to fasten
your safety belt.
Fog Lamps – Front (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch the front fog lamps on.
Fog Lamps – Rear
It will illuminate when you switch the rear fog lamps on.
High Beam
It will illuminate when the headlamp high beam is switched on.
It will flash when you use the headlamp flasher.
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Low Fuel Level
It will illuminate when the fuel level is low or near empty.
Refuel as soon as possible.
Low Tire Pressure Warning
It illuminates when your tire pressure is low. If the lamp
remains on with the engine running or when driving, check
your tire pressure as soon as possible.
The lamp also illuminates momentarily when you switch the ignition on
to confirm the lamp is functional. If it does not illuminate when you
switch the ignition on, or begins to flash at any time, have the system
checked by your authorized dealer.
Overdrive Cancel (if equipped)
It will illuminate when the overdrive function of the
transmission has been turned off.
Parking Lamps
It will illuminate when you switch the parking lamps on.
Powertrain Malfunction
Illuminates when a powertrain fault has been detected. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
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Service Engine Soon
If the service engine soon indicator light stays illuminated after
the engine is started, it indicates that the On Board Diagnostics
system (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction of the vehicle
emissions control system. Refer toOn board diagnostics (OBD-II)in the
Fuel and Refuelingchapter for more information about having your
vehicle serviced.
If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could damage your
catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration
and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced immediately.
Note:Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter or other vehicle components.
The service engine soon indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
first turned on prior to engine start to check the bulb and to indicate
whether the vehicle is ready for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing.
Normally, the service engine soon light will stay on until the engine is
cranked, then turn itself off if no malfunctions are present. However,
if after 15 seconds the service engine soon light blinks eight times, it
means that the vehicle is not ready for I/M testing. SeeReadiness for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testingin theFuel and Refuelingchapter.
Stability Control System / Traction Control System (if equipped)
It will illuminate when you switch the ignition on to confirm it
is functional. If it remains illuminated or does not illuminate
when you switch the ignition on, this indicates a malfunction.
During a malfunction the system will switch off. Have the system
checked by your authorized dealer.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
WARNING:Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce
very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
WARNING:Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle on dry grass
or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
WARNING:Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in
other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING:If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle,
have your vehicle checked by an authorized dealer immediately.
Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
If you disconnect the battery, your vehicle may exhibit some unusual
driving characteristics for approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) after you
connect it. This is because the engine management system must realign
itself with the engine. You may disregard any unusual driving
characteristics during this period.
The powertrain control system meets all Canadian interference-causing
equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
or radio noise.
Do not press the accelerator pedal while starting the engine. If you have
difficulty starting the engine, seeFailure to startlater in this section.
Electric vehicles
For specific information on the Transit Connect Electric, refer to the
Azure Dynamics TC-E Owner’s GuideSupplement.
108Starting and Stopping the Engine
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
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