1996 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Driving Your Villager
253
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/93]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
*
[DR21400(ALL)01/93]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
*
[DR21500(ALL)02/94]
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out
on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km),
stop in a protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for
tightness.
[DR21600(ALL)01/93]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air
conditioner efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air
intake button to select the fresh air position to stop the air
conditioner compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short
time.
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/93]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
However, if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks
under the trailer's wheels as follows:
[DR21800(ALL)04/94]1.
Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
*
[DR21900(ALL)11/93]2.
Have another person place the wheel chocks under the
trailer wheels.
[DR22000(ALL)04/94]3.
With the chocks in place, release the brake pedal, making
sure the chocks are holding.
[DR22100(ALL)04/94]4.
Apply the parking brake by pressing the main brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot while depressing the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.
*
[DR22200(ALL)06/95]5.
Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

254
*
[DR22300(ALL)01/93]
To start, after being parked on a grade:
[DR22400(ALL)04/94]1.
Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
*
[DR22500(ALL)11/93]2.
Start the engine.
*
[DR22600(ALL)11/93]3.
Shift the gearshift lever into gear and release the parking
brake.
[DR22700(ALL)04/94]4.
Release the main brake pedal and move the vehicle uphill to
free the wheel chocks.
[DR22800(ALL)04/94]5.
Apply the main brake pedal and hold while another person
retrieves the chocks.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

255
Roadside Emergencies
[RE00700(ALL)03/94]
Jump-Starting Your Battery
*
[RE00800(ALL)01/93]
Your vehicle's battery may discharge if you leave the lights or
any electrical equipment on after you turn the engine off. If this
happens, you may be able to jump-start from a booster battery
to start your vehicle.
*
[RE00900(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
*
[RE01000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always
shield your face and eyes. Make sure that you can
breathe fresh air.
%*
[RE01100(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[RE01200(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
*
[RE01210(ALL)06/95]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing,
immediately flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk
or water first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable
oil. Call a doctor immediately.
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996

256
%*
[RE01300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes,
and clothing.
*
[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your
vehicle to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the
order they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
*
[RE01500(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[RE01600(ALL)03/95]1.
Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to
use a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you
connect them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt
batteries in series or a 24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01700(ALL)03/95]2.
Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
*
[RE01800(ALL)04/95]3.
Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set
the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01900(ALL)03/95]4.
Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
*
[RE02000(ALL)01/93]5.
Turn on the heater blower in both vehicles. Turn off all other
switches and lights in both vehicles to prevent possible
damage to either vehicle's electrical systems.
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996

Roadside Emergencies
257
%*
[RE02100(ALL)05/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
*
[RE02200(ALL)03/95]1.
Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery. (You can connect either
jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use
the same cable for both positive terminals.) Most jumper
cables have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and the black for
the negative ones.
*
[RE02300(ALL)04/95]2.
Connect the other end of the first cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster battery.
*
[RE02400(ALL)05/95]3.
Connect one end of the second cable to the negative (s)
terminal of the booster battery Ð NOT to the discharged
battery.
*
[RE02500(ALL)04/95]4.
Connect the other end of the second cable to a good metallic
surface on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.
*
[RE02600(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the
negative (-) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark
may cause an explosion of the gases that surround the
battery.
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996

258
[RE02700(ALL)06/95]
27-1/2 pica art:0040169-E
Sequence for connecting jumper cables
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996

Roadside Emergencies
259
*
[RE02800(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting
*
[RE02900(ALL)03/95]1.
Make sure that the jumper cables are not in the way of
moving engine parts, then start the booster vehicle. Run the
engine at a moderate speed.
*
[RE03000(ALL)03/95]2.
Let the discharged battery charge for a few minutes and then
start the disabled vehicle. It may take a couple of tries before
the vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
*
[RE03100(ALL)03/95]3.
When both vehicles are running, let them idle for a few
minutes to charge the discharged battery.
*
[RE03200(ALL)03/95]
Removing jumper cables
*
[RE03300(ALL)03/95]1.
Always remove the jumper cables in the reverse order.
Remove the negative (s) end of the jumper cable from the
metallic surface on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
*
[RE03400(ALL)05/95]2.
Remove the negative (s) cable from the booster battery.
*
[RE03500(ALL)06/95]3.
Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster battery.
*
[RE03600(ALL)05/95]4.
Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable from the
discharged battery.
[RE03750(ALL)02/95]
If you need to replace your battery, seeBatteryin theServicing
Your Villagerchapter.
*
[RE03800(ALL)01/93]
Changing a Flat Tire
*
[RE03900(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set
the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996

260
*
[RE04000(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04100(ALL)03/94]
Your vehicle has a temporary spare tire (unless you ordered the
optional full-size spare tire). This spare tire is smaller than a
regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon as you can. This
spare tire is marked with the words TEMPORARY USE ONLY
so that you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04200(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do
not follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
*
[RE04300(ALL)02/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
*
[RE04500(ALL)02/95]
n
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances
*
[RE04600(ALL)01/93]
n
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal
*
[RE04700(ALL)01/93]
n
tow a trailer
*
[RE04800(ALL)01/93]
n
use tire chains
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/93]
n
try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/93]
n
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
*
[RE05100(ALL)01/93]
n
drive through an automatic car wash. Because the temporary
spare tire is smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces the
ground clearance. Your vehicle may get caught in the rails
and it could be damaged.
File:12vxren.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:14 1996