towing Mercury Villager 1998 s User Guide

Stowing the spare tire
1. To raise the tire to the stowed position, lay the tire on the
ground with the inboard side facing up. Install the retainer
through the wheel center and slide the tire under the
vehicle. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex
nut in the floor of the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench
clockwise until the tire is raised to its original position
underneath the vehicle.
NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the
stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten.
2. Check for proper seating against the underbody supports and
retighten if necessary.
WARNING
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are
stowed and secured in the proper storage location.
Preparing to Change the Tire
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed at
the front or rear jacking points.
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that the
tires and jack are on a level, solid surface. Put the gearshift
lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block the wheel Ð
in both directions Ð that is diagonally opposite the tire that
you are changing.
WARNING
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P
(Park).
258

WARNING
Never use wheels or lug nuts different than the original
equipment as this could damage the wheel or mounting
system. This damage could allow the wheels to come
off while the vehicle is being driven.
13. Replace the wheel cover by pressing it into place. If you have
the standard wheel covers, you must align the notch in the
wheel cover with the tire's valve stem and align the recess in the
back of the wheel cover with one of the lug nuts. If you
have the optional aluminum wheel, press the center wheel
cap into place after matching up the design of the wheel cap
to the wheel.
14. Make sure the jack is securely fastened. When you replace
the jack in the jack storage compartment, place the base
against the square-shaped fastening bracket and open the jack
slightly so that the jack is snug against the fastening
brackets.
15. Store the flat tire under the vehicle just as you would store
the spare tire. Refer to the section onStowing the Spare Tire
in this chapter.
266

Jump-Starting
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in the way of
moving engine parts, then start the booster vehicle. Run the
engine at a moderate speed.
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few minutes and then
start the disabled vehicle. It may take a couple of tries before
the vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start after several
attempts, there may be a different problem.
3. When both vehicles are running, let them idle for a few
minutes to charge the discharged battery.
Removing jumper cables
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the reverse order.
Remove the negative (±) end of the jumper cable from the
metallic surface on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
2. Remove the negative (±) cable from the booster battery.
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster battery.
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable from the
discharged battery.
If you need to replace your battery, seeBatteryin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
Towing Your Vehicle
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional
towing service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance
center.
DO NOT TOW YOUR VILLAGER WITH SLINGBELT
EQUIPMENT. Ford Motor Company has not developed or
approved a T-hook sling-type procedure. Use wheel lift or flatbed
equipment.
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When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle
you have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor
Company for all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck driver refer to this manual for the proper hook-up and
towing procedures for your vehicle.
Towing the vehicle
Roadside Emergencies
273

Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which enables
your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
WARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel system, the interior
floor covering, or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Malfunctions in the engine or exhaust system can result in
excessive exhaust system temperatures. Under extreme conditions
(for example, towing a trailer up a steep hill on a very hot day
with a malfunctioning engine or exhaust system), high exhaust
system temperatures could be damaging.
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
mUse only unleaded fuel.
mAvoid running out of fuel.
mNever turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
mHave the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule.
Maintenance and Care
313

Roadside Assistance
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
hotline with trained operators who put you in touch with the help
you need if you experience a problem with your vehicle. This
complimentary service is provided to you throughout your
warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000 km),
whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages
beyond this period (available through Ford Auto Club in the
United States or Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in Canada),
contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Additional Roadside
Assistance coverage is unavailable in Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands.
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
mMount your spare if you have a flat tire.
mJump-start your battery if it is dead.
mUnlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
mBring you fuel if you run out.
mTow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even non-warranty
related tows, like accidents or getting stuck in mud or snow, are
covered (some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
and repossession).
How to use Roadside Assistance
Your Roadside Assistance (Mercury Commitment) identification
card can be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place it in your
wallet for quick reference.
To receive roadside assistance in the United States call
1-800-241-FORD (in Canada call 1-800-665-2006).
Customer Assistance
345

Controls
mirrors..........................109
Convenience kit in cargo area................255
Coolant (see Engine coolant)................285
checking and adding...................285
drain and flush.....................289
preparing for storage...................335
specifications.......................339
temperature gauge...................18,23
warnings.........................285
Cooling fan.........................276
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada........352
D
Daytime running light system................78
Defrost
rear window.......................75
windshield........................56
Dipstick..........................281
automatic transaxle fluid.................291
engine oil........................281
power steering fluid.................289, 289
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)................272
Dispute Settlement Board..................348
Doors............................97
door ajar warning light..................15
lubricant specifications..................339
Driving under special conditions
heavy load........................226
towing a trailer.....................227
Index
377

E
Electrical system
circuit breakers......................252
fuses........................243, 244
relays..........................253
Electronic sound system
antenna..........................84
atenna..........................84
tuning the radio......................33
warranty and service information.............51
Emergencies, roadside
assistance........................345
battery acid spills..................268, 295
fuel...........................310
towing..........................272
Emergency brake (parking brake)..............218
Emission control system..................313
catalytic converter....................313
emissions warranty.................313, 314
Engine
check engine warning light................12
does not start....................209, 210
fuel injected engine, starting...............207
fuel pump shut-off switch................210
preparing to start..................207, 207
service points......................341
starting.........................207
starting after a collision.................242
storing your vehicle.................333, 334
Engine block heater.....................210
Engine coolant.......................285
checking and adding...................285
disposal.........................292
drain and flush.....................289
378

Lights, warning and indicator
airbag ..........................11
brake............................9
charging system......................14
check engine.......................12
door ajar.........................15
engine oil pressure....................14
hazard warning light.................77,241
high beam........................17
low fuel..........................17
lowoil ..........................14
low washer fluid.....................17
oil pressure........................14
safety belt.........................11
service engine soon....................12
turn signal indicator....................87
Load limits.........................226
GAWR ..........................226
GVWR..........................226
trailer towing......................233
Lubricant specifications...................339
Lug nuts..........................258
anti-theft.........................261
tightening sequence.................258, 265
Luggage rack........................239
M
Maintenance (see Servicing).................275
Maintenance (see servicing).................275
Map pockets........................126
Master cylinder, brakes...................282
Message center
low washer fluid.....................17
Methanol in fuel......................310
384

changing the tire..................254, 258
conventional spare..................254, 255
finding the spare.....................255
removing the spare tire..................255
storing the flat tire....................255
temporary spare.....................254
Spark plugs, specifications.................337
Specification chart, lubricants................339
Speed control
accelerating........................94
canceling a set speed...................95
resetting..........................95
resuming a set speed...................95
tap up/tap down.....................95
when towing a trailer..................236
Speedometer.........................19
Starting your vehicle
preparing to start your vehicle..............207
starting a cold engine..................208
starting after a collision.................242
Steering, power.......................220
Steering wheel
locking..........................86
tilting...........................91
Storage compartments...................126
cargonet .........................111
map pockets.......................126
Storing your vehicle....................333
Supplemental air bag readiness light.............11
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)............144
T
Tachometer.........................21
mechanical cluster.....................21
388