1997 Mercury Villager Owner Guide 1st Printing - Page 294

Maintenance and Care NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible manner. Follow your community's standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call your local recycling center to find out about recycling automotive fluids. NOTE: Always use Motorcraft MERCONă or equivalent MERCONă automatic transaxle fluid when you 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 of the battery clean and dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are tightly fastened to the battery terminals. If you see any corrosion on the battery cables or terminals, remove the cables from the terminal and clean them both with a wire brush. You can neutralize the acid with a solution of baking soda and water. Reinstall the cables when you are done cleaning them, and apply a small quantity of grease to the top of each battery terminal to help prevent corrosion. Battery replacement If your original equipment battery requires replacement while under warranty, it may be replaced by a Motorcraft low-maintenance battery. The low-maintenance battery has removable vent caps for checking the electrolyte level and for adding water, if needed. Check the electrolyte level of each cell (there are six) at least every 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km). Keep the electrolyte level between the MAX and MIN lines that are on the side of the battery (you will have to remove the battery cover to see the fill lines on the battery). Do not overfill the 297