1998 Mercury Villager light

Jump-Starting Your Battery
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.
WARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always shield
your face and eyes. Make sure that you can breathe
fresh air.
WARNING
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.
WARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes, and
clothing.
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.
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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.
Preparing Your Vehicle
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).
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
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.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
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.
Roadside Emergencies
269

Service Made Easy
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
mWe highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
mWhen possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
mWe give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. TheMaintenance
Schedulebooklet is part of your owners portfolio.
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty Guide
to find out which parts and services are covered. Also see the
Customer Assistancechapter of this Owner's Manual.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service parts
that meet Ford Motor Company specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in
your vehicle.
Maintenance and Care
275

Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
Follow these directions to change the engine oil and oil filter:
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up.
2. Protect yourself from engine heat and the engine oil being
drained.
3. Remove the oil pan drain plug(s)andoil filter.
4. Drain the oil into a container until flow from the drain plug
hole(s) and the filter mounting area slows to a drip.
5. Install the drain plug(s) and a new engine oil filter according
to directions on the package.
NOTE: SeeRefill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts and Lubrication
Specificationsin theCapacities and Specificationschapter
for the appropriate oil filter and engine oil refill quantity.
6. Remove the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) to
prevent oil contamination of the engine ventilating system while
refilling.
Engine oil dipstick
Maintenance and Care
281

7. Refill the engine with a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Start the engine and check for leaks. Follow
directions inChecking and adding engine oilto be sure the
engine is filled to the proper level.
WARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
Brake Fluid
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level indicator in the
master cylinder which lights the BRAKE warning light on the
instrument panel when the brake fluid level is low.
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake pads wear.
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic brake fluid reservoir on the
master cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the MAX
mark.
WARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15
minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken
internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention
immediately.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel, or when the warning light indicates low washer fluid.
The reservoir for washer fluid is located in the engine
compartment. This reservoir contains the fluid for both the
windshield and liftgate washers.
WARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
284

mDrive slowly. If you can hear the cables rub or bang against
your vehicle, stop the vehicle and tighten the cables. If you
continue to hear the cables rub or bang against your vehicle,
remove the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
mAvoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
mRemove tire cables at the first opportunity after using them on
snow and ice. Do not use the cables on dry roads.
Make sure your suspension insulators and bumpers are not
missing or worn to avoid damage to your vehicle.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Removing the tethered fuel filler cap
1. Open the fuel door on the driver's side of the vehicle.
2. Slowly unscrew the cap counterclockwise, using caution to
minimize the possibility of fuel spraying.
If the Service Engine Soon warning light comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel cap may not be properly
seated. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel cap and replace it, being
careful to align the cap properly.
The tethered fuel filler cap
306

If you lose the fuel filler cap, replace it with an authorized
Motorcraft or equivalent part.
WARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to
work improperly in a collision.
WARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the cap.
NOTE: If you replace your fuel filler cap with an aftermarket
fuel filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal condition. It may be
caused by:
mtoo volatile a fuel for the weather conditions. Service stations
sometimes sell winter grade fuel in the summer.
mpulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high altitudes.
mextended periods of idling with the engine RPM increased
above the normal idle range.
mparking the vehicle in full sunlight for extended periods on
extremely hot days.
WARNING
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
Maintenance and Care
307