1997 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

300
[MC21600(ALL)03/96]
The air filter should not be cleaned and reused. Replace it
according to the maintenance intervals shown in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. When replacing the filter, unclip the four
clamps and remove the filter. Wipe the inside of the air filter
housing with a damp cloth when replacing the filter.
*
[MC21700(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Never pour fuel in the throttle body or attempt to start
the engine with the air cleaner removed. Doing so could
result in fire and personal injury.
%*
[MC22300(ALL)02/96]
Wiper Blades
*
[MC22400(ALL)01/96]
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a year. Also
check them whenever they seem less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper
blades.
*
[MC22500(ALL)01/96]
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
*
[MC22600(ALL)01/96]
To reach the wiper blades easily, turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY and turn your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to OFF. Moving the
wipers manually may damage them.
*
[MC22700(ALL)02/96]
Wiper blade replacement
*
[MC22800(ALL)01/96]
If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them,
you may need to replace the wiper blade assembly. When
replacing the wiper blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part
or equivalent.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
301
*
[MC22900(ALL)08/95]
To replace the wiper blades:
*
[MC23000(ALL)01/96]1.
Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield and into the
lock position.
[MC23100(ALL)01/96]2.
Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper arm. Push the
lock pin to release the blade and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it from the arm.
*
[MC23200(ALL)08/95]3.
Attach a new wiper blade to the wiper arm and press it into
place until you hear it click.
[MC23300(ALL)01/96]
13-1/2 pica
art:0040235-B
Replacing the wiper blades
%*
[MC23400(ALL)01/96]
Tires
*
[MC23500(ALL)03/96]
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
*
[MC23600(ALL)02/96]
n
Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
*
[MC23700(ALL)01/96]
n
Stay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

302
*
[MC23800(ALL)03/96]
n
Make sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
*
[MC23900(ALL)03/96]
n
Adjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[MC24000(ALL)03/96]
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
*
[MC24100(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast
for road conditions, you could lose control of your
vehicle. Under some circumstances, driving at very high
speeds for extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose
control of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
[MC24300(ALL)01/96]
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle has
been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than 3
miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure on the
Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
*
[MC24400(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
%*
[MC24500(ALL)01/96
]
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
*
[MC24600(ALL)05/96]
Inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or other
objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for
holes or cuts that may permit air to leak from the tire and make
the necessary repairs.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
303
*
[MC24700(ALL)01/96]
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If
you suspect internal damage to the tire, have it removed and
checked. You may need to repair or replace it.
%*
[MC24800(ALL)01/96
]
Tire Rotation
*
[MC24900(ALL)01/96]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different
jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
*
[MC25000(ALL)03/96]
In situations where the tires differ from front to rear
(snow/traction), simply rotate using a side to side pattern.
[MC25100(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040199-B
Rotating the tires
[MC25200(ALL)01/96]
After each rotation, adjust individual tire pressure as specified
on the Tire Pressure Decal. Tighten wheel lug nuts to the
required torque specification and retighten again after 500 miles
(800 km).
*
[MC25300(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle has the optional full-size spare tire, you may
rotate the spare tire into the rotation pattern.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

304
[MC25400(ALL)01/96]
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.
[MC25500(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may remove the
spare tire from the wheel and remount it on an aluminum
wheel to rotate the spare tire into your vehicle's rotation
pattern.
%*
[MC25600(ALL)01/96
]
Replacing the Tires
*
[MC25700(ALL)01/96]
Replace tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a
wear band, it has only 1/16 of an inch (1.59 mm) of tread left.
*
[MC25800(ALL)01/96]
7-1/2 pica art:0040200-A
A worn-out tire
*
[MC25900(ALL)02/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire
tread.
*
[MC26000(ALL)03/96]
Your wheels and tires are match-mounted for improved ride.
Before you begin to repair a tire, mark the wheel and tire so
that they are properly aligned when remounted. This will
ensure that the tires will continue to give you the same ride
level.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
305
*
[MC26100(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended on
the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
*
[MC26200(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size,
type, load-carrying capacity, and tread design (e.g. ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
*
[MC26300(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose
control and roll over.
*
[MC26400(ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
%*
[MC26500(ALL)03/96
]
Wheel and Tire Matching
*
[MC26510(ALL)03/96]
See an authorized tire dealer for proper servicing procedures.
Wheels and tires must be properly removed, matched and
remounted to maintain the best possible ride.
%*
[MC27400(ALL)01/96
]
Information About Tire Quality Grades
*
[MC27500(ALL)01/96]
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These
Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the
United States Department of Transportation has set.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

306
*
[MC27600(ALL)01/96]
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on
this vehicle. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (254-305 mm) or
limited production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2).
*
[MC27700(ALL)01/96]
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
%*
[MC27800(ALL)01/96
]
Treadwear
*
[MC27900(ALL)01/96]
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
*
[MC28000(ALL)01/96]
Traction A B C
[MC28100(ALL)01/96]
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C,
and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
*
[MC28200(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
307
*
[MC28300(ALL)01/96]
Temperature A B C
[MC28400(ALL)01/96]
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
[MC28490(ALL)06/96]
Warning: the temperature grade for this tire is established for a
tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat build up and possible tire failure.
[MC28600(ALL)01/96]
The information on braking performance and tire quality
grading found in the ªFord Motor Company Passenger Car
Consumer Informationº pamphlet (FPS 12024-92) also applies to
the Villager. This publication is available from your dealer.
%*
[MC28700(ALL)01/96
]
Snow Tires and Chains
*
[MC28800(ALL)03/96]
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide
traction in rain or snow. However, during the winter months in
some climates, you may need to use snow tires and occasionally
chains for your tires.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996