Mercury Sable 2000 User manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 16
Seating and safety restraints 73
Starting and driving
Starting 107
Driving 112
Roadside emergencies 129
Servicing
Maintenance and care 147
Capacities and specifications 204
Customer assistance 211
Reporting safety defects 223
Index 224
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in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright © 1999 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

The following warning may be required by California law:
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
Engine exhaust, some if its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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.
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

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety Belt Air Bag-Front
Air Bag-Side Child Seat
Child Seat Installation
Warning
Child Seat Tether
Anchorage
Brake System Anti-Lock Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based Traction Control
Master Lighting Switch Hazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-Front Fuse Compartment
Fuel Pump Reset Windshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/Demist
Rear Window
Defrost/Demist
Power Windows
Front/Rear Power Window Lockout
Introduction
4

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic Alarm Engine Oil
Engine Coolant Engine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When Hot Battery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or Sparks Battery Acid
Explosive Gas Fan Warning
Power Steering Fluid Maintain Correct Fluid
Level
MAX
MIN
Emission System Engine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter Jack
Introduction
5

A
ON
OFF
+–
0
1
2
20
40
60
80
100
120
20
60 140
180
P R N D 2 1
MPH km/h
000000
0000
E
F
C
H
FUEL DOOR >
THEFT
LOW
COOLANT
Parking brake
release
(pg. 114)
Headlamp
control
(pg. 16)
Panel dimmer
(pg. 17)
Driver air bag
(pg. 93)
Trunk release —
sedan only
(pg. 56)
Rear window wiper and
washer — wagon only*
(pg. 47)
Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 46)
Instrument cluster
(pg. 8)
* if equipped
Instrumentation
6

VOL
PUSH ON
AM
FM
H
M
EJ TAPE
BASS
TREB
BAL
FADE
SCAN
REW FF
R
COMP
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/C
SHUFFLE
SIDE 1-2
CD
SEEK
TUNE
DISC 1-6 1 234 56
SET+
RES
CST-
P!
BRAKE
CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABS
34
5
6
7
Climate control
system
(pg. 18)
Gearshift
(pg. 117)
Electronic sound system
(pg. 28)
Auxiliary power point
(pg. 28)
Speed control
(pg. 43)
Instrumentation
7

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.
Traction ControlYactive (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON. It also
illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem begins applying
and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition. It will
be lit for the duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to the Driving chapter.
P!
BRAKE
+–
CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABS
0
1
2
34
5
6
7
20
40
60
80
100
120
20
60 140
180
P R N D D 1
MPH km/h
000000
0000
E
F
C
H
FUEL DOOR >
THEFT
LOW
COOLANT
Instrumentation
8

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.
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). The 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 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 light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause your 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.
Instrumentation
9

3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the
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 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 as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge (refer to Fuel gauge in
this chapter for more information).
When refueling, after the light
comes on, the amount of fuel that is added will be less than the
advertised capacity since there is fuel still in the tank. The ignition must
be in the ON position for this lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also
illuminate for several seconds after the ignition is turned to the ON
position regardless of the fuel level to ensure your bulb is working.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will illuminate when the
engine coolant inside the reservoir is
low. This lamp will come on when
the ignition is first turned on, but
then should turn off. If the lamp
LOW
COOLANT
Instrumentation
10