maintenance schedule Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

TheQuick Indexat the end of the book provides a page number
following each item which indicates where detailed
information can be found.
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book and search in the
alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the
information you need. If the word you choose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We have designed
the Index so that you can find information under a technical term.
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by
writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service
Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario
L4Y 4G3.
Maintenance Schedule
As with any other member of your family, your new vehicle
requires routine care and regular check-ups. A separateMaintenance
Schedulebooklet is included to help you keep track of all
services performed and summarizes the day-to-day services that
are most important for keeping your vehicle in good
condition.
Warranties
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
Read yourWarranty Guidecarefully to find out about
your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
Introduction
3

Trailer Tow Module (If equipped)
The trailer tow module on your vehicle (if equipped) allows
turn/stop lamp control on a trailer being towed by your vehicle.
The trailer tow package includes:
mtrailer tow module which is protected by the vehicle stop
lamp fuse
mone SAE J1239 specified connector
mone extension harness within the rear bumper
mheavy duty battery
mfull size spare
If you need further assistance in wiring a trailer to your vehicle,
contact your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Driving While You Tow
Be especially careful when driving while you tow a trailer. Never
drive faster than 45 mph (70 km/h) when you tow in hilly
country on hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can brake
gradually.
If you use the speed control while you are towing on very long,
steep grades, the speed control may shut off automatically.
This is caused by the decrease of vehicle speed 5 mph (8 km/h)
lower than set speed.
When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive
rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift into 2
(Second) or 1 (First) gear.
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need to
be serviced more frequently than usual. See theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet in the Owner's portfolio.
236

Service Made Easy
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
1. When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
mWe highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
mWhen possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
mWe give you a Maintenance Schedule that makes tracking
routine service for your vehicle easy. TheMaintenance
Schedulebooklet is part of your owners portfolio.
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your dealership can
provide the parts and service required. Check yourWarranty Guide
to find out which parts and services are covered. Also see the
Customer Assistancechapter of this Owner's Manual.
Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance
Checks listed in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition
to the conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance Checklist, be
alert for any unusual noise, vibration, or other indication that
your vehicle may need service. If you do notice something unusual,
see that your vehicle is serviced promptly.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids, and service parts
that meet Ford Motor Company specifications. Motorcraft
parts are designed and built to provide the best performance in
your vehicle.
Maintenance and Care
275

Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
Follow these directions to change the engine oil and oil filter:
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up.
2. Protect yourself from engine heat and the engine oil being
drained.
3. Remove the oil pan drain plug(s)andoil filter.
4. Drain the oil into a container until flow from the drain plug
hole(s) and the filter mounting area slows to a drip.
5. Install the drain plug(s) and a new engine oil filter according
to directions on the package.
NOTE: SeeRefill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts and Lubrication
Specificationsin theCapacities and Specificationschapter
for the appropriate oil filter and engine oil refill quantity.
6. Remove the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in yellow) to
prevent oil contamination of the engine ventilating system while
refilling.
Engine oil dipstick
Maintenance and Care
281

Air Filter
The air filter should not be cleaned and reused. Replace it according
to the maintenance intervals shown in theMaintenance Schedule
booklet. When replacing the filter, unclip the four clamps and
remove the filter. Wipe the inside of the air filter housing with
a damp cloth when replacing the filter.
WARNING
Never pour fuel in the throttle body or attempt to start the
engine with the air cleaner removed. Doing so could
result in fire and personal injury.
Air filter housing
296

mMetric: L/100k = Multiply the number of liters used by 100
and divide the answer by the number of kilometers
travelled.
Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Fuel Economy Estimates
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and may not reflect the actual
conditions you experience or your style of driving. The EPA fuel
economy estimate is not a guarantee that you will achieve the
fuel economy shown.
The following decrease fuel economy:
mLack of regular, scheduled maintenance
mRapid acceleration and excessive speed
mDriving with your foot on the brake
mSudden stops
mExtended engine idling
mUsing speed control in hilly terrain
mExtended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window defroster
and other accessories
mUnderinflated tires
mHeavy loads
mAftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or luggage racks, bug
deflectors, etc.
312

Emission Control System
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which enables
your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
WARNING
Exhaust leaks may result in the entry of harmful and
potentially lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Under extreme conditions excessive exhaust
temperatures could damage the fuel system, the interior
floor covering, or other vehicle components, possibly
causing a fire.
Malfunctions in the engine or exhaust system can result in
excessive exhaust system temperatures. Under extreme conditions
(for example, towing a trailer up a steep hill on a very hot day
with a malfunctioning engine or exhaust system), high exhaust
system temperatures could be damaging.
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
mUse only unleaded fuel.
mAvoid running out of fuel.
mNever turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
mHave the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule.
Maintenance and Care
313