tow FORD WINDSTAR 2003 2.G Owner's Guide

13. Remove the jack and fully
tighten the lug nuts in the order
shown.
14. If equipped with a bolted-on
wheel cover, install the center
ornament and tighten the five
plastic nuts until they click (do not
use power tools on these nuts).
Install the outer wheel cover.
15. If removed, install center
ornament or wheel cover.
Stowing the flat/spare tire
1. Lay the tire on the ground with the valve stem facing in the direction
specified on the Tire Changing Instructions located with the jack
hardware.
2. Slide the wheel partially under the vehicle and install the retainer
through the wheel center. Pull on the cable to align the components at
the end of the cable.
3. Turn the jack handle clockwise until the tire is raised to its stowed
position underneath the vehicle. The effort to turn the jack handle
increases significantly and the spare tire carrier ratchets or slips when
the tire is raised to the maximum tightness. Tighten to the best of your
ability, to the point where the ratchet/slip occurs, if possible. The spare
tire carrier will not allow you to overtighten. If the spare tire carrier
ratchets or slips with little effort, take the vehicle to your dealer for
assistance at your earliest convenience.
4. Check that the tire lies flat against the frame and is properly
tightened. Try to push or pull, then turn the tire to be sure it will not
move. Loosen and retighten, if necessary. Failure to properly stow the
spare tire may result in failure of the winch cable and loss of the tire.
5. Repeat this tightness check procedure when servicing the spare tire
pressure (every six months, per scheduled maintenance guide), or at any
time that the spare tire is disturbed through service of other
components.
6. If removed, install the spare tire lock (if equipped) into the bumper
drive tube with the spare tire lock key (if equipped) and jack handle.1
4 3
2 5
Roadside Emergencies
166

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing
service, or if you are a member, your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed by wheel lift or flatbed
equipment. Do not tow with a slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not
approved a slingbelt towing procedure.
If your vehicle is to be towed from the rear using wheel lift, the front
wheels must be placed on a dolly to prevent damage to the transaxle.
If your vehicle must be towed with the drive wheels on the ground:
•Place the transaxle in N (Neutral).
•Do not exceed the distance of 80 km (50 miles).
•Do not exceed the speed of 56 km/h (35 mph).
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
Ford Motor Company produces a towing manual for all authorized tow
truck operators. Have your tow truck operator refer to this manual for
proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside Emergencies
172

In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state’s warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
FORD EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP
is an optional service contract which is backed by Ford Motor Company
or Ford Motor Service Company (in the U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in
Canada). It provides the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and Ford of Canada dealer. There are several plans available in
various time, distance and deductible combinations which can be tailored
to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also offers reimbursement
benefits for towing and rental coverage.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the
time of purchasing your vehicle, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD (U.S. ONLY)
The Dispute Settlement Board is:
•an independent, third-party arbitration program for warranty disputes.
Customer Assistance
175

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
Cleaning
182

•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You 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.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
Maintenance and Specifications
208

•Two or more under inflated tires.
•Sudden loss of tire pressure.
•Vehicle speeds less than 30 km/h (20 mph), greater than 120 km/h
(70 mph) or driving duration less than 10 miles.
•Transporting a heavy load or towing a trailer.
•A different tire was replaced and was not the same brand, type, size,
speed rating, load carrying capacity and DOT code as the other tire on
the same axle.
•System was not reset after tire rotation, air pressure adjustment, a tire
change, wheel alignment or tire balancing.
•System was not reset after the ABS warning lamp illuminates.
The low tire warning feature can be turned off by your dealer.
Checking the tire pressure
•Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
•Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has been
parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 5 km
(3 miles).
•Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on the
Certification Label.
•Reset low tire warning system
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control.
Tire rotation
Because your vehicle’s tires perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate
them as indicated in the scheduled maintenance guide. If you notice that
the tires wear unevenly, have them checked.
Maintenance and Specifications
217

K
Keyless entry system .................81
autolock .....................................81
Keys
positions of the ignition .........131
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................35
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................40
cargo lamps ...............................36
daytime running light ...............35
headlamps .................................35
headlamps, flash to pass ..........36
instrument panel, dimming .....36
interior lamps .....................38–39
replacing bulbs .............40, 42–43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................38
Liftgate ..................................72–73
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........135
Load limits .................................144
GAWR ......................................144
GVWR ......................................144
trailer towing ..........................144
Locks
autolock .....................................81
childproof ..................................76
Low tire warning .................13, 215
Lubricant specifications ...222, 224
Lumbar support, seats ...............89
M
Message center ...........................62english/metric button ...............63
system check button ................63
warning messages .....................65
Mirrors .........................................46
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................51
fold away ...................................52
heated ........................................52
side view mirrors (power) .......51
Motorcraft parts ................205, 220
O
Octane rating ............................204
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................191
Overdrive ...................................139
P
Parking brake ............................135
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....220
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................99
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................53
Power adjustable foot pedals .....53
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................157
Power door locks ..................75, 81
Power mirrors .............................51
Power point .................................50
Power steering ..........................138
fluid, checking and adding ....211
fluid, refill capacity ................220
fluid, specifications .........222, 224
Power Windows ...........................50
R
Radio ..........................16, 18, 20, 24
Index
233

Relays ........................................152
Remote entry system .................77
illuminated entry ..........36, 80–81
locking/unlocking doors .....75, 78
Reverse sensing system ...........142
Roadside assistance ..................150
Roof rack .....................................73
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................98, 101–105
Safety defects, reporting ..........181
Safety restraints ..........98, 101–105
belt minder .............................106
cleaning the safety belts ........110
extension assembly ................109
for adults .........................102–104
for children .....................117–118
lap belt ....................................105
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................99
warning light and chime ........106
Safety seats for children ..........121
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................98
Seats ............................................87
child safety seats ....................121
memory seat .............................90
Servicing your vehicle ..............188
Spare tire (see Changing
the Tire) ............................161–162
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................220, 224
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................222, 224
Speed control ..............................53Starting your vehicle ........131–133
jump starting ..........................167
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................45
T
Tire warning ..............................215
Tires ...................................213–215
changing ..........................161–163
checking the pressure ............217
replacing ..................................218
rotating ....................................217
snow tires and chains ............219
tire grades ...............................214
treadwear ................................214
Towing .......................................146
recreational towing .................149
trailer towing ..........................146
wrecker ....................................172
Traction control ........................135
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............139
fluid, refill capacities ..............220
lubricant specifications ..........224
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................212
lubricant specifications ..........222
Turn signal ..................................38
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................224
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................226
Vehicle loading ..........................144
Ventilating your vehicle ...........134
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Index
234

Washer fluid ..............................191
Water, Driving through
.............144
Windows
power
.........................................50
rear wiper/washer
.....................44Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................44
checking and adding fluid .....191
liftgate reservoir .....................191
replacing wiper blades .............45
Wrecker towing .........................172
Index
235