brake Mercury Sable 1996 s Owner's Guide

205 [DR17650(ALL)11/94]
ABS has self-check capabilities. As described
above, the system turns on the ABS light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is
started and the ABS light turns off, the system
performs another test the first time the vehicle
reaches 4-9 mph (6-15 km/h). The system turns
on the ABS pump motor for approximately 1/2
second. At this time, a mechanical noise may be
heard. This is a normal part of the self-check
feature. If a malfunction is found during this
check the ABS light will come on.
[DR17675(ALL)02/95]
Vehicles with ABS are identified with a label on
the front door pillar.
*
[DR17700(ALL)12/93]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
negative effects of mobile radio transmitting
equipment installed on vehicles with the ABS
system providing that the radio is installed
according to the radio manufacturer's
instructions. However, if you have had a mobile
radio transmitter installed and the check ABS
light comes on (at any time other than
immediately after turning the key to the ON
position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is
activated other than during maximum braking,
have your mobile radio installation checked.
%*
[DR17800(ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR17900(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
[DR18000(ALL)01/95]
This brake is suspended just below the bottom
of the instrument panel to the left of the brake
pedal.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

206 [DR18300(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001391-AThe parking brake and parking brake release
*
[DR18420(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set the
parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
*
[DR18700(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the Brake Warning Light remains
on, have the brakes checked
immediately. They may not be
working properly.
*
[DR18750(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
To avoid personal injury when
manually releasing the parking
brake, make sure the gearshift
selector is securely latched in P
(Park) and do not release the parking
brake from outside the vehicle.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

207
*
[DR19000(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
*
[DR19050(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
*
[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
%*
[DR19200(ALL)01/95]
Tips for Safe Driving
*
[DR19300(ALL)03/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
*
[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
*
[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
%*
[DR19800(ALL)01/95]
Slippery roads
*
[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
*
[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

208
*
[DR20200(ALL)01/95]
q
Drive slower than you normally would.
*
[DR20400(ALL)01/95]
q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
*
[DR20500(ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
*
[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
*
[DR20750(ALL)11/94]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control
on slippery roads, do not downshift
into 1 (First) when you are moving
faster than 20 mph (32 km/h).
*
[DR20775(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do
not use it on slippery roads. You
could lose control of your vehicle
and could injure someone.
*
[DR20850(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
and reverse gears. While in each gear, press
lightly on the accelerator and release.
*
[DR20900(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over
35 mph (56 km/h). If you do, the
tires may fail and injure a passenger
or bystander.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

209
*
[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
%*
[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
*
[DR21300(ALL)01/95]
Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
*
[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
*
[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
%
*
[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
*
[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or on the door
latch post pillar.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

215 %
*
[DR28950(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the safety chains
*
[DR29000(ALL)01/95]
Always attach the trailer's safety chains to your
vehicle. They help protect your trailer if the
hitch breaks.
*
[DR29100(ALL)01/95]
To connect the trailer's safety chains:
*
[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.
*
[DR29300(ALL)01/95]
2. Make sure that you leave enough slack in
the chains to allow you to turn corners.
*
[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
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

216 %
*
[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
*
[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.
*
[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
*
[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
*
[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
*
[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.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

219
*
[RE01200(ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[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.
*
[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
*
[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.
*
[RE02600(ALL)04/95]
2. Connect the other end of the first cable to
the positive (+) terminal of the booster
battery.
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

221 %
*
[RE03900(ALL)03/95]
Removing jumper cables
*
[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.
%
*
[RE04500(ALL)03/95]
Changing a Tire
*
[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

224 [RE06400(ALL)02/95]
one third page art:0000392-BThe temporary spare tire in the wagon
[RE06700(ALL)11/94]
To remove the cover for the temporary spare
tire in the wagon:
[RE06800(ALL)04/95]
1. Twist the three fasteners 90 degrees into a
vertical position.
[RE06900(ALL)02/95]
2. Lift the the cover to disengage the three
retainers.
[RE07000(ALL)05/94]
3. Pull the front of the cover out slightly and
remove the cover by sliding it toward the
front of the vehicle.
[RE07100(ALL)01/89]
4. Lift out the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench.
%*
[RE07400(ALL)03/95]
Preparing to Change the Tire
*
[RE07500(ALL)05/94]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack
properly placed at the front or rear jacking
points.
*
[RE07600(ALL)03/95]
1. Make sure that your vehicle will not move
or roll. Put the gearshift in P (Park). Set the
parking brake and block the wheel that is
diagonally opposite the tire that you are
changing.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995