warning lights FORD WINDSTAR 2001 2.G Owners Manual

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Some Warning Lights will show in the cluster equipped with a Message
Center as words.
Low fuel
Illuminates as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge (refer toFuel gaugein
this chapter for more information).
When refueling, after the light
comes on, the amount of fuel that is added will be less than the
advertised capacity since there is fuel still in the tank. The ignition must
be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position regardless of the fuel level to ensure your bulb is working.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring electrical system service.
Traction ControlYactive (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position.
It also illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem begins applying and
releasing the brakes and adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a
40
4080
120
160
20020
12345
6
760
80100
120MPH RPMX1000 THEFT
TRAC
ACTIVE TRAC
OFFTEMP
H
FFUEL
E
km/h
BRAKE
mi
O/D
OFF
TRAC
ACTIVE
Instrumentation
8

Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
LOW TIRE WARNING (IF EQUIPPED)
Refer to theTiresection of the
Maintenance and Carechapter for
more information.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the reverse gear is selected.
Tire
Reset
Controls and features
75

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
If your vehicle is equipped with AdvanceTracysystem, the speed control
will automatically disengage when the road conditions change. When
driving conditions permit you can return to speed control by pressing
RES on the speed control. For more information on the AdvanceTracy
system seeAdvanceTracyStability Enhancement Systemsection in
theDrivingchapter.
To turn speed control on
²Press ON.
Vehicle speed cannot be controlled
until the vehicle is traveling at or
above 48 km/h (30 mph).
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that
are winding, slippery, or unpaved.
Do not shift the gearshift lever into N (Neutral) with the speed
control on.
3
1
2
5
4
OFF
ON
Controls and features
79

SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Personal Safety System
The Personal Safety System provides an improved overall level of frontal
crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help further
reduce the risk of air bag-related injuries. The system is able to analyze
different occupant conditions and crash severity before activating the
appropriate safety devices to help better protect a range of occupants in
a variety of frontal crash situations.
Your vehicle's Personal Safety System consists of:
²Driver and passenger dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints.
²Front safety belts with pretensioners, energy management retractors,
and safety belt usage sensors.
²Driver's seat position sensor.
²Passenger occupant classification sensor (if equipped).
²Front crash severity sensor.
²Restraints Control Module (RCM) with impact and safing sensors.
²Restraint system warning light and back-up tone.
²The electrical wiring for the air bags, crash sensor(s), safety belt
pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position
sensor, passenger occupant classification sensor (if equipped), and
indicator lights.
How does the personal safety system work?
The Personal Safety System can adapt the deployment strategy of your
vehicle's safety devices according to crash severity and occupant
conditions. A collection of crash and occupant sensors provides
information to the Restraints Control Module (RCM). During a crash, the
RCM activates the safety belt pretensioners and/or either one or both
stages of the dual-stage air bag supplemental restraints based on crash
severity and occupant conditions.
The fact that the pretensioners or air bags did not activate for both front
seat occupants in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with
the system. Rather, it means the Personal Safety System determined the
accident conditions (crash severity, belt usage, etc.) were not
appropriate to activate these safety devices. Front air bags and
pretensioners are designed to activate only in frontal and near-frontal
Seating and safety restraints
131

Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational
The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument
cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer
to theRestraints Warning Lightsection in theInstrumentation
chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not
required.
The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, driver seat
position sensor, and passenger occupant classification sensor (if
equipped). In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning
light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated
by one or more of the following.
²The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
²The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal
Safety System serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
Safety belt precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
Seating and safety restraints
134

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 (if equipped)
²Auxiliary parking lamps (if equipped)
²High-mount brakelamp
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
245

daytime running lights .............27
flash to pass ..............................28
high beam ...........................10, 27
replacing bulbs .......................246
turning on and off ....................27
warning chime ..........................14
Heating ........................................29
heater only system ...................29
rear seat controls .....................37
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see
Garage door opener) ......90, 92±94
Hood ..........................................209
I
Ignition .................................79, 261
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................153
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................245
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................255
cluster ..................................8, 255
lighting up panel and interior .28
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................196
positioning ...............................196
storage .....................................196
Jump-starting your vehicle ......202
K
Keyless entry system
autolock ...................................110
locking and unlocking doors ..112programming entry code .......111
Keys ...................................113±115
key in ignition chime ...............14
positions of the ignition ...........79
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................250
cargo lamps ...............................28
daytime running light ...............27
headlamps .................................27
headlamps, flash to pass ..........28
instrument panel, dimming .....28
interior lamps .....................95±97
replacing bulbs ...............245±249
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................82
Liftgate ..............................117±118
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....10, 168
anti-theft .....................................9
brake ..........................................10
charging system ..........................8
check engine .............................11
door ajar ....................................13
fuel cap light .............................12
fuel reset ...................................13
high beam ...........................10, 13
low fuel ........................................8
low washer fluid .......................13
oil pressure ...............................10
overdrive off ..............................11
safety belt ...................................9
traction control active ................8
traction control off .....................9
turn signal indicator ...................9
Index
281

W
Warning chimes .....................13±14
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................215
Water, Driving through .............178
Windows
power .........................................85
rear wiper/washer .....................83Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....215
checking and cleaning ....229±230
liftgate reservoir .....................215
operation ...................................82
replacing wiper blades ...........230
Wrecker towing .........................207
Index
284