1997 Mercury Villager Owner Guide 1st Printing
1997 Mercury Villager Manual
1997 Mercury Villager manual content summary:
- 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 1
- 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 2
- 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 3
Adjustable Rear Seating ...Starting Driving ...123 181 211 219 243 277 341 347 349 359 375 385 404 Roadside Emergencies ...Maintenance and Care ...Capacities and Specifications ...Reporting Safety Defects ...Customer Assistance ... Accessories ...Quick Index ... Index ...Service Station Information - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 4
this guide now and refer back to What it means if the O/D OFF light is illuminated on your instrument panel? brake pedal? (Refer to Gearshift in the Index) Ford's Commitment to You At Ford Motor Guiding Principles s Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our products and services - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 5
do: in our products - in their safety and value - and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability. s Employee involvement is WARNINGS carefully. RWARNING Finding Information in This Guide After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 6
vehicle requires routine care and regular check-ups. A separate Maintenance Schedule booklet 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 7
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 8
Villager engine oil that Ford recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special "break-in" oils. s Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has new brake linings This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 9
. 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. 7 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 10
Mechanical cluster 8 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 11
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. RWARNING The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 12
a long time, have your vehicle's electrical system checked immediately. Anti-lock brake system warning light RWARNING 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 13
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 14
the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Supplemental air bag readiness light Check Engine Warning Light This light illuminates when the electronic engine control system is not working properly. This is the computer that controls the operating conditions of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 15
serviced as soon as possible. This indicates a possible problem with one of the engine's emission control systems. You do not need to have your vehicle towed. Charging System Light This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 16
the instructions on checking and adding engine oil in this owner guide. (See Engine oil in 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 17
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. Door ajar warning light Cruise Indicator Light The CRUISE indicator light will illuminate when the speed control system is activated. Cruise - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 18
unit received an improper signal the last time the vehicle was operated. It may be necessary to have your dealer check the transaxle. Low Fuel Light The low fuel light illuminates when the fuel sensor indicates approximately 1/8 of a tank. It will remain illuminated until the tank is filled with - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 19
the washer fluid sensor indicates that the washer fluid level is low. Low washer fluid light High Beam Light This light illuminates when the headlamps are turned to high beam or when you flash the lights. High beam light "Headlamps On" Alert Chime This chime will sound if you open the door while - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 20
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 21
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, see Engine coolant in the Index. If you - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 22
Speedometer The speedometer tells you how many miles (kilometers) per hour your vehicle is moving. Odometer The odometer records the total distance the vehicle has been driven. Trip Odometer The trip odometer records the distance of individual trips. Before each trip, set the trip odometer to zero - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 23
Instrumentation Tachometer The tachometer tells you how fast the engine is running by indicating approximate engine revolutions per minute. Driving with the pointer in the red zone may cause engine damage. 21 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 24
Electronic cluster 22 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 25
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 for measuring fuel economy, distance to empty and outside air temperature. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge This gauge - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 26
Engine coolant temperature gauge 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. Fuel gauge 24 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 27
Instrumentation Fuel and Distance Computer Fuel and distance computer The fuel and distance computer has five buttons to operate the different functions. SELECT - The SELECT button lets you choose the functions of the fuel computer. Each time you press the SELECT button, the computer advances to - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 28
OD/TRIP - The OD/TRIP button lets you switch the display between the permanent odometer mileage and the trip odometer mileage. Fuel computer functions Fuel and distance computer display OUTSIDE TEMP This feature lets you display the temperature of the air outside of your vehicle. The fuel and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 29
at any particular moment. For example, you can see what your fuel economy is in heavy traffic or on the highway. Factors such as braking, acceleration, and road terrain affect your fuel economy. To display instantaneous fuel economy, press the SELECT button until the menu displays INST ECONOMY. Your - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 30
To display the average fuel economy: 1. Press the SELECT button until the menu displays AVG ECONOMY. 2. You will probably display the average fuel economy for each tank of fuel or for each trip you take. Each time you want to recalculate the average fuel economy, you need to press the RESET button - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 31
Electronic Sound Systems Audio Systems Your vehicle has one of four audio systems depending upon which options you selected. 29 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 32
Electronic AM/FM Stereo Cassette Radio 30 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 33
Electronic Sound Systems Premium Sound Radio - CD Compatible 31 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 34
Supersound with CD Player 32 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 35
the down position when the radio is off or if a cassette or CD (if equipped with CD changer) is playing. How to turn the radio on and off Press the volume will remain in the position it was set at when radio power is switched back on. Selecting the AM or FM frequency band Push the "AM/FM" button - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 36
) by pressing the "TUNE" button. To change frequencies quickly, press and hold down either the right or left side of the "TUNE" button. Manual tuning adjusts your radio to any allowable broadcast frequency, whether or not a station is present on that frequency. (See All About Radio Frequencies later - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 37
Auto Memory Store, you can continually set strong stations into your memory buttons without losing your existing memory presets, which is especially helpful while traveling. Your radio will automatically set your memory buttons to the strong local stations so you don't have to continually manually - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 38
radio will begin playing the station stored on memory button 1. To deactivate the Auto Memory Store mode and return to the manually-set memory button stations, simply push the "AUTO SET" button. The display will show "AUTO" then "OFF." Using the "BASS" and "TREB" buttons to adjust the tone balance - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 39
Electronic Sound Systems NOTE: Illuminated bars in the display show relative levels of The "X" display blinks while the tape fast forwards. The radio will automatically begin playing until fast forward is manually stopped (by pressing "FF" button) or the end of the tape is reached. At the end of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 40
. To stop the scan mode on the presently sampled tape selection, press the "SCAN" button again, or press "TAPE," "CD" (if equipped), "TUNE," or "SEEK." Reversing the direction The alternate track of the tape can be selected anytime by pressing the "SIDE 1-2" button. How to eject the tape To stop - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 41
Systems How to store the tape Press the "AM/FM" button to stop the tape player and resume radio play. Similarly, press the "CD" button to stop the tape player and resume CD extreme heat or cold. If they are exposed to extreme conditions, allow them to reach a moderate temperature before playing. s - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 42
the "CLK" button to alternate the frequency/ tape/CD (if equipped) and time in the display. In the clock mode pressing any radio/tape/CD (if equipped) function will automatically display the radio frequency/tape/CD (if equipped) for approximately ten seconds before changing back to the clock - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 43
(s) is inserted. Handle the discs by their edges only. Be sure to read and follow all of the care and cleaning instructions under How to Take Care of and Clean Your CD Changer and Discs. NOTE: A CD magazine can be loaded with the ignition on whether or not the radio power is on. Inserting - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 44
on the lower left of the CD changer to eject the magazine whether or not the audio system is on. NOTE: If the ignition key is turned OFF during play and then is set to the ON or ACCESSORY position, the CD changer will resume playing in the mode (radio/tape/CD) it was in when ignition - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 45
the "REW" button except in the opposite direction. How to switch discs To switch discs while in the CD mode, press the "TUNE DISCS" button. Press the left function Press the "SCAN" button to enter the scan mode. The CD changer will begin scanning the disc, stopping on each listenable track for - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 46
Special Features of Your CD Player Compression The compression feature will bring soft and loud passages closer together for a . How to Eject the Disc Push the eject button on the lower left corner of your CD changer to stop play, eject the magazine and resume radio or tape operation of your audio - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 47
of and Clean Your CD Changer and Discs To ensure the continued performance of your Ford Compact Disc Changer, carefully read the following as defroster and floor heating ducts. Do not leave any discs in a parked car in direct sunlight where there may be a considerable rise in temperature or damage - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 48
Common Operating Conditions of Your CD Changer The following information is designed to help you and scratches could be defective and may not play on your Ford Compact Disc Changer. If play does not begin after the CD button is pushed: s Moisture may have condensed on the lenses within the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 49
symbol (j) will appear in the display when the rear seat controls are on. Press "3" and "5" simultaneously again to turn rear seat radio controls off. How to adjust the volume Press the right (e) side of the "VOLUME" rocker switch to increase volume, and push the left (Ҁ) side to decrease - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 50
In the cassette mode, pressing this button will change tape sides. During the CD operation, this button will cycle through the discs (one button push, one as follows: AM, FM1, FM2, tape, CD (if equipped). How to turn the speakers on and off When the rear seat controls are on, push the "SPKRS, ON - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 51
Electronic Sound Systems How to Use Your Steering Wheel Audio Controls (If equipped) If , 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 52
into this system. This feature automatically switches a weak stereo signal to a clearer monaural signal, which improves the quality of reception. Several sources of static are normal conditions on AM frequencies. These can be caused by power lines, electric fences, traffic lights and thunderstorms - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 53
both AM and FM bands has been incorporated into this system to reduce strong signal capture and overload. All About Radio assigned to a given area. This radio will tune to each of these frequencies using manual tuning and no fine tuning is necessary as radio stations may not use other frequencies - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 54
Audio System At Ford Audio, we stand behind our audio systems with a comprehensive service and repair program. If anything should go wrong with your Ford Audio System, return to your dealer for service. There is a nationwide network of qualified Ford authorized repair centers to service your problem - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 55
