engine coolant Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

``Headlamps On'' Alert Chime
This chime will sound if you open the door while the headlamps
or parking lamps are on.
Gauges
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly
while the vehicle is in motion. This is the result of fuel movement
within the tank. An accurate reading may be obtained when
the vehicle is on smooth, level ground.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge is accompanied by a thermometer symbol. It indicates
the temperature of the engine coolant when the ignition is in
the ON position.
As the engine warms up, the pointer will move to the NORMAL
band. When you are driving in heavy traffic or experiencing
stop-and-go conditions in hot weather, the pointer may move to
the very top of the normal band.
Fuel gauge
18

Under any circumstances, if the pointer moves past the upper
limit of the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and engine
damage may occur.
If your engine overheats:
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.
2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
3. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE COOLANT SYSTEM
FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.
4. Check the coolant level following the instructions on checking
and adding coolant to your engine, seeEngine coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others
could be injured.
5. Refer toAdding Engine Coolantin theMaintenance and Care
chapter. Add as much coolant as your engine needs. If the engine
continues to overheat, have the cooling system serviced.
Speedometer
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per hour
your vehicle is moving.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Instrumentation
19

The electronic cluster has all of the same warning lights as the
mechanical cluster, however, some of the gauges will be electronic
instead of analog. In addition, the electronic cluster has a fuel
computer which displays fuel economy, distance to empty and
outside air temperature.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows you the temperature of the engine coolant and
is identified by a thermometer symbol. The letter H means
that the coolant is hot, C means that it is cold, and NORMAL
means that the coolant is within the normal operating range.
The indicator bar on the graph will move into the normal operating
range as the engine warms up. When you are in heavy traffic
or stop-and-go driving in hot weather, the gauge may read at the
very top of the NORMAL range. This is acceptable.
However, if the indicator bar on the graph moves into the H
(hot) position, the engine is overheating and may be damaged. If
this happens, you should stop your vehicle as soon as safely
possible. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant level
to be sure that it is at the proper level. If your vehicle needs
more coolant, seeEngine coolantin the Index and read the section
regardingadding coolant.
Instrumentation
23

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you
have in the fuel tank. The number of bars illuminated in the display
indicates how much fuel is left. An accurate reading may be
obtained when the vehicle is on smooth, level ground.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Fuel gauge
24

Turning on the heat
Heat will be available when the engine has been running for a
sufficient time as indicated by the engine coolant temperature
gauge.
To heat the inside of your vehicle:
1. Press the function selector button for Floor.
2. Turn the temperature control knob toward the WARM (red) area.
3. Turn the fan speed knob to the speed of your choice. When
your vehicle warms up, you may want to set the fan speed
knob to a lower speed, or adjust the temperature control knob
to a lower setting to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Heating only climate control system panel
Controls and Features
59

When in AUTOMATIC and weather conditions require heat, air
is sent to the floor. However, a feature is included in the ATC to
prevent blowing cold air to the floor if the engine coolant is
not warm enough to provide heating. Within three or four minutes
(once the engine coolant is warm enough), the fan speed
gradually increases and airflow changes to the floor.
If specific conditions exist (such as window fogging), the five
override buttons allow specific airflow selection. The dial allows
you to adjust the fan speed to suit your needs.
Temperature Selection
TheTEMPbutton on the left side of the control panel is
for temperature selection. The
side lowers the set temperature,
and the
side raises the set temperature. Press and hold
either side of the button to rapidly change the temperature setting
in one degree increments to either 65É F (18É C) or 85É F (29É C).
Then, the set temperature jumps 5É F and stops at either 60É F
(16É C), which is maximum cooling, or 90É F (32É C), which is
maximum heating.
70

WARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or
other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the
engine compartment and exhaust system, which can
start a fire.
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero temperatures, use
an engine block heater (if your vehicle has this option). If your
vehicle does not have this option, it is available thru your dealer.
Engine Block Heater (Canada only)
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a
region where temperatures reach ±10É F (±23É C) or below. An
engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost
system to respond more quickly.
WARNING
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater)
adapters.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before you
start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours
will not damage the engine, so you can leave it plugged in all night
to start your vehicle the following morning.
What To Do If The Engine Does Not Start
Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start even after
a small collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been
activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the fuel
pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial
jolt. Refer to theRoadside emergenciessection for more information.
210

Windshield Washer Fluid
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel, or when the warning light indicates low washer fluid.
The reservoir for washer fluid is located in the engine
compartment. This reservoir contains the fluid for both the
windshield and liftgate washers.
WARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or antifreeze could
make it difficult to see through the windshield.
Windshield washer fluid reservoir
284

Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid rather than
plain water, because specially formulated washer fluids contain
additives that dissolve road grime. For safety reasons,
washer fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such as
methanol should be used in freezing weather (temperatures below
32É F [0É C]). State or local regulations on Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol
antifreeze agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging the vehicle's paint finish, wiper
blades, and windshield washer system.
Engine Coolant
Checking the Engine Coolant
NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine from overheating
in the summer and from freezing in the winter. Check the level
of the engine coolant at least once a month, but preferably each time
you stop for fuel. Simply check the coolant reservoir, located in
the engine compartment. The coolant should stay between the MIN
and MAX marks. It will be closer to MAX when the engine is
warm and closer to MIN when the engine is cold. To locate the
coolant reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's engine
underEngine Compartmentin theCapacities and Specifications
chapter.
Maintenance and Care
285

Adding Engine Coolant
WARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container for the
windshield washer fluid.
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO
NOT ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water
only in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
Engine coolant recovery reservoir
286