1996 Ford Windstar Owner's Manual - Page 323

Servicing Your Windstar To find out how much engine coolant mixture your vehicle's coolant system can hold, see Refill Capacities later in this chapter. You may add water by itself only in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant as soon as possible. Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if you have to add engine coolant more than once a month, or you have to add more than a quart (liter) at a time. Checking hoses Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration, leaks and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine coolant. Make whatever repairs or replacements are necessary using Motorcraft parts or their equivalents. Engine coolant drain and flush To drain and flush your engine coolant, you MUST see your Ford dealer or refer to the procedure in the service manual. Failing to do so could result in engine damage. Battery The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery does not require additional water during its life of service. The vents are part of the cover and cannot be removed. For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery terminals. If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals, remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion. 323