weight Mercury Villager 1996 Owner's Manuals

Safety Restraints
27
[SR13330(ALL)07/95]
17-1/2 pica
art:0040312-A
The location of air bags and warning labels
*
[SR13340(ALL)07/95]
If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact
and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is
designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more
severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of similar size and weight)
head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses
the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal
collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the
air bag.
*
[SR13350(ALL)12/95]
When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate
rapidly, filling with non-toxic nitrogen gas in a fraction of a
second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by
releasing the nitrogen gas through vent holes. The whole
process takes place in a matter of seconds.
File:03vxsrn.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:21:10 1996

32
[SR14150(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Whenever possible, put children in one of the rear seats
in your vehicle. Accident statistics indicate that children
are safer when properly restrained in the rear seats than
in the front seats.
*
[SR14901(ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions
included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If
you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the
child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.
*
[SR14920(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that
has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a
small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you
place a child anywhere near them.
[SR14930(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets
unattended in your vehicle.
%*
[SR15100(ALL)01/95]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SR15200(ALL)05/95]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight
of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions when installing and using the safety seat.
*
[SR15300(ALL)08/95]
Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top
tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position
which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more
information on top tether straps seeAttaching Safety Seats With
Tether Strapsin this chapter.
File:03vxsrn.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:21:10 1996

46
[SR21030(ALL)06/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0040318-A[SR21050(ALL)06/95]
Children not meeting these requirements should be restrained in
an approved aftermarket child safety seat. Follow the specific
manufacturer's instructions for weight and height restrictions.
[SR21075(ALL)06/95]
Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle.
It is the law in every state and province. These child seats
conform to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.
[SR21090(ALL)06/95]
RWARNING
The second row seatback must be fully locked before
operating the child restraint system. Check the position
of the seatback release lever.
File:03vxsrn.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:21:10 1996

Features
173
*
[FV20800(ALL)09/93]
Four Season Roof Rack (If equipped)
[FV20900(ALL)06/94]
Always load your luggage as far back as it will safely go on the
four season roof rack. Do not load more than 100 pounds
(45 kg). Be careful that your vehicle does not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or its Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR front and rear). The GVWR and GAWR are located on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label (located on the
driver's door pillar).
[FV21000(ALL)09/93]
7-1/2 pica art:0040114-D
The four season roof rack
[FV21100(ALL)01/93]
The front and rear cross-bars can be adjusted forward and
backward. Place your luggage between the bars, adjust the bars,
and secure the luggage with rope to the bars. There are also
adjustable loops on the side bars for the rope attachment.
[FV21200(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Be sure that items on the roof rack are securely fastened.
File:08vxfvn.ex
Update:Mon Jun 3 14:49:33 1996

Driving Your Villager
241
*
[DR11100(ALL)01/93]
RWARNING
The Anti-Lock Brake System may not prevent brake
lock-up on extremely slippery surfaces.
%*
[DR11200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR11300(ALL)05/90]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you are sure that the
water is below the bottom of the wheel hubs.
*
[DR11400(ALL)01/93]
If you must drive through high water, drive slowly. You may
have limited traction or wet brakes so allow extra stopping
distance because your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR11500(ALL)01/93]
After you drive through the standing water, apply your brakes
gently several times as your vehicle moves slowly to help dry
the brakes.
*
[DR11600(ALL)01/93]
Rocking the Vehicle
*
[DR11700(ALL)01/93]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud or snow), you
may rock it out. Shift in a steady rhythm between forward and
reverse gears. At the same time, press lightly on the accelerator.
If you are still stuck after a few minutes of rocking, call for a
tow truck.
*
[DR11800(ALL)01/93]
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes. This may
overheat the engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the tires.
*
[DR11900(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR12000(ALL)01/93]
The Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the
driver's door pillar, provides important information regarding
the weight limits your vehicle can safely carry or tow. The total
weight of your vehicle, including the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight that your vehicle carries on
the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

