1999 Mercury Villager ECO mode

automatic overdrive transaxle. When your vehicle cruises at a constant
speed for any length of time, this fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy.
Overdrive may not be appropriate
for certain terrains. If the transaxle
shifts back and forth between third
and fourth gears while you are
driving hilly roads or if your vehicle
requires additional power for climbing hills, press the O/D OFF switch.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transaxle will automatically return
to normal overdrive mode.
If your vehicle is on an extremely slippery surface, the Transaxle Control
Module may receive a signal indicating a rapid increase or decrease in
wheel speed. When the module detects this condition, it will limit the
transaxle operation to Third and Reverse gears. 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;
1. Stop your vehicle as soon as possible.
2. Turn the ignition off for three seconds.
3. Restart the vehicle.
If the condition still exists, contact your dealer as soon as possible.
If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off repeatedly when the
vehicle is started or does not come on when the O/D OFF control is
pressed, there may be a transaxle electronic system malfunction. You
should contact your dealer as soon as possible or damage to the
transaxle could occur.
When to use D (Drive) or press the O/D OFF switch
You will notice that there is only one
drive position on your gearshift
indicator (instead of Drive and
Overdrive). However, you will find a
control labeled OVERDRIVE located
on the gearshift lever. Push in the
switch 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,
OVERDRIVE
OFF/ON
P RND21
OVERDRIVE
OFF/ON
Driving
162

Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10% savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give the best fuel
economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
Maintenance and care
222

condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing,
follow the procedure described below:
1. Allow the engine to cool to ambient temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will point to C).
2. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
3. Accelerate the vehicle to 88 km/h (55 mph), then quickly release the
accelerator pedal completely for at least six seconds.
4. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a moment, then drive the
vehicle at a speed of 86 to 96 km/h (53 to 60 mph) for at least five
minutes.
5. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
6. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 km/h (35 mph), and maintain the speed
for 20 seconds.
7. Repeat steps five and six at least three times.
8. Accelerate the vehicle to 88 km/h (55 mph), and maintain the speed
for at least three minutes.
9. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop and turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps one through nine at least one more time.
If step one through eight are interrupted, repeat the preceding step. Any
safe driving mode is acceptable between steps. Once started, do not turn
off the engine until step seven is completed.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
It is a good idea to check the operation of the following lights frequently:
²Headlamps
²Turn signals
²Cornering lamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamps
Maintenance and care
225

Board membership
The Board consists of:
²three consumer representatives
²a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership representative
Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by
an independent consulting firm. The dealership Board member is chosen
from Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealership management, recognized for
their business leadership qualities.
What the Board needs
To have your case reviewed you must complete the application in the
DSB brochure and mail it to the address provided on the application
form.
Your application is reviewed and, if it is determined to be eligible, you
will receive an acknowledgment indicating:
²the file number assigned to your application
²the toll-free phone number of the DSB's independent administrator
Your dealership and a Ford Motor Company representative will then be
asked to submit statements.
To properly review your case, the Board needs the following information:
²legible copies of all documents and maintenance or repair orders
relevant to the case
²the year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) listed
on your vehicle ownership license
²the date of repair(s) and mileage at the time of occurrence(s)
²the current mileage
²the name of the dealer(s) who sold or serviced the vehicle
²a brief description of your unresolved concern
²a brief summary of the action taken by the dealer(s) and Ford Motor
Company
²the names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the
dealership(s)
²a description of the action you expect to resolve your concern
Customer assistance
246

Ford Custom Silicone Gloss Polish
Ford Custom Vinyl Protectant*
Ford Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner
Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil Remover*
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner
Ford Metal Surface Cleaner
Ford Multi-Purpose Cleaner*
Motorcraft Car Wash Concentrate
Motorcraft Carlite Glass Cleaner
Ford Spot and Stain Remover*
Ford Super Premium Tire and Trim Dressing
Ford Triple Clean
Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner
* May be sold with the Motorcraft name
A wide selection of Ford accessories are available for your vehicle
through your local authorized Ford, Lincoln-Mercury or Ford of Canada
dealer. These quality accessories have been specifically engineered to
fulfill your automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement
the style and aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each
accessory is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds
Ford's rigid engineering and safety specifications. Ford accessories are
warranted for up to 12 months or 20,000 km (12,000 miles) on all cars
and light trucks and 12 months with unlimited distance on medium/heavy
duty trucks unless the accessory is installed on a new vehicle, then the
warranty becomes the balance of the new vehicle's warranty or the
accessories warranty, whichever is greater. See your dealer for complete
warranty information and availability.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Vehicle Security
Remote keyless entry
Styled wheel protector locks
Vehicle security systems
Customer assistance
249