Mercury Sable 1996 Owner's Manuals

214
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[DR26580(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the
temporary spare tire is being used.
Tire failure, loss of vehicle control,
and possible injury to vehicle
occupants could result.
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[DR26600(ALL)01/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
%*
[DR28750(ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
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[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a
trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you
must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on
the tongue.
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[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

215 %
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[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
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[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
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[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
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[DR29200(ALL)01/95]
1. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue
and attach them to your vehicle's frame or
hook retainers. Never attach the safety
chains to your vehicle's bumper. The bumper
is not designed to bear the weight of a
trailer.
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[DR29300(ALL)01/95]
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
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[DR29400(ALL)01/95]
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives you.
%*
[DR29450(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's brakes
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[DR29500(ALL)01/95]
Electric brakes and manual, automatic, or
surge-type hydraulic brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them according
to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure that
your trailer's brakes meet local and federal
regulations.
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[DR29600(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. If you do,
your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of
having a collision greatly increase.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

216 %
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[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
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[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR30000(ALL)08/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the
automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without
O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with
O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will
give more engine braking on downgrades. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift
to the proper gear on upgrades.
[DR30200(ALL)04/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, move the
gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without
O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch
(column or console shift). This will also give
better braking going down hills.
%*
[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[DR30400(ALL)04/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

217
Roadside Emergencies
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[RE00310(ALL)03/95]
If Your Vehicle Needs a
Jump-Start
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[RE00320(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle's battery may die if you leave the
lights on or any electrical equipment on after
you turn the engine off. If this happens, you
may be able to jump-start from a booster battery
to start your vehicle.
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[RE00400(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes can
cause the gases around the battery to
explode, causing injury and damage.
Keep these things away from the
battery.
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[RE00500(ALL)01/95]
To protect yourself when charging a
battery, always shield your face and
eyes. Make sure that you can breathe
fresh air.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

218 %
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[RE00700(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Be careful when lifting a battery that
is in a plastic case. If you put too
much pressure on the ends, you
could spill acid from the vent caps,
causing serious damage to the vehicle
and injury to yourself. Lift the
battery with a carrier or with your
hands on the opposite corners.
%*
[RE00800(ALL)01/95]
Do not let children touch the battery.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which
burns skin, eyes, and clothing. If the
acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area
with water for at least 15 minutes. If
someone swallows the acid, have him
or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a
beaten egg, or vegetable oil. Call a
doctor immediately.
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[RE00900(ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
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[RE01000(ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
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[RE01100(ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

219
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[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
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[RE01300(ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
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[RE01400(ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
[RE01500(ALL)04/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles. If
you have electronic climate control, press the
VF-DEF button. Turn off all other switches
and lights.
%*
[RE01700(ALL)08/95]
Connecting the jumper cables
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[RE02500(ALL)03/95]
1. Connect one end of the first jumper cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the discharged
battery. (You can connect either jumper cable
to the positive (+) terminal, as long as you
use the same cable for both positive
terminals.) Most jumper cables have a red
cable and a black cable. The red cable is
generally used for the positive terminals and
the black for the negative ones.
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[RE02600(ALL)04/95]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
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[RE02700(ALL)03/95]
3. Connect one end of the second cable to the
negative (s) terminal of the booster battery
Ð NOT to the discharged battery.
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[RE02800(ALL)04/95]
4. Connect the other end of the second cable to
a good metallic surface on the engine or
frame of the disabled vehicle.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

220
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[RE02900(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Do not connect the end of the second
cable to the negative (s) terminal of
the discharged battery. If you do, a
spark may cause an explosion of the
gases that normally surround the
battery and could seriously injure
someone.
[RE03100(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0000388-D
Jumper cable connections
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[RE03400(ALL)03/95]
Jump-Starting
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[RE03600(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that the jumper cables are not in
the way of moving engine parts, then start
the booster vehicle. Run the engine at a
moderate speed.
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[RE03700(ALL)03/95]
2. Let the discharged battery charge for a few
minutes and then start the disabled vehicle.
It may take a couple of tries before the
vehicle starts. If the vehicle does not start
after several attempts, there may be a
different problem.
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[RE03800(ALL)03/95]
3. When both vehicles are running, let them
idle for a few minutes to charge the
discharged battery.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

221 %
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[RE03900(ALL)03/95]
Removing jumper cables
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[RE04000(ALL)03/95]
1.Always remove the jumper cables in the
reverse order.Remove the negative (s) end
of the jumper cable from the metallic surface
on the engine or frame of the disabled
vehicle.
*
[RE04100(ALL)03/95]
2. Remove the negative (s) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[RE04200(ALL)03/95]
3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the
booster battery.
*
[RE04300(ALL)03/95]
4. Remove the other end of the positive (+)
cable from the discharged battery.
*
[RE04400(ALL)04/95]
After the vehicle is started, let it idle for a while
to let the engine ªrelearnº its idle conditions.
Drive it around for a while with all electrical
accessories turned off to let the battery recharge.
You may need to use a battery charger to fully
recharge the battery.
*
[RE04450(ALL)03/95]
If you need to replace your battery, seeBattery
in theServicing Your Vehiclechapter.
%
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[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
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[RE04600(ALL)01/95]
If you get a flat tire while you are driving, do
not apply the brake heavily. Instead, gradually
decrease the speed. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and slowly move to a safe place on the
side of the road. Park on a level spot, turn off
the ignition, set the parking brake, and turn on
the hazard flashers.
[RE04610(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Tire sealants that are injected through
the valve stem are not to be used to
service punctured tires because they
can produce wheel rust and tire
imbalance.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

222 %
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[RE04700(ALL)03/95]
The Temporary Spare Tire
*
[RE04800(ALL)03/95]
You may have a high pressure temporary spare
tire. This spare tire is smaller than a regular tire
and is designed for emergency use only. Use it
only when you get a flat tire and replace it as
soon as you can. This spare tire is marked with
the words ªTEMPORARY USE ONLYº so that
you can easily identify it.
*
[RE04900(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail,
causing you to lose control of the
vehicle and possibly injure yourself
or others.
*
[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
*
[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
*
[RE05200(ALL)01/95]
q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
*
[RE05300(ALL)01/95]
q
tow a trailer.
*
[RE05400(ALL)01/95]
q
use tire chains on this tire.
*
[RE05500(ALL)01/95]
q
try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
*
[RE05600(ALL)01/95]
q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
*
[RE05700(ALL)01/95]
q
drive through an automatic car wash with
this tire. Because the temporary spare tire is
smaller than a conventional tire, it reduces
the ground clearance. Your vehicle may get
caught in the rails and it could be damaged.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

223 [RE05800(ALL)11/94]
The Conventional Spare Tire (If equipped)
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[RE05900(ALL)01/95]
If you have the conventional spare tire, you can
use it as a spare or as a regular tire. This spare
tire is identical to the other tires that come with
your vehicle, although the wheel may not match.
%*
[RE06000(ALL)03/95]
Spare Tire Location
[RE06100(ALL)04/95]
In a sedan, the spare tire is stored in the trunk
under the floor carpet.
[RE06250(ALL)02/95]
half page art:0001423-B
The spare tire in the sedan
[RE06300(ALL)11/94]
In the wagon, the temporary spare tire is stored
in the left side rear trim panel.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995