1998 Mercury Villager ECU

Installing the Removable Captain Seats
To position the captain seats back in their original positions:
1. Make sure the area around the floor anchor positions is free
from obstruction.
2. With the seatback folded down, two people should lift the seat
into the vehicle.
3. Place the seat slightly behind the floor anchor positions and
catch the rear leg anchors into each anchor position.
4. Press down on the front of the seat to secure the front legs to
the two floor latch locks. Place the seatback in the upright
position.
5. Try to move the seat to be sure that it is securely fastened.
6. Replace any floor mats that were removed.
Labels have been provided on the side of the seats to remind you
of important safety precautions.
WARNING
Keep foreign objects out of the floor anchors. Objects in
the floor anchors could prevent front and rear seat legs from
engaging properly.
WARNING
Before sitting in the removable seats, make sure that the
seat legs are securely attached by the floor anchors.
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WARNING
After moving the third-row seat, be sure to latch the seat
in a passenger seating position. Improper location of
the seat will prevent correct use of the safety belts and will
increase the risk of severe injury in an accident. After
sliding the seat, check that both sides of the seat are locked
securely by attempting to move each side of the seat
forward and backward. This must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion in order to prevent unintended
movement of the seat and potential passenger injuries.
NOTE: Before rearranging the seats, remove any floor mats
that might be in the way.
The three-passenger seat can be stored behind the second-row
seat(s) to provide extra cargo space in the rear of the vehicle.
With the second row seat(s) removed, the three-passenger bench
seat can be moved all the way forward, just behind the front
seats for more room in the cargo area.
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3. Make sure the seat securely latches in the lock position of both
seat tracks before driving with the rear seat in this position.
The three-passenger seat in the fully forward locked position
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WARNING
When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the
parking brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in Park (P).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your vehicle.
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running. If
you do not take these precautions, your vehicle may
move unexpectedly and injure someone.
To release the parking brake, press the brake pedal with your
right foot and hold it while you lift up on the parking brake release
handle.
WARNING
If the parking brake is fully released, but the Brake
System light remains on, have the brakes checked
immediately. They may not be working properly.
The parking brake
Driving
219

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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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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Four Season Roof Rack (If equipped)
Always load your luggage as far back as it will safely go on the
four season roof rack. Do not load more than 100 lb. (45 kg).
Be careful that your vehicle does not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or its Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR
front and rear). The GVWR and GAWR are located on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label (located on the driver's
door pillar).
The front and rear cross-bars can be adjusted forward and
backward. Place your luggage between the bars, adjust the bars,
and secure the luggage with rope to the bars. There are also
adjustable loops on the side bars for the rope attachment.
WARNING
Be sure that items on the roof rack are securely fastened.
The four season roof rack
Driving
239

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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