1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Coin Tray
The slide-out coin tray is located in the instrument panel for your
convenience. It is located below the radio controls.
Coin tray
Controls and Features
85

Ignition
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
Your vehicle's ignition has four positions. They are:
OFF/LOCK allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories and locks the gearshift lever. Removing the key then
locks the steering wheel.
ACCESSORY allows you to operate some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories while the engine is not running. For example,
you can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio, windshield
wipers, or operate the cigarette lighter without starting the engine.
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights to make
sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the
ON position once the engine is started and remains in this
position while the engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts
so that you don't damage the starter. The key should return
to the ON position when you release it.
The ignition positions
86

Turn Signal Lever
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering
column to:
moperate the turn signals.
mturn the headlamps to high beam.
mflash the headlamps.
mturn the windshield wipers and washer on/off.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it down to signal
a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back
to the center (off) position.
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to signal but not to
latch. The lever will return to the off position when you
release it.
If the turn indicator light in the instrument panel does not
illuminate or remains on (does not flash) when you signal a turn,
the turn signaling system needs service. Have this condition
corrected as soon as possible, and use the accepted hand signals
until the turn signal system is repaired.
The turn signal lever
Controls and Features
87

Cornering Lights
Your vehicle is equipped with special cornering lights designed
to provide additional illumination toward the direction you are
turning. The corresponding light comes on when a turn is
signaled. The headlamp control must be on in order to activate
the cornering lights.
High Beams and Flashing the Lamps
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamps on and push the
turn signal lever away from you until it latches. When the
high beams are on, the high beam indicator light on the instrument
panel is illuminated.
To return to the low beam setting, pull the turn signal lever
toward you until it latches back into the neutral position. The high
beam indicator light turns off.
To flash the headlamps, pull the turn signal lever toward you
for a moment and then release it. The high beam headlamps will
flash whether the headlamps are on or off.
High beam and flash-to-pass operation
88

Windshield Wipers and Washer
Variable Interval Wipers
Your vehicle has wipers that you can set to operate at varying
intervals. For example, you can set the interval so they wipe less
often in light rain or more often in heavier rain.
To set the interval wipers, rotate the knob at the end of the
turn signal lever to the most effective interval. The farther the
knob is from the OFF position, the faster the wipers move.
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the knob on the turn
signal lever. For a constant spray, push and hold the end of
the knob. If the windshield wipers are off, they automatically turn
on for two wipe cycles after you squirt the washer fluid.
Do not try to clean the windshield when the washer fluid container
is empty and never activate the washers for more than 15
seconds continuously. This could damage the washer pump system.
Variable interval wiper control
Controls and Features
89

WARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the defroster before
you use the washer fluid. In freezing weather, the
washer solution may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
For information about refilling the washer fluid or replacing your
windshield wiper blades, seeWindshield washer fluid and Wipers
in the Index.
Gearshift Lever
The gearshift lever on your vehicle is mounted on the steering
column. On the end of the gearshift lever is the Overdrive On/Off
button. To learn about the operation of the gearshift lever and
the Overdrive On/Off button, see theDrivingchapter.
Gearshift lever location
90

Tilt Steering
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
To change the position of the steering column, pull the release lever
on the column down. Move the steering wheel to the desired
position and raise the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.
Tilt release lever location
Controls and Features
91

Speed Control (If equipped)
The speed control system allows your vehicle to maintain a set
speed above 30 mph (48 km/h) without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal.
Avoid using the speed control when driving under the following
conditions:
mit is not possible to keep the vehicle at a set speed
min heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in speed
mon winding or hilly roads
mon slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
min very windy areas
To activate the speed control, push the main switch (CRUISE
CONT. ON); the switch is located in the group of controls to the
left of the steering wheel. The indicator light on the switch
will come on.
Speed control main switch location
92