coolant level Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

``Headlamps On'' Alert Chime
This chime will sound if you open the door while the headlamps
or parking lamps are on.
Gauges
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have
in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly
while the vehicle is in motion. This is the result of fuel movement
within the tank. An accurate reading may be obtained when
the vehicle is on smooth, level ground.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge is accompanied by a thermometer symbol. It indicates
the temperature of the engine coolant when the ignition is in
the ON position.
As the engine warms up, the pointer will move to the NORMAL
band. When you are driving in heavy traffic or experiencing
stop-and-go conditions in hot weather, the pointer may move to
the very top of the normal band.
Fuel gauge
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Under any circumstances, if the pointer moves past the upper
limit of the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and engine
damage may occur.
If your engine overheats:
1. Pull off the road as soon as it is 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. Let the engine cool.DO NOT REMOVE COOLANT SYSTEM
FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.
4. Check the coolant level following the instructions on checking
and adding coolant to your engine, seeEngine coolantin the
Index. If you do not follow these instructions, you or others
could be injured.
5. Refer toAdding Engine Coolantin theMaintenance and Care
chapter. Add as much coolant as your engine needs. If the engine
continues to overheat, have the cooling system serviced.
Speedometer
The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per hour
your vehicle is moving.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Instrumentation
19

The electronic cluster has all of the same warning lights as the
mechanical cluster, however, some of the gauges will be electronic
instead of analog. In addition, the electronic cluster has a fuel
computer which displays fuel economy, distance to empty and
outside air temperature.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows you the temperature of the engine coolant and
is identified by a thermometer symbol. The letter H means
that the coolant is hot, C means that it is cold, and NORMAL
means that the coolant is within the normal operating range.
The indicator bar on the graph will move into the normal operating
range as the engine warms up. When you are in heavy traffic
or stop-and-go driving in hot weather, the gauge may read at the
very top of the NORMAL range. This is acceptable.
However, if the indicator bar on the graph moves into the H
(hot) position, the engine is overheating and may be damaged. If
this happens, you should stop your vehicle as soon as safely
possible. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant level
to be sure that it is at the proper level. If your vehicle needs
more coolant, seeEngine coolantin the Index and read the section
regardingadding coolant.
Instrumentation
23

Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you
have in the fuel tank. The number of bars illuminated in the display
indicates how much fuel is left. An accurate reading may be
obtained when the vehicle is on smooth, level ground.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Fuel gauge
24

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

Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a
50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid level to the
fill line on the reservoir.
WARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine is
running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps
to avoid personal injury caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the
cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise to the first stop.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use
the cloth to press the cap down, turn it counterclockwise, and
remove it.
Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an equivalent premium engine coolant that
meets Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford Premium Engine
Coolant is an optimized formula that will protect all metals and
rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4 years or
50,000 miles (80,000 km).
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine cooling system.The use of an improper coolant
may void the warranty of your vehicle's engine cooling system.
Maintenance and Care
287

Recycled Engine Coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced by
Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant Refill Capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the Index.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
Severe Winter Climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than -34É F [-36É C]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure
the coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in which you
drive during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme climates.
Checking hoses
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration, leaks
and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine coolant.
Make whatever repairs or replacements are necessary using
Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
288

Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
To have your engine coolant drained, see your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer or refer to the procedure in the Service
Manual.
Power Steering Fluid
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least twice a year
(i.e., every Spring and Fall).
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
1. Start the engine and let it run until the power steering fluid
reaches normal operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when the engine coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is near the
center of the NORMAL operating temperature range.
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel back and forth
several times. Make sure that the cap assembly is installed at
this time.
3. Then turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the power steering fluid reservoir.
Maintenance and Care
289