Ford Villager 1998 User Manual

WORLDWIDE DIRECT MARKET OPERATIONS

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

1555 Fairlane Drive

Fairlane Business Park #3

Allen Park, Michigan 48101

Telephone: (313) 594-4857

Fax: (313) 390-0804

Table of Contents

Introduction ...................1

Instrumentation .................7

Electronic Sound Systems .............29

Controls and Features ...............53

Seating and Safety Restraints ............121

Adjustable Rear Seating ..............177

Starting ....................207

Driving ....................215

Roadside Emergencies ..............241

Maintenance and Care ..............275

Capacities and Specifications ............337

Reporting Safety Defects .............343

Customer Assistance ...............345

Accessories ..................355

Quick Index ..................363

Index.....................373

Service Station Information ............400

Introduction

Using This Guide

To fully appreciate all of the features and options of your new vehicle, we recommend that you thoroughly read through this guide now and refer to it when you have specific needs or questions. For your own safety and the safety of your passengers, it is important that you completely understand all performance and care procedures before operating this vehicle. For example, without reading further, would you know:

m What to do if you get a flat tire? (Refer to Flat tire in the

Index)

m What it means if the O/D OFF light is illuminated on your

instrument panel? (Refer to Overdrive in the Index)

m How to engage the childproof safety lock on the sliding door?

(Refer to Childproof locks in the Index)

m That your automatic transaxle will not shift out of PARK (P)

until you apply the brake pedal? (Refer to Gearshift in the Index)

Ford’s Commitment to You

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

m Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our

products and services must be our number one priority.

m You are the focus of everything we do. Our work must be

done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition.

m Continuous improvement is essential to our success. We

must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products — in their safety and value — and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability.

m Employee involvement is our way of life. We are a team. We

must treat one another with trust and respect.

m Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain

mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates.

m Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct worldwide

must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society.

NOTES and WARNINGS

NOTES give you additional information about the subject matter you are referencing.

WARNINGS remind you to be especially careful in those areas where carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to yourself, your passengers or other people. Please read all WARNINGS carefully.

WARNING

Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index, Table of Contents, or the Index.

Introduction

The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you choose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term.

Canadian Owners — French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.

Maintenance Schedule

As with any other member of your family, your new 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 three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties.

Read your Warranty Guide carefully to find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Guide, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this Owner’s Guide.

Ford’s Extended Service Plan (ESP)

More Protection for Your Vehicle

You can get more protection for your new car or light truck by purchasing a Ford Extended Service Plan (Ford ESP). Ford ESP is the only extended service program with the Ford name on it and the only service contract backed by Ford Motor Company.

Ford ESP is an optional service contract, backed and administered by Ford. It provides:

m protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper

Warranty expires;

and

m other benefits during the warranty period (such as:

reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain maintenance and wear items).

You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford or Lincoln-Mercury Motor Company dealer. There are several Ford ESP plans available in various time-and-mileage combinations. Each plan can be tailored to fit your own driving needs, including reimbursement benefits for towing and rental. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for details.)

When you purchase Ford ESP, you receive peace-of-mind protection throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of more than 5,100 participating Ford Motor Company dealers.

NOTE: Repairs performed outside the United States and

Canada are not eligible for ESP coverage.

Introduction

This information is subject to change. Ask your dealer for complete details about Ford ESP coverage.

Break-In Period for Your Villager

Your new vehicle will go through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of driving. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle.

m Change your speed often as you drive. Do not drive at one

speed for a long time.

m Use only the type of engine oil that Ford recommends. See

Engine oil in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

m Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle has new brake

linings, you should take these steps:

— Watch traffic carefully so that you can anticipate when to

stop. — Begin braking well in advance. — Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Things to Know About Using This Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.

This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation.

Instrumentation

Warning Lights and Gauges

The instrument panel (dashboard) on your vehicle is divided into several different sections. The illustrations on the following pages show the major parts of the instrument panel described in this chapter. Some items shown may not be on all vehicles.

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.

The following warning lights and gauges are on the mechanical cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to possible problems with your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are optional. The following section explains what each of these indicators means.

Mechanical cluster

Instrumentation

Indicator Lights and Chimes

Brake System Warning Light

The warning light for the brakes can show two things — that the parking brake is not fully released, or that the brake fluid level is low in the master cylinder reservoir. If the fluid level is low, the brake system should be checked by your dealer or a qualified service technician.

Brake system and parking brake light

The BRAKE light normally illuminates when you turn the ignition key to the ON position to verify that the 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.

WARNING

The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light (If Equipped)

To check the anti-lock brake warning light, turn the ignition key to the ON position. The ABS warning light should glow momentarily.

NOTE: If it does not glow at all or stays on for a long time,

have your vehicle’s electrical system checked immediately.

Anti-lock brake system warning light

WARNING

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 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.

Instrumentation

Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime

This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety belt.

m If the safety belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to

the ON position, the chime will sound for four (4) to eight (8) seconds and the light will remain on until the safety belt is fastened.

m If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on and the chime

is sounding, both the light and chime will turn off.

m If the safety belt is buckled before the ignition is turned to the

ON position, the chime does not sound, and the warning light will not illuminate.

Safety belt warning light

Air Bag Readiness Light

The supplemental air bag system uses a readiness light to indicate the condition of the system. If the system is functioning properly, the light will illuminate for about six (6) seconds when the ignition 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 may not function properly in the event of a collision.

A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: the readiness light will either flash or stay lit, or it will not light.

