weight Mercury Villager 1998 s User Guide

Preparing to Tow
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all
towing equipment is properly installed on your vehicle. If you
are not certain that you are using the right equipment in the proper
manner, see your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer.
Hitches
For towing trailers up to 2,000 lb. (907 kg), use a good
weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes
the trailer tongue load through the underbody structure.
For towing trailers up to 3,500 lb. (1,587 kg), use a frame-mounted
weight distributing hitch for trailers over 2,000 lb. (907 kg).
Do not use single clamp bumper hitches or hitches that attach to
the axle.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure
all mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent
exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and trailer. Cross
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning
corners. Connect safety chains to the vehicle frame or hook
retainers.Never attach chains to the bumper.
234

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
237

Four Season Roof Rack (If equipped)
Always load your luggage as far back as it will safely go on the
four season roof rack. Do not load more than 100 lb. (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).
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.
WARNING
Be sure that items on the roof rack are securely fastened.
The four season roof rack
Driving
239

Tires
Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire
looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them.
Always follow these precautions:
mUse an accurate tire pressure gauge.
mStay within the recommended load limits. SeeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
mMake sure the weight of your load is evenly distributed.
mAdjust tire pressure to recommended specifications found on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
If you do not take these precautions, your tires may fail or go
flat.
WARNING
Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast for
road conditions, you could lose control of your vehicle.
Under some circumstances, driving at very high speeds for
extended periods of time may damage vehicle
components, creating a risk of component failure and a
potential loss of vehicle control. Any time you lose control
of your vehicle, it may result in injury.
At least once a month, check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires, including the spare. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
Check the tire pressure when tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least one hour or has been driven less than
3 miles (5 km). You can find the proper cold tire pressure on
the Tire Pressure Decal, located in the glove compartment.
Maintenance and Care
299

Safety Equipment
Vehicle Security Systems
Travel Equipment
Aero Hood Deflector
Bike Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
Four Season Base Roof Rack
Multi Sport Removable Rack
Multi Sport Bike Adaptor
Multi Sport Ski/Snowboard Adaptor
Multi Sport Water Sport Adaptor
Ski Rack Adaptor (Attaches to Base Roof Rack)
NOTE: When adding accessories, equipment, passengers, and
luggage to your vehicle, do not exceed the total weight
capacity of the vehicle or of the front or rear axle
(GVWR, GAWR as shown on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label). Consult your dealer for specific
weight information.
NOTE: Devices that emit radio frequency (RF) energy such as
AM/FM radios, mobile communication systems
(two-way radios, telephones) and radio controlled
security systems, are subject to the rules and regulations
of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 47
CFR Parts 2 and 15. Any such system installed in your
vehicle should comply with those rules and should
be installed only by a qualified technician. In addition,
to insure continued compliance with the FCC's
requirements, RF devices must not be modified or
changed in a manner not expressly approved by Ford
Motor Company.
Accessories
357

Fuses
charts..........................244
checking and replacing...............243, 244
circuit breakers......................252
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap)...................306
Gas mileage (see Fuel economy)............308, 311
Gasohol..........................310
Gasoline (see Fuel).....................306
Gauges, Electronic
engine coolant temperature gauge...........18,23
fuel gauge.......................18,24
odometer.........................20
speedometer.......................19
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant temperature gauge...........18,23
fuel gauge.......................18,24
odometer.........................20
speedometer.......................19
tachometer........................21
trip odometer.......................20
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating........................231
definition......................226, 230
driving with a heavy load................226
location.........................230
Gearshift
automatic operation...................221
column-mounted.....................221
locking the gearshift....................86
positions.........................221
shifting the gears.....................221
Gearshift:shifting the gears.................221
Index
381

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)............226
calculating........................231
definition......................226, 229
driving with a heavy load................226
location.........................230
H
Hazard flashers.....................77,241
Head restraints.......................121
Headlamps
aiming..........................316
bulb specification....................322
checking alignment...................316
cleaning.........................330
daytime running lights..................78
replacing bulbs......................316
warning chime......................18
Heating
manual heating and air conditioning system........56
High beams
indicator light.......................17
Hitch............................234
Hood............................277
latch location.......................277
lubrication specifications.................339
release lever.......................277
working under the hood.................276
I
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN)............352
Idle
relearning......................272, 276
speed..........................209
382

Transmission
automatic operation...................221
Transmission control switch.................223
Trip odometer........................20
Turn signal
indicator lights......................87
lever...........................87
U
Used engine oil, disposal..................292
V
Variable interval wipers...................89
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)............352
Vehicle loading
calculating the load...................231
understanding loading information............226
Vehicle storage.......................333
Ventilating your vehicle (see Climate control)........56
Viscosity (see Engine oil)..................279
Voltmeter (see Battery voltage gauge)............14
W
Warning chimes
headlamps on.......................18
safety belt.........................11
Warranties
radio...........................51
Warranty Information Booklet.................3
Washer fluid.........................89
warning light.......................17
Weight limits (GAWR, GVWR)...............226
Wheel and tire matching..................303
Wheel bearings lubricant specifications...........339
390