Mercury Sable 1997 s Owners Manual

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Do not use replacement tires with lower weight
capacities than the originals because they may lower
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limitations.
Replacement tires with a higher weight limit than
the originals do not increase the GVWR and GAWR
limitations.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight you can safely tow
depends on the type of engine you have in your
vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a
station wagon, inflate the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after
towing.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on
the type of engine in your vehicle. See the following
charts:
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Model Passenger
Load #/kg
(lbs.)Luggage
Load kg
(lbs.)Max Trailer
Wt. kg
(lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 365 (800)
4/270 (600) 70 (150) 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 500 (1100)
2/135 (300) 0 565 (1250)
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3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Station
Wagon4/270 (600) 0 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 430 (950)
2/135 (300) 0 500 (1100)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at
a maximum GCW (Vehicle weight + Trailer weight)
equal to 2245 kg (4950 lbs.).
3.0L 4-Valve Duratec Engine
Model Passenger
Load #/kg
(lbs.)Luggage
Load kg
(lbs.)Max Trailer
Wt. kg
(lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 590 (1300)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 725 (1600)
2/135 (300) 0 795 (1750)
Station
Wagon5/340 (750) 70 (150) 455 (1000)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 660 (1450)
2/135 (300) 0 725 (1600)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at
a maximum GCW (Vehicle weight + Trailer weight)
equal to 2270 kg (5450 lbs.).
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limit of the vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, loss
of control, and personal injury.
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Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and
make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer if you
require assistance.
Hitches
Your vehicle has a load carrying hitch. 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±15% of the total weight of
the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack
for turning corners.
If your use a rental trailer, follow the instructions
that the rental agency gives to you.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type
brakes are safe if installed properly and adjust them
to the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles.
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
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Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any
weight on the trailer while towing on a hot day or in
hilly country.
Cruise control may shut off if you are towing on
long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use 2 (Second) (if equipped) or 1 (First) when
towing up or down steep hills. This will eliminate
excessive downshifting and upshifting for
optimum fuel economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
theService Guidefor more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, drive
slightly beyond the normal turning point so the
trailer wheels will clear curbs and other obstacles.
²Allow more room for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of
the loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
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FUEL CONSUMPTION
Fuel economy can be improved by avoiding:
²lack of regular, scheduled maintenance
²excessive speed
²rapid acceleration
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HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an
emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle
breakdown,
approaching danger,
etc. Depress to activate
all indicators
simultaneously.
Depress again to switch
off. The warning lights
can be operated when
the ignition is off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Pause
for a few seconds and return the key to the OFF
position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.com_hazard_switch.01
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If you have a sedan,
the fuel pump shut-off
switch is located on
the right side of the
trunk behind the trunk
liner.
If you have a wagon,
the switch is located
behind the service
panel on the right side
of the cargo area.
FUSES AND RELAYS
Fuses
If electrical
components in the
vehicle are not
working, a fuse may
have blown. Blown fuses are identified by a broken
wire. Check the appropriate fuses before replacing
any electrical components.
Always replace a fuse with one that has the
specified amperage rating. Using a fuse with
a higher amperage rating can cause severe wire
damage and could start a fire.
15
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Standard fuse amperage rating and color
Fuse rating Color
10 amp Red
15 amp Blue
20 amp Yellow
30 amp Light Green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp Amber
Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is
located below and to
the left of the steering
wheel by the brake
pedal. Pull the panel
cover outward to
access the fuses.
To remove a fuse, use the fuse puller tool provided
on the fuse panel cover.
The fuses are coded as follows:
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 - Not used
2 5A Instrument
Illumination
3 10A Left low beam
headlamp
4 10A Right low beam
headlamp
5 5A Brake shift
interlock , rear
defroster
6 15A MLPS switch,
backup lamps,
speed control,
climate control
7 10A MLPS switch,
starter relay
8 5A Power antenna,
radio control
unit, GEM
9 10A ABS, central
temperature
monitor
10 20A EEEC relay,
ignition coil,
PATS, radio
11 5A Air bag
indicator,
instrument
cluster
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
12 5A Instrument
cluster,
autolamps,
transaxle
control switch,
integrated
control panel,
GEM
13 5A Air bag, blower
motor,
electronic
automatic
temperature
control module
14 5A Lamp outage
indication
15 10A Turn signals
16 - Not used
17 30A Wiper system
(front)
18 5A Headlamp
switch
19 15A Wiper system
(rear)
20 5A Integrated
control panel,
remote entry,
cellular phone,
cigar lighter
21 20A Cigar lighter
22 5A Power mirrors,
power antenna,
autolamps,
decklid lamps
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