1998 Mercury Villager fuel cap

What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or
run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel filler cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel
tank with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the
fuel filler cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theService Engine Soonlight
should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional
vehicle service is required.
If theService Engine Soonlight remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
at the first available opportunity.
Service Engine Soon warning light
Instrumentation
13

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).
230

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

mDrive slowly. If you can hear the cables rub or bang against
your vehicle, stop the vehicle and tighten the cables. If you
continue to hear the cables rub or bang against your vehicle,
remove the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
mAvoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
mRemove tire cables at the first opportunity after using them on
snow and ice. Do not use the cables on dry roads.
Make sure your suspension insulators and bumpers are not
missing or worn to avoid damage to your vehicle.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Removing the tethered fuel filler cap
1. Open the fuel door on the driver's side of the vehicle.
2. Slowly unscrew the cap counterclockwise, using caution to
minimize the possibility of fuel spraying.
If the Service Engine Soon warning light comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel cap may not be properly
seated. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel cap and replace it, being
careful to align the cap properly.
The tethered fuel filler cap
306

If you lose the fuel filler cap, replace it with an authorized
Motorcraft or equivalent part.
WARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to
work improperly in a collision.
WARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the cap.
NOTE: If you replace your fuel filler cap with an aftermarket
fuel filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal condition. It may be
caused by:
mtoo volatile a fuel for the weather conditions. Service stations
sometimes sell winter grade fuel in the summer.
mpulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high altitudes.
mextended periods of idling with the engine RPM increased
above the normal idle range.
mparking the vehicle in full sunlight for extended periods on
extremely hot days.
WARNING
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
Maintenance and Care
307

Before you fill your vehicle with fuel, extinguish all lit cigarettes,
other smoking materials, and any open flames.
To fill the tank properly:
1. Remove the fuel filler cap. Proceed to add fuel to the tank
only if your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Make sure you pump unleaded fuel and put the nozzle all the
way inside the fuel filler pipe. The fuel tank is normally full
after three automatic shutoffs of the nozzle.
3. If you spill any fuel on the body of your vehicle, clean it off
immediately. The fuel may dull or soften the paint if you do
not wash it off.
4. Replace the fuel cap tightly when you are finished. Turn it
clockwise until you hear at least three clicks. The
ratcheting mechanism allows the fuel cap to be sealed without
overtightening.
5. Push the fuel door closed.
Choosing the Right Fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited
by law and could damage your vehicle. The damage may not
be covered by your warranty.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel containing
manganese-based additives such as MMT. Additionally, vehicles
certified to California emission standards (indicated on the
underhood Vehicle Emissions Control Information label) are
designed to operate on California reformulated gasolines. If
California reformulated gasoline is not available when you refuel,
your vehicle can be operated on non-California fuels. However,
even though your engine will perform adequately on other
308

Ford Motor Company of Canada..............352
Ford of Canada Customer Assistance Centre........352
Foreign registration.....................353
French owner guides, how to obtain.............3
Fuel............................306
calculating fuel economy.................311
choosing the right fuel..................308
filling your vehicle with fuel...............306
filter, specifications....................337
fuel filler door release lever.............306, 337
fuel gauge.......................18,24
low fuel warning light..................17
octane rating....................308, 309
quality..........................308
running out of fuel....................311
safety information relating to automotive fuels......310
storing your vehicle...................334
treating emergencies...................310
Fuel cap..........................306
removing........................306
replacing......................306, 307
Fuel filler door.......................306
remote release......................306
Fuel filter, specifications..................337
Fuel gauge........................18,24
Fuel pump shut-off switch
engine does not start...................242
starting after a collision.................242
Fuse panels
engine compartment...................250
instrument panel.....................244
380

Fuses
charts..........................244
checking and replacing...............243, 244
circuit breakers......................252
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap)...................306
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)............308, 311
Gasohol..........................310
Gasoline (see Fuel).....................306
Gauges, Electronic
engine coolant temperature gauge...........18,23
fuel gauge.......................18,24
odometer.........................20
speedometer.......................19
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge...........18,23
fuel gauge.......................18,24
odometer.........................20
speedometer.......................19
tachometer........................21
trip odometer.......................20
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating........................231
definition......................226, 230
driving with a heavy load................226
location.........................230
Gearshift
automatic operation...................221
column-mounted.....................221
locking the gearshift....................86
positions.........................221
shifting the gears.....................221
Gearshift:shifting the gears.................221
Index
381