1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

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.
NOTE: Always use Motorcraft MERCONtor equivalent
MERCONtautomatic transmission fluid when you
refill your automatic transmission fluid.
Battery
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery normally does not
require additional water during its life of service. However, for
severe service usage or in high temperature climates, check your
battery electrolyte level, at least every 24 months or 24,000
miles (40,000 km). Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the ``level''
indicator. Do not overfill the battery cells. For longer,
trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry.
Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal(s) and clean with a wire
brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of baking soda
Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
Maintenance and Care
293

and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done cleaning them,
and apply a small quantity of grease to the top of each battery
terminal to help prevent corrosion.
Battery Replacement
If your original equipment battery requires replacement while
under warranty, it will be replaced with a Motorcraft service
battery, identical in design technology. Like the original
equipment battery, it should not require water addition during its
normal life of service; however, for severe service usage or in
high temperature climates, check your battery electrolyte level, at
least every 24 months or 24,000 miles (40 000 km). Do not
overfill the battery cells.
NOTE: If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is
re-installed after the battery is replaced.
If the electrolyte level in your battery gets low, you can add plain
tap water to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water
(water with a high mineral or alkali content). If possible, however,
try to only fill the battery cells with distilled water. If the
battery needs water often, have the charging system checked.
Help Us Protect Our Environment
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid
batteries be returned to an authorized recycling facility for
disposal.
Battery recycling symbol
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WARNING
The gases around the battery can explode if exposed to
flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes. An explosion could result
in injury or vehicle damage.
WARNING
To protect yourself when charging a battery, always shield
your face and eyes. Make sure that you can breathe
fresh air.
WARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes, and
clothing.
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or clothing, immediately
flush the area with water for at least 15 minutes. If someone
swallows the acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
WARNING
Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a
battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a
carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners.
Maintenance and Care
295

Air Filter
The air filter should not be cleaned and reused. Replace it according
to the maintenance intervals shown in theMaintenance Schedule
booklet. When replacing the filter, unclip the four clamps and
remove the filter. Wipe the inside of the air filter housing with
a damp cloth when replacing the filter.
WARNING
Never pour fuel in the throttle body or attempt to start the
engine with the air cleaner removed. Doing so could
result in fire and personal injury.
Air filter housing
296

Wiper Blades
Check the windshield wiper blades at least twice a year. Also
check them whenever they seem less effective than usual.
Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
If the blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield
and the wiper blades. Use undiluted windshield washer solution
or a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Do not
use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner, or other solvents to clean your
wiper blades. These will damage your blades.
To reach the wiper blades easily, turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY and turn your wipers on. Wait for them to reach a
vertical position and turn the ignition to OFF. Moving the
wipers manually may damage them.
Wiper blade replacement
If the wipers still do not work properly after you clean them, you
may need to replace the wiper blade assembly. When replacing
the wiper blade assembly always use a Motorcraft part or
equivalent.
Maintenance and Care
297

To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield and into the
lock position.
2. Turn the blade at an angle from the wiper arm. Push the lock
pin to release the blade and pull the wiper blade down
toward the windshield to remove it from the arm.
3. Attach a new wiper blade to the wiper arm and press it into
place until you hear it click.
Replacing the wiper blades
298

Tires
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
mUse an accurate tire pressure gauge.
mStay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
mMake sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
mAdjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
WARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast for
road conditions, you could lose control of your vehicle.
Under some circumstances, driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose control
of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than
3 miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
Maintenance and Care
299

WARNING
Improperly inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and
can fail suddenly, possibly resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
Tire Inspection and Maintenance
Inspect the tire treads and remove stones, nails, glass or other
objects that may be wedged in the tread grooves. Check for holes
or cuts that may permit air to leak from the tire and make the
necessary repairs.
Inspect the tire sidewalls for cuts, bruises and other damage. If
you suspect internal damage to the tire, have it removed and
checked. You may need to repair or replace it.
Tire Rotation
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different jobs,
they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear
evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following
diagram.
In situations where the tires differ from front to rear
(snow/traction), simply rotate using a side to side pattern.
300