1997 Mercury Villager Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 258

Preparing to Change the Tire You should only raise your vehicle with a jack properly placed at the front or rear jacking points. 1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move or roll and that the tires and jack are on a level, 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 tire that you are changing. RWARNING When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park). RWARNING To prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire, be sure the parking brake is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed. RWARNING If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be seriously injured. 2. Get out the spare tire and jack. See previous 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 will have to unfasten the jack before removing it as shown in the illustration. The jack handle is in the tool kit located behind the jack. 260