warning Mercury Villager 1998 s Owners Manual

WARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect
the handling of the vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires
may affect the accuracy of your speedometer and odometer.
Wheel and Tire Matching
See an authorized tire dealer for proper servicing procedures.
Wheels and tires must be properly removed, matched and
remounted to maintain the best possible ride.
Information About Tire Quality Grades
New vehicles are fitted with tires that have their Tire Quality
Grade (described below) molded into the tire's sidewall. These Tire
Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United
States Department of Transportation has set.
Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on this
vehicle. They do not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal
rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (254-305 mm) or limited
production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
Part 575.104(c)(2).
U.S. Department of Transportation Ð Tire quality grades:The
U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the
following information about tire grades exactly as the
government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded
Maintenance and Care
303

150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C, and
they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
304

WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buidlup and
possible tire failure.
The information on braking performance and tire quality grading
found in the ªFord Motor Company Passenger Car Consumer
Informationº pamphlet (FPS 12024-92) also applies to the Villager.
This publication is available from your dealer.
Snow Tires and Cables
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads that provide
traction in rain or snow. However, during the winter months in
some climates, you may need to use snow tires and
occasionally cables for your tires.
WARNING
When using snow tires, make sure they are the same size
and grade as the tires you normally use on your
vehicle.
Do not use cables when using a temporary spare. For full size
tires, use cables on the tires only in an emergency or if the law
requires them where you drive. When you use the tire cables:
mMake sure the cables are the right size for your tires. Use only
SAE Class ªSº cables. Other types may damage your vehicle.
mPut cables on tightly with the ends held down securely. Follow
the cable manufacturer's instructions.
Maintenance and Care
305

mDrive slowly. If you can hear the cables rub or bang against
your vehicle, stop the vehicle and tighten the cables. If you
continue to hear the cables rub or bang against your vehicle,
remove the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
mAvoid fully loading your vehicle if possible.
mRemove tire cables at the first opportunity after using them on
snow and ice. Do not use the cables on dry roads.
Make sure your suspension insulators and bumpers are not
missing or worn to avoid damage to your vehicle.
Filling the Fuel Tank
Removing the tethered fuel filler cap
1. Open the fuel door on the driver's side of the vehicle.
2. Slowly unscrew the cap counterclockwise, using caution to
minimize the possibility of fuel spraying.
If the Service Engine Soon warning light comes on and stays
on when you start the engine, the fuel cap may not be properly
seated. Turn off the engine, remove the fuel cap and replace it, being
careful to align the cap properly.
The tethered fuel filler cap
306

If you lose the fuel filler cap, replace it with an authorized
Motorcraft or equivalent part.
WARNING
If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the
fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to
work improperly in a collision.
WARNING
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the cap.
NOTE: If you replace your fuel filler cap with an aftermarket
fuel filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for
any damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system.
A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal condition. It may be
caused by:
mtoo volatile a fuel for the weather conditions. Service stations
sometimes sell winter grade fuel in the summer.
mpulling a heavy load on hot days, or at high altitudes.
mextended periods of idling with the engine RPM increased
above the normal idle range.
mparking the vehicle in full sunlight for extended periods on
extremely hot days.
WARNING
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray
and fire.
Maintenance and Care
307

Gasolines for clean air
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air quality,
including reformulated gasolines that contain oxygenates such as
a maximum of 10%ethanol or 15%MTBE. There should be no
more than 5% methanol with cosolvents and additives to protect
the fuel system.
Safety Information Relating to Automotive Fuels
WARNING
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if
misused or mishandled.
mTurn vehicle off when refueling.
mDo not smoke when refueling. Fuels are extremely flammable.
mDo not siphon any fuel by mouth.
WARNING
Gasoline or gasoline blended with methanol can cause
blindness and possible death when swallowed. If any fuel
is swallowed, call a physician or poison control center
immediately.
mAvoid breathing vapors while refueling.
mIf fuel is splashed on the skin, wash with soap and water.
mIf fuel is splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if worn),
flush with water for 15 minutes, and seek medical attention.
Gasoline and gasoline blends may contain small amounts of
carcinogens, such as benzene. Long-term exposure to unleaded
gasoline vapors has caused cancer in laboratory animals.
If you are taking the medication ªAntabuseº or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism, vapor or skin contact
310

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

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.
WARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the
floor.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check engine
light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the temperature of the engine or exhaust
system.
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission
control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor
Company vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense
by any automotive repair establishment or individual using
automotive parts equivalent to those with which your vehicle or
engine was originally equipped.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the United States and
in Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
314

Do not drive your vehicle if it does not operate properly. See
your dealer if the engine runs on for more than five seconds after
you shut it off or if it misfires, surges, stalls, or backfires.
Information about your vehicle's emissions control system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information decal located on or
near the engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives
some tune-up specifications.
How to Prepare Your Vehicle for
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Testing
In some localities it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M
test of the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II) system. If your``Service
Engine Soon''light is on, reference the applicable light
description in the Warning Light and Gauges section of your
owners guide. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with the
``Service Engine Soon''light on.
If the vehicles powertrain system or battery has just been
serviced, the OBD-II system is reset to a ``not ready for I/M test''
condition. To ready the OBD-II system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary
as described below:
mFirst, at least ten minutes of driving on an expressway or
highway.
mNext, at least twenty minutes of driving in stop-and-go,
city-type driving with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least 8 hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle.
The engine must warm up to it's normal operating
temperature. Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and Care
315

WARNING
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out
of children's reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic
base and do not touch the glass. The oil from your hand
could cause the bulb to break the next time the headlamps
are operated.
Do not remove the burned out bulb unless you can immediately
replace it with a new one. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter the headlamp
and affect its performance.
Removing the headlamp bulb
1. Make sure that the engine is off and the headlamp switch on
the instrument panel is in the OFF position.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling the
connector away from the bulb assembly.
The headlamp bulb assembly
Maintenance and Care
317