Page 231 of 389
![Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 232
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[GF15000(ALL)01/96]
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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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[GF15100(ALL)01/96]
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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[GF15200(ALL)01/96]
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[GF15300(ALL)01/96] Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 232
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[GF15000(ALL)01/96]
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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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[GF15100(ALL)01/96]
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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[GF15200(ALL)01/96]
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[GF15300(ALL)01/96]](/manual-img/33/11174/w960_11174-230.png)
232
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[GF15000(ALL)01/96]
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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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[GF15100(ALL)01/96]
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GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
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[GF15200(ALL)01/96]
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GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[GF15300(ALL)01/96]
Base Curb Weight
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[GF15400(ALL)01/96]
The base curb weight is the weight of the vehicle including fuel,
coolants, lubricants, emergency tools and spare wheel and tire.
It also includes any equipment that is standard. It does not
include passengers, cargo or optional equipment installed by
factory, dealer, aftermarket supplier or customer.
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[GF15500(ALL)01/96]
Payload
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[GF15600(ALL)01/96]
Maximum payload is the combined, maximum allowable weight
of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is
designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the base curb weight.
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[GF15700(ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
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[GF15800(ALL)01/96]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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[GF15900(ALL)01/96]
It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or a
specification, but actual weight. If an owner loads up the vehicle
and weighs it, that's the GVW at that moment. If the owner
adds on more of a load and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW.
%*
[GF16000(ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
[GF16100(ALL)01/96]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your Villager. The GVWR is
the maximumallowableweight of the vehicle when fully
loaded including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
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Page 238 of 389
![Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals Driving
239
[GF20700(ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
[GF20800(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. See th Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals Driving
239
[GF20700(ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
[GF20800(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. See th](/manual-img/33/11174/w960_11174-237.png)
Driving
239
[GF20700(ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
[GF20800(ALL)03/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. See theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet in the Owner's portfolio.
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[GF20900(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
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[GF21000(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
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[GF21100(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at the
bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
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[GF21200(ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
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[GF21300(ALL)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
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[GF21400(ALL)01/96]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
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[GF21500(ALL)01/96]
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.
[GF21600(ALL)01/96]
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
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Update:Thu May 30 09:54:10 1996
Page 239 of 389
![Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 240intake button to select the fresh air position to stop the air
conditioner compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short
time.
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[GF21700(ALL)01/96]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 240intake button to select the fresh air position to stop the air
conditioner compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short
time.
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[GF21700(ALL)01/96]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked](/manual-img/33/11174/w960_11174-238.png)
240intake button to select the fresh air position to stop the air
conditioner compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short
time.
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[GF21700(ALL)01/96]
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:
[GF21800(ALL)01/96]1.
Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
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[GF21900(ALL)01/96]2.
Have another person place the wheel chocks under the
trailer wheels.
[GF22000(ALL)01/96]3.
With the chocks in place, release the brake pedal, making
sure the chocks are holding.
[GF22100(ALL)01/96]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.
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[GF22200(ALL)01/96]5.
Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
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[GF22300(ALL)01/96]
To start, after being parked on a grade:
[GF22400(ALL)01/96]1.
Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
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[GF22500(ALL)03/96]2.
Start the engine.
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[GF22600(ALL)01/96]3.
Shift the gearshift lever into gear and release the parking
brake.
[GF22700(ALL)01/96]4.
Release the main brake pedal and move the vehicle uphill to
free the wheel chocks.
[GF22800(ALL)01/96]5.
Apply the main brake pedal and hold while another person
retrieves the chocks.
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Page 254 of 389
![Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 256
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[ER00500(ALL)01/96]
Changing a Flat Tire
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[ER00505(ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
stee Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 256
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[ER00500(ALL)01/96]
Changing a Flat Tire
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[ER00505(ALL)02/96]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
stee](/manual-img/33/11174/w960_11174-253.png)
256
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[ER00500(ALL)01/96]
Changing a Flat Tire
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[ER00505(ALL)02/96]
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.
%*
[ER00510(ALL)02/96]
The Temporary Spare Tire
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[ER00515(ALL)01/96]
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.
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[ER00520(ALL)02/96]
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, possibly injuring
yourself or others.
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[ER00525(ALL)01/96]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
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[ER00530(ALL)01/96]
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exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances
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[ER00535(ALL)01/96]
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load your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal
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[ER00540(ALL)01/96]
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tow a trailer
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[ER00545(ALL)01/96]
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use tire chains
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[ER00550(ALL)01/96]
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try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel
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[ER00555(ALL)01/96]
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use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
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Page 256 of 389
258
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[ER00590(ALL)05/96]2.
Find the lug wrench in the tool kit located behind the jack in
the right cargo area side panel.
*
[ER00595(ALL)01/96]3.
Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex nut
in the floor of the cargo area. Turn counterclockwise until
the cable extends far enough to lower the spare tire to the
ground.
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[ER00600(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040172-B
The spare tire in the lowered position
*
[ER00605(ALL)01/96]4.
Continue to turn the hex nut counterclockwise until the
spare tire retainer can be seen for removal.
*
[ER00610(ALL)01/96]5.
Remove the retainer from the center of the wheel. It may be
necessary to lift one end of the tire to disengage the retainer.
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Page 257 of 389
Roadside Emergencies
259
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[ER00615(ALL)01/96]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040173-B
Removing the spare tire retainer
*
[ER00620(ALL)01/96]
Stowing the spare tire
[ER00625(ALL)05/96]1.
To raise the tire to the stowed position, lay the tire on the
ground with the inboard side facing up. Install the retainer
through the wheel center and slide the tire under the vehicle.
Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex nut
in the floor of the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench clockwise
until the tire is raised to its original position underneath the
vehicle.
[ER00630(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the
stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten.
*
[ER00635(ALL)01/96]2.
Check for proper seating against the underbody supports
and retighten if necessary.
*
[ER00640(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are
stowed and secured in the proper storage location.
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Page 258 of 389
![Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 260
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[ER00645(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
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[ER00650(ALL)01/96]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed
at the front or rear jacking points.
*
[ER00655(ALL)05/96]1 Mercury Villager 1997 Owners Manuals 260
%*
[ER00645(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[ER00650(ALL)01/96]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed
at the front or rear jacking points.
*
[ER00655(ALL)05/96]1](/manual-img/33/11174/w960_11174-257.png)
260
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[ER00645(ALL)03/96]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[ER00650(ALL)01/96]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed
at the front or rear jacking points.
*
[ER00655(ALL)05/96]1.
Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that
the tires and jack are on a level, solid surface. Put the
gearshift lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block
the wheel Ð in both directions Ð that is diagonally opposite
the tire that you are changing.
*
[ER00660(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
*
[ER00665(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a
tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both
directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
*
[ER00670(ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else
could be seriously injured.
[ER00675(ALL)05/96]2.
Get out the spare tire and jack. See previous section for
instructions on spare tire removal. The jack is located in the
rear storage compartment in the right door panel of the
cargo area. You will have to unfasten the jack before
removing it as shown in the illustration. The jack handle is
in the tool kit located behind the jack.
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Page 260 of 389
262
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[ER00690(ALL)01/96]3.
Insert the tapered end of the jack handle behind the wheel
cover of the tire to be changed and gently pry it off. When
you want to replace the wheel cover, simply align the valve
stem to the slot in the cover and press it back on.
[ER00695(ALL)01/96]
17-1/2 pica
art:0040177-D
Removing the wheel cover
File:10vxern.ex
Update:Thu May 30 09:55:50 1996