tow Mercury Sable 1996 s Owner's Guide

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[DR22100(ALL)04/95]
Trailer Towing
[DR22125(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
[DR22150(ALL)04/95]
sixteen pica chart:0000489-H[DR22190(ALL)04/95]
fourteen pica chart:0001436-BFile:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

213
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Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
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[DR22300(ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
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[DR25800(ALL)11/92]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
(SeeKnowing Your Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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[DR25900(ALL)01/95]
q
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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[DR26000(ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
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[DR26500(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limits of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage,
transaxle damage, structural damage,
loss of control, and personal injury.
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214
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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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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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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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Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
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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

216 %
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Connecting the trailer's lights
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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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Driving While You Tow
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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.
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[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

222 %
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The Temporary Spare Tire
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[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.
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[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.
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[RE05000(ALL)01/95]
When you drive with the temporary spare tire,
DO NOT:
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[RE05100(ALL)01/95]
q
exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) under any
circumstances.
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q
load your vehicle so that it is heavier than
the maximum vehicle load rating listed on
the tire decal.
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q
tow a trailer.
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q
use tire chains on this tire.
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try to repair the temporary spare tire or
remove it from its wheel.
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q
use the wheel for any other type of vehicle.
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[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

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:
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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.
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Preparing to Change the Tire
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[RE07500(ALL)05/94]
You should only raise your vehicle with a jack
properly placed at the front or rear jacking
points.
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[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.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

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If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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[RE15100(ALL)04/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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[RE15200(ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
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[RE15250(ALL)01/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
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Towing Your Vehicle
[RE16500(ALL)08/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center. Your
Sable should be towed from the front unless
conditions do not allow it. It is recommended
that your vehicle be towed with wheel lift or
flatbed equipment.
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233 [RE17550(ALL)04/95]
three fourths page art:0001463-A
[RE17600(ALL)04/95]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

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[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle
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[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle, such as a recreational
vehicle, a car, or a truck.
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[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
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[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
q
Release the parking brake.
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Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)01/95]
q
Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
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[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
q
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)01/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than
35 mph (56 km/h) or for a distance greater than
50 miles (80 km), unless the drive wheels are
placed on dollies.
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[RE19000(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to
the bumper when you tow your
vehicle. You could damage the
bumper and cause an accident.
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Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

235
Customer Assistance
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[HS00205(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance
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[HS00210(ALL)08/95]
Ford Motor Company has set up a 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week hotline with trained operators
that put you in touch with the help you need if
you experience a problem with your vehicle.
This complimentary service is provided to you
throughout your warranty period of 3 years or
36,000 miles (3 years or 60,000 km), whichever
comes first. To purchase Roadside Assistance
coverages beyond this period, through Ford
Auto Club, contact your Ford or
Lincoln-Mercury dealer (not available in
Canada).
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[HS00215(ALL)06/94]
Roadside Assistance will cover the following:
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[HS00220(ALL)06/94]
q
Mount your spare if you have a flat tire.
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[HS00225(ALL)06/94]
q
Jump-start your battery if it is dead.
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[HS00230(ALL)06/94]
q
Unlock your vehicle if you are locked out.
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[HS00235(ALL)06/94]
q
Bring you fuel if you run out.
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[HS00240(ALL)06/94]
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Tow your vehicle if you are stranded. Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound
towing and repossession).
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[HS00245(ALL)06/94]
How to use Roadside Assistance
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[HS00250(ALL)06/94]
Your Roadside Assistance identification card can
be found in the Owner Guide portfolio in your
glove compartment. Complete the card and place
it in your wallet for quick reference.
File:fchss.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 14:28:55 1995