Mercury Sable 1998 User manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 15
Seating and safety restraints 54
Starting and driving
Starting 84
Driving 89
Roadside emergencies 108
Servicing
Maintenance and care 127
Capacities and specifications 173
Reporting safety defects 181
Index 182
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or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any
information storage and retrieval system or translation in
whole or part is not permitted without written
authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

ICONS
Indicates a safety alert.
Read the following
section on Warnings .
Indicates vehicle
information related to
recycling and other
environmental
concerns will follow.
Correct vehicle usage and the authorized disposal of
waste cleaning and lubrication materials are
significant steps towards protecting the
environment.
Indicates a message
regarding child safety
restraints. Refer to
Seating and safety
restraints for more information.
Indicates that this
Owner Guide contains
information on this
subject. Please refer to
the Index to locate the appropriate section which
will provide you more information.
Introduction
2

WARNINGS
Warnings provide information which may reduce the
risk of personal injury and prevent possible damage
to others, your vehicle and its equipment.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
There are no particular breaking-in rules for your
vehicle. During the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles) of
driving, vary speeds frequently. This is necessary to
give the moving parts a chance to break in.
If possible, you should avoid full use of the brakes
for the first 1 600 km (1 000 miles).
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at
the time of printing. Ford may change the contents
without notice and without incurring obligation.
Introduction
3

E
F
C
H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON LOW
COOLANT THEFT
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40 50 60 70 80
90
100
120
20
60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
P!
BRAKE
+–
110
CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABS
O/D
OFF REAR LAMP
OUT
PREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED
0
1
2
345
6
7
8
Parking
brake
release
(pg. 91)
Headlamp
control
(pg. 15)
Speed
control*
(pg. 28)
Driver side
air bag
(pg. 66)
Trunk
release
(pg. 40)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer
control (pg. 32)
Instrument
cluster
(pg. 6)
*if equipped
Instrumentation
4

BASS
TREB
BAL
FADE
REW FF
EJECT
123456
w
TAPE SIDE
TAPE
R-DEF
TUNE
SEEK
SCAN
AM
FM
MH
LO
HI
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
VENT
VOL
PUSH-ON
w
ST
FM 12
AMC
BL RF
Climate
control
systems
(pg. 17)
Gearshift
(pg. 93)
Electronic sound
system; refer to
Audio Guide
(pg. 27)
Passenger
side air bag
(pg. 67)
Instrumentation
5

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Turn signal
Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal
or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or
both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash
faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer
to Exterior bulbs in the Maintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps
are turned on.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position to remind you
to fasten your safety belts. For more information,
refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON or
START position and
any door is open.
E
F
C
H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON THEFT
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30
40 50 60 70 80
90
100
120
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60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
P!
BRAKE
LOW
COOLANT
+–
110
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0
1
2
34
5
6
7
ABS
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
6

Service engine soon
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 drivable and will not require
towing.
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 cap may not have been properly installed
and securely tightened.
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Instrumentation
7

These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by
filling the fuel tank with good quality fuel and/or
properly installing and securely tightening the gas
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.
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.
Low fuel
Illuminates when the
fuel tank has
approximately eight
liters (two gallons)
remaining. The lamp will also illuminate when the
ignition key is turned to ON and the engine is off.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will
illuminate when the
engine coolant inside
the reservoir is low.
LOW
COOLANT
Instrumentation
8

This lamp will come on when the ignition is first
turned on, but then should turn off. If the lamp
stays on, you should check the coolant level inside
the reservoir. For instructions on adding coolant, see
Engine coolant in the Maintenance and care
chapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer to Anti-theft
system in the Controls
and features chapter.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the
transmission control
switch has been
pushed. When the light
is on, the transmission does not shift into overdrive.
If the light does not come on when the transmission
control switch is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light does not illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to
be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released.
THEFT
O/D
OFF
ABS
Instrumentation
9

Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on
when either the
SET/ACCEL or
RESUME controls are
pressed. It turns off
when the speed control OFF control is pressed, the
brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If brake warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates
when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the
oil pressure falls below
the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and add oil if
needed. Refer to Engine oil in the Maintenance
and Care chapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine is off.
Charging system
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to
the ON position and
the engine is off. The
light also illuminates when the battery is not
CRUISE
ON
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

charging properly, requiring electrical system
service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily
illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON.
If the light fails to
illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have
the system serviced immediately.
Low washer fluid
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON
and when the
windshield washer fluid
is low.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
the Seating and safety restraints chapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and either front door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and either front door is opened.
Instrumentation
11