242
*
[DR12100(ALL)01/93]
The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or
GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight
limit than the originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Using lower capacity replacement tires may lower GVWR and
GAWR limitations.
*
[DR12200(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label is exceeded, your vehicle
may be damaged or you may lose control and injure
someone.
*
[DR12300(ALL)01/93]
Vehicle/Trailer Loads
[DR12400(ALL)07/93]
Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
provided the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is less than the
GVWR shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
With the optional trailer tow package, your vehicle can tow a
trailer up to 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).
*
[DR12500(ALL)02/95]
Trailer Towing (may require trailer tow option package)
*
[DR12600(ALL)01/93]
Towing a trailer puts an additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your
safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right equipment
for the type of trailer you tow.
*
[DR12700(ALL)02/92]
n
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
*
[DR12800(ALL)01/93]
n
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use the right equipment and to attach it
properly. SeePreparing to Towin this section.
*
[DR12900(ALL)01/93]
n
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
*
[DR13000(ALL)01/93]
n
Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

Driving Your Villager
243
*
[DR13100(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
*
[DR13700(ALL)01/93]
Vehicle Loading Information
*
[DR13800(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not
volume, so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, rim sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
The certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's
door opening.
*
[DR13900(ALL)01/93]
Each additional item of equipment affects how much cargo a
vehicle can carry. If a vehicle is overloaded, performance will
suffer and service concerns may arise.
*
[DR14000(ALL)04/95]
The following is a typical example of a Safety Compliance
Certification Label and an explanation of how this information
should be used:
[DR14100(ALL)09/93]
13-1/2 pica
art:0040166-D
The Safety Compliance Certification Label
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

244
*
[DR14200(ALL)01/93]
NOTE: The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and
rear GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The
GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR
when added together.
[DR14300(ALL)04/95]
There are no numbers on the sample Safety Compliance
Certification Label shown. Refer to the actual numbers on your
vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[DR14500(ALL)01/93]
Understanding Loading Information
*
[DR14600(ALL)01/93]
There are five terms that are used to describe a vehicle's ability
to carry a load:
*
[DR14700(ALL)01/93]
n
Base Curb Weight
*
[DR14800(ALL)01/93]
n
Payload
*
[DR14900(ALL)01/93]
n
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
*
[DR15000(ALL)01/93]
n
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
*
[DR15100(ALL)01/93]
n
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
*
[DR15200(ALL)06/92]
n
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[DR15300(ALL)01/93]
Base Curb Weight
*
[DR15400(ALL)04/95]
The base curb weight is the weight of the vehicle including fuel,
coolants, lubricants, emergency tools and spare wheel and tire.
It also includes any equipment that is standard. It does not
include passengers, cargo or optional equipment installed by
factory, dealer, aftermarket supplier or customer.
*
[DR15500(ALL)01/93]
Payload
*
[DR15600(ALL)07/93]
Maximum payload is the combined, maximum allowable weight
of cargo, occupants and optional equipment that the vehicle is
designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the base curb weight.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

Driving Your Villager
245
*
[DR15700(ALL)01/93]
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
*
[DR15800(ALL)09/93]
The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the
passengers, cargo and all equipment.
*
[DR15900(ALL)12/93]
It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or a
specification, but actual weight. If an owner loads up the vehicle
and weighs it, that's the GVW at that moment. If the owner
adds on more of a load and weighs it again, that becomes the
GVW.
%*
[DR16000(ALL)03/91]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
[DR16100(ALL)09/93]
To avoid overloading your vehicle, never exceed the specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your Villager. The GVWR is
the maximumallowableweight of the vehicle when fully
loaded including passengers, cargo and all equipment.
%*
[DR16200(ALL)01/93]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
*
[DR16300(ALL)01/93]
We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded down in the
rear and riding high in the front. This is a dangerous condition
that usually means that the rear suspension components are
under severe strain and that vehicle handling is impaired. There
is more to carrying a load than just payload or GVWR.
[DR16400(ALL)09/93]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
which is the maximum weight allowed on each axle system.
*
[DR16500(ALL)01/93]
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is why
it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and can lead to
shortened service life or outright failure.
*
[DR16600(ALL)01/93]
The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific tire pressure.
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996

246
*
[DR16700(ALL)01/93]
When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
*
[DR16800(ALL)01/93]
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight
of your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This
includes full fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as
well as the cargo load.
*
[DR16900(ALL)05/93]
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
*
[DR17000(ALL)01/93]
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and
passengers).
File:11vxdrn.ex
Update:Tue Jun 4 11:42:50 1996