Controls and Features Your vehicle has a variety of features designed for your comfort, convenience and safety. Read this chapter to find out about standard and optional features. 53 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 56
Instrument Panel Instrument panel 54 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 57
Controls and Features The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into several different sections. Illustrations are provided for the major parts of the instrument panel that are explained in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles. 55 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 58
function selector button, the indicator light on the button will illuminate. If your vehicle is equipped with a rear passenger compartment climate control system, the instrument panel will also include a rear seat function selector. s The OFF button shuts off the air supply to all outlets and stops - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 59
selection is outside air. However, for recirculated air, the air intake selector button may be activated. When the air intake selector button is activated (indicator light is on), it prevents the intake of outside air. This is the typical selection when using the air conditioner (if equipped). It - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 60
within the vehicle. To counteract this circumstance, switch to the Defrost mode and set fan speed to 3 or 4. Adjust air temperature to a "warm" instead of "hot" setting and deactivate the air intake selector. Heating Only System (Without air conditioning) You can heat and ventilate the inside of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 61
has been running for a sufficient time as indicated by the engine coolant temperature gauge. To heat the inside of your vehicle: 1. Press the function selector button for Floor. Heating only climate control system panel 2. Turn the temperature control knob toward the WARM (red) area. 3. Turn - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 62
. The recirculated air feature will be automatically turned off in this setting (outside air will be provided). s To reduce window fogging under extreme conditions, select defrost determines the temperature of the air being discharged from the system in all operating modes (heating or A/C). 60 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 63
Improperly stored objects will interfere with the flow of air to the back seats. s Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the area below the windshield on the outside of your vehicle. They could block the air intake. Heating and Air Conditioning System (If equipped) Turning on the heat You can heat - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 64
Manual selection and illumination of the A/C button in defrost mode does not override the automatic compressor operation discussed above. Refer to the heating system operating instructions covered previously for a more detailed explanation of heating system operation. Turning on the air conditioner - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 65
more quickly. The air conditioner may be used to cool the outside air being drawn into your vehicle, but using recirculated air is more economical and cools your vehicle more quickly. NOTE: The A/C button independently toggles the A/C system's compressor signal and indicator light ON and OFF in - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 66
can add cool air to your vehicle without using air conditioning. You will get better fuel economy this way. The procedure for ventilating your vehicle with the standard heating system or with the air conditioning system is the same. Refer to the previous section for instructions on how to ventilate - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 67
you turn on the air conditioning, your vehicle uses more fuel because the air conditioning compressor is running. To get better fuel economy while cooling your vehicle, do not use the air conditioner on mild days. Instead, set the air intake selector button in the outside air position and turn the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 68
vents. The vent selection switch determines whether the air is discharged from the upper vents or the lower (floor) vents. The temperature control knob controls the air temperature. Rear seat climate control system panel NOTE: For maximum heating and cooling for front seat passengers, set the rear - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 69
Controls and Features Automatic Temperature Control System The control for your Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) is located at the center of the instrument panel above the radio. The ATC operates only when - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 70
to select the A/C button if you desire cool air-conditioned air. (Your ATC automatically operates the air conditioning [if required] when you are in the AUTOMATIC mode without illuminating the A/C button, but the system requires you to manually select the A/C button if you desire A/C operation when - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 71
selector buttons indicate how the system is operating. The display window shows the selected temperature and displays AUTO if you are operating in conditions require heat, air is sent to the floor. However, a feature is included in the ATC to prevent blowing cold air to the floor if the engine - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 72
. Changing the Display Mode (English/Metric) To switch between the English and Metric display mode, press adjusts the fan speed to the existing conditions. To control the fan speed yourself, speeds and down for LO speeds. To return to auto fan control, press the AUTOMATIC button. Airflow Function - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 73
When the outside temperature is about 50˚F (10˚C) the air conditioning functions in order to dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging. Q Push this button to select airflow through the instrument panel registers. The Q indicator light illuminates and the display window shows the set temperature - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 74
is used to override the ATC. Press the M button to choose air recirculation. In this mode the ATC system recirculates the air inside the vehicle rather than drawing air from outside. Use this mode together with the air conditioning to rapidly cool the inside of the vehicle or to dehumidify the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 75
lower vents by using the vent selection switch on the rear climate control panel. The air temperature from the rear climate control system will be automatically controlled by the front ATC system. Rear seat passengers cannot control fan speed or air temperature by using the temperature control knobs - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 76
instrument panel to the right of the steering column. Rear window defogger switch location Before using the defroster, 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 77
. The rear wiper and washer controls operate with the ignition in the ACC and ON positions. Rear wiper and washer switch locations To turn on the rear wiper, press the RR WIPER switch. The wiper will operate until it is turned off. The wiper will complete one cycle every 10 to 15 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 78
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 Emergencies chapter. Interior and Exterior Lights - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 79
the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output, when: s the vehicle is "running" s the vehicle has a fully released parking brake s the headlamp system is in the OFF position NOTE: You may notice that the lights flicker when the engine is turned on or off. This is a normal condition. 77 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 80
the first or second position. You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights with the DIM switch. The DIM switch is located near the headlamp controls. Pushing and holding the right side of the switch will continue to brighten the lights until the maximum brightness is reached. Release the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 81
To set the autolamp: 1. Make sure the headlamp control knob is in the OFF position. If the knob for the headlamps is on, the autolamp system is canceled. 2. Turn the ignition key to start your vehicle. 3. Use the autolamp thumbwheel to activate the autolamp feature. It is located to the left - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 82
Autolamp thumbwheel location 4. Move the thumbwheel all the way to the right. The autolamp will automatically turn the lamps on and off. NOTE: Be sure that you do not put anything on top of the photodiode located in the top right side of the instrument panel speaker grille. The photodiode controls - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 83
the longer the headlamps stay on. The chime will sound when the autolamp system turns the headlamps on and the driver's door is open. Interior Lamps and front passenger seats. However, if your vehicle is equipped with a power sunroof, the dome lamp is located behind the driver's seat. The rear dome - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 84
. However, the rear dome lamp will not remain lit in the ON position unless the ignition switch is in the ON position. This feature is intended to help avoid a run-down battery which can occur when a light is left on unintentionally. If the vehicle doors are not fully closed and the interior lamps - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 85
either of the front doors or the sliding door is opened. If you have the optional Keyless Entry System the lamps will also light whenever the remote keyless entry transmitter button is pressed. One of the stepwell lamps is located near the sliding door entrance and there is one - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 86
Radios The electronic radios have a built-in clock. For complete operating instructions, refer to the Electronic Sound Systems chapter in this owner guide. Radio Antenna The fixed radio antenna is mounted on the front fender on the passenger's side of the vehicle. Power Antenna (If equipped - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 87
Controls and Features Coin Tray The slide-out coin tray is located in the instrument panel for your convenience. It is located below the radio controls. Coin tray 85 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 88
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 89
cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts so down to signal a left turn. The corresponding indicator light in the instrument cluster will flash. The turn signal lever If the turn signal stays on after you turn, move the lever back to the center (off) position. For lane changes, move - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 90
system is malfunctioning. Have this condition corrected as soon as possible, and use the accepted hand signals until the turn signal system is repaired. Cornering Lights lever toward you until it latches back into the neutral position. The high beam indicator light turns off. High beam and flash - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 91
to operate at varying intervals. For example, you can set the interval so they wipe less often in light rain or more often in heavier rain. Variable interval wiper control To set the interval wipers, rotate the more than fifteen seconds continuously. This could damage the washer pump system. 89 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 92
. 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, see Windshield washer fluid and Wipers in the Index. Gearshift Lever The gearshift lever on your vehicle is - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 93
Controls and Features Tilt Steering RWARNING Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving. Tilt release lever location 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 94
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: s it is not possible to keep the vehicle at a set - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 95
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 96
. 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 RESUME/ACCEL button to reset the cruising speed, press the OFF switch once and then reactivate the system by pressing the CRUISE CONT - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 97
: s Lightly tap the brake pedal. system malfunctions, it will cancel automatically. The CRUISE indicator in the instrument cluster will then blink to warn the driver. When the CRUISE indicator blinks, press the speed control OFF switch and have the system checked by your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 98
The CRUISE indicator light may blink if the CRUISE CONT. ON switch is pressed while pushing the RESUME/ACCEL, COAST/SET, or CANCEL buttons located on the left side of the steering wheel. Power Sunroof (If equipped) - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 99
Controls and Features Sliding Shade The sunroof has a sliding shade you can manually open or close to block the sun when the glass panel is shut. To close the sliding shade, pull the shade toward the front of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 100
the key from the ignition and then use either the manual rocker switch or the door lock cylinder. Accessory Delay (If equipped) Accessory Delay is a feature that allows vehicles equipped with power OFF). Sliding Door The sliding door allows rear seat passengers to enter and exit easily. 98 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 101
