key Mercury Sable 1998 s Owner's Guide

Towing your vehicle behind another vehicle
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, car
or a truck.
Before you have your vehicle towed:
²Release the parking brake.
²Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
²Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
²Unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 56
km/h (35 mph) or for a distance greater than 80 km
(50 miles), unless the drive wheels are placed on
dollies.
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an accident.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item
being carried. The front crossbar does not move. Do
not load more than 44 kg (100 lbs.) on the luggage
rack.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the
thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
2. Slide the cross-bar
to the desired location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the
cross-bar.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
107

HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle
breakdown, approaching danger, etc. The hazard
flashers can be operated when the ignition is off.
²The hazard lights
control is located on
top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard
lights control to
activate all hazard
flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not
start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been
activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to
stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has
been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a
few seconds and return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
108

3. To remove the wheel
cover, pry it loose by
inserting the tapered
end of the lug wrench
between the wheel
cover and wheel.
To replace the wheel cover:
1. One of the windows on the wheel cover is
identified with a valve stem logo on the back side of
the wheel cover. Install the wheel cover over the
wheel with the window at the valve stem.
2. Hold the wheel cover in this position and press
the cover onto the wheel with the palm of your
hand. Do not force or hammer the cover.
3. Attach the bolt to the pedestal through the center
hole on the cover with the lug wrench.
4. Align the legs of the center ornament with the
slots of the wheel cover. Reinstall the ornament by
pressing with the palm of your hand. Do not
hammer or force the cover.
Anti-theft lug nuts (if equipped)
If your vehicle is
equipped with this
feature, one of the lug
nuts on each wheel
must be removed and replaced with a special key.
The key and registration card are attached to the lug
wrench and stored with the spare tire. If you lose
the key, send the registration card to the
manufacturer (not the dealer) to get a replacement
key. If the lug wrench/lug nut key assembly is lost,
see your nearest Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer
who has access to the master set of keys.Do not
use an impact wrench with the anti-theft key.
Roadside emergencies
117

Removing the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure
you hold the key square to the lug nut. If you hold
the key at an angle, you could damage the key and
the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
3. Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
3. Install the lug nut.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers
and set parking brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the
ground, the transaxle alone will not prevent
the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when
you change a tire, be sure the parking brake
is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel
that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of
the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
Roadside emergencies
118

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of
the vehicle and release
the auxiliary latch that
is located under the
front center of the
hood.
3. Lift the hood until
the lift cylinders hold it open.
Maintenance and care
128

running out of
fuel ......................... 157
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 153
Fuses ................. 109,110
Hazard flashers ....... 108
Head restraints ......... 54
Headlamps
high beam ............... 15
Heating ...................... 17
heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 17,18,20
Hood ........................ 128
Ignition ..................... 177
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 159
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 170
Keyless entry system
autolock .............. 51,52
keypad ..................... 49
locking and unlocking
doors ........................ 51
programming entry
code ......................... 50
Keys
key in ignition chime 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 28
Lamps ...................... 160
autolamp system ..... 16
daytime running
light .......................... 15
headlamps ............... 15
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 16
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 16
interior lamps ....... 164replacing
bulbs ............... 161,163
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 32
Liftgate ...................... 44
remote release ........ 40
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ........................ 9
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 10
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 6
low coolant ................ 8
low fuel ...................... 8
oil pressure ............. 10
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 6
service engine soon .. 7
speed control .......... 31
turn signal
indicator .................... 6
Locks .......................... 53
childproof ................ 38
Luggage rack ........... 107
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 55,56
Mirrors
heated ...................... 38
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 37
Moon roof .................. 34
Motorcraft parts ...... 158
Octane rating .......... 156
Odometer ................... 13
Overdrive .............. 94,95
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 44
Index
183