air conditioning Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

There are several air outlets on the instrument panel. There are
side outlets near the driver's window and passenger's window, two
center outlets, floor outlets, and windshield outlets. The
direction and amount of air flow from the center and side
instrument panel outlets can be adjusted for personal comfort.
NOTE: Selection of the recirculated air mode under cold and
humid conditions may result in window fogging due to
entrapped humidity within the vehicle. To counteract
this circumstance, switch to the Defrost mode and set fan
speed to 3 or 4. Adjust air temperature to a ªwarmº
instead of ªhotº setting and deactivate the air intake
selector.
Heating Only System (Without air conditioning)
You can heat and ventilate the inside of your vehicle, or defrost
the windshield with the function selector buttons, the fan speed
knob and the temperature control knob.
An additional push-on/push-off air intake selector button
provides for the selection of recirculated inside air (button lighted)
or outside air (button not lighted).
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mDo not place objects under the front seats unless your vehicle
is equipped with an underseat storage compartment.
Improperly stored objects will interfere with the flow of air to
the back seats.
mRemove any snow, ice, or leaves from the area below the
windshield on the outside of your vehicle. They could block the
air intake.
Heating and Air Conditioning System (If equipped)
Turning on the heat
You can heat the inside of your vehicle and defrost the
windshield using the function selector buttons located in the
control assembly in the instrument panel.
The six function selector buttons are: OFF, Mix (
), Defrost
(
), Panel (), Panel/Floor (), and Floor (). If your
vehicle is equipped with a rear seat climate control system, the
instrument panel will also include a rear seat climate control lever.
To turn on the rear passenger compartment control system,
select REAR, 1, 2, 3, or 4. With the lever set to REAR, rear seat
passengers will have control of rear fan speed on the rear seat
climate control panel. Positions 1, 2, 3, or 4 will control rear
fan speed from the front control panel. The temperature of the air
from the rear system is controlled by the rear passenger
compartment climate control system.
Controls and Features
61

The standard heating system and the heating portion of the heating
and air conditioning system are essentially identical. There is
one exception, however; the air conditioning compressor may
automatically engage when the Defrost position is selected to aid in
defogging and defrosting the inside glass. When Defrost is
selected, the A/C compressor will automatically operate when
the outside temperature is above approximately 40É F (4É C),
whether or not the A/C button is illuminated. Manual
selection and illumination of the A/C button in defrost mode
does not override the automatic compressor operation discussed
above. Refer to the heating system operating instructions
covered previously for a more detailed explanation of heating
system operation.
Heating and air conditioning climate control system panel
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Turning on the air conditioner
To cool your vehicle quickly in warm weather:
1. Press one of the function selector buttons (typically Panel, but
Panel/Floor, Floor or Mix can be selected).
2. Turn the temperature control knob to COOL.
3. Press the A/C button. The indicator light on the A/C button
will illuminate.
4. The air intake selector button may be in the outside air mode
or the recirculated air mode. The outside air mode is
recommended for best A/C performance when the vehicle
interior is very warm. As interior air comfort is reached, you
may decide to switch to the recirculated air mode.
5. Turn the fan speed knob to the position of your choice.
6. If your vehicle is equipped with the rear passenger compartment
air conditioning unit, it will be on when the front A/C is on
and the rear climate control lever is set to REAR, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Refer to the previous section for an explanation of the
heating system.
7. Adjust your instrument panel registers.
8. If the inside of your vehicle is very warm, you may want to
drive for a few minutes with the windows down and the air
conditioner on. This forces most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle and allows the air conditioner to cool down the
interior more quickly.
The air conditioner may be used to cool the outside air being
drawn into your vehicle, but using recirculated air is more
economical and cools your vehicle more quickly.
Controls and Features
63

NOTE: The A/C button independently toggles the A/C system's
compressor signal and indicator light ON and OFF in
the Panel, Panel/Floor, Floor, Defrost and Mix functions.
The A/C button will not operate or light when the
system is set in the OFF position. The A/C button will
operate in defrost but will not override previously
discussed automatic operation.
Cooling your vehicle with outside air
Cooling your vehicle with air conditioned outside air is quieter
but less economical than using recirculated air. It also has less
cooling capacity.
To cool your vehicle using outside air:
1. Turn the air intake selector button off (the outside air
position). The air conditioning unit directs outside air through
the instrument panel registers.
2. Press one of the function selector buttons.
3. Press the A/C button. The indicator light on the A/C button
will illuminate.
4. Turn the temperature control knob to COOL.
5. Turn the fan speed knob to the position of your choice.
6. Make sure the registers in the instrument panel are open.
During periods of high humidity, vapor may be emitted from the
air outlets when using the A/C with outside air. Correct this
by switching to recirculated air with the A/C button.
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Ventilating your vehicle with outside air
In mild weather, you can ventilate your vehicle with outside air.
If the outside temperature is less than 70É F (21É C), you can
add cool air to your vehicle without using air conditioning. You
will get better fuel economy this way.
The procedure for ventilating your vehicle with the standard
heating system or with the air conditioning system is the same.
Refer to the previous section for instructions on how to ventilate
with outside air.
Improving fuel economy
Whenever you turn on the air conditioning, your vehicle uses
more fuel because the air conditioning compressor is running. To
get better fuel economy while cooling your vehicle, do not use
the air conditioner on mild days. Instead, set the air intake selector
button in the outside air position and turn the temperature
control knob to the COOL position.
Operating tips
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the automatic transaxle gearshift selector lever in P
(Park) or in N (Neutral) to increase the engine idle speed. This
aids in engine cooling and air conditioner efficiency. If the engine
overheats, choose the outside air position and turn off the A/C
to stop the compressor for a short time.
When your vehicle's engine is operated at full throttle, the air
conditioner compressor will automatically be turned off to allow
maximum engine power. This may occur during passing or
when climbing steep grades. The compressor will return to normal
operation within a few seconds after full throttle is no longer
needed.
Controls and Features
65

