ESP Mercury Villager 1998 s User Guide

Accelerating With the Speed Control Operating
To pass another vehicle while the speed control is activated, press
the accelerator pedal. When you release the pedal, the vehicle
will return to the previously set speed.
Driving Uphill or on a Steep Grade
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed when going up or
down steep hills. If this happens, drive without the speed control.
When driving uphill, especially with a heavy load, you may
notice your speed decreasing, even if you have the speed control
set. If the speed drops more than 5 mph (8 km/h), it is
normal for the automatic speed control feature to be cancelled.
You may need to help your vehicle maintain the desired speed by
driving without the speed control when driving up steep
grades.
Cancelling the Speed Control
To cancel the preset speed, follow one of these three methods:
mPush the CANCEL button on the left side of the steering wheel;
the CRUISE light will go out.
mTap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light will go out.
mPress the main OFF switch to the left of the steering wheel.
Both the CRUISE CONT. ON switch indicator and the
CRUISE light in the instrument cluster will go out.
If you unintentionally press the brake pedal while pushing the
RES/ACCEL button to reset the cruising speed, press the OFF
switch once and then reactivate the system by pressing the
CRUISE CONT. ON switch.
The speed control will automatically be canceled if the vehicle
slows down approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) below the set speed.
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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.
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Driving Through Water
Do not drive quickly through standing water, especially if the
depth is unknown. Traction or brake capability may be limited and
if the ignition system gets wet, your engine may stall. Water
may also enter your engine's air intake and cause severe damage
to your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable,
proceed very slowly. Never drive through water that is higher
than the bottom of wheel rims.
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 With a Heavy Load
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.
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.
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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Trailer Tow Module (If equipped)
The trailer tow module on your vehicle (if equipped) allows
turn/stop lamp control on a trailer being towed by your vehicle.
The trailer tow package includes:
mtrailer tow module which is protected by the vehicle stop
lamp fuse
mone SAE J1239 specified connector
mone extension harness within the rear bumper
mheavy duty battery
mfull size spare
If you need further assistance in wiring a trailer to your vehicle,
contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Driving While You Tow
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer. Never
drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in hilly
country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can brake
gradually.
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off automatically.
This is caused by the decrease of vehicle speed 5 mph (8 km/h)
lower than set speed.
When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive
rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift into 2
(Second) or 1 (First) gear.
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need to
be serviced more frequently than usual. See theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet in the Owner's portfolio.
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NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
mYour vehicle is equipped with an automatic cooling fan. It
may come on at any time without warning. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative (-) terminal of the
battery before working near the fan.
mDo not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
mNever get under a vehicle while it is supported only by a jack.
If you must work under a vehicle, use safety stands.
mKeep all lit cigarettes and other smoking materials away from
the battery and all fuel-related parts.
If you plan to work under the hood while the engine is off:
WARNING
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the
gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle.
WARNING
Always remove the key from the ignition after you turn
off the engine.
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Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant Refill Capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the Index.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe Winter Climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than -34É F [-36É C]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure
the coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in which you
drive during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme climates.
Checking hoses
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration, leaks
and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine coolant.
Make whatever repairs or replacements are necessary using
Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
288

NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
NOTE: Always use Motorcraft MERCONtor equivalent
MERCONtautomatic transmission fluid when you
refill your automatic transmission fluid.
Battery
The Motorcraft maintenance-free battery normally does not
require additional water during its life of service. However, for
severe service usage or in high temperature climates, check your
battery electrolyte level, at least every 24 months or 24,000
miles (40,000 km). Keep the electrolyte in each cell up to the ``level''
indicator. Do not overfill the battery cells. For longer,
trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and dry.
Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly
fastened to the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals,
remove the cables from the terminal(s) and clean with a wire
brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of baking soda
Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
Maintenance and Care
293

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

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

Cleaning Your Vehicle
Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle
Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with a
mild detergent.
DO NOT:
mWash your vehicle with hot water
mWash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight
mWash your vehicle while the body is hot
Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint,
especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as necessary
to keep it clean.
Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical
industrial fallout.
Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in
paint materials or workmanship and therefore, is not covered by
warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement
in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford has
authorized their dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner,
the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout
within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase,
whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their
vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.
Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the
finish.
Maintenance and Care
329