tires FORD WINDSTAR 2000 2.G User Guide

SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Driving too fast for conditions creates the possibility of loss of
vehicle control. Driving at very high speeds for extended periods
of time may result in damage to vehicle components.
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use chains, it is recommended that steel
wheels (of the same size and specifications) be used as chains may chip
aluminum wheels.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Do not use tire chains with size P225/60R16 or P215/70R15 tires.
²Use only SAE Class S chains.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the chains. If this does not work, remove
the chains to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
Maintenance and care
230

Keep a record for at least one month and record the type of driving (city
or highway). This will provide an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel
economy under current driving conditions. Additionally, keeping records
during summer and winter will show how temperature impacts fuel
economy. In general, lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
Maintenance and care
237

Seats ..........................................119
child safety seats ....................149
cleaning ............................252,253
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ..........................114,115,116
Servicing your vehicle ..............203
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................254,257
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................256,257
Speed control ..............................82
Speedometer ...............................15
Starting your vehicle .........161,163
jump starting ..........................197
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................88
Tachometer .................................14
Tilt steering wheel ......................88
Tires ......................191,226,227,228
changing ....................191,192,194
checking the pressure ............228
replacing ..................................229
rotating ....................................228
snow tires and chains ............230
tire grades ...............................227
treadwear ................................227
Towing ................................175,228
trailer towing ..........................175
wrecker ....................................202
Traction control ...................81,167
active light ..................................8off light ........................................9
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............169
fluid, refill capacities ..............255
lubricant specifications ..........257
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................218
lubricant specifications ..........256
Trip odometer .............................16
Turn signal ..........................9,13,85
Vehicle dimensions ...................257
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................259
Vehicle loading ..........................173
Ventilating your vehicle ...........164
Warning chimes ...........................13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................211
Water, Driving through .............173
Windows
power .........................................89
rear wiper/washer .....................86
Windshield washer
fluid and wipers
checking and adding fluid .....211
checking and cleaning .....225,226
liftgate reservoir .....................211
operation ...................................86
replacing wiper blades ...........226
Wrecker towing .........................202
Index
277