1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Relays
Relays are devices which receive signals from components or
systems. After receiving signals, relays transfer these signals to
activate or deactivate other components or systems. A relay box is
located near the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The relay box
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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
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mdrive through an automatic car wash. Because the temporary
spare tire is smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces the
ground clearance. Your vehicle may get caught in the rails and
it could be damaged.
Spare Tire Location
The spare tire is stored underneath your vehicle.
To remove the spare tire:
1. Open the liftgate and find the plastic hex nut cover in the
carpeting of the cargo area. Lift the cover to expose the hex nut.
The spare tire hex nut
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2. Find the lug wrench in the tool kit located behind the jack in
the right cargo area side panel.
Jack storage location
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3. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex nut in
the floor of the cargo area. Turn counterclockwise until the
cable extends far enough to lower the spare tire to the ground.
4. Continue to turn the hex nut counterclockwise until the
spare tire retainer can be seen for removal.
5. Remove the retainer from the center of the wheel. It may be
necessary to lift one end of the tire to disengage the
retainer.
The spare tire in the lowered position
Removing the spare tire retainer
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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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WARNING
To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a
tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both
directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other
side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
WARNING
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could
be seriously injured.
2. Remove the spare tire and jack. See previous section for
instructions on spare tire removal. The jack is located in the rear
storage compartment in the right door panel of the cargo
area. You will have to unfasten the jack before removing it as
shown in the illustration. The jack handle is in the tool kit
located behind the jack.
NOTE: All occupants should be out of the vehicle while it is
on the jack.
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3. Insert the tapered end of the jack handle behind the wheel
cover of the tire to be changed and gently pry it off. When
you want to replace the wheel cover, simply align the valve stem
to the slot in the cover and press it back on.
Removing the wheel cover
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