2001 Mercury Villager tow bar

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up 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
219

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