1998 Mercury Villager spare tire

Tires
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
mUse an accurate tire pressure gauge.
mStay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
mMake sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
mAdjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
WARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast for
road conditions, you could lose control of your vehicle.
Under some circumstances, driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose control
of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than
3 miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
Maintenance and Care
299

After each rotation, adjust individual tire pressure as specified
on the Tire Pressure Decal. Tighten wheel lug nuts to the required
torque specification and retighten again after 500 miles (800
km).
If your vehicle has the optional full-size spare tire, you may
rotate the spare tire into the rotation pattern.
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.
If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, you may remove the full-
size spare tire from the wheel and remount it on an
aluminum wheel to rotate the spare tire into your vehicle's
rotation pattern.
Replacing the Tires
Replace tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a
wear band, it has only 1/16 of an inch (1.59 mm) of tread left.
Rotating the tires
Maintenance and Care
301

WARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
Wheel and Tire Matching
See an authorized tire dealer for proper servicing procedures.
Wheels and tires must be properly removed, matched and
remounted to maintain the best possible ride.
Information About Tire Quality Grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These Tire
Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on this
vehicle. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (254-305 mm) or limited
production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
Maintenance and Care
303

WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buidlup and
possible tire failure.
The information on braking performance and tire quality grading
found in the ªFord Motor Company Passenger Car Consumer
Informationº pamphlet (FPS 12024-92) also applies to the Villager.
This publication is available from your dealer.
Snow Tires and Cables
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide
traction in rain or snow. However, during the winter months in
some climates, you may need to use snow tires and
occasionally cables for your tires.
WARNING
When using snow tires, make sure they are the same size
and grade as the tires you normally use on your
vehicle.
Do not use cables when using a temporary spare. For full size
tires, use cables on the tires only in an emergency or if the law
requires them where you drive. When you use the tire cables:
mMake sure the cables are the right size for your tires. Use only
SAE Class ªSº cables. Other types may damage your vehicle.
mPut cables on tightly with the ends held down securely. Follow
the cable manufacturer's instructions.
Maintenance and Care
305

Roadside Assistance
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
hotline with trained operators who put you in touch with the help
you need if you experience a problem with your vehicle. This
complimentary service is provided to you throughout your
warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages
beyond this period (available through Ford Auto Club in the
United States or Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada),
contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Additional Roadside
Assistance coverage is unavailable in Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands.
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
mMount your spare if you have a flat tire.
mJump-start your battery if it is dead.
mUnlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
mBring you fuel if you run out.
mTow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in mud or snow, are
covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
and repossession).
How to use Roadside Assistance
Your Roadside Assistance (Mercury Commitment) identification
card can be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
Customer Assistance
345

for children.......................151
for infants......................151, 153
for pregnant women.................123, 129
head...........................121
lap and shoulder belts................129, 131
maintenance.......................144
proper use........................129
replacement.......................144
warning light and chime.................11
Safety seats for children...................153
and air bags.....................136, 153
attaching with tether straps...............160
automatic locking mode (retractor)..........136, 153
in front seat.......................153
in rear outboard.....................153
in rear seat........................153
tether anchorage hardware................160
Seat belts (see Safety restraints)...............129
Seats............................121
child safety seats.....................153
cleaning upholstery...................332
head restraints......................121
Serial number (VIN)....................352
Service concerns......................346
Servicing your vehicle...................275
precautions when servicing................276
servicing when you tow.................272
Shift positions (see Gearshift)................221
Shoulder and lap belts (see Safety restraints)......129, 131
Shoulder belts (see Safety restraints)..........131, 137
Side mirrors........................109
adjusting......................109, 110
Snow tires and chains....................305
Spare tire..........................254
Index
387

changing the tire..................254, 258
conventional spare..................254, 255
finding the spare.....................255
removing the spare tire..................255
storing the flat tire....................255
temporary spare.....................254
Spark plugs, specifications.................337
Specification chart, lubricants................339
Speed control
accelerating........................94
canceling a set speed...................95
resetting..........................95
resuming a set speed...................95
tap up/tap down.....................95
when towing a trailer..................236
Speedometer.........................19
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..............207
starting a cold engine..................208
starting after a collision.................242
Steering, power.......................220
Steering wheel
locking..........................86
tilting...........................91
Storage compartments...................126
cargonet .........................111
map pockets.......................126
Storing your vehicle....................333
Supplemental air bag readiness light.............11
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)............144
T
Tachometer.........................21
mechanical cluster.....................21
388

Tail lamps
bulb replacement..................316, 322
cleaning.........................330
Temperature control (see Climate control)..........56
Tether anchor installation (see Child restraints).......160
Tilt steering wheel......................91
Tires ............................299
changing.........................254
checking the pressure..................299
cleaning.........................330
inspection and maintenance.............299, 300
replacing.........................301
rotating.........................300
snow tires and chains..................305
spare tire.........................255
storing your vehicle...................335
tire grades......................301, 303
treadwear......................301, 303
wear bands.......................301
wheel and tire matching.................303
Towing a trailer (see Trailer towing).............227
Towing your vehicle....................272
using wheel dollies....................272
withatowtruck .....................272
Trailer Towing.......................227
Trailer towing
tips...........................236
trailer brakes.......................235
trailer lamps.......................235
Transaxle
automatic operation...................221
fluid, checking and adding (automatic)..........291
lubricant specifications..................339
Transaxle control switch..................223
Index
389