1998 Mercury Villager oil

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
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.
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.
Maintenance and Care
295

WARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
WARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the
floor.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check engine
light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the temperature of the engine or exhaust
system.
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission
control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor
Company vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense
by any automotive repair establishment or individual using
automotive parts equivalent to those with which your vehicle or
engine was originally equipped.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the United States and
in Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
314

WARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out
of children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand
could cause the bulb to break the next time the headlamps
are operated.
Do not remove the burned out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp
and affect its performance.
Removing the headlamp bulb
1. Make sure that the engine is off and the headlamp switch on
the instrument panel is in the OFF position.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling the
connector away from the bulb assembly.
The headlamp bulb assembly
Maintenance and Care
317

Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do not
use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.
Cleaning Plastic Parts
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.
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
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.
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or crack
the lamps.
Cleaning the Wheels
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.
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.
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
330

Vehicle Storage
Maintenance Tips
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.
General
mStore your vehicle in a dry, ventilated place.
mProtect from sunlight, if possible.
mWhen your vehicle is stored outside, it will require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
Body
mWash your vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar
or mud from exterior surfaces, rear wheel housings and
underside of front fenders.
mTouch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
mCover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of
auto wax to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when your vehicle is washed.
mLubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
mCover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
mKeep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Maintenance and Care
333

Engine Compartment
Your vehicle has a 3.0 liter EFI, V-6 engine. The following
illustration will show a diagram of your engine and where you
can find items that you should service regularly.
1. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Air Filter
5. Battery
6. Engine Compartment Fuse and Relay Box
7. Radiator Cap
8. Engine Oil Filler Cap
9. Engine Oil Dipstick
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
11. Engine Compartment Relay Box
12. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
Capacities and Specifications
341

Safety, Comfort, and Convenience
Comfort and Convenience
Air Conditioning
Engine Block Heater
Remote Keyless Entry
Protection and Appearance Equipment
Aero Running Boards
Carpeted Floor Mats
Door Edge Guards
Cleaners, Waxes and Polishes
Front End Cover
Front End Mini Cover
Lubricants and Oils
Molded Running Boards
Rear Air Deflector
Side Window Shields
Soft Luggage Cover
Styled Wheel Protector Locks
Super Seal Fabric Protector (U.S. Only)
Super Seal Rustproofing (U.S. Only)
Super Seal Undercoating (U.S. Only)
Touch-Up Paints
Flat Splash Guards
356

Controls
mirrors..........................109
Convenience kit in cargo area................255
Coolant (see Engine coolant)................285
checking and adding...................285
drain and flush.....................289
preparing for storage...................335
specifications.......................339
temperature gauge...................18,23
warnings.........................285
Cooling fan.........................276
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada........352
D
Daytime running light system................78
Defrost
rear window.......................75
windshield........................56
Dipstick..........................281
automatic transaxle fluid.................291
engine oil........................281
power steering fluid.................289, 289
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)................272
Dispute Settlement Board..................348
Doors............................97
door ajar warning light..................15
lubricant specifications..................339
Driving under special conditions
heavy load........................226
towing a trailer.....................227
Index
377