2000 Mercury Villager check engine

²refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
1. 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).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the
reservoir. It should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do not add
fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in
small amounts, continuously
checking the level until it reaches
the range between the MIN and
MAX lines. Be sure to put the cap
back on the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide for scheduled intervals for
fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked if the transaxle is not working
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and care
198

properly, i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you notice some
sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
operating temperature can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
HOT
Maintenance and care
199

Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you may be able to change
a number of variables and improve your fuel economy.
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.
Maintenance and care
219

²Have the items listed in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the Scheduled Maintenance
Guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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.
Illumination of the ªService Engine Soonº light, charging system warning
light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke
or loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system
is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle's emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete emission warranty
information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine
Soonº light is on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights and
Chimessection of theInstrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
221

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº
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.
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
Maintenance and care
222

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

Clock ..................................48,60,71
Console ......................................101
overhead ....................................98
Controls
power seat ...............................113
steering column ........................86
Coolant
checking and adding ..............194
refill capacities .................197,233
specifications ...................234,235
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................82
Customer Assistance ................166
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................245
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................238
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............244
Getting roadside assistance ...166
Getting the
service you need ....................238
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................249
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................241
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............244
Defrost
rear window ..............................40
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................198
engine oil .................................189
Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
lubricant specifications ..........234
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................159
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................180Emission control system ..........220
Engine ........................................235
check engine/service engine
soon light ..................................11
cleaning ...................................229
coolant .....................................194
idle speed control ...................201
lubrication
specifications ...................234,235
refill capacities ........................233
service points ..........................188
starting after a collision .........167
Engine block heater .................150
Engine oil ..................................189
checking and adding ..............189
dipstick ....................................189
filter, specifications .........191,233
recommendations ...................191
refill capacities ........................233
specifications ...................234,235
Exhaust fumes ..........................150
Floor mats .................................102
Fluid capacities .........................233
Fuel ............................................212
calculating fuel economy .......217
cap ...........................................214
capacity ...................................233
choosing the right fuel ...........215
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................220
detergent in fuel .....................216
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................212,214,217
filter, specifications .........217,233
fuel pump shut-off switch .....167
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........217
low fuel warning light ..............10
octane rating ....................216,235
quality ......................................216
running out of fuel .................217
Index
252

low washer fluid .......................12
oil pressure .................................9
overdrive off ..............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ..................11
speed control ............................86
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................160
GAWR ......................................160
GVWR ......................................160
trailer towing ..........................160
Locks
childproof ..................................92
doors ..........................................91
Lubricant specifications ....234,235
Lumbar support, seats .............115
Message center .................17,18,19
Mirrors .........................................98
cleaning ...................................229
heated ........................................93
side view mirrors (power) .......92
Moon roof ..................................101
Motorcraft parts .................217,233
Octane rating ............................216
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................189
Overdrive ..............................89,159
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ..............................103
Parking brake ............................153
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....233
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................172
Power door locks ........................91
Power steering ..........................154
fluid, checking and adding ....198
fluid, refill capacity ................233
fluid, specifications ..........234,235
Radio ............................................40
Relays .................................168,175
Remote entry system ........102,103
illuminated entry ....................103locking/unlocking doors ..102,103
panic alarm .............................103
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................105
replacing the batteries ...........104
Roof rack ...................................165
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ......126,127,128,129,130
Safety defects, reporting ..........250
Safety
restraints .......126,127,128,129,130
cleaning the
safety belts .......................132,232
extension assembly ................131
for adults ...................127,128,129
for children .............................137
lap belt ....................................130
warning light
and chime ........................9,12,131
Safety seats for children ..........138
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............126
Seats ..........................................112
child safety seats ....................138
cleaning ............................231,232
memory seat ...........................115
Servicing your vehicle ..............186
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................233,235
Specification chart,
lubricants ............................234,235
Speed control ..............................82
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ..147,148,149
jump starting ..........................180
Steering wheel
controls ......................................86
tilting .........................................89
Tachometer .................................13
Tires ......................175,208,209,210
changing ....................175,176,178
checking the pressure ............210
Index
254