1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your vehicle
to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the order
they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
Preparing Your Vehicle
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to use
a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you connect
them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt batteries
in series or a 24-volt generator set).
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set the
parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine
cooling fan and other moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
5. Turn on the heater blower in both vehicles. Turn off all other
switches and lights in both vehicles to prevent possible
damage to either vehicle's electrical systems.
Roadside Emergencies
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Connecting the jumper cables
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the discharged battery. (You can connect either
jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you use the
same cable for both positive terminals.) Most jumper cables
have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is generally
used for the positive terminals and the black for the
negative cable of the booster battery and ground on the engine
of the disabled vehicle.
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the booster battery.
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the negative (±)
terminal of the booster battery Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to a good metallic
surface on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle.
WARNING
Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative
(±) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may
cause an explosion of the gases that surround the battery.
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Sequence for connecting jumper cables
Roadside Emergencies
271

Jump-Starting
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in the way of
moving engine parts, then start the booster vehicle. Run the
engine at a moderate speed.
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few minutes and then
start the disabled vehicle. It may take a couple of tries before
the vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
3. When both vehicles are running, let them idle for a few
minutes to charge the discharged battery.
Removing jumper cables
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the reverse order.
Remove the negative (±) end of the jumper cable from the
metallic surface on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
2. Remove the negative (±) cable from the booster battery.
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster battery.
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable from the
discharged battery.
If you need to replace your battery, seeBatteryin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
Towing Your Vehicle
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance
center.
DO NOT TOW YOUR VILLAGER WITH SLINGBELT
EQUIPMENT. Ford Motor Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook sling-type procedure. Use wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
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When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle
you have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual for the proper hook-up and
towing procedures for your vehicle.
Towing the vehicle
Roadside Emergencies
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Notes
274

Service Made Easy
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
mWe highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
mWhen possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
mWe give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. TheMaintenance
Schedulebooklet is part of your owners portfolio.
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty Guide
to find out which parts and services are covered. Also see the
Customer Assistancechapter of this Owner's Manual.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service parts
that meet Ford Motor Company specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in
your vehicle.
Maintenance and Care
275

NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
mYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic cooling fan. It
may come on at any time without warning. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the
battery before working near the fan.
mDo not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
mNever get under a vehicle while it is supported only by a jack.
If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands.
mKeep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials away from
the battery and all fuel-related parts.
If you plan to work under the hood while the engine is off:
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
Always remove the key from the ignition after you turn
off the engine.
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