2001 Mercury Villager brakes

If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
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

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.
Underbody
Flush the complete underside of vehicle frequently. Keep body drain
holes unplugged. Inspect for road damage.
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
227

A
Accessory delay ..........................91
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ................131±132
and child safety seats ............133
description ..............................132
disposal ....................................136
driver air bag ..........................134
indicator light .....................8, 135
operation .................................134
passenger air bag ...................134
Air cleaner filter ...............200, 232
Air conditioning ..........................24
automatic temperature
control system ..........................31
Air filter, cabin ..........................203
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................193
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................152±153
Anti-theft system ......................104
arming the system ..................104
disarming a
triggered system .....................105
disarming an untriggered
system .....................................105
Audio system (see Radio) .........42
Automatic transaxle .................155
driving with .............................156
fluid, adding ............................198
fluid, checking ........................198
fluid, refill capacities ..............232
fluid, specification ..................234
Auxiliary power point .................81
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........233B
Battery .......................................201
acid, treating emergencies .....201
charging system warning light ..8
jumping a disabled battery ....179
maintenance-free ....................201
replacement, specifications ...232
servicing ..................................201
Brakes ........................................152
anti-lock ...........................152±153
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........11, 153
brake warning light ....................9
fluid, checking and adding ....192
fluid, refill capacities ..............232
fluid, specifications .........233±234
lubricant specifications ..233±234
parking ....................................153
shift interlock ..........................155
Break-in period .............................3
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....232
Cargo cover ...............................108
Cargo net ...................................107
CD changer .................................76
Certification Label ....................236
Child safety restraints ..............136
child safety belts ....................136
Child safety seats ......................137
attaching with tether straps ..142
in front seat ............................139
in rear seat ......................139, 141
LATCH .....................................146
tether anchorage hardware ...143
Cleaning your vehicle ...............226
Index
250

Heating ........................................24
heating and air
conditioning system .................24
HomeLink universal
transceiver (see
Garage door opener) ............94±97
Hood ..........................................187
I
Ignition .................................82, 234
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................137
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................220
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................230
cluster ..................................8, 230
lighting up panel
and interior ...............................22
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................175
positioning ...............................175
storage .....................................175
Jump-starting your vehicle ......179
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............13
positions of the ignition ...........82
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................23bulb replacement
specifications chart ................225
cargo lamps ...............................22
fog lamps ...................................23
headlamps .................................22
headlamps, flash to pass ..........22
instrument panel, dimming .....22
interior lamps ...........................98
replacing bulbs ...............221±225
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................87
Liftgate ......................................106
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ..........................................8
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 153
brake ............................................9
charging system ..........................8
cruise indicator ...................10, 86
door ajar ....................................10
high beam .................................10
low fuel ......................................11
low washer fluid .......................13
oil pressure .................................9
overdrive off ..............................13
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ..................11
turn signal indicator .................10
Load limits .................................160
GAWR ......................................160
GVWR ......................................160
trailer towing ..........................160
Locks
childproof ..................................92
doors ..........................................92
Lubricant specifications ...233±234
Lumbar support, seats .............113
Index
253