1996 Ford Windstar Owner's Manual - Page 321

Servicing Your Windstar Never remove the radiator cap while the engine is running or hot. If you must remove the radiator cap, follow these steps to avoid personal injury that can be caused by escaping steam or engine coolant. 1. Turn the engine off and let it cool before removing the radiator cap. You should exercise care when removing the cap, even from a cooled engine. 2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap and turn it slowly counterclockwise to the first stop. 3. Step back while the pressure is released. 4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to press, turn, and remove cap. 5. Stand away from the radiator opening while removing the cap. Hot steam may blow out or hot engine coolant may splash out. Freezing Protection The factory-installed solution of Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid and water will protect your vehicle to 35˚F ( 37˚C). Check the freeze protection rating of the engine coolant at least once a year, just before winter. Add engine coolant only to the engine coolant recovery reservoir - not to the radiator. If the coolant level is low, add to the engine coolant recovery reservoir a 50/50 mixture of water and the type of engine coolant that Ford specifies. If the coolant recovery reservoir is empty, you should also check the radiator to see if it is low. Check the coolant level again the next few times you drive your vehicle. Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an optimized formula that will protect all metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford engines for four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not necessary and not recommended to use supplemental coolant 321