1998 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

Your vehicle has a variety of features designed for your comfort,
convenience and safety. Read this chapter to find out about
standard and optional features.
Controls and Features
53

Instrument Panel
Instrument panel
54

The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into
several different sections. Illustrations are provided for the
major parts of the instrument panel that are explained in this
chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles.
Controls and Features
55

The controls for the climate control systems, headlamps, clock,
radio, rear window washer and wiper, hazard flasher, power mirror
controls, and speed control are all on the instrument panel.
Climate Control Systems
Function Selector Buttons
There are six function selector buttons: OFF, Mix, Defrost, Panel,
Panel/Floor, and Floor. When you press a function selector
button, the indicator light on the button will illuminate. If your
vehicle is equipped with a rear passenger compartment climate
control system, the instrument panel will also include a rear
seat function selector.
mThe OFF button shuts off the air supply to all outlets and
stops all fan operations. Use this setting when driving through
an area where outside air is unpleasant or dusty.
Climate control system panel
56

WARNING
Operating with the function selector control in off or in
the recirculated air mode for extended periods of time in
cold weather can result in fog buildup on interior glass
surfaces.
mThe Mix () button directs approximately equal amounts
of air to the windshield and floor outlets with a small
amount to the side windows.
mThe Defrost (
) button directs air to the windshield and
front side windows with a small amount going to the floor
outlets.
mThe Panel (
) button directs air to the instrument panel
outlets.
mThe Panel/Floor (
) button directs approximately equal
amounts of air to the instrument panel outlets and the floor
outlets.
mThe Floor (
) button directs most of the system's air
supply to the floor outlets with a small amount going to the
windshield and side window defrosters.
Air Outlets
Air intake selector button
The typical air intake selection is outside air. However, for
recirculated air, the air intake selector button may be activated.
When the air intake selector button is activated (indicator light is
on), it prevents the intake of outside air. This is the typical
selection when using the air conditioner (if equipped). It
recirculates interior air for faster cooling. The recirculated air
function also helps to prevent the intake of dusty or unpleasant air.
Controls and Features
57

There are several air outlets on the instrument panel. There are
side outlets near the driver's window and passenger's window, two
center outlets, floor outlets, and windshield outlets. The
direction and amount of air flow from the center and side
instrument panel outlets can be adjusted for personal comfort.
NOTE: Selection of the recirculated air mode under cold and
humid conditions may result in window fogging due to
entrapped humidity within the vehicle. To counteract
this circumstance, switch to the Defrost mode and set fan
speed to 3 or 4. Adjust air temperature to a ªwarmº
instead of ªhotº setting and deactivate the air intake
selector.
Heating Only System (Without air conditioning)
You can heat and ventilate the inside of your vehicle, or defrost
the windshield with the function selector buttons, the fan speed
knob and the temperature control knob.
An additional push-on/push-off air intake selector button
provides for the selection of recirculated inside air (button lighted)
or outside air (button not lighted).
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Turning on the heat
Heat will be available when the engine has been running for a
sufficient time as indicated by the engine coolant temperature
gauge.
To heat the inside of your vehicle:
1. Press the function selector button for Floor.
2. Turn the temperature control knob toward the WARM (red) area.
3. Turn the fan speed knob to the speed of your choice. When
your vehicle warms up, you may want to set the fan speed
knob to a lower speed, or adjust the temperature control knob
to a lower setting to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Heating only climate control system panel
Controls and Features
59

To defrost the windshield and side windows:
mPress the Defrost button, turn the temperature control knob to
the WARM (red) area and turn the fan speed knob to the
position of your choice. The recirculated air feature will be
automatically turned off in this setting (outside air will be
provided).
mTo reduce window fogging under extreme conditions, select
defrost and high fan speed while reducing temperature to a
ªwarmº instead of ªhotº setting. Deactivating the air intake
selector may also help dry the interior window surfaces.
To heat and defrost at the same time:
mPress the Mix function selector button, turn the temperature
control knob and the fan speed knob to provide the
temperature and fan speed you prefer. The recirculated air
feature will be automatically turned off in this setting (outside
air will be provided).
Controlling the Temperature in Your Vehicle
mTo ventilate your vehicle with outside air, make sure that the
air intake selector button is set for outside air. Open the
instrument panel registers enough to provide the amount of
air desired for your comfort.
mTo vary the temperature inside your vehicle, move the
temperature control knob toward WARM (red) for warmer
temperatures and toward COOL (blue) for cooler temperatures.
The temperature control knob setting determines the
temperature of the air being discharged from the system in all
operating modes (heating or A/C).
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