1998 Mercury Villager trailer

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

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid
level of the transaxle since your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, if the transaxle is not working
properly (for example, slipping or shifting slowly), or you notice
some sign of fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
It is best to check the transmission fluid level at normal operating
temperature, after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid level without having
to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal operating
temperature if outside temperatures are above 50É F (10É C).
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period
at high speeds or in city traffic during hot weather, or
if it has been pulling a trailer, the engine should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to
cool before checking.
Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gearshift lever in the P (Park) position, fully set the parking brake
and leave the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
Maintenance and Care
291

Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which enables
your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
WARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel system, the interior
floor covering, or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Malfunctions in the engine or exhaust system can result in
excessive exhaust system temperatures. Under extreme conditions
(for example, towing a trailer up a steep hill on a very hot day
with a malfunctioning engine or exhaust system), high exhaust
system temperatures could be damaging.
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
mUse only unleaded fuel.
mAvoid running out of fuel.
mNever turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
mHave the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule.
Maintenance and Care
313

servicing......................217, 282
stopping distances....................218
trailer..........................235
when storing your vehicle................335
Brights (high beams).....................17
Bulbs, replacing.......................316
halogen.........................316
headlamps........................316
specifications.......................322
C
Canada, customer assistance................352
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP)....352
Car seats for children (see Child safety seats)........153
Carbon monoxide in exhaust................212
Cargonet ..........................111
Catalytic converter.....................313
Chains, tires........................305
Changing a tire.......................254
Charging system warning light................14
Child safety restraints....................151
child safety belts.....................166
child safety seats.....................153
Child safety seats......................153
and air bags.......................153
attaching with tether straps...............160
automatic locking mode (retractor)..........136, 153
in front seat.......................153
in rear outboard seat...................153
in rear seat........................153
tether anchorage hardware................160
Childproof locks......................100
Index
375

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

Ignition
positions of the ignition..................86
Infant seats (see Safety seats)..............151, 153
Instrument panel
cleaning.........................332
lighting up panel and interior...............79
Interval wipers........................89
J
Jack.............................255
operation........................258
positioning........................258
storage..........................255
Jump-starting your vehicle
attaching cables.....................270
disconnecting cables...................272
K
Keys
positions of the ignition..................86
stuck in lock position.................86,213
L
Lamps
bulb replacement specifications chart...........322
checking.........................316
daytime running light system...............78
hazard flashers....................77,241
instrument panel, dimming................79
replacing bulbs......................316
trailer..........................235
Lane change indicator (see Turn signal)...........87
Liftgate...........................102
Index
383

Lights, warning and indicator
airbag ..........................11
brake............................9
charging system......................14
check engine.......................12
door ajar.........................15
engine oil pressure....................14
hazard warning light.................77,241
high beam........................17
low fuel..........................17
lowoil ..........................14
low washer fluid.....................17
oil pressure........................14
safety belt.........................11
service engine soon....................12
turn signal indicator....................87
Load limits.........................226
GAWR ..........................226
GVWR..........................226
trailer towing......................233
Lubricant specifications...................339
Lug nuts..........................258
anti-theft.........................261
tightening sequence.................258, 265
Luggage rack........................239
M
Maintenance (see Servicing).................275
Maintenance (see servicing).................275
Map pockets........................126
Master cylinder, brakes...................282
Message center
low washer fluid.....................17
Methanol in fuel......................310
384