GAUGES
Speedometer
Indicates the current
vehicle speed.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute.
Driving with your
tachometer pointer in
the red zone may
damage the engine.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0
1
2
34
5
6
7
E
F
C
H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
P!
BRAKE
ABS
+–
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT
LOW
COOLANT O/D
OFF
10
20
30
40 50 60 70 80
90
100
120
20
60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
110
10
20
30
40 50 60 70 80
90
100
120
20
60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
110
RPMx1000
0
1
2
34
5
6
7
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Instrumentation
12

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the
needle remains within
the normal area (the
area between the “H”
and “C”). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine immediately and let
the engine cool. Refer to Engine coolant in the
Maintenance and care chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of
the vehicle.
C
H
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20
30
40 50 60 70 80
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100
120
20
60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
110
Instrumentation
13

Trip odometer
Registers the
kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys. To
reset, depress the
control.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in
the fuel tank (when
the key is in the ON
position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in
motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being refueled. When
the gauge first indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When refueling
the vehicle from empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less than the
advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
10
20
30
40 50 60 70 80
90
100
120
20
60
100
140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
0
0000
00000
110
E
F
Instrumentation
14

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp
control to the first
position to turn on the
parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second
position to also turn on
the headlamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on with a reduced
output. To activate:
•the engine must be running and
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking
lamps position.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking
lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to
do so may result in a collision.
High beams
Push forward to
activate.
PPANEL
DIM AUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
15

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to
activate and release to
deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the
brightness of the
instrument panel
during headlamp and
parklamp operation.
•Rotate up to
brighten.
•Rotate down to dim.
AUTOLAMP CONTROL
The autolamp system
provides light sensitive
automatic on-off
control of the exterior
lights normally
controlled by the
headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the lights on for a
preselected period of time after the ignition switch
is turned to OFF.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the control up. The
preselected time lapse is adjustable up to
approximately three minutes by continuing to
rotate the control upward.
PPANEL
DIM AUTO
LAMP
PPANEL
DIM AUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
16

•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control down
until it clicks.
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
Clears the rear window of thin ice and fog. To
operate:
1. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
2. Press and release
the control once to
turn on. The light will
be lit while the rear
window defroster is on.
3. Press and release the control again to turn off.
The defroster will automatically turn off after fifteen
minutes.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Manual heating and air conditioning system
(if equipped)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated in the vehicle.
R-DEF
R-DEF
LO
HI
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
VENT
LO
HI
Controls and features
17

Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the
vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction
of the airflow to the
inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning
compressor will operate in all modes except VENT
and . However, the air conditioning will only
function if the outside temperature is about 10°C
(50°F) or above.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation, it is normal
if clear water drips on the ground under the air
conditioner drain while the system is working and
even after you have stopped the vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle’s climate
control system should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked.
This allows the vehicle to “breathe” through the
outside air inlet duct.
•MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle.
MAX A/C is noisier than A/C but more economical
and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster.
Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers. This mode can also be used to prevent
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
•A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is
quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical.
Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
•VENT-Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers. However, the air will
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
VENT
Controls and features
18

not be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
•OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not
operate. For short periods of time only, use this
mode to prevent undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle.
•(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel registers and the
floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control
knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air distributed through the
floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel registers.
•(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by
distributing outside air through the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning
does not operate in this mode.
•(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster ducts and the
floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control
knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air distributed through the
floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel registers. If the
temperature is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the
air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the
air to prevent fogging.
•-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear
ice or fog from the windshield. If the temperature
is about 10°C (50°F) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
Controls and features
19

Operating tips
•In humid weather, select before driving. This
will prevent your windshield from fogging. After a
few minutes, select any desired position.
•To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle,
don’t drive with the climate control system in the
OFF position.
•Don’t put objects under the front seat that will
interfere with the airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow,
ice or leaves from
the air intake area
(at the bottom of
the windshield under
the hood).
•If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C, but
not in A/C, this may indicate that the cabin air
filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
•If your vehicle has been parked with the windows
closed during hot weather, the air conditioner will
do a much faster job of cooling if you drive for
two or three minutes with the windows open. This
will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Then operate your air conditioner as you
would normally.
•When placing objects on top of your instrument
panel, be careful to not place them over the
defroster outlets. These objects can block airflow
and reduce your ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on
top of your instrument panel. These objects can
fall down into the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage your climate control
system.
Controls and features
20