2000 Ford Windstar Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 219

Maintenance and care 3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal, start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage. 4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running. 5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If necessary, refer to Identifying components in the engine compartment in this chapter for the location of the dipstick. 6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube. 7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in the designated areas for normal operating temperature. Low fluid level Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid level is at the bottom of the dipstick and the outside temperatures are above 10°C (50°F). DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING Correct fluid level The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating temperatures 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on a level surface. The normal operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20 miles) of driving. The transmission fluid should be in this range if at normal operating DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING temperature (66°C-77°C [150°F-170°F]). High fluid level Fluid levels above the safe range may result in transaxle failure. An DON'T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible damage. High fluid levels can be caused by an overheating condition. Adjusting automatic transmission fluid levels Before adding any fluid, make sure the correct type is used. The type of fluid used is normally indicated on the dipstick and also in the Lubricant specifications section in the Capacities and specifications chapter. 219