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VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period of time
(30 days or more), read the following maintenance recommendations to
make sure your vehicle stays in good operating condition.
All motor vehicles and their components were engineered and tested for
reliable, regular driving. Long-term storage under various conditions may
lead to component degradation or failure unless specific precautions are
taken to preserve the components.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, they require regular maintenance to
protect against rust and damage.
Body
•Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud from
exterior surfaces, rear-wheel housing and underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed locations.
•Touch up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto wax
to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the vehicle is
washed.
•Lubricate hood latch, all door latches and trunk lid hinges with a light
grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Engine
•The engine oil and filter should be changed prior to storage, as used
engine oil contains contaminates that may cause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days. Run at fast idle until it reaches normal
operating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shift through all the gears while the
engine is running.
Vehicle Care207
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USA(fus)
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R
Radio ......................................88–89
Single CD ............................88–89
Radio reception ...........................86
Rear-view camera system .........132
Rear window defroster ...............94
Receiving a text message .........282
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ........................................23
Refill capacities for fluids ........244
Relays ................................163–164
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................59
locking/unlocking doors ...........58
opening the trunk .....................58
replacing the batteries .......56–57
Reverse sensing system ...........131
Roadside assistance ..................149
Roll stability control .................129
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............42
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..............................35, 38
Safety defects, reporting ..........162
Safety information ....................271
Safety restraints ..............35–36, 38
Belt-Minder® ............................39
extension assembly ..................38
for adults .............................35–36
for children .........................18, 23
safety belt maintenance ...........42
seat belt maintenance ..............42
warning light and chime ..........39Safety restraints -
LATCH anchors ...........................26
Safety seats for children ......18, 23
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................247
Scheduled Maintenance Guide
Normal Scheduled
Maintenance and Log .............259
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............35
Seats
child safety seats ................18, 23
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................................62
Selecting your media source
(USB, Line in, BT audio) .........293
Setting the clock ...................88–89
Snowplowing ...............................14
SOS Post Crash Alert .................45
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................243, 246
Special notice
ambulance conversions ............14
utility-type vehicles ..................14
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................244
Stability system .........................129
Starting your vehicle ................109
jump starting ..........................151
Steering wheel ............................65
tilting .........................................65
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................46
SYNC® customer support ........271
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USA(fus)
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T
Tail lamps
bulb replacement ....................195
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .................94
Text messaging .........................281
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....282, 284
Tilt steering wheel ......................65
Tires ...........................212–213, 235
alignment ................................226
care ..........................................212
changing ..........................235, 237
checking the pressure ............222
inflating ...................................220
label .........................................219
replacing ..................................224
rotating ....................................227
safety practices .......................226
sidewall information ...............215
snow tires and chains ............228
spare tire .................................235
terminology .............................214
tire grades ...............................213
treadwear ........................212, 223
Towing ...............................143–144
recreational towing .................144
trailer towing ..........................143
wrecker ....................................143
Traction control ........................127
Transaxle
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....123fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................181
fluid, refill capacities ..............244
lubricant specifications ..........244
Trunk
remote release ..........................58
Turn signal ..................................72
U
USB port ......................................93
Using privacy mode ..................278
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................246
Vehicle loading ..........................137
Ventilating your vehicle ...........110
Voice commands in media
mode ..........................................290
Voice commands in phone
mode ..........................................276
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......79
Washer fluid ......................184–185
Water, Driving through .............146
Windows
power .........................................74
rear wiper/washer .....................69
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and
adding fluid
......................184–185
replacing wiper blades ...........187
Wrecker towing .........................143
320Index
2013 Transit Connect(tst)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, November 2012
USA(fus)