2000 Mercury Villager tow bar

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
LUGGAGE RACK
The front and rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item being carried.
Do not load more than 44 kg (100 lbs.) on the luggage rack.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
2. Slide the cross-bar to the desired
location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
165

Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
²Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12±16 km (8±10 miles) of driving.
²Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
²Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
²Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
²Use only the specified fuel listed.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
Maintenance and care
220

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