Controls and Features The sliding door exterior lock To lock the sliding door, push the right side of the rocker switch. To unlock the sliding door, push the left side of the rocker switch. The sliding door interior lock 99 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 102
outside of the vehicle, pull the handle toward the rear of the vehicle. The door will stay open if you slide it all the way back until the catch at the bottom of the door engages. To release the catch and close the door, pull the handle toward the front of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 103
Controls and Features Childproof lock location To set the childproof lock: 1. Open the sliding door. 2. Find the childproof lock knob above the label. 3. Pull the knob out. 101 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 104
door and the liftgate. The power door lock switch NOTE: If the sliding door is open when all doors are locked with the power door lock switch, the sliding door automatically locks when it is closed. You can manually lock and unlock the doors using the manual door locks to override the power locks - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 105
counterclockwise. To make the gate swing up to the fully opened position, pull back and upward on the handle. The liftgate will not unlock if the optional liftgate using the optional power door lock system, or the optional keyless entry system. However, it cannot be opened until you release the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 106
Opening the Liftgate Window (If equipped) To open the liftgate window only, turn the key clockwise. The window unlatches and the rear wiper falls out of the way. Do not force the wiper down by hand - it moves when the key is turned. To close, push downward until it latches. The liftgate window in - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 107
into the vehicle. This will also prevent passengers and cargo from falling out. If you must drive with the liftgate door or window open you have pulled down the liftgate enough so that you can reach the license plate light shield, push the shield down and forward to close the liftgate. At this point, - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 108
, the optional liftgate window will open. The liftgate can also be locked with the optional power door locks. The liftgate area is intended only for cargo, not passengers. It cannot be opened from inside the vehicle. 106 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 109
which prevents the operation of the passenger side window from either the passenger or driver side controls. To open the window, press down on the switch; to close the window, lift up on the switch. RWARNING Do not let children play with the power windows. 107 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 110
while the window is going down, the window will stop at that position. To close the window you must lift and hold the switch until the window closes. Manual Flip-Open Quarter Windows To open the flip-open quarter windows in the second or third row, pull the rear portion of the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 111
power quarter windows operate with the ignition in the ON position. The power-operated quarter windows in the third seat position are controlled by the RIGHT VENT and LEFT VENT switches on the overhead console. Press the indented side of the switch to open the windows; press the raised side of the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 112
position before you adjust the side view mirrors. If you have manually adjusting side view mirrors, you can adjust them in any direction by moving the mirror. The mirror heads can be folded rearward to prevent damage when using an automatic car wash. NOTE: Be careful. The convex side view mirror on - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 113
side view mirrors, you can adjust them in any direction by using the mirror controls on the instrument panel. This switch operates with the ignition in ON or ACC. The mirror control switch is on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel. To adjust the remote controlled side mirrors - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 114
the mirrors with a scraper or you could damage them. Cargo Net (If equipped) The cargo net is designed to hold your cargo upright between the third row bench seat and the liftgate to prevent it from moving around the cargo area. To install the cargo net: Attach the loops on the four corners of the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 115
Controls and Features RWARNING Be sure to secure all four loops into the retainers. The cargo restrained in the net must not exceed 50 lbs. (22.5 kg) or the net may not stay secured. To remove the cargo net, remove the loops from the four retainers. The rear cargo net 113 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 116
can also use it to arm or disarm the anti-theft system (if equipped). For more information on the anti-theft system, refer to the Index. Remote Keyless Entry System (If equipped) Your vehicle may be equipped with a remote keyless entry system. This option will allow you to open your vehicle using - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 117
decrease in operating range, the batteries should be replaced. Replacement batteries can be purchased at most pharmacies, watch stores or at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. NOTE: The operating range of the remote entry system can also be affected by weather conditions (such as very cold - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 118
Replace the batteries with battery disposal. s The remote transmitter is waterproof; however, if it does get wet, immediately wipe it completely dry. s The operational range of the remote transmitter extends to approximately 49 feet (15 meters) from the vehicle. This range may vary with conditions - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 119
PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION. Replacement the system. 1. panel lights will - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 120
prevent the vehicle from being started To arm the system 1. Remove the key from the ignition. 2. Lock the doors by using either the power door lock switch or by turning the key in either the driver or passenger door lock cylinder. The parking lights will flash and the horn chirps to let you - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 121
sure to close all the doors completely. If the doors are not completely closed, the alarm indicator light will remain on steadily. The anti-theft system is armed only when the anti-theft indicator light remains on steadily for approximately 30 seconds after the last door is closed, and then flashes - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 122
your vehicle, simply insert the key into the ignition and turn it to ACC. This disarms the system and allows you to open the door to exit without triggering the system. Remember to rearm the system by using the power door lock or the remote transmitter (if equipped) to lock the doors. The - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 123
a triggered anti-theft system The alarm can be disarmed by: s unlocking the driver or passenger doors s unlocking the doors with the remote keyless entry transmitter (if equipped) s putting the key in the ignition and turning it to the ACC position NOTE: The flashing lights and honking horn will - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 124
and Safety Restraints Seats Head Restraints If you use them properly, head restraints will help protect your head and neck and not behind your neck. The adjustable head restraint For more information on the seats in your vehicle, see the Adjustable Rear Seating chapter in this owner guide. 123 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 125
Adjusting the Front Seats Manually If you have manually adjustable front seats, you can move your seat to a new position by lifting up on the seat adjustment lever and sliding the seat to the position of your choice. The lever is underneath the front of your seat. Seat adjustment lever location - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 126
. RWARNING Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips. To recline the seatbacks: 1. Lift up the release lever and hold it up while you lean against the back of the seat. 2. When the seatback is tilted to the position you choose, release the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 127
. The power slide switch moves the seat forward and rearward. The power seat height adjustment switch raises or lowers the seat. The power recline switch tilts the seat toward the front or toward the back. The controls are located on the side of the seat closest to the door. The seat can be adjusted - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 128
driver's seat power lumbar support are on the side of the seat next to the door. This feature provides built-in support for the driver's lower back. Power lumbar support controls location To inflate the lumbar support pad, push the raised end of the switch. To deflate the lumbar support pad, push - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 129
Storage Compartments Underseat Storage Compartment (If equipped) The underseat storage compartment is located underneath the front passenger seat. It can be opened by pulling it toward the instrument panel. The underseat storage compartment 128 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 130
ledge and pull it down, away from the side of the seat, toward the driver's seat. When the cupholder is not in use, push the cupholders into the cover and lift the cover into its fully stored position. Using the front seat cupholders NOTE: Do not place heavy objects in the cupholders. 129 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 131
Your vehicle may be equipped with a 12 volt power point outlet located just below the rear seat audio controls. The power point can be used in place of the cigarette lighter for optional electrical accessories. NOTE: Do not plug the cigarette lighter into this power point electrical outlet. Use the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 132
. See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime in the Instrumentation chapter. See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how to properly use these safety belts. Also see Safety Restraints for Children in this chapter for special instructions about using safety belts for children. 131 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 133
your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips. RWARNING Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 134
Seating and Safety Restraints Combination Lap and Shoulder Belts While your vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the lap and shoulder belt locks - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 135
Unfastening the combination lap and shoulder belts - front and rear outboard seating positions Third-row passengers should be aware that the proper safety belt for their seating position is slightly behind their seat. They should not use the second-row safety belts which are in front of the third - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 136
low on your hips as possible. The passenger seated near the sliding door in the three-passenger bench seat can route the safety belt webbing under the guide located on the head restraint. This safety belt guide is designed to help keep the safety belt webbing properly positioned across the passenger - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 137
Using the seat belt guide with the three-passenger bench seat in the second row position 136 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 138
If your vehicle has the two-passenger bench seat it is very important that the unique safety belt system is used properly. Please read Auxiliary safety restraint system for the second row bench seat in this section, which explains the unique safety belt system. Be sure that you understand it before - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 139
installing a child safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear outboard seats where dual locking retractors are provided. To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode, perform the following steps: 1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt. 2. Grasp the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 140
is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. See the detailed instructions under Safety Seats for Children in this chapter. Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment Driver and right front passenger You can adjust the shoulder - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 141
severe injury in a collision. Lap Belt Without a Retractor (for the three-passenger bench seat) The center seat of the three-passenger bench seat has a lap belt without a retractor. To make the belt longer, tip the tongue at a right angle to the belt and pull the belt over your lap until the tongue - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 142
row has a safety restraint system made up of two buckles and two tongues. There is an anchor location at the bottom of the C-pillar and another anchor location at the top of the C-pillar that attach each end of the seat belt webbing to the bodyside. One of the seat belt tongues has two "windows - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 143
The auxiliary safety retraint system for the second row bench seat 142 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 144
