2000 Mercury Villager hood open

The rear passenger compartment air conditioning system (if equipped)
should be set to OFF, if rear heating is desired.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This will reduce fogging
on your windshield. After a few minutes, select any desired position.
²To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle, do not drive with the
climate control system in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
²Do not put objects under the front seat that will interfere with the
airflow to the second row seat floor ducts.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
²When placing objects on top of your instrument panel, be careful to
not place them over the defroster outlets. These objects can block
airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield. Also,
avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel. These
objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow and
possibly damage your climate control system.
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C, but not in any other
mode when the A/C control is selected, this may indicate that the
odor and particulate air filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
To aide in side window defogging:
1. Select
(Panel and Floor)
OFF REAR A/C 1 2 3 4
A/C
Controls and features
26

Disarming the anti-theft system
Disarming an untriggered anti-theft system
You can disarm the system by any of the following actions:
²Unlock the doors by using your
remote entry transmitter.
²Unlock the doors with a key. Turn
the key full travel (toward the
rear of the vehicle) to make sure
the alarm disarms.
²Turn ignition to ACC or ON.
Triggering the anti-theft system
The armed system will be triggered if:
²Any door or liftgate is opened without using the door key or the
remote entry transmitter. (if the vehicle is armed while in side the
vehicle, inserting the key into the ignition will also trigger system.)
²The hood is forced opened.
Disarming a triggered anti-theft system
You can disarm the system by any of
the following actions:
²Press the unlock control using
your remote entry transmitter.
²Unlock the doors with a key.
Controls and features
107

Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do
not remove it while the engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom left corner of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of the hood.
3. Lift the hood and secure it with the prop rod.
Maintenance and care
187

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the L and H marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
LH
Maintenance and care
189

1. Remove both windshield wiper
arms.
²Lift the wiper arm away from the
windshield surface until the wiper
arm is perpendicular to the
windshield surface.
²Rotate the small retaining clip at
the base of the wiper arm
counterclockwise while holding
the wiper arm.
²Lift and remove the wiper arm
while holding the retaining clip
outward. Note the LH and RH
wiper arms.
2. Remove the six (6) screws (B) from the cowl grille (A) at the base of
the windshield.
3. Open the hood.
4. Remove the four (4) plastic screws (C) from the forward edge of the
cowl leaf screen under the hood.
²Remove the four (4) screw anchors by pushing upward on the screw
anchor.
A
B
C
Maintenance and care
205

²Brakelamps
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be replaced immediately. If a
bulb is removed for an extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Replacing headlamp bulbs
To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position, then open the hood.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector from the bulb by pulling
rearward.
3. Remove the bulb retaining ring by
rotating it counterclockwise (when
viewed from the rear) to free it
from the bulb socket, and slide the
ring off the plastic base. Keep the
ring to retain the new bulb.
4. Without turning, remove the old
bulb from its socket by gently
pulling it straight back out of the
lamp assembly.
To install the new bulb:
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Maintenance and care
223

Hood deflectors
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Rear air deflectors
Side window air deflectors
Touch-up paint
Universal floor mats
For maximum vehicle performance, keep the following information in
mind when adding accessories or equipment to your vehicle:
²When adding accessories, equipment, passengers and luggage to your
vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of
the front or rear axle (GVWR or GAWR as indicated on the Safety
compliance certification label). Consult your dealer for specific weight
information.
²The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Canadian Radio
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulate the use of mobile
communications systems - such as two-way radios, telephones and
theft alarms - that are equipped with radio transmitters. Any such
equipment installed in your vehicle should comply with FCC or CRTC
regulations and should be installed only by a qualified service
technician.
²Mobile communications systems may harm the operation of your
vehicle, particularly if they are not properly designed for automotive
use or are not properly installed. When operated, such systems may
cause the engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may be
damaged or their performance may be affected by operating your
vehicle. (Citizens band [CB] transceivers, garage door openers and
other transmitters with outputs of five watts or less will not ordinarily
affect your vehicle's operation.)
²Ford cannot assume responsibility for any adverse effects or damage
that may result from the use of such equipment.
Customer assistance
248

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