Mercury Sable 2001 Owner's Manuals

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 6
Controls and features 17
Seating and safety restraints 77
Starting and driving
Starting 113
Driving 118
Roadside emergencies 135
Servicing
Maintenance and care 153
Capacities and specifications 210
Customer assistance 217
Reporting safety defects 230
Index 231
All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic 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.
Ford may change the contents without notice and without incurring obligation.
Copyright 2000 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

The following warning may be required by California law:
CALIFORNIA Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
ICONS
Indicates a safety alert. Read the
following section onWarnings.
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 toSeating
and safety restraintsfor 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
recommended 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.
EMISSION WARRANTY
The New Vehicle Limited Warranty includes Bumper to Bumper
Coverage, Safety Restraint Coverage, Corrosion Coverage, and 7.3L
Power Stroke Diesel Engine Coverage. In addition, your vehicle is eligible
for Emissions Defect and Emissions Performance Warranties. For a
detailed description of what is covered and what is not covered, refer to
theWarranty Guidethat is provided to you along with your Owner's
Guide.
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 BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Tether
Anchorage
Brake SystemAnti-Lock Brake System
Brake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum BasedTraction Control
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Power Windows
Front/RearPower Window Lockout
Introduction
4

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Child Safety Door
Lock/Unlock
Interior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX
MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel cap
Introduction
5

Headlamp
control
(pg. 17)Instrument panel
dimmer control
(pg. 18)Instrument cluster
(pg. 8)
Driver air bag
(pg. 96) Turn signal and
wiper/washer control
(pg. 50) Parking brake
release
(pg. 120) Rear window wiper and
washer Ð wagon only*
(pg. 51) Trunk release Ð
sedan only
(pg. 60)
* if equipped
Instrumentation
6

Electronic sound system
(pg. 29)
Gearshift
(pg. 123) Climate control system
(pg. 19) Speed control*
(pg. 47)
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 toBulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Traction ControlYactive (if equipped)
For more information, refer to the
Driver controlschapter.
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 theDrivingchapter.
P!
BRAKE
+ –
CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABS0 123
4
5
6
7
204060
80
100
1202060
140
180
P R N D D 1MPH km/h
000000
0000
EFC 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
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door is
open. It may also momentarily
illuminate after the engine is started
and all doors are closed.
Check fuel cap
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure your bulb is working.
When this light turns on, check the
fuel filler cap. Continuing to operate
the vehicle with the check fuel cap
light on, can activate theService Engine Soon/Check Enginewarning
light. When the fuel filler cap is properly re-installed, the light(s) will
turn off after a period of normal driving. This period will vary depending
on driving conditions.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
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.
Instrumentation
9

Theindicator 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 thelight 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.
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.
Instrumentation
10