and Safety Restraints The auxiliary safety restraint system fastened A twisted belt may prevent the retractor from working properly. If the unique safety belt system is twisted, disengage the single window tongue from the buckle on the side of the seat, remove the twist and re-install the tongue - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 145
vehicle, you must detach the single window tongue from the auxiliary buckle. Third-row passengers must be very careful when exiting if the auxiliary restraint system is being used by a second-row passenger. It is important to step over the seat belt guide and belt webbing to avoid tripping. 144 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 146
and Safety Restraints Exiting a vehicle with the auxiliary safety restraint system Labels are provided on the back of the second-row bench seat to remind passengers to use care when exiting. Safety Belt Extension Assembly A safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. You can - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 147
Safety Belt Maintenance Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that they work properly and are not damaged. All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if so equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 148
attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. RWARNING If you are close to an inflating air bag, it could seriously injure you. Sit against the seatback and position your seat such that it is as far back from - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 149
infant seats, please read the entire Safety Restraints chapter in this owner guide. RWARNING Children should always wear their safety belts. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision. How Does the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 150
Seating and Safety Restraints The location of air bags and warning labels RWARNING Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not try to touch them after inflation. 149 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 151
on a one-time-only basis. If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air bag is not replaced, this will increase the risk of injury in a subsequent collision. The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of: s driver and passenger - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 152
Seating and Safety Restraints Inflated driver side air bag 151 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 153
Inflated passenger side air bag 152 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 154
tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired. If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 155
them in safety seats that are made specially for children. Safety belts alone do not provide maximum protection for these children. Check your local and be properly restrained. RWARNING It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 156
the rear seats than in the front seats. RWARNING Carefully follow all of the manufacturer's instructions included with the safety seat you put RWARNING Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 157
sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. For more information, see Using the Automatic Locking Mode Retractor to Secure a Child Safety Seat later in this chapter. All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 158
other passengers. The passenger side quick-release second row bucket seat is adjustable along a track and may be adjusted very close to the front passenger seat to allow easier entry and exit to third row seats. RWARNING The quick-release seat must be adjusted to the rearmost position when using an - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 159
the child seat and the release button as shown in the following illustration. RWARNING Failure to follow all instructions on the proper use of child seats or the vehicle restraint systems can result in serious injury or death in the event of a sudden stop or collision. Safety belt buckle placement - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 160
passenger side second row bucket seat, or the front passenger seat, slide the seat to the rearmost position. 2. Follow the child seat or infant carrier manufacturer's instructions. Route the safety belt through the child seat or infant carrier and insert the safety belt tongue into the buckle until - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 161
Routing the safety belt tongue through the child seat 3. Pull on the belt until all of the stored belt is out of the retractor and a click is heard. 4. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking sound will be heard as the belt retracts. This indicates that the retractor is in the automatic locking - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 162
Seating and Safety Restraints 5. Pull up on the shoulder belt to remove slack in the belt while you push down on the child seat. Make sure there is tension in the belt. Removing slack from the safety belt 161 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 163
automatic locking mode. 8. Check to make sure the child seat or infant carrier is properly secured prior to each use. If the safety belt is not locked, repeat steps 3 through 6. NOTE: When the lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 164
, but it can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer (Part number F3XY-12613D20-A). The chart below specifies, for each seat type and position, where the tether strap must be attached to the vehicle and the section containing the appropriate instructions for tethering. 163 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 165
164 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 166
tethered safety seats in a rear seating position with the tether strap attached to the tether anchor bolt as shown in the following illustration. Tether anchor point locations To gain access to the anchoring bolt, cut through the plastic along the U-shaped tether location outlines on the carpet of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 167
RWARNING Only use the tether attachment hole locations shown in the illustrations. The tether anchor may not perform properly if the wrong mounting location is used. RWARNING Follow these precautions to decrease the chance of injury in an accident. RWARNING If the anchor bolt(s) is ever removed, the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 168
: 1. Route the tether strap under the headrest and between the headrest supports. 2. Hook the tether strap hook into the large hole at the end of the tongue of the lap/shoulder belt directly behind the child seat position. 3. Adjust the tether strap length until the hook is about one foot behind - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 169
sure it is securely held in place. 7. Check that the retractor is in automatic locking mode by trying to pull more belt out of the retractor. If you cannot pull any more belt webbing out of the retractor, the belt is in automatic locking mode. 8. Check to make sure the child restraint is properly - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 170
Children who are too large for child safety seats should always wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of a child that will fit safely in the safety seat.) RWARNING If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 171
labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster should be used if - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 172
Safety Restraints Built-In Child Seats (If equipped) The optional second row bench seat includes two built-in child seats. These child restraints are restrained in an approved aftermarket child safety seat. Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions for weight and height restrictions. Children - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 173
RWARNING The second row seatback must be fully locked before operating the child restraint system. Check the position of the seatback release lever. Second row bench built-in child seats 172 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 174
emergency locking mode is used while buckling the belts. Always adjust the lap and shoulder harness belts provided with this child seat snugly around your child. RWARNING Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of this child restraint system can result in your child striking the vehicle - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 175
1. Hold the tab from the lower outboard side of the child seat and lower the cushion completely. 174 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 176
Seating and Safety Restraints 2. If connected, unbuckle the two safety belt tongues. Also detach the chest clip. 175 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 177
176 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 178
Seating and Safety Restraints 3. Place the child in the built-in child seat. Position the crotch belt buckle between the child's legs. 177 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 179
the right shoulder harness tongue into the right side of the belt buckle. Confirm that the right shoulder harness tongue indicator is clip below the child's shoulders. Adjust the clip to comfortably hold the shoulder belts in place on the child's chest. Confirm that the chest clip indicator is - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 180
tight, unlatch the chest clip and unbuckle the child from the built-in child seat. Allow the shoulder belts to retract fully. Repeat the procedure from step 3 through step 7. Removing the child from the built-in child seat 1. Open the chest clip by squeezing together the release tabs on the top - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 181
is unnecessary to reconnect the shoulder harness and belt buckle prior to storing the built-in child seat. 5. While holding the tab, rotate the cushion upward until it fits flush with the second row seatback pad. 6. Confirm that the built-in child seat is locked in the stowed position by grasping - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 182
belt webbing to carry or move the seats. Lifting the seats by any of the safety restraint equipment could decrease their effectiveness. NOTE: Your vehicle has five different kinds of floor mats: front seat mats, a cargo out of the seat tracks. RWARNING It is important to replace the floor mats - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 183
mats must be reinstalled before passengers ride in your vehicle. The floor mats are specifically designed to keep objects out of the seat tracks. Be sure to keep the seat tracks clear of debris by cleaning them periodically. Vacuum any particles from the inside of the tracks where the roller units - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 184
Adjustable Rear Seating Review the following illustrations so you will know the proper way to place the floor mats with the various seating arrangements available in your vehicle. 183 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 185
184 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 186
step mat should be placed neatly in the cargo area when not in use. Positioning pins are included with your floor mats to secure them to the seat tracks. Push the positioning pins through the plastic loops in the floor mats and into the seat tracks. Floor mat positioning pin placement NOTE: Be - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 187
to remove the head restraints from the seats when removing seats from the vehicle. However, you can remove the head restraints by pressing the adjustment button at the base of the head restraint and pulling the head restraint upward. Remember to replace them when the seat is re-installed. 186 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 188
passengers in the case of sudden braking or a collision. Two-Passenger Bench Seat NOTE: The two-passenger bench seat has a unique safety restraint system. If your vehicle has the two-passenger bench seat it is very important that the unique safety belt system is used properly. Please read the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 189
lever and fold down the back of the seat to the fully folded position. Seatback release lever location 2. Detach the tongue from the auxiliary buckle on the sliding door side of the seat. 3. Lift up on the floor latch levers near the front seat legs and release the seat legs from each anchor - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 190
floor latch levers 4. Place your hand under the seat cushion and tip the front of the seat upward slightly. Slide the seat rearward to release the seat from its anchor position. 5. Two people should lift the seat and remove it from the vehicle. 6. Replace any floor mats that were removed. 189 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 191
If you decide to move the three-passenger bench seat forward to the second row position, passengers riding in the seat will use the second row safety belts. Installing the Two-Passenger Bench Seat To replace the bench seat in its original position: 1. Make sure the area around the floor anchor - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 192
RWARNING Before sitting in the removable seats, make sure that the seat legs are securely attached by the floor anchors. Bucket Seats (If equipped) Quick-Release Bucket Seat The quick-release bucket seat option allows the bucket seat nearest the sliding door to slide forward allowing easier entry - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 193
them if you need extra cargo space. With the second-row seats removed, the third-row bench seat can be moved up to the second row position for additional rear cargo area room. When the third-row seat is moved to this position, passengers will use the second-row safety belts. To help prevent personal - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 194
