Ford Mercury Villager 1997 Owner's Manual page 127

Reclining Seats
You can tilt back the seats in your vehicle.
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 lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. To return the seatback to its upright position, lift the lever and
lean forward.
Seatback release lever location
Seating and Safety Restraints
WARNING
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