1998 Mercury Villager air condition

Ventilating your vehicle with outside air
In mild weather, you can ventilate your vehicle with outside air.
If the outside temperature is less than 70É F (21É C), you can
add cool air to your vehicle without using air conditioning. You
will get better fuel economy this way.
The procedure for ventilating your vehicle with the standard
heating system or with the air conditioning system is the same.
Refer to the previous section for instructions on how to ventilate
with outside air.
Improving fuel economy
Whenever you turn on the air conditioning, your vehicle uses
more fuel because the air conditioning compressor is running. To
get better fuel economy while cooling your vehicle, do not use
the air conditioner on mild days. Instead, set the air intake selector
button in the outside air position and turn the temperature
control knob to the COOL position.
Operating tips
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the automatic transaxle gearshift selector lever in P
(Park) or in N (Neutral) to increase the engine idle speed. This
aids in engine cooling and air conditioner efficiency. If the engine
overheats, choose the outside air position and turn off the A/C
to stop the compressor for a short time.
When your vehicle's engine is operated at full throttle, the air
conditioner compressor will automatically be turned off to allow
maximum engine power. This may occur during passing or
when climbing steep grades. The compressor will return to normal
operation within a few seconds after full throttle is no longer
needed.
Controls and Features
65

if you choose to manually override the airflow location by
selecting one of the function selector buttons, you will also need
to select the A/C button if you desire cool air-conditioned air.
(Your ATC automatically operates the air conditioning [if required]
when you are in the AUTOMATIC mode without illuminating
the A/C button, but the system requires you to manually select the
A/C button if you desire A/C operation when you manually
override airflow location.)
If you want continuous maximum cooling, push the
side of
the TEMP button until 60É F (16É C) shows in the display window.
The ATC will cool at its maximum level and disregard the
60É F (16É C) setting until a warmer temperature is selected. If
you want continuous maximum heating, push the
side of the
TEMP button until 90É F (32É C) shows in the display window.
The ATC will provide maximum heat regardless of the 90É F (32É C)
setting until a cooler temperature is selected.
The display window and the function selector buttons indicate
how the system is operating. The display window shows the
selected temperature and displays AUTO if you are operating
in the AUTOMATIC mode. If you override the automatic mode by
selecting any of the function selector buttons, AUTO no longer
appears in the display window and the appropriate function
selector button(s) illuminate. The display window also
indicates manual (thumbwheel) control of the fan speed when a
is shown.
Automatic Operation
Push the AUTOMATIC button and select the desired
temperature. The selected temperature and AUTO appear in the
display window. The ATC heats or cools to achieve the set
temperature. It is important to note that if the ATC engages your
vehicle's air-conditioning, it will do so automatically without
illuminating the A/C button.
Controls and Features
69

When in AUTOMATIC and weather conditions require heat, air
is sent to the floor. However, a feature is included in the ATC to
prevent blowing cold air to the floor if the engine coolant is
not warm enough to provide heating. Within three or four minutes
(once the engine coolant is warm enough), the fan speed
gradually increases and airflow changes to the floor.
If specific conditions exist (such as window fogging), the five
override buttons allow specific airflow selection. The dial allows
you to adjust the fan speed to suit your needs.
Temperature Selection
TheTEMPbutton on the left side of the control panel is
for temperature selection. The
side lowers the set temperature,
and the
side raises the set temperature. Press and hold
either side of the button to rapidly change the temperature setting
in one degree increments to either 65É F (18É C) or 85É F (29É C).
Then, the set temperature jumps 5É F and stops at either 60É F
(16É C), which is maximum cooling, or 90É F (32É C), which is
maximum heating.
70

Changing the Display Mode (English/Metric)
To switch between the English and Metric display mode, press
the DEFROST and A/C buttons simultaneously while rotating the
fan speed dial upward until it stops moving. After one second,
the display will begin to toggle between English and Metric.
Fan Speed and Thumbwheel
The ATC automatically adjusts the fan speed to the existing
conditions. To control the fan speed yourself, use the thumbwheel
located at the extreme right side of the ATC control panel.
Using the thumbwheel cancels the automatic fan speed control,
and causes a
to appear in the display window. Rotate the
thumbwheel up for HI speeds and down for LO speeds.
To return to automatic fan control, press the AUTOMATIC button.
Airflow Function Selector Buttons
Your ATC has five buttons which allow you to make special
selections for airflow. The buttons are grouped in the middle of
the ATC panel and allow you to determine airflow location.
Pressing any of the function selector buttons illuminates the
button pushed and directs airflow to the appropriate location. The
temperature of the airflow will still be automatically controlled.
Return to fully automatic operation by pushing the AUTOMATIC
button.
Push this button for airflow to the floor and windshield at the
same time. The
indicator light illuminates, and the display
window shows the set temperature. However, the air is not
cooled below the temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of
the temperature setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
Controls and Features
71

Press this button to obtain maximum airflow to the windshield.
Adjust the temperature setting as required for defrosting. The
indicator light illuminates and the display window shows
the set temperature. When the outside temperature is about 50É F
(10É C) the air conditioning functions in order to dehumidify
the air to prevent window fogging.
Push this button to select airflow through the instrument panel
registers. The
indicator light illuminates and the display
window shows the set temperature. The ATC heats the air if the
selected temperature is warmer than the outside air coming
into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled below the
temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the temperature
setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
Push this button for air from the floor and instrument panel
registers at the same time. The
indicator light illuminates and
the display window shows the set temperature. The ATC heats
the air if the selected temperature is warmer than the outside air
coming into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled below
the temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the temperature
setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
Push this button to direct airflow to the floor. Theindicator light
illuminates and the display window shows the set temperature.
The ATC heats the air if the selected temperature is warmer than the
outside air coming into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled
below the temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the
temperature setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
72

Air Conditioning and Air Recirculation
Activate the air conditioning in any of the function selector
override modes by pressing the A/C button. The A/C indicator
light on the button illuminates to verify activation, and
cooled air flows from the vents. Fan speed continues to be
controlled by the ATC unless the fan speed dial is used to override
the ATC.
Press the
button to choose air recirculation. In this mode the
ATC system recirculates the air inside the vehicle rather than
drawing air from outside. Use this mode together with the air
conditioning to rapidly cool the inside of the vehicle or to
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle.
Rear Passenger Compartment Climate Control System
with Front Passenger ATC
If your vehicle is equipped with ATC, the rear passenger
compartment will also have climate controls so that rear seat
occupants can select their own personal climate comfort level.
The rear seat climate control system is controlled from the main
ATC system on the instrument panel. If the front ATC system
is off, the rear system will also be off. Also, if the rear seat climate
control lever is set in OFF, the rear climate controls are turned
off.
Controls and Features
73

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

Determining If System Is Operational
The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System uses a readiness light
to indicate the condition of the system. The readiness light is in
the instrument cluster. When you turn the ignition key to ON, this
light will illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then
turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally.
NOTE: Routine maintenance of the air bag system is not
required.
A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following:
mthe readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
mthe readiness light will not light immediately after ignition is
turned on.
Inflated passenger side air bag
Seating and Safety Restraints
149