1997 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

332
%*
[MC60000(ALL)04/96]
Cleaning Your Vehicle
%*
[MC60100(ALL)01/96
]
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
*
[MC60200(ALL)01/96]
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with
a mild detergent.
*
[MC60300(ALL)01/96]
DO NOT:
*
[MC60400(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle with hot water
*
[MC60500(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
*
[MC60600(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle while the body is hot
*
[MC60700(ALL)01/96]
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as
necessary to keep it clean.
*
[MC60800(ALL)01/96]
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
*
[MC60900(ALL)01/96]
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore, is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford
has authorized their dealers to repair, at no charge to the
owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental
fallout within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of
purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be required to
bring their vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
*
[MC61000(ALL)01/96]
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
333
%*
[MC61100(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
*
[MC61200(ALL)01/96]
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do
not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.
%*
[MC61300(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning Plastic Parts
*
[MC61400(ALL)01/96]
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with
a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for
routine cleaning.
*
[MC61500(ALL)01/96]
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
%*
[MC61600(ALL)01/96
]
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed
rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is
not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
%*
[MC61700(ALL)01/96
]
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
*
[MC61800(ALL)01/96]
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or
crack the lamps.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

334
%*
[MC62000(ALL)03/96
]
Cleaning the Wheels
*
[MC62100(ALL)03/96]
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel wool,
abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
*
[MC62200(ALL)05/96]
If you have whitewall tires that are difficult to clean with
regular detergent, use whitewall tire cleaner. Follow the
directions on the container and rinse the tires with plenty of
clean water.
*
[MC62300(ALL)03/96]
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
*
[MC63000(ALL)01/96]
Cleaning the Engine
[MC63100(ALL)04/96]
A clean engine is more efficient because a buildup of grease and
dirt acts as an insulator, keeping the engine warmer than
normal.
*
[MC63200(ALL)01/96]
n
Extreme care must be used if a power washer is used to
clean the engine. The high pressure fluid could penetrate
sealed parts and assemblies causing damage or malfunctions.
*
[MC63300(ALL)04/96]
n
In order to avoid possible cracking of the engine block or
fuel injection pump, do not spray a hot engine or injection
pump with cold water.
*
[MC63400(ALL)04/96]
n
The alternator, distributor and air intake must be covered.
Covering these components will help prevent water damage.
*
[MC63500(ALL)01/96]
n
Never wash or rinse the engine while it is running. Water
getting into the engine may cause internal damage.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
335
%*
[MC64000(ALL)03/96
]
Cleaning the Seats
*
[MC64100(ALL)01/96]
Leather
*
[MC64200(ALL)01/96]
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth.
For more thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a leather and
vinyl cleaner or a mild soap.
%*
[MC64300(ALL)05/96
]
Fabric
*
[MC64400(ALL)05/96]
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a vacuum
cleaner. Remove fresh spots immediately. Follow the directions
that come with the cleaner.
*
[MC64500(ALL)05/96]
NOTE: Before using any cleaner, test it on a small, hidden
area of fabric. If the fabric's color or texture is
adversely affected by a particular cleaner, do not use
it.
%*
[MC65000(ALL)02/96
]
Cleaning the Safety Belts
*
[MC65200(ALL)01/96]
Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is
recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach
or dye the belt because this may weaken it.
*
[MC66000(ALL)05/96]
Cleaning the Instrument Panel Lens
*
[MC66200(ALL)01/96]
Clean the instrument panel lens with a soft cloth and a glass
cleaner, such as Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner, or
equivalent. Do not use paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to
clean the lens as these may cause scratches.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

336
%*
[MC70000(ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Storage
*
[MC70100(ALL)01/96]
Maintenance Tips
*
[MC70200(ALL)01/96]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period of
time (60 days or more), refer to the following maintenance
recommendations to keep your vehicle in good operating
condition.
*
[MC70300(ALL)01/96]
General
*
[MC70400(ALL)01/96]
n
Store your vehicle in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[MC70500(ALL)01/96]
n
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[MC70600(ALL)01/96]
n
When your vehicle is stored outside, it will require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
*
[MC70700(ALL)01/96]
Body
*
[MC70800(ALL)01/96]
n
Wash your vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar
or mud from exterior surfaces, rear wheel housings and
underside of front fenders.
*
[MC70900(ALL)01/96]
n
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
*
[MC71000(ALL)01/96]
n
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of
auto wax to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when
your vehicle is washed.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
337
*
[MC71100(ALL)01/96]
n
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges and latches
with a light grade oil.
*
[MC71200(ALL)01/96]
n
Cover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
*
[MC71300(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
%*
[MC71400(ALL)01/96
]
Engine
*
[MC71500(ALL)01/96]
n
Start the engine every fifteen days. Run it at fast idle until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
*
[MC71600(ALL)01/96]
n
With your foot on the brake, shift the transaxle into all gears
while the engine is running.
%*
[MC71700(ALL)01/96
]
Fuel system
%*
[MC71800(ALL)01/96
]
n
Fill fuel tank with high-quality unleaded fuel until the first
automatic shutoff of the fuel pump nozzle.
*
[MC71900(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: During extended periods of vehicle storage (60 days or
more), fuel may deteriorate due to oxidation. This can
damage rubber and other polymers in the fuel system
and may also clog small orifices.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

338
*
[MC72000(ALL)01/96]
Ford Gas Stabilizer should be added whenever actual or
expected storage periods exceed 60 days. Follow the instructions
on the label. The vehicle should then be operated at idle speed
to circulate the additive throughout the fuel system.
*
[MC72100(ALL)01/96]
A volatile corrosion inhibitor added to the fuel system will
protect the fuel system's inner surfaces from corrosion. Follow
the instructions packaged with the product.
%*
[MC72200(ALL)01/96
]
Cooling system
*
[MC72300(ALL)01/96]
n
Protect your vehicle against freezing temperatures.
%*
[MC72400(ALL)01/96
]
Battery
*
[MC72500(ALL)01/96]
n
Check and recharge the battery as necessary.
*
[MC72600(ALL)01/96]
n
Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of
grease.
%*
[MC72700(ALL)01/96
]
Brakes
*
[MC72800(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure the brakes and parking brake are fully released.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996

Maintenance and Care
339
%*
[MC72900(ALL)01/96
]
Tires
*
[MC73000(ALL)01/96]
n
Maintain recommended air pressure.
*
[MC73100(ALL)01/96]
Miscellaneous
*
[MC73200(ALL)01/96]
n
Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis pins under
the vehicle are covered with grease to prevent rust.
*
[MC73300(ALL)01/96]
n
Lubricate working parts to prevent corrosion.
File:11vxmcn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 10 15:17:05 1996