1998 Mercury Villager parking brake

The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but
you can use the parking brake to stop your vehicle in an
emergency if the service brakes fail. However, since the parking
brake does not stop your vehicle as quickly as the normal
brakes, the stopping distance will increase greatly.
Steering Your Vehicle
Your vehicle has power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked. If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes
more effort.
Never hold the steering wheel in the extreme right or left
position for more than five seconds if the engine is running. This
can damage the power steering pump.
NOTE: After any severe impact such as striking large potholes,
sliding into curbs on icy roads, or a collision involving
the front end, have the front suspension and
steering checked for possible damage.
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Shift-lock Safety Feature
Your vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature which prevents
you from shifting out of P (Park) without the brake pedal
depressed. To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park) position, the
ignition must be in the ON position and your foot must be
pressing on the brake pedal.
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position with
the brake pedal depressed:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the ignition key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it to the first position (OFF).
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift lever to N
(Neutral) and start the engine.
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the alternate
procedure described above, it is possible that a fuse has blown
and that your brakelamps may also not be functional. Please refer
to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin this Owner Guide
for instructions on checking and replacing fuses.
WARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL YOU VERIFY
THAT THE BRAKELAMPS ARE WORKING.
Backing Up
Before shifting into or out of R (Reverse), you should always
come to a complete stop.
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N (Neutral)
In N (Neutral), the transaxle is not locked. Your vehicle will roll
freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake
or brakes are on.
Parking
Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park).
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning. To securely latch the gearshift in the P (Park) position,
pull it toward you, push it completely counterclockwise against the
stop, and then push it toward the instrument panel.
The gearshift is securely latched in Park (P) if you cannot rotate
it in a clockwise direction without lifting it toward you.
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the
gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
Forced Downshifts
To gain extra acceleration in Drive (D) (when passing another
vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The transaxle will
automatically downshift to the appropriate gear - third,
second or first.
Driving
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1. Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
2. Have another person place the wheel chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. With the chocks in place, release the brake pedal, making sure
the chocks are holding.
4. Apply the parking brake by pressing the main brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot while depressing the
parking brake pedal with your left foot.
5. Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
To start, after being parked on a grade:
1. Apply the main brake pedal with your foot and hold it.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the gearshift lever into gear and release the parking
brake.
4. Release the main brake pedal and move the vehicle uphill to
free the wheel chocks.
5. Apply the main brake pedal and hold while another person
retrieves the chocks.
238

Changing a Flat Tire
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease the speed. Hold the
steering wheel firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the side
of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set the
parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers.
The Temporary Spare Tire
Your vehicle has a temporary spare tire (unless you ordered the
optional full-size spare tire). This spare tire is smaller than a
regular tire and is designed for emergency use only. Use it only
when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon as you can. This spare
tire is marked with the words TEMPORARY USE ONLY so
that you can easily identify it.
WARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire continuously or do not
follow these precautions, the tire could fail, causing
you to lose control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself
or others.
When you drive with the temporary spare tire, DO NOT:
mexceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any circumstances
mload your vehicle so that it is heavier than the maximum
vehicle load rating listed on the tire decal
mtow a trailer
muse tire chains
mtry to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it from its
wheel
muse the wheel for any other type of vehicle
254

Stowing the spare tire
1. To raise the tire to the stowed position, lay the tire on the
ground with the inboard side facing up. Install the retainer
through the wheel center and slide the tire under the
vehicle. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex
nut in the floor of the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench
clockwise until the tire is raised to its original position
underneath the vehicle.
NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the
stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten.
2. Check for proper seating against the underbody supports and
retighten if necessary.
WARNING
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are
stowed and secured in the proper storage location.
Preparing to Change the Tire
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed at
the front or rear jacking points.
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that the
tires and jack are on a level, solid surface. Put the gearshift
lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block the wheel Ð
in both directions Ð that is diagonally opposite the tire that
you are changing.
WARNING
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P
(Park).
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WARNING
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a
tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both
directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
WARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could
be seriously injured.
2. Remove the spare tire and jack. See previous section for
instructions on spare tire removal. The jack is located in the rear
storage compartment in the right door panel of the cargo
area. You will have to unfasten the jack before removing it as
shown in the illustration. The jack handle is in the tool kit
located behind the jack.
NOTE: All occupants should be out of the vehicle while it is
on the jack.
Roadside Emergencies
259

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