battery FORD WINDSTAR 2000 2.G Owner's Manual

BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Maintenance and care
223

Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
To account for customer driving habits and conditions, your automatic
transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an adaptive
learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift smoothness.
It is normal for your transaxle to shift abruptly during the first few
hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive strategy has
been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power
from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is
installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal
shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of
operation.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
Maintenance and care
224

4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. With your foot on the brake pedal and with the A/C on, put the
vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If 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.
²Always 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.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
225

engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Cornering lamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamps
Maintenance and care
240

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L Vulcan V6 engine 3.8L OHV V6 engine
Air filter element FA-1616 FA-1616
Fuel filter FG-986B FG-986B
Battery (standard) BXT-59 BXT-65-650
Battery (optional) BXT-65±750 BXT-65-750
Oil filter FL-400S FL-400S
PCV valve EV-155 EV-152
Spark plugs* AWSF-32PP** 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 ªPGº suffix. Cylinders No.
4, 5 and 6 have a ªPº suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use
only spark plugs with the service part number suffix letter9PP9as shown
on the engine decal.
*** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in the
same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1, 2, and 3 have a ªEGº suffix. Cylinders No.
4, 5, and 6 have a ªEº suffix. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use
only spark plugs with the service part number suffix letter ªEEº as
shown on the engine decal.
Capacities and specifications
254

Comfort and convenience
Cargo nets
Cargo shades
Cargo trays
Engine block heaters
Seatback organizer
Tire step
Travel equipment
Cell phone holder
Console
Factory luggage rack adaptors (Bike, ski, etc.)
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Inside rear view mirror with compass (with and without temperature
display)
Luggage/cargo basket
Soft luggage cover
Trailer hitch (Class II)
Trailer hitch bars and balls
Trailer hitch wiring adaptor
Protection and appearance equipment
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full and mini)
Hood deflectors
Locking gas cap
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Customer assistance
269

Accessory delay ..........................90
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..........140,141,145
and child safety seats ............142
description .......................141,145
disposal ....................................148
driver air bag ...................143,146
indicator light .............10,144,147
operation ..........................143,146
passenger air bag ............143,146
side air bag ..............................145
Air cleaner filter .......................254
Air conditioning ..........................28
Air filter, cabin ..........................220
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................211
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................165,166
Anti-theft system ......................113
arming the system ..................113
disarming a
triggered system .....................114
warning light ...............................9
Audio system (see Radio) .........38
Automatic transaxle .................169
driving with .............................170
fluid, adding ............................218
fluid, checking ........................218
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
fluid, specification ..................257
Auxiliary power point ...............116
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........256
Battery .......................................223
acid, treating emergencies .....223
charging system warning light ..8
jumping a disabled battery ....197
maintenance-free ....................223
replacement, specifications ...254
servicing ..................................223
Belt minder ...............................136
Brakes ........................................165anti-lock ............................165,166
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........10,166
brake warning light ..................10
fluid, checking and adding ....210
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
fluid, specifications ..........256,257
lubricant specifications ...256,257
parking ....................................166
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............81
shift interlock ..........................169
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....255
Cargo net ...................................118
Cassette tape player ...................63
CD changer .................................74
Certification Label ....................259
Child safety restraints ..............148
child safety belts ....................148
Child safety seats ......................149
in front seat ............................150
in rear seat .......................150,153
tether anchorage hardware ...154
Cleaning your vehicle ...............248
engine compartment ..............250
exterior ....................................249
exterior lamps .........................250
instrument panel ....................251
instrument panel lens ............251
interior .......................251,252,253
mirrors .....................................249
plastic parts ............................249
safety belts ..............................252
washing ....................................248
waxing .....................................248
wheels ......................................249
windows ..................................252
wiper blades ............................250
woodtone trim ........................252
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............28
Index
273