1998 Mercury Villager turn signal

Cruise Indicator Light
The CRUISE indicator light will illuminate when the speed
control system is activated.
Overdrive Off Indicator Light
This light illuminates when the OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button on
the gearshift selector lever has been pushed. When the light is
on, the transmission does not shift into overdrive. Depressing the
button on the shifter once more allows the vehicle to shift into
overdrive mode. This light also briefly illuminates when the key is
turned to the ON position.
If the light flashes for about 8 seconds when the ignition is turned
to ON, it means the transaxle control module received an
improper signal the last time the vehicle was operated. It may be
necessary to have your dealer check the transaxle.
Cruise indicator light
Overdrive off indicator light
16

If there is a building or large structure between the antenna and
station, some of the signal ªbendsº around the building, but
certain spots receive almost no signal. Moving out of the ªshadowº
of the structure will allow the station to return to normal.
This condition exists when the radio waves are reflected off objects
or structures; the reflected signal cancels the normal signal,
causing the antenna to pick up noise and distortion. Cancellation
effects are most prominent in metropolitan areas, but also can
becomes quite severe in hilly terrain and depressed roadways.
To minimize the effects of these conditions, a stereo/mono blend
circuit has been incorporated into this system. This feature
automatically switches a weak stereo signal to a clearer monaural
signal, which improves the quality of reception.
Several sources of static are normal conditions on AM
frequencies. These can be caused by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms.
Another reception phenomenon isStrong Signal Capture and
Overload. This can occur when listening to a weak station and
when passing another broadcast tower. The close station may
capture the more distant station, although the displayed frequency
does not change. While passing the tower, the station may
switch back and forth a few times before returning to the original
station.
When several broadcast towers are present (common in
metropolitan areas), several stations may overload the receiver,
resulting in considerable station changing, mixing and distortion.
Automatic gain control circuitry for both AM and FM bands
has been incorporated into this system to reduce strong signal
capture and overload.
50

NOTE: The A/C button independently toggles the A/C system's
compressor signal and indicator light ON and OFF in
the Panel, Panel/Floor, Floor, Defrost and Mix functions.
The A/C button will not operate or light when the
system is set in the OFF position. The A/C button will
operate in defrost but will not override previously
discussed automatic operation.
Cooling your vehicle with outside air
Cooling your vehicle with air conditioned outside air is quieter
but less economical than using recirculated air. It also has less
cooling capacity.
To cool your vehicle using outside air:
1. Turn the air intake selector button off (the outside air
position). The air conditioning unit directs outside air through
the instrument panel registers.
2. Press one of the function selector buttons.
3. Press the A/C button. The indicator light on the A/C button
will illuminate.
4. Turn the temperature control knob to COOL.
5. Turn the fan speed knob to the position of your choice.
6. Make sure the registers in the instrument panel are open.
During periods of high humidity, vapor may be emitted from the
air outlets when using the A/C with outside air. Correct this
by switching to recirculated air with the A/C button.
64

Turn Signal Lever
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering
column to:
moperate the turn signals.
mturn the headlamps to high beam.
mflash the headlamps.
mturn the windshield wipers and washer on/off.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it down to signal
a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back
to the center (off) position.
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to signal but not to
latch. The lever will return to the off position when you
release it.
If the turn indicator light in the instrument panel does not
illuminate or remains on (does not flash) when you signal a turn,
the turn signaling system needs service. Have this condition
corrected as soon as possible, and use the accepted hand signals
until the turn signal system is repaired.
The turn signal lever
Controls and Features
87

Cornering Lights
Your vehicle is equipped with special cornering lights designed
to provide additional illumination toward the direction you are
turning. The corresponding light comes on when a turn is
signaled. The headlamp control must be on in order to activate
the cornering lights.
High Beams and Flashing the Lamps
To turn on the high beams, turn the headlamps on and push the
turn signal lever away from you until it latches. When the
high beams are on, the high beam indicator light on the instrument
panel is illuminated.
To return to the low beam setting, pull the turn signal lever
toward you until it latches back into the neutral position. The high
beam indicator light turns off.
To flash the headlamps, pull the turn signal lever toward you
for a moment and then release it. The high beam headlamps will
flash whether the headlamps are on or off.
High beam and flash-to-pass operation
88

Windshield Wipers and Washer
Variable Interval Wipers
Your vehicle has wipers that you can set to operate at varying
intervals. For example, you can set the interval so they wipe less
often in light rain or more often in heavier rain.
To set the interval wipers, rotate the knob at the end of the
turn signal lever to the most effective interval. The farther the
knob is from the OFF position, the faster the wipers move.
To clean the windshield, push in the end of the knob on the turn
signal lever. For a constant spray, push and hold the end of
the knob. If the windshield wipers are off, they automatically turn
on for two wipe cycles after you squirt the washer fluid.
Do not try to clean the windshield when the washer fluid container
is empty and never activate the washers for more than 15
seconds continuously. This could damage the washer pump system.
Variable interval wiper control
Controls and Features
89

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.
224

Hazard Flasher Switch
The hazard flasher is used to alert other drivers to hazardous
situations.
The hazard flasher switch operates the same lamps as the turn
signal lever. When the hazard flasher is activated, all of these lamps
will flash on and off. The turn signal indicators cannot be used
when the hazard lamps are flashing. Operation of the hazard
flashers does not affect operation of the brakelamps.
The flashers work even with the key out of the ignition. The
flashers will work for up to two hours when the battery is fully
charged and in good condition. They will not drain the
battery excessively. If the flashers run for longer than two hours
or if your battery is not fully charged, your battery may be
drained to the point where the vehicle will not start.
The hazard flasher switch is located on the instrument panel to
the right of the instrument cluster.
Roadside Emergencies
241