ECU Mercury Villager 1998 s Owner's Guide

Automatic Transaxle Operation
Putting Your Vehicle in Gear
Your vehicle's gearshift lever is on the steering column. The
OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button is located at the end of the gearshift
lever. You can put the gearshift lever in any one of several
positions.
WARNING
Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift
lever from position to position. If you do not hold the
brake pedal down, your vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
Once you place the gearshift lever securely into position,
gradually release the brake pedal and use the accelerator as
necessary.
The steering column gearshift lever positions
Driving
221

N (Neutral)
In N (Neutral), the transaxle is not locked. Your vehicle will roll
freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake
or brakes are on.
Parking
Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park).
This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels from
turning. To securely latch the gearshift in the P (Park) position,
pull it toward you, push it completely counterclockwise against the
stop, and then push it toward the instrument panel.
The gearshift is securely latched in Park (P) if you cannot rotate
it in a clockwise direction without lifting it toward you.
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
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it is running.
Forced Downshifts
To gain extra acceleration in Drive (D) (when passing another
vehicle) push the accelerator to the floor. The transaxle will
automatically downshift to the appropriate gear - third,
second or first.
Driving
225

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

Stowing the spare tire
1. To raise the tire to the stowed position, lay the tire on the
ground with the inboard side facing up. Install the retainer
through the wheel center and slide the tire under the
vehicle. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex
nut in the floor of the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench
clockwise until the tire is raised to its original position
underneath the vehicle.
NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the
stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten.
2. Check for proper seating against the underbody supports and
retighten if necessary.
WARNING
Make sure the spare tire and jacking equipment are
stowed and secured in the proper storage location.
Preparing to Change the Tire
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed at
the front or rear jacking points.
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that the
tires and jack are on a level, solid surface. Put the gearshift
lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block the wheel Ð
in both directions Ð that is diagonally opposite the tire that
you are changing.
WARNING
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the
transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving
or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P
(Park).
258

WARNING
Never use wheels or lug nuts different than the original
equipment as this could damage the wheel or mounting
system. This damage could allow the wheels to come
off while the vehicle is being driven.
13. Replace the wheel cover by pressing it into place. If you have
the standard wheel covers, you must align the notch in the
wheel cover with the tire's valve stem and align the recess in the
back of the wheel cover with one of the lug nuts. If you
have the optional aluminum wheel, press the center wheel
cap into place after matching up the design of the wheel cap
to the wheel.
14. Make sure the jack is securely fastened. When you replace
the jack in the jack storage compartment, place the base
against the square-shaped fastening bracket and open the jack
slightly so that the jack is snug against the fastening
brackets.
15. Store the flat tire under the vehicle just as you would store
the spare tire. Refer to the section onStowing the Spare Tire
in this chapter.
266

16. Make sure the lug wrench is secured back into the tool kit and
store it next to the jack.
17. Unblock the wheels.
Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800
km) of operation, after any wheel change, or any time the lug nuts
are loosened.
Storing the jack
Roadside Emergencies
267

If you must work under the hood while the engine is running:
mSet the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift
is securely latched in P (Park). This will prevent your
vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
WARNING
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and
do not remove it while the engine is running.
mAvoid wearing loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught
in moving parts. Take appropriate precautions with long hair.
Opening the Hood
1. Pull the hood release handle, located below the fuse panel
door.
Hood release handle location
Maintenance and Care
277

To close the hood:
1. Remove the prop rod from the slotted hole in the hood. Place
the rod in its retaining clip and close the hood with enough
force to make it latch. Be sure to oil the hood latch every six
months to maintain smooth operation.
2. Try to lift the hood after closing it to be sure it is securely
latched.
Engine Oil Recommendations
Ford oil specification is WSS-M2C153-G.
Use SAE 5W-30 motor oil certified for gasoline engines by the
American Petroleum Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or
engine treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain
conditions, lead to engine damage which is not covered by
your warranty.
Maintenance and Care
279

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.
280

Automatic Transmission Fluid
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid
level of the transaxle since your vehicle does not use up
transmission fluid. However, if the transaxle is not working
properly (for example, slipping or shifting slowly), or you notice
some sign of fluid leakage, the fluid level should be checked.
It is best to check the transmission fluid level at normal operating
temperature, after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of driving.
However, if necessary, you can check the fluid level without having
to drive 20 miles (30 km) to obtain a normal operating
temperature if outside temperatures are above 50É F (10É C).
NOTE: If the vehicle has been operated for an extended period
at high speeds or in city traffic during hot weather, or
if it has been pulling a trailer, the engine should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow the fluid to
cool before checking.
Checking the Automatic Transmission Fluid
With the vehicle on a level surface, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges allowing
sufficient time for each position to engage. Securely latch the
gearshift lever in the P (Park) position, fully set the parking brake
and leave the engine running.
Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the
indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and
make sure it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read the
fluid level.
Maintenance and Care
291