Adjustable Rear Seating Before you remove the seats, remove the floor mats. Then: 1. Pull the seatback release lever up and tilt the back of the seat forward as far as possible. Folding down the seatback 193 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 195
2. Lift up on the two floor latch levers near the front seat legs and release the seat legs from each anchor position. Removing the quick-release bucket seat 194 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 196
cushion and tip the front of the seat upward slightly. Slide the seat rearward to release the seat from its anchor position. 4. Two people should lift the seat and remove it from the vehicle. 5. Replace any floor mats that were removed. NOTE: The bucket seats are not interchangeable due to the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 197
locks. Place the seatback in the upright position. 5. Try to move the seat to be sure that it is securely fastened. 6. Replace any floor mats that were removed. Labels have been provided on the side of the seats to remind you of important safety precautions. RWARNING Keep foreign objects out of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 198
exiting the vehicle, third-row passengers must be careful that they step over the auxiliary safety restraint system that is present with the second-row bench seat. Labels are provided on the back of the second-row bench seat to remind passengers to use care when exiting. The three-passenger bench - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 199
Some of the different ways that your vehicle's seats can be arranged are shown below. NOTE: Do not try to remove the three-passenger sliding seat. Removal of the third seat may negatively affect its ability to slide properly. 198 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 200
Adjustable Rear Seating 199 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 201
With the second row seat(s) removed, the three-passenger bench seat can be moved all the way forward, just behind the front seats for more room in the cargo area. 200 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 202
NOTE: When moving the three-passenger bench seat, the seat cushion cannot be lowered unless the seat is in a seating position. If you cannot get the seat cushion to lower, you may have the seat in a storage position. The three-passenger bench seat is not removable, but it can be moved to the second - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 203
moving the third-row seat, be sure to latch the seat in a passenger seating position. Improper location of the seat will prevent correct use of the safety belts and will increase the risk of severe injury in an accident. After sliding the seat, check that both sides of the seat are locked securely - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 204
Adjustable Rear Seating Seat cushion release lever location 203 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 205
A label describing seat operation can be found underneath the seat cushion on the sliding door side of the vehicle. Seat cushion label location 204 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 206
in the floor of the vehicle. Sliding the three-passenger seat NOTE: When sliding the seat, be sure the middle belt tongue and buckle are fastened. This will prevent the belt from falling to the floor or becoming caught between the seat cushion and the seatback. Keep the middle seatbelt tongue and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 207
3. Make sure the seat securely latches in the lock position of both seat tracks before driving with the rear seat in this position. The three-passenger seat in the fully forward locked position 206 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 208
cushion by force because doing so could damage the seat. 5. Replace any floor mats that were removed. RWARNING Every time you adjust any seat, check to be sure that it is properly latched in the lock position of both seat tracks. If the seat is not properly latched, it could come loose and increase - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 209
Seatback release lever location 208 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 210
in cupholders on the fold-down seatback RWARNING You should never place hard items such as coffee mugs or drinking glasses on the table-top seats when the vehicle is moving. Any item can become a projectile inside a vehicle involved in a collision. To help prevent personal injury, never leave loose - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 211
and other accessories are turned off when starting. 3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before you turn the key. 4. Test the warning lights on the instrument cluster to make sure they work. Refer to the Instrumentation chapter. Starting Your Engine To - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 212
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter. After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and release the parking brake. Put the gearshift lever in gear, slowly release the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 213
shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake pedal. If the engine does not start after two attempts: 1. Turn the ignition key to Have the vehicle checked. RWARNING Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 214
if you live in a region where temperatures reach Ҁ10˚F (Ҁ23˚C) or below. An engine block heater warms the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost system to respond more quickly. RWARNING To prevent electrical shock, do not use your heater - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 215
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 216
systems checked by a qualified technician whenever: s your vehicle is raised for service s the sound of the exhaust system changes s your vehicle has been damaged in an accident Improve your ventilation by keeping all air intake vents clear of snow, leaves, and other objects. If the engine - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 217
Read the section Climate Control Systems for instructions on bringing fresh outside air into your vehicle. Refer to leave your vehicle, place the gearshift lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake fully, and shut off the engine. Never park your vehicle in N (Neutral). If you do not take these - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 218
require service other than periodic lubrication of the caliper slide rails and inspection for pad wear. Rear Drum Brakes The rear drum brakes are self-adjusting. Automatic adjustment occurs through normal use of the brakes. Four-Wheel Anti-lock Brakes (If Equipped) The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 219
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. Ford Motor Company has not found - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 220
ability. Stopping Distances Stopping distances vary with different loads and driving conditions. Use caution when you drive under new conditions and acquaint yourself with your vehicle's performance. Applying the Brakes Apply the brake pedal evenly. Use the "squeeze" technique. Push on the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 221
someone. To release the parking brake, press the brake pedal with your right foot and hold it while you lift up on the parking brake release handle. RWARNING If the parking brake is fully released, but the Brake System light remains on, have the brakes checked immediately. They may not be working - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 222
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if the service brakes fail. However, since the parking brake does not stop your vehicle as quickly as the normal brakes steering system checked. If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually but - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 223
of the gearshift lever. You can put the gearshift lever in any one of several positions. The steering column gearshift lever positions RWARNING Hold the brake pedal down while you move the gearshift lever from position to position. If you do not hold the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 224
safety feature which prevents you from shifting out of P (Park) without the brake pedal depressed. To shift the transaxle out of the P (Park) position Guide for instructions on checking and replacing fuses. RWARNING DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL YOU VERIFY THAT THE BRAKELAMPS ARE WORKING. Backing - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 225
the instrument cluster will illuminate. With the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle will operate in first, second and third gears and will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in Drive (O/D OFF) provides more engine braking than Overdrive for descending hills, or city driving. The OVERDRIVE - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 226
OFF indicator light is flashing on and off repeatedly when the vehicle is started, there is a transaxle electronic system malfunction. Contact your dealer as soon as possible. When to use 2 (Second) Use Second (2) when driving on slippery roads or to provide additional engine braking on downgrades - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 227
In N (Neutral), the wheels of the transaxle are not locked. Your vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline, unless the parking brake or brakes are on. Parking Always come to a complete stop before you shift into P (Park). This position locks the transaxle and prevents the front wheels - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 228
, the weight that your vehicle carries on the front axle and rear axle should never be more than the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective axle. The load capacities of your vehicle's tires affect the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Using replacement tires with a higher weight limit than the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 229
an additional load on your vehicle's engine, transaxle, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. For your safety Servicing Your Vehicle if You Tow in 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 230
vehicle must not be loaded to both the front and rear GAWR because the GVWR will be exceeded. The GAWR of the front and rear axles exceed the GVWR when added together. There are no numbers on the sample Safety Compliance Certification Label shown. Refer to the actual numbers on your - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 231
Rating) s GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) s GCWR (Gross The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the passengers, cargo and all equipment. It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit Weight Rating for your Villager. The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle when - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 232
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 233
GVWR and GAWR from your Safety Compliance Certification Label. Safety Compliance Certification Label location 2. Fill the fuel tank. 3. Weigh your vehicle without cargo. 4. Subtract vehicle actual weight from the GVWR to find out how much more weight your vehicle can carry. 5. Weigh the vehicle - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 234
GAWR, GCWR and maximum trailer weight ratings. s Fill the fuel tank. s Load the vehicle as it would be loaded when towing a trailer (including cargo, trailer hitch, etc.). s Weigh the vehicle to determine its GVW. Do not exceed GVWR and GAWR. s Obtain the appropriate GCWR from the trailer towing - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 235
GAWR, shift the load or remove cargo accordingly. To determine actual GCW, limit of the vehicle and could result in engine damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, loss of kg), use a good weight-carrying hitch and hitch ball which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue load through the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 236
attach chains to the bumper. Trailer Brakes Separate trailer brakes are required on most trailers weighing over 1,500 lbs. (680 kg). RWARNING Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking power and your chances - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 237
RWARNING Always replace a fuse with one that has the specified amperage rating. Using a fuse connector s one extension harness within the rear bumper 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 238
. 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 239 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 239
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: 1. Apply the main brake pedal with - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 240
equipped) Always load your luggage as far back as it will safely go on the four season roof rack. Do not load more than 100 pounds (45 kg). Be careful that your vehicle does not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or its Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR front and rear - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 241
fully charged and in good condition. They will not drain the battery excessively. If the flashers run for longer than two hours or if your battery is not fully charged, your battery may be drained to the point where the vehicle will not start. The hazard flasher switch is located on the instrument - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 242