WARNING

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

Supplemental air bag readiness light

Service Engine Soon Warning Light

Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). This OBD II system protects the environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.

The Service Engine Soon indicator light illuminates when the ignition is first turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the engine is started, one of the engine’s emission control systems may be malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern being noted. The vehicle will usually be driveable and will not require towing.

Instrumentation

Service Engine Soon warning light

What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates

Light turns on solid:

This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause your Service Engine Soon light to

illuminate. Examples are:

1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run poorly.)

2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.

3. The fuel filler cap may not have been securely tightened.

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel filler cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the Service Engine Soon light should turn off. (A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.

If the Service Engine Soon light remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.

Light is blinking:

Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter. You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.

WARNING

Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.

Charging System Light

This light indicates that your battery is not being charged and that you need to have the electrical system checked.

Charging system light

This light illuminates every time you turn your ignition key to the ON or START position. The light should go off when the engine starts and the alternator begins to charge.

If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running, have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.

Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light

The oil pressure light is represented by an oil can symbol. It indicates the engine’s oil pressure, not oil level. However, if your engine’s oil level is low, it could affect the oil pressure. The oil pressure light will flash if the oil pressure drops below the normal operating level. When you turn the key to the ON position, the light will illuminate.

Instrumentation

Oil pressure light

The light should turn off after a few seconds. If the light stays on or illuminates when the engine is running, your vehicle has lost oil pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine damage.

If your vehicle loses engine oil pressure:

1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible.

2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine as soon as safely possible, severe engine damage could result.

3. Check the oil level following 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.

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 on, even if the oil level is correct. For more information about adding oil, see Engine oil, checking in the Index.

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 indicator light

Overdrive Off Indicator Light

This light illuminates when the OVERDRIVE OFF/ON button on the gearshift selector lever has been pushed. When the light is on, the transmission does not shift into overdrive. Depressing the button on the shifter once more allows the vehicle to shift into overdrive mode. This light also briefly illuminates when the key is turned to the ON position.

Overdrive off indicator light

If the light flashes for about 8 seconds when the ignition is turned to ON, it means the transaxle control module received an improper signal the last time the vehicle was operated. It may be necessary to have your dealer check the transaxle.

Instrumentation

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 enough fuel to pass the 1/8 full level.

Low fuel light

Low Washer Fluid Light

The low washer fluid light will remain illuminated when 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. If your vehicle is equipped with Daytime Running Lights and you have your headlamps on, your high beam light will not illuminate when you flash the lights.

High beam light

‘‘Headlamps On’’ Alert Chime

This chime will sound if you open the door while the headlamps or parking lamps are on.

Gauges

Fuel Gauge

The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel you have in the fuel tank. The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly while the vehicle is in motion. This is the result of fuel movement within the tank. An accurate reading may be obtained when the vehicle is on smooth, level ground.

Fuel gauge

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge is accompanied by 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 very top of the normal band.

Instrumentation

Under any circumstances, if the pointer moves past the upper limit of the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and engine damage may occur.

If your engine overheats:

1. Pull off the road as soon as it is safely possible.

2. Turn off the engine. If you do not stop the engine 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 do not follow these instructions, you or others could be injured.

5. Refer to Adding Engine Coolant in the Maintenance and Care chapter. Add as much coolant as your engine needs. If the engine continues to overheat, have the cooling system serviced.

Engine coolant temperature gauge

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 by pushing the reset control.

Speedometer, odometer and trip odometer

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.

Electronic cluster

Instrumentation

The electronic cluster has 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 which displays fuel economy, distance to empty and outside air temperature.

Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge

This gauge shows you the temperature of the engine coolant and is identified by a thermometer symbol. The letter H means that the coolant is hot, C means that it is cold, and NORMAL means that the coolant is within the normal operating range.

The indicator bar on the graph will move into the normal operating range as the engine warms up. When you are in heavy traffic or stop-and-go driving in hot weather, the gauge may read at the very top of the NORMAL range. This is acceptable.

However, if the indicator bar on the graph moves into the H (hot) position, the engine is overheating and may be damaged. If this happens, you should stop your vehicle as soon as safely possible. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant level to be sure that it is at the proper level. If your vehicle needs more coolant, see Engine coolant in the Index and read the section regarding adding coolant.

Fuel Gauge

Engine coolant temperature 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

Instrumentation

Fuel and Distance Computer

Fuel and distance computer switches

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 the next choice on the menu. After it reaches the last choice on the menu, it returns to the top of the menu.

RESET — The RESET button is used to reset the Average Economy function. Press the SELECT button until the Average Economy function is displayed. Then press the RESET button.

ENG/MET — The ENG/MET button allows you to change your gauges from English to metric units or from metric to English units. The displays remain in the units you choose until you change them again, even after you turn off the vehicle and start it again. To synchronize the automatic temperature control module’s ENG/MET; refer to the climate control information in the Controls and Features section of this manual.

TRIP/RST — The TRIP/RST button is used to reset the trip odometer mileage. Press the OD/TRIP button until the trip odometer mileage is displayed. Then press the TRIP/RST button.

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 distance computer is designed to prevent inaccurate

temperature display readings. For example, a sudden temperature change (such as driving out of a cool garage on a warm day), may show outside temperature display readings which are lower than expected. The accurate temperature will be displayed after the vehicle has reached the outside temperature and is driven at speeds of 30 mph (48 km/h) or greater.

In the event of a decrease in the outside air temperature, there will be no delay in an accurate temperature display.

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