2000 Mercury Villager brakes

Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
²Use a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills. This will
eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Exceeding the GCWR rating may cause internal transaxle damage
and void your warranty coverage.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
Driving
164

BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and
refilled as needed. Refer to the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
1. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt or water
from entering the reservoir.
2. Visually inspect the fluid level.
3. If necessary, add brake fluid from
a clean un-opened container until
the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
4. Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid
certified to meet Ford specifications.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush eyes
with running water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3, you will cause
permanent damage to your brakes.
Do not let the fluid level in the reservoir for the master cylinder
fall below the MIN mark. If master cylinder runs dry, this may
cause the brakes to fail.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
192

Any gasoline spilled on the vehicle or deposits such as bird droppings
should be washed and sponged off as soon as possible. Deposits not
removed promptly can cause damage to the vehicle's paintwork.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a car
wash. If you have wax applied to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it
is recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry them.
Waxing your vehicle
Waxing your vehicle on a regular basis will reduce minor scratches and
paint damage.
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This could be every three
or four months, depending on operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use a cleaning fluid with a
clean cloth to remove any bugs before waxing your vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield, or on any surfaces which appear
coarse or bumpy. If you have wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and windshield as
described inCleaning the wiper blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris may be repaired with
the Ultra Touch Prep and Finishing Kit (#F7AZ-19K507±BA), Lacquer
Touch-up Paint (#ALBZ-19500±XXXXA), or Exterior Acrylic Spray
Lacquer (#ALAZ-19500±XXXXA) from the Ford Car Care Chemicals line.
Please note that the part numbers (shown as XXXX above) will vary with
your vehicle's specific coloring. Observe the application instructions on
the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap, insect remains, tar
spots, road salt and industrial fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your vehicle. Do not use
acid-based or alcohol-based wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong
detergents. Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of special
wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove grease and tar.
Maintenance and care
228

Accessory delay ..........................91
Air bag supplemental
restraint system .................132,133
and child safety seats ............134
description ..............................133
disposal ....................................137
driver air bag ..........................135
indicator light ......................8,136
operation .................................135
passenger air bag ...................135
Air cleaner filter .........200,201,233
Air conditioning ..........................22
automatic temperature
control system ..........................29
Air filter, cabin ..........................204
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................194
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................152,153
Anti-theft system ......................105
arming the system ..................105
disarming a
triggered system .....................107
disarming an untriggered
system .....................................107
Audio system (see Radio) .........40
Automatic transaxle .................155
driving with .............................156
fluid, adding ............................198
fluid, checking ........................198
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specification ..................235
Auxiliary power point .................81
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........234
Battery .......................................201
acid, treating emergencies .....201
charging system warning light ..8
jumping a disabled battery ....180
maintenance-free ....................201
replacement, specifications ...233
servicing ..................................201Brakes ........................................152
anti-lock ............................152,153
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........10,153
brake warning light ....................9
fluid, checking and adding ....192
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specifications ..........234,235
lubricant specifications ...234,235
parking ....................................153
shift interlock ..........................155
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....233
Cargo cover ...............................110
Cargo net ............................109,110
CD changer .................................77
Certification Label ....................237
Child safety restraints ..............137
child safety belts ....................137
Child safety seats ......................138
in front seat ............................140
in rear seat .......................140,142
tether anchorage hardware ...144
Cleaning your vehicle ...............227
built-in child seat ...................232
engine compartment ..............229
exterior .............................228,229
exterior lamps .........................229
instrument panel ....................231
instrument panel lens ............231
interior ..............................231,232
mirrors .....................................229
plastic parts ............................229
safety belts ..............................232
washing ....................................227
waxing .....................................228
wheels ......................................228
windows ..................................231
wiper blades ............................230
woodtone trim ........................231
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............22
Index
251

safety information relating
to automotive fuels ................212
Fuses ...................................168,169
Garage door opener ...............93,99
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............214
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................217
Gauges .........................................13
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................16
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....160
calculating ...............................161
definition .................................160
driving with a heavy load ......160
location ....................................160
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............160
calculating ........................160,161
definition .................................160
driving with a heavy load ......160
location ....................................160
Hazard flashers .........................167
Head restraints .........................112
Headlamps ...................................21
aiming ......................................227
autolamp system .......................22
bulb specifications ..................226
flash to pass ..............................22
high beam ..............................9,21
replacing bulbs .......................223
turning on and off ....................21
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................22
heating and air
conditioning system .................22HomeLink universal
transceiver (see Garage
door opener) ...........93,94,95,96,97
Hood ..........................................187
Ignition ..................................82,235
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................138
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................221
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................231
cluster ...................................8,231
lighting up
panel and interior .....................21
location of components ..............8
Jump-starting your vehicle ......180
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............12
positions of the ignition ...........82
Lamps
autolamp system .......................22
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................226
cargo lamps ...............................21
headlamps .................................21
headlamps, flash to pass ..........22
instrument panel, dimming .....21
interior lamps .........................100
replacing
bulbs ............222,223,224,225,226
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................87
Liftgate ......................................108
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....10,153
brake ............................................9
charging system ..........................8
cruise indicator .........................10
door ajar ......................................9
high beam ...................................9
low fuel ......................................10
Index
253