1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid rather than
plain water, because specially formulated washer fluids contain
additives that dissolve road grime. For safety reasons,
washer fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such as
methanol should be used in freezing weather (temperatures below
32É F [0É C]). State or local regulations on Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol
antifreeze agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades, and windshield washer system.
Engine Coolant
Checking the Engine Coolant
NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine from overheating
in the summer and from freezing in the winter. Check the level
of the engine coolant at least once a month, but preferably each time
you stop for fuel. Simply check the coolant reservoir, located in
the engine compartment. The coolant should stay between the MIN
and MAX marks. It will be closer to MAX when the engine is
warm and closer to MIN when the engine is cold. To locate the
coolant reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's engine
underEngine Compartmentin theCapacities and Specifications
chapter.
Maintenance and Care
285

Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO
NOT ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water
only in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Engine coolant recovery reservoir
286

Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a
50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid level to the
fill line on the reservoir.
WARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps
to avoid personal injury caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the
cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise to the first stop.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use
the cloth to press the cap down, turn it counterclockwise, and
remove it.
Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an equivalent premium engine coolant that
meets Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford Premium Engine
Coolant is an optimized formula that will protect all metals and
rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4 years or
50,000 miles (80,000 km).
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine cooling system.The use of an improper coolant
may void the warranty of your vehicle's engine cooling system.
Maintenance and Care
287

Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant Refill Capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the Index.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe Winter Climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than -34É F [-36É C]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure
the coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in which you
drive during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme climates.
Checking hoses
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration, leaks
and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine coolant.
Make whatever repairs or replacements are necessary using
Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
288

Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
To have your engine coolant drained, see your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer or refer to the procedure in the Service
Manual.
Power Steering Fluid
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall).
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
1. Start the engine and let it run until the power steering fluid
reaches normal operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is near the
center of the NORMAL operating temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel back and forth
several times. Make sure that the cap assembly is installed at
this time.
3. Then turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the power steering fluid reservoir.
Maintenance and Care
289

5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid in small
amounts, continuously checking the level, until the fluid is
between the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) lines on the
reservoir. Do not overfill. To find out how much fluid your
vehicle's reservoir for the power steering fluid will hold, see
Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts, and Lubricant Specifications
in theCapacities and Specificationschapter.
Use only power steering fluid that meets Ford Specification such
as MERCONtATF XT-2-QDX (or equivalent).
NOTE: If the power steering fluid is low, do not drive your
vehicle for a long period of time before adding fluid.
This can damage the power steering pump.
If you must check the power steering fluid when it is cold, make
sure that the fluid reaches at least the minimum (MIN) mark.
The reading will only be accurate if the fluid temperature is
approximately 70É to 100É F (21É to 38É C).
Power steering fluid reservoir
290

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid
level of the transaxle since your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, if the transaxle is not working
properly (for example, slipping or shifting slowly), or you notice
some sign of fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
It is best to check the transmission fluid level at normal operating
temperature, after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid level without having
to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal operating
temperature if outside temperatures are above 50É F (10É C).
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period
at high speeds or in city traffic during hot weather, or
if it has been pulling a trailer, the engine should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to
cool before checking.
Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gearshift lever in the P (Park) position, fully set the parking brake
and leave the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
Maintenance and Care
291

When checking fluid at normal operating temperature, the
fluid level should be within the crosshatched area on the dipstick.
When the vehicle has not been driven, and outside temperature
is above 50É F (10É C), the fluid level should be between the notches
on the dipstick.
WARNING
Your vehicle should not be driven if the transmission
fluid level is below the bottom notch on the dipstick.
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid
The fluid type is stamped on the dipstick. Before adding any
fluid, be sure that the correct type will be used.
Add fluid in 1/2 pint (0.25 liter) increments through the filler
tube to bring the level to the correct area on the dipstick. If an
overfill occurs, excess fluid should be removed by a qualified
technician.
Engine compartment main fuse panel
292