1998 Mercury Villager wheel

Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need
to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire tread.
Your wheels and tires are match-mounted for improved ride.
Before you begin to repair a tire, mark the wheel and tire so that
they are properly aligned when remounted. This will ensure
that the tires will continue to give you the same ride level.
WARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial,
bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that
are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all
tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying
capacity. Use only the tire combinations recommended
on the decal. If you do not follow these precautions, your
vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
WARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size,
type, load-carrying capacity, and tread design (e.g. ªAll
Terrainº, etc.), as originally offered by Ford.
A worn-out tire
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WARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
Wheel and Tire Matching
See an authorized tire dealer for proper servicing procedures.
Wheels and tires must be properly removed, matched and
remounted to maintain the best possible ride.
Information About Tire Quality Grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These Tire
Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on this
vehicle. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (254-305 mm) or limited
production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
Maintenance and Care
303

150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C, and
they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
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Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts
Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do not
use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.
Cleaning Plastic Parts
Some of your vehicle's exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with
a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner
for routine cleaning.
Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed
rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is
not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause
deterioration.
Cleaning the Exterior Lamps
Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or crack
the lamps.
Cleaning the Wheels
Wash the wheels with the same detergent you use to wash your
vehicle's body. Do not use acid-based wheel cleaners, steel
wool, abrasives, fuel, or strong detergents. These substances will
damage protective coatings. Use tar and road oil remover to
remove grease and tar.
If you have whitewall tires that are difficult to clean with regular
detergent, use whitewall tire cleaner. Follow the directions on
the container and rinse the tires with plenty of clean water.
NOTE: Before going to a car wash, find out if the brushes are
abrasive.
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Vehicle Storage
Maintenance Tips
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an extended period of
time (60 days or more), refer to the following maintenance
recommendations to keep your vehicle in good operating condition.
General
mStore your vehicle in a dry, ventilated place.
mProtect from sunlight, if possible.
mWhen your vehicle is stored outside, it will require regular
maintenance to protect against rust and damage.
Body
mWash your vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, oil, tar
or mud from exterior surfaces, rear wheel housings and
underside of front fenders.
mTouch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust.
mCover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of
auto wax to prevent discoloration. Re-wax as necessary
when your vehicle is washed.
mLubricate all hood, door and trunk lid hinges and latches with
a light grade oil.
mCover interior soft trim to prevent fading.
mKeep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents.
Maintenance and Care
333

Safety, Comfort, and Convenience
Comfort and Convenience
Air Conditioning
Engine Block Heater
Remote Keyless Entry
Protection and Appearance Equipment
Aero Running Boards
Carpeted Floor Mats
Door Edge Guards
Cleaners, Waxes and Polishes
Front End Cover
Front End Mini Cover
Lubricants and Oils
Molded Running Boards
Rear Air Deflector
Side Window Shields
Soft Luggage Cover
Styled Wheel Protector Locks
Super Seal Fabric Protector (U.S. Only)
Super Seal Rustproofing (U.S. Only)
Super Seal Undercoating (U.S. Only)
Touch-Up Paints
Flat Splash Guards
356

Chime
headlamps on.......................18
safety belt.........................11
Circuit breakers
checking and replacing..................252
see also fuses......................243
Cleaning your vehicle....................329
chrome and aluminum parts...............330
engine compartment...................331
exterior.........................329
exterior lamps......................330
fabric..........................332
headlamps........................330
instrument panel.....................330
instrument panel lens..................332
interior..........................332
plastic parts.......................330
polishing.........................329
rustproofing.......................330
safety belts........................332
tail lamps........................330
upholstery and interior trim...............332
washing.........................329
waxing..........................329
wheels..........................330
Climate control system
air conditioning......................56
heating..........................56
Clock............................40
Clutch
fluid reservoir......................282
Cold engine starting....................208
Combination lap and shoulder belts..........129, 131
376

changing the tire..................254, 258
conventional spare..................254, 255
finding the spare.....................255
removing the spare tire..................255
storing the flat tire....................255
temporary spare.....................254
Spark plugs, specifications.................337
Specification chart, lubricants................339
Speed control
accelerating........................94
canceling a set speed...................95
resetting..........................95
resuming a set speed...................95
tap up/tap down.....................95
when towing a trailer..................236
Speedometer.........................19
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..............207
starting a cold engine..................208
starting after a collision.................242
Steering, power.......................220
Steering wheel
locking..........................86
tilting...........................91
Storage compartments...................126
cargonet .........................111
map pockets.......................126
Storing your vehicle....................333
Supplemental air bag readiness light.............11
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)............144
T
Tachometer.........................21
mechanical cluster.....................21
388