light Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

Using This Guide
To fully appreciate all of the features and options of your new
vehicle, we recommend that you thoroughly read through this
guide now and refer to it when you have specific needs or
questions. For your own safety and the safety of your passengers,
it is important that you completely understandallperformance
and care proceduresbeforeoperating this vehicle. For example,
without reading further, would you know:
mWhat to do if you get a flat tire? (Refer toFlat tirein the
Index)
mWhat it means if the O/D OFF light is illuminated on your
instrument panel? (Refer toOverdrivein the Index)
mHow to engage the childproof safety lock on the sliding door?
(Refer toChildproof locksin the Index)
mThat your automatic transaxle will not shift out of PARK (P)
until you apply the brake pedal? (Refer toGearshiftin the
Index)
Ford's Commitment to You
At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous
commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to
learning what you want, determination to develop the right
concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and
attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by
which others are judged.
Our Guiding Principles
mQuality comes first.For your satisfaction, the quality of our
products and services must be our number one priority.
mYou are the focus of everything we do.Our work must be
done with you in mind, providing better products and
services than our competition.
Introduction
1

If you lose yourWarranty Guide,you can get a new one free of
charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this Owner's
Guide.
Ford's Extended Service Plan (ESP)
More Protection for Your Vehicle
You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by
purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is
the only extended service program with the Ford name on it
and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company.
Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and administered
by Ford. It provides:
mprotection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper
Warranty expires;
and
mother benefits during the warranty period (such as:
reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance
and wear items).
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford
ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage
combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your own driving
needs, including reimbursement benefits for towing and
rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for details.)
When you purchase Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada, provided by
a network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor
Company dealers.
NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United States and
Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.
4

Warning Lights and Gauges
The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into
several different sections. The illustrations on the following
pages show the major parts of the instrument panel described in
this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles.
In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges are grouped
together on the instrument panel. We call this grouping a cluster.
Your vehicle may have a mechanical cluster or an electronic
cluster.
If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle has, check the
diagrams on the following pages.
The following warning lights and gauges are on the mechanical
cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to
possible problems with your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are
optional. The following section explains what each of these
indicators means.
Instrumentation
7

Indicator Lights and Chimes
Brake System Warning Light
The warning light for the brakes can show two things Ð that the
parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid
level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is
low, the brake system should be checked by your dealer or a
qualified service technician.
The BRAKE light normally illuminates when you turn the ignition
key to the ON position to verify that the indicator bulb is
working. If the light stays on or comes on when the engine is
running and after you have released the parking brake fully, have
the hydraulic brake system serviced.
WARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
Brake system and parking brake light
Instrumentation
9

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light (If Equipped)
To check the anti-lock brake warning light, turn the ignition key
to the ON position. The ABS warning light should glow
momentarily.
NOTE: If it does not glow at all or stays on for a long time,
have your vehicle's electrical system checked
immediately.
WARNING
If the anti-lock brake system warning light remains on or
comes on while driving, have the braking system
checked by a qualified service technician as soon as
possible.
NOTE: If a fault occurs in the anti-lock system, and the brake
warning light is not lit, the anti-lock system is disabled
but normal brake function remains operational.
Anti-lock brake system warning light
10

Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety
belt.
mIf the safety belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to
the ON position, the chime will sound for four (4) to eight (8)
seconds and the light will remain on until the safety belt is
fastened.
mIf the safety belt is buckled while the light is on and the chime
is sounding, both the light and chime will turn off.
mIf the safety belt is buckled before the ignition is turned to the
ON position, the chime does not sound, and the warning light
will not illuminate.
Air Bag Readiness Light
The supplemental air bag system uses a readiness light to
indicate the condition of the system. If the system is functioning
properly, the light will illuminate for about six (6) seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
If there is a problem with the system, the readiness light may fail
to illuminate, continue to flash, or remain on. If any of these
conditions occur, have the system serviced as soon as possible.
Unless the system is serviced, the supplemental air bag system may
not function properly in the event of a collision.
Safety belt warning light
Instrumentation
11

A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the
following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it will
not light.
WARNING
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have
the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury
dealer immediately.
Service Engine Soon Warning Light
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the
engine's emission control system. This system is commonly known
as the On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). This OBD II
system protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle
continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II
system also assists the service technician in properly servicing
your vehicle.
TheService Engine Soonindicator light illuminates when the
ignition is first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it
comes on after the engine is started, one of the engine's
emission control systems may be malfunctioning. The light may
illuminate without a driveability concern being noted. The
vehicle will usually be driveable and will not require towing.
Supplemental air bag readiness light
12

What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or
run poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel filler cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel
tank with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the
fuel filler cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theService Engine Soonlight
should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup
followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional
vehicle service is required.
If theService Engine Soonlight remains on, have your vehicle
serviced at the first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic
converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy
acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
at the first available opportunity.
Service Engine Soon warning light
Instrumentation
13

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