2002 Mercury Villager brakes

Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop
the vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by
moving your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake
pedal.
Driving through deep water where the transaxle is submerged
may allow water into the transaxle and cause internal damage.
Have the fluid checked and, if water is found, replace the fluid.
VEHICLE LOADING
Before loading a vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms:
•Base Curb Weight:Weight of the vehicle including any standard
equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc. It does not include occupants or
aftermarket equipment.
•Payload:Combined maximum allowable weight of cargo, occupants
and optional equipment. The payload equals the gross vehicle weight
rating minus base curb weight.
•GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight):Base curb weight plus payload
weight. The GVW is not a limit or a specification.
•GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating):Maximum permissible total
weight of the base vehicle, occupants, optional equipment and cargo.
The GVWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the Safety
Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating):Carrying capacity for each axle
system. The GAWR is specific to each vehicle and is listed on the
Safety Certification Label on the driver’s door pillar.
•GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating):Maximum permissible
combined weight of towing vehicle (including occupants and cargo)
and the loaded trailer.
•Maximum Trailer Weight Rating:Maximum weight of a trailer the
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight rating is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required option weight for trailer
towing and the weight of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
•Maximum Trailer Weight:maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle (including occupants and cargo) is permitted to tow. It is
determined by subtracting the weight of the loaded trailer towing
vehicle from the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
•Trailer Weight Range:Specified weight range that the trailer must
fall within that ranges from zero to the maximum trailer weight rating.
Driving
167

TRAILER TOWING
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable maximum GCWR
and trailer weight.
Maximum GCWR - kg (lbs.) Trailer weight range (0 -
maximum) - kg (lbs.)
3628 ( 8000) 0-1588 (0-3500)
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
certification label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
The optional Trailer Tow Prep Package is recommended for towing of
any trailer since it provides a heavy duty battery, conventional size spare
tire and wiring.
Trailer towing puts additional loads on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. For your safety and to
maximize vehicle performance, be sure to use the proper equipment
while towing.
Follow these guidelines to ensure safe towing procedure:
•Stay within your vehicle’s load limits. If exceeded, cargo should be
removed from the trailer and/or the vehicle until all weights are within
specified limits.
•Thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing. Refer toPreparing to
towin this chapter.
•Use extra caution when driving while trailer towing. Refer toDriving
while you towin this chapter.
•Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. Refer to the
severe duty schedule in the scheduled maintenance guide.
•Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least 800 km
(500 miles).
•Refer to the instructions included with towing accessories for the
proper installation and adjustment specifications.
Driving
169

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:
•Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
•Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for towing a trailer.
•To eliminate excessive shifting, use a lower gear. This will also assist
in transaxle cooling.
•Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
•Do not exceed the GCWR rating or transaxle damage may occur.
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.
Trailer towing tips
•Practice 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.
Driving
171

•Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
•If you are driving down a long or steep hill, shift to a lower gear. Do
not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become
less effective.
•The trailer tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
•After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
•To aid in engine/transmission cooling and A/C efficiency during hot
weather while stopped in traffic, place the gearshift lever in P (Park).
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer’s wheels.
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
All Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles
An example of recreational towing is towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. The following recreational towing guidelines are designed to
ensure that your transmission is not damaged. It is not recommended to
tow front wheel drive vehicles with the front drive wheels on the ground.
It is recommended to tow your vehicle with the drive wheels on a dolly
or two wheel car hauling trailer.
In case of a roadside emergency with a disabled vehicle (without access
to wheel dollies, car hauling trailer or flatbed transport vehicle) your
vehicle can be flat towed (all wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
•Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
•Maximum speed is 56 km/h (35 mph).
•Maximum distance is 80 km (50 miles).
Driving
172

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 specification
ESA-M6C25–A. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
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.
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
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.
MAX
MIN
Maintenance and Specifications
232

A
ABS (see Brakes) .....................159
Accessory delay ..........................88
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................136–137
and child safety seats ............138
description ..............................137
disposal ....................................140
driver air bag ..........................139
indicator light ...................12, 140
operation .................................139
passenger air bag ...................139
Air cleaner filter ...............234, 239
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system ..........................63
manual heating and air
conditioning system .................58
rear seat controls ...............61, 69
Air filter, cabin ............................73
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................217
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................159–160
Anti-theft system ......................112
arming the system ..................113
disarming a triggered
system .....................................114
disarming an untriggered
system .....................................114
Audio system (see Radio) .........20
Automatic transaxle
driving with .............................163
fluid, adding ............................232
fluid, checking ........................232
fluid, refill capacities ..............239
fluid, specification ..................241
Auxiliary power point .................86Axle
lubricant specifications ..........240
B
Battery .......................................215
acid, treating emergencies .....215
charging system warning
light ............................................13
jumping a disabled battery ....188
maintenance-free ....................215
replacement, specifications ...239
servicing ..................................215
Brakes ........................................158
anti-lock ...........................159–160
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light .........12, 160
brake warning light ..................11
fluid, checking and adding ....231
fluid, refill capacities ..............239
fluid, specifications .........240–241
lubricant specifications ..240–241
parking ....................................160
shift interlock ..........................162
Break-in period .............................6
Bulbs ............................................77
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....239
Cargo cover ...............................106
Cargo net ...........................105–106
CD changer .................................53
Certification Label ....................243
Changing a tire .........................182
Child safety restraints ..............141
child safety belts ....................141
Child safety seats ......................144
attaching with tether straps ..149
Index
248

I
Ignition .......................155, 241–242
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................144
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................230
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................206
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................75
J
Jack ............................................182
positioning ...............................182
storage .....................................182
Jump-starting your vehicle ......188
K
Keys
key in ignition chime ...............15
positions of the ignition .........155
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................74
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................77
cargo lamps ...............................75
fog lamps ...................................74
headlamps .................................74
headlamps, flash to pass ..........75
instrument panel, dimming .....75
interior lamps ...........................76
replacing bulbs .............77, 79–82
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................76Liftgate ......................................104
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
air bag ........................................12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....12, 160
brake ..........................................11
charging system ........................13
cruise indicator ...................13, 94
door ajar ....................................14
high beam .................................15
low fuel ......................................13
low washer fluid .......................13
oil pressure ...............................13
overdrive off ..............................14
safety belt .................................12
service engine soon ..................10
speed control ............................93
turn signal indicator .................14
Load limits .................................167
GAWR ......................................167
GVWR ......................................167
trailer towing ..........................167
Locks
childproof ................................108
doors ........................................108
Lubricant specifications ...240–241
Lumbar support, seats .............117
M
Message center ...................99–101
Mirrors .........................................86
heated ........................................89
side view mirrors (power) .......89
Moon roof ....................................94
Motorcraft parts ................225, 239
O
Octane rating ............................224
Odometer .....................................18
Index
251