1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
Your vehicle's gearshift lever is on the steering column. The
OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button is located at the end of the gearshift
lever. You can put the gearshift lever in any one of several
positions.
WARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift
lever from position to position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
Once you place the gearshift lever securely into position,
gradually release the brake pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.
The steering column gearshift lever positions
Driving
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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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Driving
When to use D (Overdrive)
Overdrive is the normal driving position. When the gearshift
lever is placed in (D) Overdrive, and the Overdrive Off button has
not been pressed, the vehicle will automatically upshift to
second, third and fourth gears. The transaxle will shift into the
correct gear when the right speed is reached.
When to use D (Drive Ð with the Overdrive Off button
activated)
You will notice that there is only one drive position on your
gearshift selection indicator (instead of Drive and Overdrive). You
will find a button labeled OVERDRIVE OFF/ON located on
the gearshift lever. Push in the button on the end of the lever and
the O/D OFF light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
With the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle will operate in
first, second and third gears and will not shift into fourth gear.
Operating in Drive (O/D OFF) provides more engine braking than
Overdrive for descending hills, or city driving.
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive operation,
press the OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button again. Use this button to
select Overdrive or Overdrive Off whenever you drive your
vehicle.
NOTE: Overdrive will not engage until the engine has fully
warmed up.
The OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button
Driving
223

The transaxle will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the
vehicle is started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when
the vehicle was last shut off.
If your vehicle is on an extremely slippery surface, the Electronic
Transaxle Control Module may receive a signal indicating a
rapid increase or decrease in wheel speed. If the module detects
this condition, it will limit the transaxle operation to Third
gear and Reverse. This reduces tire slippage and protects the
transaxle. The transaxle will operate normally in Reverse, but will
lack power during acceleration in Drive. If this happens, stop
your vehicle as soon as possible and turn the ignition off for 3
seconds. Restart the vehicle. If the condition still exists, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE: If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off
repeatedly when the vehicle is started, there is a
transaxle electronic system malfunction. Contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
When to use 2 (Second)
Use Second (2) when driving on slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on downgrades. This position provides
Second gear operation only. Do not exceed 68 mph (108 km/h)
in this position.
When to use 1 (First)
Use First (1) to provide maximum engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts from First can be made by manually shifting
to Second (2) or Overdrive (D). First (1) gear provides only first
gear operation. If you select First while driving at higher speeds, the
transaxle will shift to Second (2), and then shift back to First
(1) after the vehicle decelerates to the proper speed. Do not exceed
35 mph (56 km/h) in this position.
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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
225

Driving Through Water
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and
if the ignition system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water
may also enter your engine's air intake and cause severe damage
to your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable,
proceed very slowly. Never drive through water that is higher
than the bottom of wheel rims.
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not
stop the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly while applying light
pressure on the brake pedal.
Driving With a Heavy Load
The Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the driver's
door pillar, provides important information regarding the
weight limits your vehicle can safely carry or tow. The total
weight of your vehicle, including the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your vehicle carries on
the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle.
The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than the originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Using lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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Vehicle/Trailer Loads
Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
provided the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is less than the GVWR
shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. With the
optional trailer tow package, your vehicle can tow a trailer up to
3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).
Trailer Towing (may require trailer tow option package)
Towing a trailer puts an additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Always use
the proper equipment for the type of trailer you tow.
mStay within the load limits when you tow.
mCarefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use and install the proper equipment. See
Preparing to Towin this section.
mUse extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
mService your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
Vehicle Loading Information
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not volume,
so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, wheel sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. The
certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's door
opening.
Driving
227

Each additional item of equipment affects how much cargo a
vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is overloaded, performance will suffer
and service concerns may arise.
The following is a typical example of a Safety Compliance
Certification Label and an explanation of how this information
should be used:
NOTE: The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and rear
GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The
GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR
when added together.
There are no numbers on the sample Safety Compliance
Certification Label shown. Refer to the actual numbers on your
vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label.
Understanding Loading Information
There are five terms that are used to describe a vehicle's ability
to carry a load:
mBase Curb Weight
The Safety Compliance Certification Label
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