Shut-Off Switch If the engine cranks but does not start or if you have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. The shut-off switch is a device that stops the fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt. For information on how to check and reset - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 243
breakers protect your vehicle's electrical system from overloading. If electrical parts in your vehicle are not working, the system may have been overloaded causing a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Before you replace or repair any electrical parts, check the appropriate fuses or circuit - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 244
Checking and Replacing Fuses If you need to check a fuse, find the fuse panel for the electrical system, which is located under the instrument panel, and follow these steps: 1. To remove the fuse panel cover, pull down on the fuse panel cover handle. The instrument panel fuse panel 246 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 245
Roadside Emergencies 2. On the fuse panel cover, find the number of the fuse you want to check. The diagram on the cover tells you where to locate the fuse on the panel. The fuse panel cover 247 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 246
248 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 247
Roadside Emergencies 249 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 248
3. Check the fuse to see if it is blown. Look through the clear side of the fuse to see if the metal wire inside is separated. If it is, the fuse is blown and should be replaced. Fuse puller tool and fuse 250 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 249
and could start a fire. 5. Put the fuse panel cover back on. Even after you replace a fuse, it may continue to blow if you do not find what caused the overload. If the fuse continues to blow, have your electrical system checked. The following chart indicates the colors and amperage ratings of - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 250
Engine Compartment Main Fuse Panel Engine compartment main fuse panel 252 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 251
Roadside Emergencies 253 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 252
your Lincoln-Mercury dealer. However, you should know that the circuit breakers will reset themselves and allow the electrical parts to work again once the overload on the circuit is removed. If the circuit breakers continue to cut off electricity, have your vehicle's electrical system checked. 254 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 253
If you replace a circuit breaker, use one with the same amperage rating. To remove a circuit breaker mounted by the fuse panel, grip it with your finger and thumb and pull it straight out of its socket. Relays Relays are devices which receive signals from components or systems. After receiving - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 254
the road. Park on a level spot, turn off the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on the hazard flashers. The Temporary Spare Tire Your vehicle has a for emergency use only. Use it only when you get a flat tire and replace it as soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with the words - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 255
Roadside Emergencies s drive through an automatic car wash. Because the temporary spare tire is smaller than a conventional tire, it tire: 1. Open the liftgate and find the plastic hex nut cover in the carpeting of the cargo area. Lift the cover to expose the hex nut. The spare tire hex nut 257 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 256
side panel. 3. Fit the hex-shaped end of the lug wrench over the hex nut in the floor of the cargo area. Turn counterclockwise until the cable extends far enough to lower the spare tire to the ground. The spare tire in the lowered position 4. Continue - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 257
the cargo area. Turn the lug wrench clockwise until the tire is raised to its original position underneath the vehicle. NOTE: The lug wrench ratchets when the tire is raised to the stowed position. It will not allow you to over-tighten. 2. Check for proper seating against the underbody supports and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 258
, solid surface. Put the gearshift lever in P (Park). Set the parking brake and block the wheel - in both directions - that is diagonally opposite the section for instructions on spare tire removal. The jack is located in the rear storage compartment in the right door panel of the cargo area. You - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 259
Roadside Emergencies NOTE: All occupants should be out of the vehicle while it is on the jack. Jack storage location 261 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 260
3. Insert the tapered end of the jack handle behind the wheel cover of the tire to be changed and gently pry it off. When you want to replace the wheel cover, simply align the valve stem to the slot in the cover and press it back on. Removing the wheel cover 262 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 261
tapered end of the jack handle behind the notch in the wheel cap and gently pry it off. To replace it, press it back on. You must line up the raised circle on the back of the wheel cap with the indented area on the wheel in order to press the wheel cap on - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 262
Anti-theft lug nut 5. Fit the jack under the proper jacking point indicated by the notch in the bottom of the door frame panel. The notches for the jack 264 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 263
wheel off the ground, such as when changing a tire. RWARNING To lessen the risk of personal injury, do not put any part of your body under the vehicle while changing a tire. Do not start the engine when your vehicle is on the jack. The jack is only meant for changing the tire. 265 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 264
RWARNING Never raise your vehicle by using a bumper jack. The bumper could be damaged or the jack could slip nut wrench. All of these tools are needed to jack up a vehicle. NOTE: If Ford Accessory Running Boards have been installed, use the jack adapters supplied with the running boards as described - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 265
the wheel lug nuts with the lug nut wrench. 9. Remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire. 10. Place the wheel lug nuts on the spare wrench to tighten lug nuts in the appropriate sequence. Re-check for complete tightness. Lug nut tightening sequence The lug nuts should be tightened to - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 266
system. This damage could allow the wheels to come off while the vehicle is being driven. 13. Replace the wheel cover by pressing it into place. If you have the standard wheel covers, you must align the notch in the wheel cover with the tire's valve stem and align the recess in the back - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 267
Roadside Emergencies Storing the jack 16. Make sure the lug wrench is secured back into the tool kit and store it next to the jack. 17. Unblock the wheels. Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 268
Jump-Starting Your Battery Your vehicle's battery may discharge if you leave the lights or any electrical equipment on after you turn the engine off. If this happens, you may be able to jump-start from a booster battery to start your vehicle. RWARNING The gases around the battery can explode if - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 269
the parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan and other moving parts. 4. Check all battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before you attach the jumper cables. 5. Turn on the heater blower in both vehicles. Turn off all other switches and lights in both - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 270
. 3. Connect one end of the second cable to the negative (Ҁ) terminal of the booster battery - NOT to the discharged battery. 4. Connect the other end of the second cable to a good metallic surface on the engine or frame of the disabled vehicle. RWARNING Do not connect the end of the second cable - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 271
Roadside Emergencies Sequence for connecting jumper cables 273 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 272
to replace your battery, see Battery in the Maintenance and Care chapter. Towing Your Vehicle If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a professional towing service or, if you are a member, your roadside assistance center. DO NOT TOW YOUR VILLAGER WITH SLINGBELT EQUIPMENT. Ford Motor Company - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 273
the vehicle When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator what kind of vehicle you have. A towing manual is available from Ford Motor Company for all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow truck driver refer to this manual for the proper hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle. 275 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 274
parts and services are covered. Also see the Customer Assistance chapter of this Owner's Manual. Ford Motor Company recommends that the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the Maintenance Schedule booklet be performed for the proper operation of your vehicle. In addition to the conditions listed - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 275
recycling automotive fluids. Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle. Here are from the battery and all fuel-related parts. If you plan to work under the hood while the engine is off: RWARNING Always set the parking brake fully and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 276
If you must work under the hood while the engine is on: Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). This will prevent your vehicle from moving unexpectedly. RWARNING Do not start your engine with the air cleaner removed and do not remove it while the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 277
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and release the hood latch under the hood in the front center of the vehicle. 3. Lift the hood and release the prop rod from its retaining clip. Place the end of the prop rod in the prop rod hole provided on the underside of the hood. The hood latch and prop rod - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 278
latch every six months to maintain smooth operation. 2. Try to lift the hood after closing it to be sure it is securely latched. Engine Oil Recommendations We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American Petroleum Institute - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 279
climates down to -15˚F (-25˚C). Selecting the right viscosity for your climate Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be changed according to the maintenance schedule. NOTE: Ford production and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 280
be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level ground. Checking the engine oil level: 1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan. 2. Set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 281
oil level is below the "L" line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is beyond the letter "H," engine damage or high oil consumption may occur and some oil must be removed from the engine. 7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated. Adding engine oil It may be necessary - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 282
Capacities, Motorcraft Parts and Lubrication Specifications in the Capacities and Specifications chapter 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 283
not DOT 3, you will cause permanent damage to your brakes. Do not fill the reservoir above the MAX line. If you find that the fluid level is excessively low - below the seam or ridge on the outside of the plastic reservoir - have the brake system inspected. RWARNING Do not let the reservoir for the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 284
Maintenance and Care Brake fluid master cylinder reservoir 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 285
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. 288 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 286
Be sure to read and understand Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle at 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 287
replace it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 288
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 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 289
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. 292 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 290
Ford 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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 291
fluid in small amounts, continuously checking the level, until the fluid is between the minimum (MIN) and maximum (MAX) lines on the reservoir. Do not fluid will hold, see Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts, and Lubricant Specifications in the Capacities and Specifications chapter. Use only - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 292
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to check the fluid level of the transaxle since your vehicle brake and leave the engine running. Wipe off the dipstick cap, pull the dipstick out and wipe the indicator end clean. Put the dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure it is fully seated - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 293
When checking fluid at normal operating temperature, the fluid level should be within the crosshatched area on the dipstick. When the vehicle has not been driven, and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 294
