1998 Mercury Villager warning

The light should turn off after a few seconds. If the light stays on or
illuminates when the engine is running, your vehicle has lost oil
pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage.
If your vehicle loses engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
3. Check the oil level following the instructions on checking and
adding engine oil in this owner guide. (SeeEngine oilin the
index.) Make sure your vehicle is on level ground.
4.
If the level is low, add as much oil as necessary before you drive
your vehicle again. Do not drive your vehicle if the oil pressure
light is on, even if the oil level is correct. For more information about
adding oil, seeEngine oil, checkingin the Index.
Door Ajar Warning Light
If the ignition switch is in the ON position and any door or the
liftgate is not completely closed, the light will illuminate.
Oil pressure light
Door ajar warning light
Instrumentation
15

The electronic cluster has all of the same warning lights as the
mechanical cluster, however, some of the gauges will be electronic
instead of analog. In addition, the electronic cluster has a fuel
computer which displays fuel economy, distance to empty and
outside air temperature.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows you the temperature of the engine coolant and
is identified by a thermometer symbol. The letter H means
that the coolant is hot, C means that it is cold, and NORMAL
means that the coolant is within the normal operating range.
The indicator bar on the graph will move into the normal operating
range as the engine warms up. When you are in heavy traffic
or stop-and-go driving in hot weather, the gauge may read at the
very top of the NORMAL range. This is acceptable.
However, if the indicator bar on the graph moves into the H
(hot) position, the engine is overheating and may be damaged. If
this happens, you should stop your vehicle as soon as safely
possible. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant level
to be sure that it is at the proper level. If your vehicle needs
more coolant, seeEngine coolantin the Index and read the section
regardingadding coolant.
Instrumentation
23

How to Take Care of and Clean Your CD Changer and
Discs
To ensure the continued performance of your Ford Compact Disc
Changer, carefully read the following precautions:
mAlways handle the disc by its edge. Never touch the playing
surface.
mBefore playing, inspect the disc for any contamination. If
needed, clean the disc with an approved disc cleaner, such as the
DiscwashertCompact Disc Cleaner or the Allsop 3t
Compact Disc Cleaner, by wiping from the center out to the
edges.Do not use a circular motion to clean.
mDo not clean discs with solvents such as benzene, thinner,
commercially available cleaners or antistatic spray
intended for analog records.
mDo not expose the disc to direct sunlight or heat sources such
as defroster and floor heating ducts. Do not leave any discs in
a parked car in direct sunlight where there may be a
considerable rise in temperature or damage may result.
mAfter playing, store the disc in its case.
mIf a disc has already been inserted, do not try to insert another
disc. Doing so may damage the disc changer.
mDo not insert anything other than a disc into the disc changer.
WARNING
The laser beam used in the compact disc player is harmful
to the eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the case.
Electronic Sound Systems
45

WARNING
Operating with the function selector control in off or in
the recirculated air mode for extended periods of time in
cold weather can result in fog buildup on interior glass
surfaces.
mThe Mix () button directs approximately equal amounts
of air to the windshield and floor outlets with a small
amount to the side windows.
mThe Defrost (
) button directs air to the windshield and
front side windows with a small amount going to the floor
outlets.
mThe Panel (
) button directs air to the instrument panel
outlets.
mThe Panel/Floor (
) button directs approximately equal
amounts of air to the instrument panel outlets and the floor
outlets.
mThe Floor (
) button directs most of the system's air
supply to the floor outlets with a small amount going to the
windshield and side window defrosters.
Air Outlets
Air intake selector button
The typical air intake selection is outside air. However, for
recirculated air, the air intake selector button may be activated.
When the air intake selector button is activated (indicator light is
on), it prevents the intake of outside air. This is the typical
selection when using the air conditioner (if equipped). It
recirculates interior air for faster cooling. The recirculated air
function also helps to prevent the intake of dusty or unpleasant air.
Controls and Features
57

WARNING
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system will not
illuminate the tail lamps and parking lamps. Turn on your
headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a
collision.
Lighting Up the Instrument Panel
The instrument panel lights can be turned on by turning the
headlamp control knob to either the first or second position. You
can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights with the DIM
switch. The DIM switch is located near the headlamp controls.
Pushing and holding the right side of the switch will continue to
brighten the lights until the maximum brightness is reached.
Release the switch to maintain the desired brightness. To dim the
instrument panel lights, push the left side of the switch.
Autolamp On/Off Delay System (If equipped)
The autolamp sets the headlamps to turn on and off automatically.
You can use the autolamp to:
mturn on the headlamps automatically at night
mturn off the headlamps automatically during daylight
The instrument panel brightness control
Controls and Features
79

Ignition
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
Your vehicle's ignition has four positions. They are:
OFF/LOCK allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories and locks the gearshift lever. Removing the key then
locks the steering wheel.
ACCESSORY allows you to operate some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories while the engine is not running. For example,
you can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio, windshield
wipers, or operate the cigarette lighter without starting the engine.
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights to make
sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the
ON position once the engine is started and remains in this
position while the engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts
so that you don't damage the starter. The key should return
to the ON position when you release it.
The ignition positions
86

WARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the defroster before
you use the washer fluid. In freezing weather, the
washer solution may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
For information about refilling the washer fluid or replacing your
windshield wiper blades, seeWindshield washer fluid and Wipers
in the Index.
Gearshift Lever
The gearshift lever on your vehicle is mounted on the steering
column. On the end of the gearshift lever is the Overdrive On/Off
button. To learn about the operation of the gearshift lever and
the Overdrive On/Off button, see theDrivingchapter.
Gearshift lever location
90

Tilt Steering
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
To change the position of the steering column, pull the release lever
on the column down. Move the steering wheel to the desired
position and raise the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.
Tilt release lever location
Controls and Features
91