check engine Mercury Villager 1998 s User Guide

The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving vehicle, but
you can use the parking brake to stop your vehicle in an
emergency if the service brakes fail. However, since the parking
brake does not stop your vehicle as quickly as the normal
brakes, the stopping distance will increase greatly.
Steering Your Vehicle
Your vehicle has power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer your vehicle.
If the amount of effort needed to steer your vehicle changes at a
constant vehicle speed, have the power steering system
checked. If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but it takes
more effort.
Never hold the steering wheel in the extreme right or left
position for more than five seconds if the engine is running. This
can damage the power steering pump.
NOTE: After any severe impact such as striking large potholes,
sliding into curbs on icy roads, or a collision involving
the front end, have the front suspension and
steering checked for possible damage.
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Shift-lock Safety Feature
Your vehicle has a special shift-lock safety feature which prevents
you from shifting out of P (Park) without the brake pedal
depressed. To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park) position, the
ignition must be in the ON position and your foot must be
pressing on the brake pedal.
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the P (Park) position with
the brake pedal depressed:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the ignition key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it to the first position (OFF).
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift lever to N
(Neutral) and start the engine.
If you need to shift out of P (Park) by using the alternate
procedure described above, it is possible that a fuse has blown
and that your brakelamps may also not be functional. Please refer
to the chapter titledRoadside Emergenciesin this Owner Guide
for instructions on checking and replacing fuses.
WARNING
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL YOU VERIFY
THAT THE BRAKELAMPS ARE WORKING.
Backing Up
Before shifting into or out of R (Reverse), you should always
come to a complete stop.
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Trailer Towing Tips
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at
the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point so
the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or automatically
controlled, when approaching a stop.
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out on
the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km), stop
in a protected area and double-check your hitch and electrical
connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness.
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air intake selector
button to select the fresh air position to stop the air conditioner
compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short time.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. However,
if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the
trailer's wheels as follows:
Driving
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To use the hazard flasher:
1. Push the HAZARD switch; you will see the turn signal arrows
flash.
2. To stop the hazard flashers, push the HAZARD switch again.
Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you have had a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered.
The shut-off switch is a device that stops the fuel pump when
your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
For information on how to check and reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch, seeWhat to do if engine does not startin the Index.
Hazard flasher switch location
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To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery, and to avoid
injury to yourself, follow these directions for preparing your vehicle
to jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in the order
they are given. If in doubt, call for road service.
Preparing Your Vehicle
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so you need to use
a 12-volt jumper system. You will damage your starting
motor, ignition system, and other electrical parts if you connect
them to a 24-volt power supply (either two 12-volt batteries
in series or a 24-volt generator set).
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle. You
could damage the vehicle's electrical system.
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of the disabled
vehicle.Make sure the vehicles do not touch each other.Set the
parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine
cooling fan and other moving parts.
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive
corrosion before you attach the jumper cables.
5. Turn on the heater blower in both vehicles. Turn off all other
switches and lights in both vehicles to prevent possible
damage to either vehicle's electrical systems.
Roadside Emergencies
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Service Made Easy
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
mWe highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
mWhen possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
mWe give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. TheMaintenance
Schedulebooklet is part of your owners portfolio.
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty Guide
to find out which parts and services are covered. Also see the
Customer Assistancechapter of this Owner's Manual.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service parts
that meet Ford Motor Company specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in
your vehicle.
Maintenance and Care
275

Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil each time you fuel your vehicle.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain
into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely
latched in Park,9P9.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the engine oil level indicator (dip
stick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then
remove it again.
mIf the oil level isbetween the L and H marks,the oil level is
acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL
mIf the level is below the L mark, add enough oil to raise the
level within the L-H range
WARNING
Oil level above the H mark may cause engine damage.
Some oil must be removed from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
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7. Refill the engine with a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Start the engine and check for leaks. Follow
directions inChecking and adding engine oilto be sure the
engine is filled to the proper level.
WARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
Brake Fluid
Your vehicle is equipped with a brake fluid level indicator in the
master cylinder which lights the BRAKE warning light on the
instrument panel when the brake fluid level is low.
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should not use up
brake fluid rapidly. However, expect the level of the brake fluid
to slowly fall as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake pads wear.
Check the brake fluid at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic brake fluid reservoir on the
master cylinder. The fluid level should be at or near the MAX
mark.
WARNING
Brake fluid is toxic.
If brake fluid contacts eyes, flush eyes with running water for 15
minutes. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken
internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention
immediately.
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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