refill your automatic transaxle fluid. Battery The Motorcraft low-maintenance battery requires periodic service as detailed below. The low-maintenance battery has removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for adding water, if needed. For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 295
check the electrolyte level more frequently. If the level of the electrolyte in a cell of the battery battery may be reduced and the frequency of maintenance required on the battery will increase. Help Us Protect Our Environment Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that used lead-acid batteries - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 296
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately. RWARNING Applying too much pressure on the ends when lifting a battery could cause acid to spill. Lift the battery with a carrier or with your hands on the opposite corners. Air Filter Air filter housing 299 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 297
. Wipe the inside of the air filter housing with a damp cloth when replacing the filter. RWARNING 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. Wiper Blades Check the windshield wiper blades at - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 298
Maintenance and Care To replace the wiper blades: 1. Pull the wiper arm away from the windshield place until you hear it click. Replacing the wiper blades Tires Look at your tires each time you fill your fuel tank. If one tire looks lower than the others, check the pressure in all of them. Always - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 299
flat. RWARNING Always obey posted speed limits. If you drive too fast for road conditions, you could lose control of your vehicle. Under some circumstances, driving at very in the tread grooves. Check for holes or cuts that may permit air to leak from the tire and make the necessary repairs. 302 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 300
it removed and checked. You may need to repair or replace it. Tire Rotation Because your vehicle's front and rear tires perform different jobs, they often wear differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the following diagram - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 301
wheel to rotate the spare tire into your vehicle's rotation pattern. Replacing the Tires Replace tires that show wear bands. When your tire shows a wear tire Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly, you may need to replace them before a wear band appears across the entire tread. Your wheels - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 302
replacing full size tires, never mix radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires are the same size, speed rating, and load-carrying capacity tire dealer for proper servicing procedures. Wheels and tires - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 303
limited production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 575.104(c)(2). U.S. Department of Transportation - Tire quality grades: the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 304
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high braking performance and tire quality grading found in the "Ford Motor Company Passenger Car Consumer Information" pamphlet (FPS 12024-92) also applies to the Villager - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 305
. s Put chains on tightly with the ends held down securely. Follow the chain manufacturer's instructions. s Drive slowly. If you can hear the chains rub or bang against your vehicle, Make sure your suspension insulators and bumpers are not missing or worn to avoid damage to your vehicle. 308 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 306
If you lose the fuel cap, replace it with an authorized Motorcraft or equivalent part. RWARNING If you do not use the proper fuel cap, the pressure in the fuel tank can damage the fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a collision. RWARNING The fuel system - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 307
replace your fuel cap with an aftermarket fuel filler cap, the customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel tank and/or fuel system. A venting fuel tank is not an abnormal condition. It may be caused by: s too volatile a fuel for the weather conditions. Service the body of your vehicle, - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 308
when you refuel, your vehicle can be operated on non-California fuels. However, even though your engine will perform adequately on other gasolines, the performance of the emission control devices and systems may be adversely affected. Repair of damage caused by using a fuel that your vehicle was not - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 309
sometimes knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under most driving conditions on the recommended octane fuel, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent any engine damage. Fuel Quality If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation problems, try a different - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 310
Maintenance and Care Safety Information Relating to Automotive Fuels RWARNING Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or mishandled. s Turn vehicle off when refueling. s Do not smoke when refueling. Fuels are extremely flammable. s Do not siphon any fuel by mouth. RWARNING - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 311
because this situation may have an adverse effect on modern powertrain components. You may need to crank the engine several times before the fuel system starts to pump fuel from the tank to the engine. Fuel Economy Fuel economy is an estimate of the efficiency of your vehicle, and can be calculated - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 312
from laboratory tests under simulated road conditions and may not reflect the actual conditions you experience or your style of brake s Sudden stops s Extended engine idling s Using speed control in hilly terrain s Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear window defroster and other accessories - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 313
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 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 314
of the engine or exhaust system. In general, maintenance, replacement, or service of the emission control devices or systems in your new Ford Motor Company vehicle or engine may be performed at your expense by any automotive repair establishment or individual using automotive parts equivalent to - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 315
the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to a not ready for I/M testing condition. To prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies that additional mixed city and highway driving is required to complete the check of the OBD II system. The driving - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 316
alignment of your headlamps should be checked if: s oncoming motorists frequently light to see clearly at night s the headlamp beams are not pointed slightly down and to the right Headlamp Bulb The headlamps on your vehicle use replaceable bulbs. When the lamp burns out, simply replace the bulb - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 317
the headlamp bulb 1. Make sure that the engine is off and the headlamp switch on the instrument panel is in the OFF position. 2. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by pulling the connector away from the bulb assembly. The headlamp bulb assembly 3. Remove the bulb retaining ring - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 318
4. Carefully remove the bulb assembly from its socket by gently pulling it rearward without turning. 5. Do not touch the bulb with your skin or you could shatter the bulb. Always grasp the bulb assembly from the plastic base. 6. Be sure that you have the proper replacement bulb ready before you - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 319
Headlamp bulb replacement Installing the headlamp bulb 1. With the flat side of the bulb's plastic base facing upward, insert the glass end of the bulb into the socket. You may need to turn the bulb left or right to line up the grooves in the plastic base with the tabs in the socket. When the - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 320
sure that they work properly. If the headlamp was correctly aligned before you changed bulbs, you should not need to align it again. Replacing the Bulbs There are several different types of replacement bulbs for your vehicle. The following illustration indicates the proper method of removal and - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 321
Bulb locations 324 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 322
Maintenance and Care Bulb replacement chart 325 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 323
326 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 324
Maintenance and Care 327 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 325
328 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 326
Maintenance and Care 329 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 327
330 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 328
Maintenance and Care 331 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 329
, with a mild detergent. DO NOT: s Wash your vehicle with hot water s Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct sunlight s Wash your vehicle while the body is hot Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as necessary to keep - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 330
have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration. Cleaning the Exterior Lamps Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 331
pressure fluid could penetrate sealed parts and assemblies causing damage or malfunctions. s In order to avoid possible cracking of the engine block or fuel injection pump, do not spray a hot engine or injection pump with cold water. s The alternator, distributor and air intake must be covered - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 332
Maintenance and Care Cleaning the Seats Leather For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp it. Cleaning the Safety Belts Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt because this may weaken it - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 333
to keep your vehicle in good operating condition. General s Store your vehicle in to protect against rust and damage. Body s Wash your vehicle thoroughly to remove fenders. s Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent rust. s Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a thick coat of auto - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 334
. s Keep all rubber parts free from oil and solvents. Engine s Start the engine every fifteen days. Run it at fast idle until it reaches normal operating temperature. s With your foot on the brake, shift the transaxle into all gears while the engine is running. Fuel system s Fill fuel tank with - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 335
the instructions packaged with the product. Cooling system s Protect your vehicle against freezing temperatures. Battery s Check and recharge the battery as necessary. s Keep connections clean and covered with a light coat of grease. Brakes s Make sure the brakes and parking brake are fully - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 336
Maintenance and Care Tires s Maintain recommended air pressure. Miscellaneous s Make sure all linkages, cables, levers and clevis pins under the vehicle are covered with grease to prevent rust. s Lubricate working parts to prevent corrosion. 339 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 337
Capacities and Specifications Refill Capacities, Motorcraft Parts, and Lubricant Specifications Motorcraft Parts 341 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 338
342 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 339
Capacities and Specifications Lubricant Specifications 343 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 340
344 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 341
Capacities and Specifications Engine Compartment Your vehicle has a 3.0 liter EFI, V-6 engine. The following illustration will show a diagram of your engine and where you can find items that you should service regularly. 345 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 342
The engine compartment 346 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 343
of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Ford Motor Company. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 344
. This complimentary service is provided to you throughout your warranty period of 3 years or 36,000 miles (60,000 km), whichever comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance coverages beyond this period (available through Ford Auto Club in the United States or Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers in - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 345
If You Have a Service Concern Ford Motor Company has authorized Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealerships to service your vehicle. This section tells you how to get service or maintenance for your vehicle. Service/Maintenance Concerns (U.S. or Canada) Ford recommends taking your vehicle to your selling - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 346
wish to contact the Dispute Settlement Board (U.S. only) or the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) in Canada. A warranty dispute must be Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This dispute handling - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 347
