towing Mercury Villager 1998 Owner's Manuals

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

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

Once the shut-off switch is activated, you must reset the switch
by hand before you can start your vehicle.
The fuel pump shut-off switch reset button is located below the
hood release handle.
WARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to
start your vehicle. Have all the passengers get out of the
vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing
service.
If your engine cranks, but does not start after a collision:
1. Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the fuel pump shut-off
reset button down. If the red button is already set, you may
have a different mechanical or electrical problem.
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for a few seconds,
then turn it to the OFF position.
Fuel pump shut-off switch reset button location
Starting
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Vehicle/Trailer Loads
Your vehicle may tow a Class I trailer up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg)
provided the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is less than the GVWR
shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. With the
optional trailer tow package, your vehicle can tow a trailer up to
3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg).
Trailer Towing (may require trailer tow option package)
Towing a trailer puts an additional load on your vehicle's
engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Always use
the proper equipment for the type of trailer you tow.
mStay within the load limits when you tow.
mCarefully and thoroughly prepare your vehicle for towing,
making sure to use and install the proper equipment. See
Preparing to Towin this section.
mUse extra caution when driving your vehicle while you tow.
SeeDriving While You Towin this section.
mService your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See
Servicing Your Vehicle if You Towin this section.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least
500 miles (800 km).
Vehicle Loading Information
Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not volume,
so you cannot necessarily use all the available space.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire sizes, wheel sizes
and inflation pressures are specified for your vehicle at the
assembly plant on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. The
certification label is located on the pillar in the driver's door
opening.
Driving
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Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not only gives the
GVWR, it also gives the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which
is the maximum weight allowed on each axle system.
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of the weakest axle
and suspension component as well as other factors. This is
why it is so important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle places severe stress on components and can
lead to shortened vehicle life or vehicle damage.
The weakest link in the suspension system defines the GAWR,
and may be the tires. Tires are rated to carry a specific maximum
load at a specific tire pressure.
When passenger car tires are installed on light trucks and
multipurpose passenger vehicles, they are rated at a 10% lower
load carrying capacity due to the differences in vehicle usages.
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure, the total weight of
your vehicle must not exceed the GVWR and GAWR specified
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. This includes full fuel
tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants, as well as the cargo
load.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the towing
vehicle and the loaded trailer (including all cargo and passengers).
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Load Calculation Ð Trailers
The trailer towing table shows the maximum allowable trailer
weight and maximum GCWR for vehicles with and without the
trailer towing package.
For a particular vehicle, the allowable trailer weight may be
lower depending upon the vehicle's actual gross vehicle weight.
(GVW is the weight of the vehicle including passengers,
equipment, cargo.)
You must determine the appropriate trailer weight for your
vehicle at its particular GVW while adhering to GVWR, GAWR,
GCWR and maximum trailer weight ratings.
mFill the fuel tank.
mLoad the vehicle as it would be loaded when towing a trailer
(including cargo, trailer hitch, etc.).
mWeigh the vehicle to determine its GVW. Do not exceed
GVWR and GAWR.
mObtain the appropriate GCWR from the trailer towing table.
mSubtract the loaded vehicle weight (GVW) from the GCWR. This
is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can pull given its
particular GVW.
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Trailer towing table
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo from your vehicle
accordingly. If your vehicle exceeds either GAWR, shift the
load or remove cargo accordingly.
To determine actual GCW, weigh the total vehicle and trailer and
also weigh the trailer separately to verify its weight.
Trailers
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper weight on the
tongue (usually 10-15% of the trailer weight).
WARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross
trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transaxle damage, structural
damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Driving
233

Preparing to Tow
For your safety and for the good of your vehicle, use the right
equipment for the type of trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all
towing equipment is properly installed on your vehicle. If you
are not certain that you are using the right equipment in the proper
manner, see your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer.
Hitches
For towing trailers up to 2,000 lb. (907 kg), use a good
weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes
the trailer tongue load through the underbody structure.
For towing trailers up to 3,500 lb. (1,587 kg), use a frame-mounted
weight distributing hitch for trailers over 2,000 lb. (907 kg).
Do not use single clamp bumper hitches or hitches that attach to
the axle.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure
all mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent
exhaust fumes from entering the vehicle.
Safety chains
Always use safety chains between your vehicle and trailer. Cross
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning
corners. Connect safety chains to the vehicle frame or hook
retainers.Never attach chains to the bumper.
234

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

Trailer Towing Tips
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at
the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point so
the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or automatically
controlled, when approaching a stop.
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out on
the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km), stop
in a protected area and double-check your hitch and electrical
connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for tightness.
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather,
place the gearshift selector lever in Park (P) to increase the
engine idle speed. This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, press the air intake selector
button to select the fresh air position to stop the air conditioner
compressor. Increase the engine speed for a short time.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. However,
if you must park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the
trailer's wheels as follows:
Driving
237