Mercury VILLAGER 1997 Owner Manual
Table of Contents
Introduction ..................... 1
Instrumentation .................... 7
Audio ........................29
Controls and Features .................53
Seating and Safety Restraints ............. 123
Adjustable Rear Seating ............... 181
Starting ...................... 211
Driving ...................... 219
Roadside Emergencies ................ 243
Maintenance and Care ................ 277
Capacities and Specifications ............. 341
Reporting Safety Defects ............... 347
Customer Assistance ................ 349
Accessories ..................... 359
Quick Index .................... 375
Index........................ 385
Service Station Information ............. 404
Introduction
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 back 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:
■ What to do if you get a flat tire? (Refer to Flat tire in the
Index)
■ What it means if the O/D OFF light is illuminated on your
instrument panel? (Refer to Overdrive in the Index)
■ How to engage the childproof safety lock on the sliding
door? (Refer to Childproof lock in the Index)
■ That your automatic transaxle will not shift out of PARK (P)
until you depress the brake pedal? (Refer to Gearshift in the
Index)
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
■ Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the quality of our
products and services must be our number one priority.
■ 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.
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■ 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.
■ Employee involvement is our way of life. We are a team.
We must treat one another with trust and respect.
■ Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We must maintain
mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and
our other business associates.
■ 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.
RWARNING
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.
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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 chose 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.
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.
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic
Vehicle Warranty, Extended Warranties on certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out
about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, 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.
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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:
■ protection against repair costs after your Bumper to Bumper
Warranty expires;
■ 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 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.
This information is subject to change. Ask your dealer for
complete details about Ford ESP coverage.
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Introduction
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.
■ Change your speed often as you drive. Do not drive at one
speed for a long time.
■ Use only the type of engine oil that Ford recommends. See
Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special
“break-in” oils.
■ 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.
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.
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Instrumentation
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.
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8
Mechanical cluster
Instrumentation
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.
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.
RWARNING
The BRAKE light indicates that the brakes may not be
working properly. Have the brakes checked immediately.
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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
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 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.
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Instrumentation
Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime
This warning light and chime remind you to fasten your safety
belt.
■ 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.
■ If the safety belt is buckled while the light is on and the
chime is sounding, both the light and chime will turn off.
■ 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.
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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, or a group of five beeps will be heard.
RWARNING
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
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 the engine.
Check engine warning light
This light illuminates briefly when you turn the ignition key to
ON, but should turn off when the engine starts. If the light does
not come on when you turn the ignition to ON or if it
illuminates and stays on when you are driving, have your
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Instrumentation
vehicle 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.
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.
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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.
Oil pressure light
The light should turn off after a few seconds. If the light stays
on or illuminates when the engine is running — you have lost
oil pressure and continued operation will cause severe engine
damage.
If you lose engine oil pressure:
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
and adding engine oil in this owner guide. (See Engine oil in
the index.) Make sure your vehicle is on level ground.
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 and
adding in the Index.
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Instrumentation
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, returns the vehicle to
overdrive mode. This light also briefly illuminates when the key
is turned to the on position.
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Overdrive off indicator light
If the light flashes for about 8 seconds when the ignition is
turned to ON, it means the transaxle control 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 enough fuel to pass the 1/8 full level.
Low fuel light
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Instrumentation
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.
High beam light
“Headlamps On” Alert Chime
This chime will sound if you open the door while the
headlamps or parking lamps are on.
Ignition Key Chime
The chime will sound if you open the driver’s door while the
key is in the ignition. Never leave your vehicle unattended with
the key in the ignition.
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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.
Under any circumstances, if the pointer moves past the upper
limit of the NORMAL band, the engine is overheating and
engine damage may occur.
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Instrumentation
If your engine overheats:
safely possible, severe engine damage could result.
SYSTEM FILL CAP UNTIL THE ENGINE IS COOL.
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.
chapter. Add as much coolant as your engine needs. If the
engine continues to overheat, have the cooling system
serviced.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
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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
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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.
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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 for measuring 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 cause engine
damage. 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, checking and
adding in the Index and read the section regarding adding
coolant.
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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
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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 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.
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.
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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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Instrumentation
INST ECONOMY
Your instantaneous fuel economy is the fuel economy you get 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 vehicle
must be moving for the computer to calculate a fuel economy
greater than zero.
AVG ECONOMY
The average fuel economy is an overall average of your fuel
economy taken from the last time the reset button was pushed.
The computer takes an average of all the types of driving you
have done since the RESET button was pressed (highway, city,
heavy traffic), and figures out the average fuel economy. You
can calculate your average fuel economy as often as you like.
For example, you can calculate the average fuel economy for
each tank of fuel or for every day.
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To display the average fuel economy:
ECONOMY.
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. The average fuel economy must be displayed
to reset the fuel computer.
The best time to reset the AVG ECONOMY is when you fill
the fuel tank or at the beginning of a trip.
TO EMPTY
The Distance to Empty function tells you approximately how
many miles or kilometers you can drive until you run out of
fuel.
To see the Distance to Empty, press the SELECT button until
the menu displays TO EMPTY. The fuel computer displays
approximate distance to empty until you select another function.
To ensure accuracy, turn the ignition to the OFF position when
you fill the fuel tank.
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