Ford Windstar (2003 year). Manual — part 32

Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor.
In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two

child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or
death.

The lower anchors for child seat
installation are located at the rear
section of the rear seat between the
cushion and seat back.

Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments.

Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.

If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash. Adjusting the
seat back angle may allow the tether strap to be tight without lifting the
child seat.

Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.

If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.

Seating and Safety Restraints

130

STARTING

Positions of the ignition

1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.

2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.

3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all
accessories without locking the
steering wheel. This position also allows the automatic transmission shift
lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
being depressed.

In the ignition OFF position, the automatic transmission shift
lever can be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake

pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always set the
parking brake.

4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.

5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.

Preparing to start your vehicle

Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.

When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the engine in this chapter.

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk

of fire or other damage.

3

1

2

5

4

Driving

131

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.

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door

before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell

exhaust fumes.

Important safety precautions

When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.

Before starting the vehicle:

1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating
and safety restraints chapter.

2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.

3. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).

4. Make sure the parking brake is
set.

Driving

132

• Turn the key to 4 (ON) without

turning the key to 5 (START).

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.

• If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the

light may not illuminate.

Starting the engine

1. Turn the key to 4 (ON) without
turning the key to 5 (START).

2. Turn the key to 5 (START), then
release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.

Note: If the engine does not start within five seconds on the first try,
turn the key to 3 (OFF), wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine still

1

2

3

4

5

40

40

80

120

160

200

20

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

60

80

100

120

MPH

RPMX1000

THEFT

TRAC

ACTIVE

TRAC

OFF

TEMP H

F

FUEL

E

km/h

BRAKE

mi

O/D

OFF

CHECK

FUEL

CAP

3

2

1

5

4

Driving

133