maintenance schedule Mercury Sable 1996 Owner's Manuals

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[IN02400(ALL)04/95]
Your Maintenance Schedule and
Record Booklet
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[IN02500(ALL)03/95]
TheMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet lists
the services that are most important for keeping
your vehicle in good condition. A record log is
also provided to help you keep track of all
services performed.
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[IN02600(ALL)01/95]
About the Warranties
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[IN02700(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of
warranties:Basic Vehicle Warranty,Extended
Warrantieson certain parts, andEmissions
Warranties.
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[IN03100(ALL)03/95]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully
to find out about your vehicle's warranties and
your basic rights and responsibilities.
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[IN03300(ALL)03/95]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you
can get a new one free of charge. Contact any
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the
addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this owner guide.
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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.
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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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255
Servicing Your Sable
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Service Made Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
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[SV00600(ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
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[SV00700(ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
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[SV00800(ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
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[SV00900(ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
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[SV01000(ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
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[SV01100(ALL)03/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, see
theCustomer Assistancechapter.
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[SV01200(ALL)03/95]
Check yourWarranty Information Bookletto find
out which parts are covered.
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[SV01250(ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that you
perform the Owner Maintenance Checks listed in
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
These services are important for the proper
operation of your vehicle. In addition to the
conditions listed in the Owner Maintenance
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The following decrease fuel economy:
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Lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
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[SV13572(ALL)02/95]
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Excessive speed
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[SV13576(ALL)02/95]
q
Rapid acceleration
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[SV13581(ALL)02/95]
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Driving with your foot on the brake
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[SV13584(ALL)02/95]
q
Sudden stops
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[SV13589(ALL)02/95]
q
Extended engine idling
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[SV13591(ALL)02/95]
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Using speed control in hilly terrain
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[SV13593(ALL)02/95]
q
Extended use of the A/C, defroster, rear
window defroster and other accessories
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[SV13596(ALL)02/95]
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Underinflated tires
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[SV13598(ALL)02/95]
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Heavy loads
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[SV13599(ALL)02/95]
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Aftermarket add-ons such as bike, ski or
luggage racks, bug deflectors, etc.
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[SV13605(ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
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[SV13611(ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
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[SV13615(ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
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Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
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Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
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Check windshield washer fluid
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Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
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[SV13636(ALL)01/95]
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Check the tire pressure at least monthly
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273
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Engine Oil Recommendations
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We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
ESE-M2C153-E and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
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one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
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Neveruse:
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q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
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Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
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Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
[SV13710(ALL)02/95]
Engine oils with an SAE 5W-30 viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
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[SV13770(ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
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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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Engine Coolant
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Checking the Engine Coolant
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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.
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[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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[SV23716(ALL)04/95]
MicronAirHAir Filter
Replacement
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[SV23719(ALL)04/95]
In your climate control system, you may have a
filter that cleans the air before it enters the
interior of the vehicle. This filter should be
replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV23723(ALL)04/95]
To replace the MicronAirHair filter:
[SV23725(ALL)04/95]
1. Open the hood. Move the vacuum hose at
the rear passenger side of the engine
compartment by pulling the hose clips off
the leaf screen and removing the loose clip.
With a coin or screwdriver, turn the four
retainers on the leaf screen 90Ê and pull
them straight out. Remove the leaf screen.
[SV23730(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001387-A
Removing the vacuum hose clips
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Tire Rotation
[SV25200(ALL)11/94]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV25300(ALL)11/94]
Rotate the tires according to the following
diagram. Do not include the spare tire as part of
your rotation. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
[SV25410(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001369-A
Rotating the tires
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297
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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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