1998 Ford Windstar Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 307

RWARNING Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire. RWARNING Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the floor. RWARNING Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment. Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust temperatures could damage the fuel system, the interior floor covering, or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire. Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check engine light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes indicate that the emission system is not working properly. Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can increase the temperature of the engine or exhaust system. By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent it from working. In some of the United States and in Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control device is removed or is prevented from working. 308