check oil Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

WARNING
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the
fuel system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle
components, possibly causing a fire.
Charging System Light
This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and
that you need to have the electrical system checked.
This light illuminates every time you turn your ignition key to the
ON or START position. The light should go off when the
engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.
If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running,
have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light
The oil pressure light is represented by an oil can symbol. It
indicates the engine's oil pressure, not oil level. However, if your
engine's oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The oil
pressure light will flash if the oil pressure drops below the normal
operating level. When you turn the key to the ON position, the
light will illuminate.
Charging system light
14

The light should turn off after a few seconds. If the light stays on or
illuminates when the engine is running, your vehicle has lost oil
pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage.
If your vehicle loses engine oil pressure:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.
2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
3. Check the oil level following the instructions on checking and
adding engine oil in this owner guide. (SeeEngine oilin the
index.) Make sure your vehicle is on level ground.
4.
If the level is low, add as much oil as necessary before you drive
your vehicle again. Do not drive your vehicle if the oil pressure
light is on, even if the oil level is correct. For more information about
adding oil, seeEngine oil, checkingin the Index.
Door Ajar Warning Light
If the ignition switch is in the ON position and any door or the
liftgate is not completely closed, the light will illuminate.
Oil pressure light
Door ajar warning light
Instrumentation
15

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

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.
282

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.
WARNING
Do not remove the floor carpet in your vehicle. Emission
controls cause high exhaust temperatures under the
floor.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke and loss of oil
pressure. Also watch for the charge warning light, the check engine
light, or the temperature warning light. These sometimes
indicate that the emission system is not working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine.
Changes that cause more unburned fuel to reach the exhaust
system can increase the temperature of the engine or exhaust
system.
In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission
control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor
Company vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense
by any automotive repair establishment or individual using
automotive parts equivalent to those with which your vehicle or
engine was originally equipped.
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases
vehicles, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles is
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the United States and
in Canada, vehicle owners may be liable if their emission control
device is removed or is prevented from working.
314

Controls
mirrors..........................109
Convenience kit in cargo area................255
Coolant (see Engine coolant)................285
checking and adding...................285
drain and flush.....................289
preparing for storage...................335
specifications.......................339
temperature gauge...................18,23
warnings.........................285
Cooling fan.........................276
Customer Assistance Centre, Ford of Canada........352
D
Daytime running light system................78
Defrost
rear window.......................75
windshield........................56
Dipstick..........................281
automatic transaxle fluid.................291
engine oil........................281
power steering fluid.................289, 289
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)................272
Dispute Settlement Board..................348
Doors............................97
door ajar warning light..................15
lubricant specifications..................339
Driving under special conditions
heavy load........................226
towing a trailer.....................227
Index
377

preparing for storage...................335
proper solution......................292
recovery reservoir..................285, 341
specifications.......................339
temperature gauge...................18,23
Engine coolant temperature gauge............18,23
description......................18,23
mechanical......................18,23
Engine coolant temperature guage:electronic.......18,23
Engine fan.........................276
Engine knocking......................309
Engine oil.........................279
changing oil and oil filter................281
check oil warning light..................14
checking and adding...................281
dipstick.........................281
disposal.........................292
engine oil pressure warning light.............14
filter, specifications....................337
low oil warning light...................14
ªbreak-inº oils.......................5
specifications.......................279
synthetic oil.......................279
viscosity.........................279
Engine:idle speed control..................209
Exhaust fumes.......................212
F
Fan
engine fan, avoiding injury................276
Federal Communications Commission............51
Flashers, hazard.....................77,241
Flat tire...........................254
Ford Dispute Settlement Board...............348
Index
379

Lights, warning and indicator
airbag ..........................11
brake............................9
charging system......................14
check engine.......................12
door ajar.........................15
engine oil pressure....................14
hazard warning light.................77,241
high beam........................17
low fuel..........................17
lowoil ..........................14
low washer fluid.....................17
oil pressure........................14
safety belt.........................11
service engine soon....................12
turn signal indicator....................87
Load limits.........................226
GAWR ..........................226
GVWR..........................226
trailer towing......................233
Lubricant specifications...................339
Lug nuts..........................258
anti-theft.........................261
tightening sequence.................258, 265
Luggage rack........................239
M
Maintenance (see Servicing).................275
Maintenance (see servicing).................275
Map pockets........................126
Master cylinder, brakes...................282
Message center
low washer fluid.....................17
Methanol in fuel......................310
384