Lincoln cars and Ford and Mercury light trucks under the new vehicle limited warranty that have not been resolved by either a dealer or Ford Motor Company, except those involving: s a non-Ford product s a non-Ford dealership s a vehicle sales transaction s request for reimbursement of consequential - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 348
California and Wisconsin purchasers/lessees. How does the Board work? The Board consists of: s three consumer representatives s a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer Consumer candidates for Board membership are recruited and trained by an independent consulting firm. Dealers are chosen because of their - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 349
of occurrence(s) s the current mileage s the name of the dealer who sold or serviced the vehicle s a brief description of your unresolved concern s a brief summary of the action taken with the dealer and Ford Motor Company s the names (if known) of all the people you contacted at the dealership - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 350
Customer Assistance Making a decision Board members will review all available information related to the complaint, including oral presentations, if necessary. They then arrive at a fair and impartial decision, decided by a simple majority vote. Because the Board usually meets only once a month, - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 351
Program (Canada Only) In those cases where you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford and the dealer to resolve a factory-related vehicle service concern have been unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial third party mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 352
forward and relatively speedy alternative to resolve a disagreement both you and Ford of Canada. CAMVAP services are available in all territories and provinces, of your emissions control system and may cause engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor Company is not responsible - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 353
You may also have difficulty importing your vehicle back into the U.S. if you use leaded fuel. If your vehicle must be serviced while you are traveling or living in Central or South America, , register your Vehicle Identification Number and new address with Ford Motor Company Export Operations. 358 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 354
have been designed to meet your needs and are custom-designed to complement the style and aerodynamics of your vehicle. Some of the available accessories are listed here. Safety, Comfort, and Convenience Comfort and Convenience Air Conditioning Engine Block Heater Remote Keyless Entry 359 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 355
Protection and Appearance Equipment Aero Running Boards Carpeted Floor Mats Door Edge Guards Cleaners, Waxes and Polishes Front End Cover Front End Mini Rustproofing (U.S. Only) Super Seal Undercoating (U.S. Only) Touch-Up Paints Flat Splash Guards Safety Equipment Vehicle Security Systems 360 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 356
adding accessories, equipment, passengers, and luggage to your vehicle, do not exceed the total weight capacity of the vehicle or of the front or rear axle of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 47 CFR Parts 2 and 15. Any such system installed in your vehicle should comply with those rules - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 357
particularly if not properly installed, may adversely affect the operation of the vehicle. For example, such systems, when operated, may cause the engine to stumble or stall. In addition, such systems may themselves be damaged, or their operation affected, by the operation of the vehicle. (Citizens - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 358
364 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 359
366 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 360
375 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 361
Front Exterior View 376 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 362
Rear Exterior View 377 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 363
Entrance View 378 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 364
Driver's Door 379 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 365
Instrument Panel 380 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 366
Instrument Cluster - Standard 381 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 367
Instrument Cluster - Electronic 382 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 368
Cargo Compartment 383 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 369
Engine Compartment 384 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 370
Index A ABS warning light (see Anti-lock brake system) Accessory position on the ignition...Additives, engine oil ...Air bag supplemental restraint system and child safety seats ...description ...driver air bag ...indicator light...operation ...passenger air bag ...service and information labels ... - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 371
297 298 297 13 338 B Backing up ...Battery acid, treating emergencies ...charging system warning light ...disconnecting ...how to service ...proper disposal, recycling ...servicing ...voltage gauge ...when storing your vehicle ...Brake fluid brake warning light ...checking and adding ...description - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 372
Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP) . Carbon monoxide in exhaust ...Cargo net ...Car seats for children (see Child safety seats) ...Catalytic converter ...Chains, tires...Changing a tire ...Charging system warning light ...Childproof locks ...Child safety restraints child safety belts - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 373
(continued) in rear outboard seat ...in rear seat ...tether anchorage hardware. . Chime headlamps on ...key in ignition ...safety belt ...Circuit breakers checking and replacing ...see also fuses ...Cleaning your vehicle chrome and aluminum parts . engine compartment...exterior ...exterior lamps - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 374
running light system . Defrost rear window ...windshield ...Dipstick automatic transaxle fluid ...engine oil ...power steering fluid ...Disabled vehicle (see Towing). . Dispute Settlement Board...Doors door ajar warning light ...lubricant specifications ...Driving under special conditions heavy - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 375
...battery acid spills ...fuel ...towing ...Emergency brake (parking brake) . . Emission control system catalytic converter...emissions warranty ...Engine check engine warning light ...does not start...fuel injected engine, starting ...fuel pump shut-off switch ...preparing to start ...service - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 376
oil and oil filter ...checking and adding ...check oil warning light ...dipstick ...disposal ...engine oil pressure warning light ...filter, specifications ...low oil warning light ...specifications ...synthetic oil ..."break-in" oils ...viscosity ...Entry system illuminated ...keyless ...Exhaust - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 377
light...octane rating ...quality ...running out of fuel ...safety information relating to automotive fuels. storing your vehicle ...treating emergencies...Fuel cap removing...replacing ...Fuel filler door remote release ...Fuel filter, specifications ...Fuel gauge ...Fuel pump shut-off switch engine - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 378
compartment . . instrument panel ...Fuses charts ...checking and replacing circuit breakers ...252 246 246 245 254 G Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ...Gas mileage (see Fuel economy) . . Gasohol...Gasoline (see Fuel)...Gauges, Electronic engine coolant temperature gauge fuel gauge ...odometer ...speedometer - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 379
...daytime running lights ...replacing bulbs ...warning chime ...Head restraints ...Heating, manual heating and air High beams, indicator light...Hitch...Hood latch location ...lubrication specifications ...release lever ...working under the hood...76, 243 ...conditioning ...system...325 319 333 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 380
bulb replacement specifications chart checking ...daytime running light system ...hazard flashers ...illuminated entry system...instrument panel, dimming...replacing bulbs ...trailer ...Lane change indicator (see Turn signal) Liftgate ...Lights, warning and indicator air bag ...anti-lock brakes (ABS - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 381
system ...check engine ...door ajar ...engine oil pressure ...hazard warning light ...high beam ...low fuel ...low oil ...low washer fluid ...oil pressure...rear ABS ...safety belt ...service engine 110 110 M Maintenance (see Servicing) ...Master cylinder, brakes ...Message center, low washer fluid - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 382
...trip odometer . . Oil filter ...Oil (see Engine oil) Oil viscosity...On-board diagnostic Overdrive...Overseas offices ...(OBD ...II) system ...20 . . 20 . 284 . 281 . 281 . 318 . 226 . 357 P Parking brake operation ...warning light ...Parts (see Motorcraft Parts) . . PCV valve, specifications - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 383
. Rear window ...defroster ...Relays ...Remote entry system illuminated entry ...replacing the batteries ...Restraints, safety (see Safety restraints) adult 131 123 133 146 131 S Safety belts (see Safety restraints) ...Safety Compliance Certification Label . . Safety information relating to - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 384
) replacement...warning light and chime ...Safety seats for children and air bags ...attaching with tether straps ...automatic locking mode (retractor) ...in front seat ...in rear outboard ...in rear seat ...tether anchorage hardware ...Seat belts (see Safety restraints) ...Seats child safety seats - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 385
...Storing your vehicle ...Supplemental air bag readiness light Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ... 341 343 94 94 95 95 95 238 . 20 211 212 244 223 86 91 ... . 112 . 128 . 336 . . 11 . 146 T Tachometer mechanical cluster...Tail lamps bulb replacement ...cleaning ...Temperature control (see - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 386
changing ...checking the pressure ...cleaning ...inspection and maintenance ...replacing ...rotating brakes ...trailer lamps ...Transaxle automatic operation ...fluid, checking and adding (automatic) lubricant specifications ...Transaxle control switch ...Trip odometer ...Turn signal indicator lights - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 387
) Viscosity (see Engine oil)...Voltmeter (see Battery voltage gauge) ...89 ...356 ...234 . 229 . 336 . . 56 . 281 . . 13 W Warning chimes headlamps on ...key in ignition ...safety belt ...Warranties, radio ...Warranty Information Booklet ...Washer fluid ...warning light ...Weight limits (GAWR - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 388
Index Windows power windows, operating ...Windshield, washing ...Windshield washer fluid and wipers checking and replacing wiper blades low washer fluid light ...operation ...reservoir ...specifications ...variable interval wipers ...Windshield wipers and washer ...Wrecker towing ...107 ...89 ...300 - 1997 Mercury Villager | Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 389
Service Station Information 404
-
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
5 -
6 -
7 -
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
-
15
-
16
-
17
-
18
-
19
-
20
-
21
-
22
-
23
-
24
-
25
-
26
-
27
-
28
-
29
-
30
-
31
-
32
-
33
-
34
-
35
-
36
-
37
-
38
-
39
-
40
-
41
-
42
-
43
-
44
-
45
-
46
-
47
-
48
-
49
-
50
-
51
-
52
-
53
-
54
-
55
-
56
-
57
-
58
-
59
-
60
-
61
-
62
-
63
-
64
-
65
-
66
-
67
-
68
-
69
-
70
-
71
-
72
-
73
-
74
-
75
-
76
-
77
-
78
-
79
-
80
-
81
-
82
-
83
-
84
-
85
-
86
-
87
-
88
-
89
-
90
-
91
-
92
-
93
-
94
-
95
-
96
-
97
-
98
-
99
-
100
-
101
-
102
-
103
-
104
-
105
-
106
-
107
-
108
-
109
-
110
-
111
-
112
-
113
-
114
-
115
-
116
-
117
-
118
-
119
-
120
-
121
-
122
-
123
-
124
-
125
-
126
-
127
-
128
-
129
-
130
-
131
-
132
-
133
-
134
-
135
-
136
-
137
-
138
-
139
-
140
-
141
-
142
-
143
-
144
-
145
-
146
-
147
-
148
-
149
-
150
-
151
-
152
-
153
-
154
-
155
-
156
-
157
-
158
-
159
-
160
-
161
-
162
-
163
-
164
-
165
-
166
-
167
-
168
-
169
-
170
-
171
-
172
-
173
-
174
-
175
-
176
-
177
-
178
-
179
-
180
-
181
-
182
-
183
-
184
-
185
-
186
-
187
-
188
-
189
-
190
-
191
-
192
-
193
-
194
-
195
-
196
-
197
-
198
-
199
-
200
-
201
-
202
-
203
-
204
-
205
-
206
-
207
-
208
-
209
-
210
-
211
-
212
-
213
-
214
-
215
-
216
-
217
-
218
-
219
-
220
-
221
-
222
-
223
-
224
-
225
-
226
-
227
-
228
-
229
-
230
-
231
-
232
-
233
-
234
-
235
-
236
-
237
-
238
-
239
-
240
-
241
-
242
-
243
-
244
-
245
-
246
-
247
-
248
-
249
-
250
-
251
-
252
-
253
-
254
-
255
-
256
-
257
-
258
-
259
-
260
-
261
-
262
-
263
-
264
-
265
-
266
-
267
-
268
-
269
-
270
-
271
-
272
-
273
-
274
-
275
-
276
-
277
-
278
-
279
-
280
-
281
-
282
-
283
-
284
-
285
-
286
-
287
-
288
-
289
-
290
-
291
-
292
-
293
-
294
-
295
-
296
-
297
-
298
-
299
-
300
-
301
-
302
-
303
-
304
-
305
-
306
-
307
-
308
-
309
-
310
-
311
-
312
-
313
-
314
-
315
-
316
-
317
-
318
-
319
-
320
-
321
-
322
-
323
-
324
-
325
-
326
-
327
-
328
-
329
-
330
-
331
-
332
-
333
-
334
-
335
-
336
-
337
-
338
-
339
-
340
-
341
-
342
-
343
-
344
-
345
-
346
-
347
-
348
-
349
-
350
-
351
-
352
-
353
-
354
-
355
-
356
-
357
-
358
-
359
-
360
-
361
-
362
-
363
-
364
-
365
-
366
-
367
-
368
-
369
-
370
-
371
-
372
-
373
-
374
-
375
-
376
-
377
-
378
-
379
-
380
-
381
-
382
-
383
-
384
-
385
-
386
-
387
-
388
-
389
 |
 |
