1998 Mercury Villager warning light

Important Safety Belt Information
The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your passengers
in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada, the law
requires their use.
Safety belts provide best restraint when:
mthe seatback is upright
mthe occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)
mthe lap belt is snug and low on the hips
mthe shoulder belt is snug against the chest
mthe knees are straight forward
To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a warning light
may come on and a chime may sound. SeeSafety Belt Warning
Light and Chimein theInstrumentationchapter.
See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how to
properly use these safety belts. Also seeSafety Restraints for
Childrenin this chapter for special instructions about using safety
belts for children.
WARNING
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the
lap belt snug and low across the hips.
Seating and Safety Restraints
129

Installing the Two-Passenger Bench Seat
To replace the bench seat in its original position:
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. Always reattach the tongue into the auxiliary buckle mounted
to the sliding door side of the seat.
Labels have been provided on the side of the seat to remind you
of important safety precautions.
7. Replace any floor mats that were removed.
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.
186

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.
192

Fuel-Injected Engines
When starting a fuel-injected engine,the most important thing to
remember is to avoid pressing down on the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you
have problems getting your vehicle started. SeeStarting Your Engine
in this chapter for details about when to use the accelerator
while you start your vehicle.
Starting Your Vehicle
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
WARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
Before you start your vehicle, always:
1. Make sure you and all your passengers buckle your safety
belts. SeeSafety beltsin the Index for more details.
2. Make sure the headlamps and other accessories are turned off
when starting.
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is set before you turn the key.
4. Observe the warning lights on the instrument cluster to make
sure they work. Refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Starting Your Engine
To start your engine:
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start Your Vehicleat the
beginning of this section.
Starting
207

NOTE: Your vehicle has an interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake
pedal.
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor and hold it.
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
4. Release the ignition key when the engine starts.
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may
have been activated. For directions on how to reset the switch
seeFuel Pump Shut-Off Switchin the index.
A computer system controls the engine's idle speed. When you
start your vehicle, the engine's idle speed normally runs high.
These faster engine speeds will make your vehicle coast
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It should, however,
slow down after a short time. If it does not, have the idle speed
checked.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, do
not allow your vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes. Have the
vehicle checked.
WARNING
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very
high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system,
creating the risk of fire or other damage.
Starting
209

5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel. If you see or
smell fuel, do not start your vehicle again. If there is no
fuel, you can try to start your vehicle again.
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before driving your vehicle.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
Carbon monoxide, although colorless and odorless, is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous
effects.
WARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
These fumes are harmful and could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked by a
qualified technician whenever:
myour vehicle is raised for service
mthe sound of the exhaust system changes
myour vehicle has been damaged in an accident
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air intake vents clear of
snow, leaves, and other objects.
If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5
cm). Also, adjust the heating or air conditioning system to bring
in outside air.
212

During ABS activation, a mechanical noise may be heard as the
ABS cycles. This is normal ABS operation.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a
noise from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the
pedal may be observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation
coupled with noise while braking under panic conditions or on
loose gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads is normal and indicates
proper functioning of the vehicle's anti-lock brake system. If
the vehicle has continuous vibration or shudder while braking,
felt mainly in the steering wheel, the vehicle most likely needs
service.
The ABS system has self-check capabilities. The system turns on
the ABS warning light each time you start the engine. After
the engine is started and the ABS warning light turns off, the system
performs another test the first time the vehicle reaches 4 mph
(6 km/h). A mechanical noise may be heard as the ABS system
performs a self test. This is a normal part of the self test
feature. If a malfunction is found during this check, the ABS
warning light will come on.
You should always be careful when braking, even if your vehicle
has the ABS system. Heavy braking on roads with loose
surfaces such as snow or gravel, or roads with severe pavement
irregularities could also cause you to lose control of your
vehicle.
WARNING
If the anti-lock brake system warning light remains on or
comes on while driving, have the braking system
checked by a qualified service technician as soon as
possible.
216

NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock system, and the brake
warning light is not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains operational.
Ford Motor Company has not found any negative effects of
mobile radio transmitting equipment installed on vehicles with
the ABS providing that the radio is installed according to the radio
manufacturer's instructions. However, if you have had a
mobile radio transmitter installed and the check ABS light comes
on (at any time other than immediately after turning the key
to the ON position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect the
installation. Also, if the ABS system is activated other than during
maximum braking, have your mobile radio installation
checked.
If Brakes Do Not Grip Well or Pedal is ``Low''
If the brake pedal seems ªlowº it may indicate the need for a
brake system inspection and/or service. Apply your parking brake
several times. If the condition has not improved, you should
have your brakes checked as soon as possible.
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate stops does not
affect the function of the brake system and is normal.
However, if the squeal becomes very loud or if it becomes more
frequent, return the vehicle to your dealer for inspection.
WARNING
Modifications to the suspension spring rates and/or
vehicle ride height may adversely affect vehicle stopping
ability.
Driving
217