check engine Mercury Sable 1996 s Owner's Guide

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[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
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[SV13900(ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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[SV14025(ALL)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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[SV14300(ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)02/95]
one inch art:0001397-A
Engine oil dipstick (3.0L Vulcan)
[SV14475(ALL)08/95]
one inch art:0001398-B
Engine oil dipstick (3.0L Duratec)
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[SV14500(ALL)03/95]
6. Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
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[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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[SV14700(ALL)03/95]
Adding engine oil
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[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
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[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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[SV16300(ALL)01/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
[SV16400(ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filter per the
following, whichever occurs first.
[SV16500(ALL)04/95]
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[SV16550(ALL)04/95]
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule and Record
Booklet for additional information.
[SV16600(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
[SV16700(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor
oil has caused cancer in laboratory
mice. Protect your skin by washing
with soap and water.
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[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
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[SV17320(ALL)03/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
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[SV17350(ALL)01/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[SV17400(ALL)08/95]
RWARNING
Your vehicle is equipped with two
automatic cooling fans. It may come
on at any time without warning. To
avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative terminal of the battery
before working near the fan.
%*
[SV17600(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
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277
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
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[SV17650(ALL)08/95]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV17700(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0000305-E
The engine coolant reservoir (3.0L Vulcan shown Ð 3.0L
Duratec similar)
[SV17750(ALL)04/95]
The coolant level in the reservoir should be
maintained within the cold fill range.
[SV17900(ALL)02/95]
There may be a low coolant warning light in the
instrument cluster which will light when the
coolant level is low.
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[SV18000(ALL)11/94]
Checking hoses
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[SV18050(ALL)11/94]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet. Repair or replace
with Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
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[SV19107(ALL)02/95]
NOTE: Less than 40% of coolant concentration
may cause engine corrosion and
overheating. Plain water may be used
in an emergency only. Replace it with
the specified coolant as quickly as
possible.
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[SV19108(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: The use of an improper coolant may
void your warranty for the engine
cooling system. Use only a premium,
nationally recognized brand name
engine coolant. Do not use alcohol,
methanol antifreeze or engine coolant
mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper
coolant, the aluminum engine on your
vehicle will corrode.
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[SV19110(ALL)08/95]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the
Ford Rotunda engine coolant recycling process
and chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled
engine coolant or an equivalent recycled engine
coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
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[SV19112(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
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[SV19115(ALL)03/95]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid
E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B)
or an equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A.
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[SV19150(ALL)11/94]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if:
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[SV19200(ALL)11/94]
q
you have to add engine coolant more than
once a month, or
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[SV19850(ALL)03/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
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[SV19900(ALL)03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[SV19950(ALL)04/95]
About Your Battery
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[SV20001(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
[SV20850(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or
install a new battery, you must allow the
computer to ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park), set the
parking brake, turn off all the accessories, and
start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the engine to idle
for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in
Drive or Overdrive. Perform the previous
procedure with the air conditioning on and off
(conditions permitting). The relearning process
will complete automatically as you drive the
vehicle.
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[SV21000(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.
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[SV21100(ALL)03/95]
Help Us Protect Our Environment
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[SV21200(ALL)04/95]
Ford Motor Company strongly recommends that
used lead-acid batteries be returned to an
authorized recycling facility for disposal.
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[SV21300(ALL)03/95]
one inch art:0000983-A
Battery recycling symbol
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[SV21700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
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[SV21800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
[SV21900(ALL)11/94]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
washer fluid is located on the passenger's side of
the engine compartment and is highlighted with
a washer symbol.
[SV22205(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000308-B
The windshield washer fluid reservoir
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[SV22400(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not add the windshield washer
fluid to the engine coolant reservoir.
This could damage your cooling
system. Do not add engine coolant to
the washer fluid reservoir. This could
damage your wiper/washer system.
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[SV22500(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such
as methanol should be used in freezing weather
(temperatures below32ÊF [0ÊC]).State or local
regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common
antifreeze, methanol. Washer fluids containing
non-methanol antifreeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
[SV22550(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Washer solution contains methanol
which is poisonous. Observe all
warnings indicated on label of
washer solution.
[SV22600(ALL)06/94]
Checking the washer fluid for the
liftgate (If equipped)
[SV23100(ALL)04/95]
If your wagon has a rear window wiper, check
the reservoir for its washer fluid regularly. This
is not the same reservoir that your windshield
wipers use. The opening for this reservoir is on
the right side of the liftgate opening, below the
tail lamp. Refill this reservoir with the same
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[SV29300(ALL)03/01]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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[SV29310(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle
is not working properly Ð for instance, the
transaxle may slip or shift slowly, or you may
notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid
level should be checked.
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[SV29340(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
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[SV29350(ALL)02/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
pedal fully applied, start the engine and move
the gearshift selector through all of the gears.
Allow sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gearshift selector in the P
(Park) position. Fully set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
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[SV29370(ALL)01/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick
out. Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
[SV29380(ALL)04/95]
one inch art:0000717-E
Automatic overdrive transaxle fluid dipstick
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[SV29425(ALL)04/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
%
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[SV30200(ALL)03/95]
Brake Fluid
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[SV30300(ALL)04/95]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
%*
[SV30400(ALL)06/93]
You should check the brake fluid at every
scheduled engine oil change, but be sure to
check it at least once a year. You can do this by
looking at the fluid level in the plastic reservoir
on the master cylinder. (SeeThe Engine Typesin
this chapter to locate the master cylinder.) The
fluid level should be at or near the MAX mark.
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[SV30450(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers
and polyglycols. Avoid contact with
eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after
handling. If brake fluid contacts eyes,
flush eyes with running water for 15
minutes. Get medical attention if
irritation persists. If taken internally,
drink water and induce vomiting.
Get medical attention immediately.
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[SV30500(ALL)03/95]
If the fluid is low, carefully clean and remove
the cap from the reservoir. Fill the reservoir to
the MAX line with Ford High Performance DOT
3 Brake Fluid C6AZ-19542-AA or equivalent
DOT 3 fluid meeting Ford specification
ESA-M6C25-A.
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