if you choose to manually override the airflow location by
selecting one of the function selector buttons, you will also need
to select the A/C button if you desire cool air-conditioned air.
(Your ATC automatically operates the air conditioning [if required]
when you are in the AUTOMATIC mode without illuminating
the A/C button, but the system requires you to manually select the
A/C button if you desire A/C operation when you manually
override airflow location.)
If you want continuous maximum cooling, push the
side of
the TEMP button until 60É F (16É C) shows in the display window.
The ATC will cool at its maximum level and disregard the
60É F (16É C) setting until a warmer temperature is selected. If
you want continuous maximum heating, push the
side of the
TEMP button until 90É F (32É C) shows in the display window.
The ATC will provide maximum heat regardless of the 90É F (32É C)
setting until a cooler temperature is selected.
The display window and the function selector buttons indicate
how the system is operating. The display window shows the
selected temperature and displays AUTO if you are operating
in the AUTOMATIC mode. If you override the automatic mode by
selecting any of the function selector buttons, AUTO no longer
appears in the display window and the appropriate function
selector button(s) illuminate. The display window also
indicates manual (thumbwheel) control of the fan speed when a
is shown.
Automatic Operation
Push the AUTOMATIC button and select the desired
temperature. The selected temperature and AUTO appear in the
display window. The ATC heats or cools to achieve the set
temperature. It is important to note that if the ATC engages your
vehicle's air-conditioning, it will do so automatically without
illuminating the A/C button.
Controls and Features
69

Press this button to obtain maximum airflow to the windshield.
Adjust the temperature setting as required for defrosting. The
indicator light illuminates and the display window shows
the set temperature. When the outside temperature is about 50É F
(10É C) the air conditioning functions in order to dehumidify
the air to prevent window fogging.
Push this button to select airflow through the instrument panel
registers. The
indicator light illuminates and the display
window shows the set temperature. The ATC heats the air if the
selected temperature is warmer than the outside air coming
into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled below the
temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the temperature
setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
Push this button for air from the floor and instrument panel
registers at the same time. The
indicator light illuminates and
the display window shows the set temperature. The ATC heats
the air if the selected temperature is warmer than the outside air
coming into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled below
the temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the temperature
setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
Push this button to direct airflow to the floor. Theindicator light
illuminates and the display window shows the set temperature.
The ATC heats the air if the selected temperature is warmer than the
outside air coming into the vehicle. However, the air is not cooled
below the temperature outside of the vehicle regardless of the
temperature setting unless the A/C button is pushed.
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Air Conditioning and Air Recirculation
Activate the air conditioning in any of the function selector
override modes by pressing the A/C button. The A/C indicator
light on the button illuminates to verify activation, and
cooled air flows from the vents. Fan speed continues to be
controlled by the ATC unless the fan speed dial is used to override
the ATC.
Press the
button to choose air recirculation. In this mode the
ATC system recirculates the air inside the vehicle rather than
drawing air from outside. Use this mode together with the air
conditioning to rapidly cool the inside of the vehicle or to
dehumidify the air inside the vehicle.
Rear Passenger Compartment Climate Control System
with Front Passenger ATC
If your vehicle is equipped with ATC, the rear passenger
compartment will also have climate controls so that rear seat
occupants can select their own personal climate comfort level.
The rear seat climate control system is controlled from the main
ATC system on the instrument panel. If the front ATC system
is off, the rear system will also be off. Also, if the rear seat climate
control lever is set in OFF, the rear climate controls are turned
off.
Controls and Features
73

5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel. If you see or
smell fuel, do not start your vehicle again. If there is no
fuel, you can try to start your vehicle again.
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before driving your vehicle.
Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes
Carbon monoxide, although colorless and odorless, is present in
exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous
effects.
WARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other
enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
WARNING
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle
immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes.
These fumes are harmful and could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked by a
qualified technician whenever:
myour vehicle is raised for service
mthe sound of the exhaust system changes
myour vehicle has been damaged in an accident
Improve your ventilation by keeping all air intake vents clear of
snow, leaves, and other objects.
If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an open area for
long periods of time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5
cm). Also, adjust the heating or air conditioning system to bring
in outside air.
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