1998 Mercury Villager light

Driving
When to use D (Overdrive)
Overdrive is the normal driving position. When the gearshift
lever is placed in (D) Overdrive, and the Overdrive Off button has
not been pressed, the vehicle will automatically upshift to
second, third and fourth gears. The transaxle will shift into the
correct gear when the right speed is reached.
When to use D (Drive Ð with the Overdrive Off button
activated)
You will notice that there is only one drive position on your
gearshift selection indicator (instead of Drive and Overdrive). You
will find a button labeled OVERDRIVE OFF/ON located on
the gearshift lever. Push in the button on the end of the lever and
the O/D OFF light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
With the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle will operate in
first, second and third gears and will not shift into fourth gear.
Operating in Drive (O/D OFF) provides more engine braking than
Overdrive for descending hills, or city driving.
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive operation,
press the OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button again. Use this button to
select Overdrive or Overdrive Off whenever you drive your
vehicle.
NOTE: Overdrive will not engage until the engine has fully
warmed up.
The OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button
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The transaxle will be in the ªoverdrive onº mode when the
vehicle is started even if the O/D OFF mode was selected when
the vehicle was last shut off.
If your vehicle is on an extremely slippery surface, the Electronic
Transaxle Control Module may receive a signal indicating a
rapid increase or decrease in wheel speed. If the module detects
this condition, it will limit the transaxle operation to Third
gear and Reverse. This reduces tire slippage and protects the
transaxle. The transaxle will operate normally in Reverse, but will
lack power during acceleration in Drive. If this happens, stop
your vehicle as soon as possible and turn the ignition off for 3
seconds. Restart the vehicle. If the condition still exists, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
NOTE: If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off
repeatedly when the vehicle is started, there is a
transaxle electronic system malfunction. Contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
When to use 2 (Second)
Use Second (2) when driving on slippery roads or to provide
additional engine braking on downgrades. This position provides
Second gear operation only. Do not exceed 68 mph (108 km/h)
in this position.
When to use 1 (First)
Use First (1) to provide maximum engine braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts from First can be made by manually shifting
to Second (2) or Overdrive (D). First (1) gear provides only first
gear operation. If you select First while driving at higher speeds, the
transaxle will shift to Second (2), and then shift back to First
(1) after the vehicle decelerates to the proper speed. Do not exceed
35 mph (56 km/h) in this position.
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N (Neutral)
In N (Neutral), the transaxle is not locked. Your vehicle will roll
freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake
or brakes are on.
Parking
Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park).
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning. To securely latch the gearshift in the P (Park) position,
pull it toward you, push it completely counterclockwise against the
stop, and then push it toward the instrument panel.
The gearshift is securely latched in Park (P) if you cannot rotate
it in a clockwise direction without lifting it toward you.
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
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
Forced Downshifts
To gain extra acceleration in Drive (D) (when passing another
vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The transaxle will
automatically downshift to the appropriate gear - third,
second or first.
Driving
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Driving Through Water
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and
if the ignition system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water
may also enter your engine's air intake and cause severe damage
to your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable,
proceed very slowly. Never drive through water that is higher
than the bottom of wheel rims.
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not
stop the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be
improved by moving your vehicle slowly while applying light
pressure on the brake pedal.
Driving With a Heavy Load
The Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the driver's
door pillar, provides important information regarding the
weight limits your vehicle can safely carry or tow. The total
weight of your vehicle, including the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your vehicle carries on
the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle.
The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than the originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Using lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which
is the maximum weight allowed on each axle system.
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is
why it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle places severe stress on components and can
lead to shortened vehicle life or vehicle damage.
The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific maximum
load at a specific tire pressure.
When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight of
your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR specified
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This includes full fuel
tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as well as the cargo
load.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and passengers).
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Trailer Brakes
Separate trailer brakes are required on most trailers weighing
over 1,500 lbs. (680 kg).
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Trailer Lamps
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to federal and local
regulations.
Class I Trailer Tow electrical wiring provides two circuits (right
hand and left hand) to operate trailer stop/turn tail lamps. Each
stop/turn circuit will operate one combination stop/turn light
bulb (# 1157, 3157, 2357, or 3357) on the trailer. Never add more than
one trailer light bulb to one circuit.
WARNING
Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified
amperage rating. Using a fuse with a higher amperage rating
can cause severe wire damage and could start a fire.
Driving
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Trailer Towing Tips
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at
the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point so
the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or automatically
controlled, when approaching a stop.
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out on
the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km), stop
in a protected area and double-check your hitch and electrical
connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness.
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air intake selector
button to select the fresh air position to stop the air conditioner
compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short time.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. However,
if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the
trailer's wheels as follows:
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WARNING
Never use wheels or lug nuts different than the original
equipment as this could damage the wheel or mounting
system. This damage could allow the wheels to come
off while the vehicle is being driven.
13. Replace the wheel cover by pressing it into place. If you have
the standard wheel covers, you must align the notch in the
wheel cover with the tire's valve stem and align the recess in the
back of the wheel cover with one of the lug nuts. If you
have the optional aluminum wheel, press the center wheel
cap into place after matching up the design of the wheel cap
to the wheel.
14. Make sure the jack is securely fastened. When you replace
the jack in the jack storage compartment, place the base
against the square-shaped fastening bracket and open the jack
slightly so that the jack is snug against the fastening
brackets.
15. Store the flat tire under the vehicle just as you would store
the spare tire. Refer to the section onStowing the Spare Tire
in this chapter.
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