1998 Mercury Villager coolant reservoir

Windshield Washer Fluid
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel, or when the warning light indicates low washer fluid.
The reservoir for washer fluid is located in the engine
compartment. This reservoir contains the fluid for both the
windshield and liftgate washers.
WARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
284

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

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

Engine Compartment
Your vehicle has a 3.0 liter EFI, V-6 engine. The following
illustration will show a diagram of your engine and where you
can find items that you should service regularly.
1. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
2. Engine Coolant Reservoir
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Air Filter
5. Battery
6. Engine Compartment Fuse and Relay Box
7. Radiator Cap
8. Engine Oil Filler Cap
9. Engine Oil Dipstick
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
11. Engine Compartment Relay Box
12. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
Capacities and Specifications
341

preparing for storage...................335
proper solution......................292
recovery reservoir..................285, 341
specifications.......................339
temperature gauge...................18,23
Engine coolant temperature gauge............18,23
description......................18,23
mechanical......................18,23
Engine coolant temperature guage:electronic.......18,23
Engine fan.........................276
Engine knocking......................309
Engine oil.........................279
changing oil and oil filter................281
check oil warning light..................14
checking and adding...................281
dipstick.........................281
disposal.........................292
engine oil pressure warning light.............14
filter, specifications....................337
low oil warning light...................14
ªbreak-inº oils.......................5
specifications.......................279
synthetic oil.......................279
viscosity.........................279
Engine:idle speed control..................209
Exhaust fumes.......................212
F
Fan
engine fan, avoiding injury................276
Federal Communications Commission............51
Flashers, hazard.....................77,241
Flat tire...........................254
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...............348
Index
379