1999 Mercury Villager Owner's Manuals

6. Rotate the tether strap clip.
7. Refer to the instructions in this
section underInstalling child
safety seats in combination lap
and shoulder belt seating
positionsto secure the child safety
seat.
8. Tighten the child safety seat
tether strap according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
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145

Third row seat and tether anchorage hardware
The tether has to be attached to the
anchorage locations on the floor
behind the third row seating
position (third row seat only) with a
tether anchorage hardware kit.
Tether anchorage hardware kits (part number 613D20) including
instructions, may be obtained at no charge from any Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer. All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a
tether anchor hardware kit.
Be sure to follow the child safety seat manufacturer's instructions.
To gain access to the anchoring bolt, cut through the U-shaped tether
location outlines on the carpet of the luggage area. Remove the bolt that
is currently in the anchor location.
Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the
safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be
injured in a sudden stop or collision.
To properly use child safety tethers in the 3rd row seat position,
REMOVE THE PARCEL SHELF and tether child safety seat to
the tether anchor located on the floor behind the 3rd row seat.
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146

Third row bench in second row position
To attach a tether strap to a lap/shoulder belt:
1. Route the tether strap under the
head restraint and between the
head restraint supports.
2. Hook the tether strap hook into
the large hole at the end of the seat
belt tongue of the lap/shoulder belt
directly behind the child seat
position.
3. Adjust the tether strap length until the hook is about one foot behind
the seatback.
4. Pull the shoulder belt until all of the belt is fully extended and a click
is heard. At this time the belt is in automatic locking mode (child
restraint mode).
5. Let the retractor wind up the slack from the lap/shoulder belt. A
clicking sound should be heard as the belt retracts, indicating that the
retractor is in automatic locking mode. Tighten the tether strap to
remove any slack.
6. Before placing a child in the child restraint, use force to tilt the child
restraint from side to side and tug it forward to make sure it is securely
held in place.
7. Check that the retractor is in automatic locking mode by trying to pull
more belt out of the retractor. If you cannot pull any more belt webbing
out of the retractor, the belt is in automatic locking mode.
8. Check to make sure the child restraint is properly secured prior to
each use. If the belt is not locked, repeat steps 4 through 7.
For additional important safety information on the proper use of
seatbelts, child seats and infant seats, please read the entireSeating
and safety restraintschapter in this owner's guide.
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147

BUILT-IN CHILD SEATS
Built-in child safety seat (if equipped)
The 2nd row seat may include a built-in child seat. This child seat
conforms to all Federal and local motor vehicle safety standards. Read
the labels located on the child seat cushion for information on the
built-in child seat.
Use the built-in child seatonlyif the child is at least 1 year old, weighs
10±27 kg (22±60 lb) and the child's shoulders (top) are below the
shoulder harness slots in the built-in child seat.
Children not meeting these requirements should be secured in an
approved aftermarket seat. Refer toChild and infant or child safety
seatsin this chapter.
Built-in child seat retractors
The belts on built-in child seats are equipped with a retractor that locks
when both tongues are latched into the crotch safety belt buckle. The
retractor will automatically snug the belts around the child. If the belts
do not remain snug, take the vehicle to the dealer for child seat repair.
The belts will not snug during a collision.
Placing your child in the built-in child seat
Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of this child
restraint system can result in your child striking the vehicle's
interior during a sudden stop or crash.
Never use the Built-In Child Seat as a booster cushion with the
adult safety belts. A child using the adult belts could slide
forward and out from under the safety belts.
The rear seatback must be fully locked before operating the
child restraint system.
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148

1. Pull the release strap near the
bottom of the seatback.
2. Grasp the child seat at the top of the seatback and pull the top
forward to release the latch.
3. Continue to unfold the child seat
until it rests on the seat.
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149

4. Read all information and warnings
on the child seat cushion and
shoulder safety belt. The child seat
is to be used only by children who:
²are at least one year old
²weigh between 10 and 27 kg (22
and 60 lbs.)
²shoulders must be below the
shoulder harness slots
5. If connected, squeeze the top and the bottom of the right half of the
chest clip and pull to separate both halves and unbuckle the two safety
belt tongues from the crotch belt buckle.
6. Place the child on the child seat and position the shoulder belts over
each shoulder.
7. Insert either the left or the right
safety belt tongue into the single
opening of the crotch safety belt
buckle (it doesn't matter which
tongue is inserted first). Insert other
tongue. The color green must
appear in the indicator window on
the crotch safety belt buckle when
buckled. Allow belts to retract and
fit snugly.
8. Fasten both halves of the chest
clip below the child's shoulders and
adjust it to comfortably hold the
shoulder belts in place on the child's
chest. The color green must appear
in the indicator window when fastened.
9. Pull the shoulder belts toward you to make sure the crotch safety belt
buckle is properly fastened and the retractor is locked.
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150

10. Pull the right shoulder belt fully out to put the retractor into the
automatic locking mode.
11. If the belts become too tight, unbuckle the crotch safety belt buckle
to unlock the retractors, then reinsert both belt tongues.
Removing your child from the built-in child seat
1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and the bottom of the chest clip and pull
the halves apart to open the chest clip.
2. Press the release button on the crotch safety belt buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the child's shoulders and remove the child.
To stow the built-in child seat
Return the child seat cushion to the
upright position, then press firmly in
the center and top of the child seat.
Inspecting the built-in child seat after a collision
Inspect all built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles, retractors,
and seat latches. Interlocks and attaching hardware should be inspected
by a qualified technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use
during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. Built-in child restraints
not in use during a collision should be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
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151

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the ignition system. This system meets
all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements
regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. SeeGuarding against exhaust fumesin
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute
(RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the
engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have
the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten
minutes at the higher engine RPM.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the
Seating and safety restraintschapter.
Starting
152