check oil FORD WINDSTAR 2001 2.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
Introduction
5

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure the circuit is functional. If
the light remains on or fails to
illuminate, have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is
disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with the parking brake released.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure the circuit is functional.
Also illuminates if the parking brake
is engaged. If the brake warning
lamp does not illuminate at these times, or remains on after releasing the
parking brake, seek service immediately.
ABS
!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

2. Pressing the RESET control
cycles the message center through
each of the language choices.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control to set the language choice.
Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for three seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. oil life in XX%
2. charging system
3. washer fluid level
4. brake fluid level
5. doors closed (driver and passenger side). This message can only be
reset by closing the door(s). If the RESET control is pressed, PLEASE
CLOSE DOOR will be displayed.
6. rear liftgate status
7. exterior lamps (headlamps, front turn, brake, tail and cornering/side
repeater lamp status)
>
Instrumentation
18

Liftgate ajar Warning returns
after the ignition
key is turned
from OFF to ON Low brake fluid level
Check tail lamps
Check headlamps
Check rear turn lamps
Check front turn lamps
Check cornering/side repeater lamps (if equipped)
Change oil soon
Oil change required
Check traction control (if equipped)
Check advancetrac (if equipped)
Low washer fluid
Check turn signal on reminder
DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
DRIVER'S REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's rear door
is not completely closed.
PASSENGER REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side
rear door is not completely closed.
LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate is not completely closed.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
Instrumentation
20

partially operable. If this warning stays on while the engine is running,
contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toAdvanceTracystability enhancement systemin
theDrivingchapter.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% after each oil change
[approximately 8 000 km (5 000 miles) or 180 days] perform the
following:
1. Press the SETUP control to
access the System Check function.
2. Press and release the RESET
control to display ªOIL LIFE XX%
HOLD RESET NEW''.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to display ªIF
NEW OIL HOLD RESET''.
4. Press and hold the RESET
control to display OIL LIFE SET TO
100%. Your oil life is now reset.
To reset the oil monitoring system to your personalized oil life %:
1. Press the SETUP control to
access the System Check function.
%
%
Instrumentation
22

2. Press and release the RESET
control to display ªOIL LIFE XX%
HOLD RESET NEW''.
3. Press and hold the RESET
control for 2 seconds to display ªIF
NEW OIL HOLD RESET''.
4. Release the RESET control
momentarily, then press RESET and
SETUP controls at the same time to
activate a service mode which will
display OIL LIFE XX% RESET TO
ALTER.
5. Press RESET until you find your personalized OIL LIFE XX%.
6. With your personalized OIL LIFE XX% displayed, press SETUP to
continue the system check.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
²Fuel Computer
²Oil life
²Charging system
²Door sensor
²Liftgate sensor
²Exterior lamps
²Traction control
²Washer fluid
²Brake Fluid
²Compass
²Outside temperature
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
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%
Instrumentation
23

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).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the MIN and MAX marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
MAX MIN
Maintenance and care
211

²If the oil level is below the MIN
mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the MIN-MAX range.
²Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark on the engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
1/4 of a turn until three clicks are heard until it is latched.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
212

equates to a freeze point of -36É C (-34ÉF). 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 the9cold full9of9cold fill range9level in the coolant
reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions in the
Adding Engine Coolantsection.
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:
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²enables calibrated gages to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the
level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
²The engine coolant should be at the ªcold fill levelº or within the ªcold
fill rangeº as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
COLD FILL RANGE
Maintenance and care
216

²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
Maintenance and care
243