steering Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

How to Use Your Steering Wheel Audio
Controls (If equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped with steering wheel audio controls,
the controls are located on the inner right rim of the steering wheel.
These controls duplicate some of the audio functions.
How to adjust volume
Press the up arrow button () to increase the volume.
Press the down arrow button (
) to decrease the volume.
Using the ªNEXTº button
This control has different functions for each source (mode). In the
radio mode, the radio will cycle through the memory presets
for the given frequency band. In cassette mode, the tape advances
to the next selection. In CD mode, the CD will move to the
next track on the given disc.
Common Radio Reception Conditions
Several conditions affect FM reception and can result in noise or
interference in the reception. These are:
Distance/Strength
The strength of the FM signal is directly related to the distance
the signal must travel. The listenable range of an average FM signal
is approximately 25 miles (40 km). Beyond this distance, the
radio is operating in a ªfringeº area and the signal becomes weaker.
Terrain
The terrain (hills, mountains, tall buildings) of the area over
which the signal travels may prevent the FM signal from being
noise-free.
Electronic Sound Systems
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Liftgate Window Features
Rear Window Defogger (If equipped)
The defogger for the rear liftgate window clears frost, fog, or thin
ice from both the inside and outside of the rear window. The
defogger operates with the ignition in the ON position.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated rearview mirrors, they
activate when the rear window defogger is switched on.
The control switch is located on the instrument panel to the right
of the steering column.
Before using the defogger, clear away any snow that is on the rear
window and outside rearview mirrors. With the engine
running, push the defroster button.
After approximately 10 minutes, the defroster will turn off. If the
window or mirrors are still not clear, turn the defroster on
again.
Rear window defogger switch location
Controls and Features
75

To activate the rear washer, press the RR WASH switch. For a
constant spray, hold the switch for a few seconds. For less washer
fluid, press the switch once and release it. When you activate
the washer, the wiper will cycle twice and then stop.
Do not activate the washer for longer than 15 seconds continuously.
This could damage the washer pump system.
Hazard Flasher Switch
The hazard flasher switch is located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering column. For more information, refer to the
Roadside Emergencieschapter.
Interior and Exterior Lights
To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, marker lamps, tail
lamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel lamps, use the
headlamp control, to the left of the instrument cluster.
1. Turn the headlamp control to the first position to turn on the
parking lamps, tail lamps, license plate lamps, marker lamps
and instrument panel lamps.
2. Turn the headlamp control to the second position to turn on
the headlamps in addition to the parking lamps, tail lamps,
license plate lamps, marker lamps and instrument panel lamps.
Controls and Features
77

Ignition
Understanding the Positions of the Ignition
Your vehicle's ignition has four positions. They are:
OFF/LOCK allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories and locks the gearshift lever. Removing the key then
locks the steering wheel.
ACCESSORY allows you to operate some of your vehicle's
electrical accessories while the engine is not running. For example,
you can use ACCESSORY to turn on the radio, windshield
wipers, or operate the cigarette lighter without starting the engine.
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning lights to make
sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the
ON position once the engine is started and remains in this
position while the engine runs.
START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts
so that you don't damage the starter. The key should return
to the ON position when you release it.
The ignition positions
86

Turn Signal Lever
You can use the turn signal lever on the left side of the steering
column to:
moperate the turn signals.
mturn the headlamps to high beam.
mflash the headlamps.
mturn the windshield wipers and washer on/off.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up to signal a right turn. Move it down to signal
a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the
instrument cluster will flash.
If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back
to the center (off) position.
For lane changes, move the lever far enough to signal but not to
latch. The lever will return to the off position when you
release it.
If the turn indicator light in the instrument panel does not
illuminate or remains on (does not flash) when you signal a turn,
the turn signaling system needs service. Have this condition
corrected as soon as possible, and use the accepted hand signals
until the turn signal system is repaired.
The turn signal lever
Controls and Features
87

WARNING
Always warm up the windshield with the defroster before
you use the washer fluid. In freezing weather, the
washer solution may freeze on the windshield and obscure
your vision.
For information about refilling the washer fluid or replacing your
windshield wiper blades, seeWindshield washer fluid and Wipers
in the Index.
Gearshift Lever
The gearshift lever on your vehicle is mounted on the steering
column. On the end of the gearshift lever is the Overdrive On/Off
button. To learn about the operation of the gearshift lever and
the Overdrive On/Off button, see theDrivingchapter.
Gearshift lever location
90

Tilt Steering
WARNING
Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is
moving.
To change the position of the steering column, pull the release lever
on the column down. Move the steering wheel to the desired
position and raise the lever to lock the steering wheel in place.
Tilt release lever location
Controls and Features
91

Speed Control (If equipped)
The speed control system allows your vehicle to maintain a set
speed above 30 mph (48 km/h) without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal.
Avoid using the speed control when driving under the following
conditions:
mit is not possible to keep the vehicle at a set speed
min heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in speed
mon winding or hilly roads
mon slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
min very windy areas
To activate the speed control, push the main switch (CRUISE
CONT. ON); the switch is located in the group of controls to the
left of the steering wheel. The indicator light on the switch
will come on.
Speed control main switch location
92

Setting the Speed Control
To set the speed control, accelerate your vehicle to the desired
speed (at least 30 mph [48 km/h]), push and release the
COAST/SET button on the left side of the steering wheel. The
CRUISE light in the instrument cluster will come on. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will maintain the set
speed.
Speed control buttons on the steering wheel
Controls and Features
93

Accelerating With the Speed Control Operating
To pass another vehicle while the speed control is activated, press
the accelerator pedal. When you release the pedal, the vehicle
will return to the previously set speed.
Driving Uphill or on a Steep Grade
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed when going up or
down steep hills. If this happens, drive without the speed control.
When driving uphill, especially with a heavy load, you may
notice your speed decreasing, even if you have the speed control
set. If the speed drops more than 5 mph (8 km/h), it is
normal for the automatic speed control feature to be cancelled.
You may need to help your vehicle maintain the desired speed by
driving without the speed control when driving up steep
grades.
Cancelling the Speed Control
To cancel the preset speed, follow one of these three methods:
mPush the CANCEL button on the left side of the steering wheel;
the CRUISE light will go out.
mTap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light will go out.
mPress the main OFF switch to the left of the steering wheel.
Both the CRUISE CONT. ON switch indicator and the
CRUISE light in the instrument cluster will go out.
If you unintentionally press the brake pedal while pushing the
RES/ACCEL button to reset the cruising speed, press the OFF
switch once and then reactivate the system by pressing the
CRUISE CONT. ON switch.
The speed control will automatically be canceled if the vehicle
slows down approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) below the set speed.
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