tow Mercury Sable 1997 s Owner's Guide

2. If the fluid level is not within the normal range,
add only certified engine oil of the preferred
viscosity. Add engine oil through the oil filler cap.
Remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil in
the opening.
3. Recheck the oil level. Make sure the oil level is
not above the MAX or FULL mark on the dipstick.
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS
Use SAE 5W-30 motor
oil meeting Ford
specification
WSS-M2C153±F or
equivalent. Only use oil
certified for gasoline
engines by the
American Petroleum
Institute.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil
treatments or engine treatments. They are
unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your
warranty.
CHANGING THE ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
Change your engine oil and filter according to the
following mileage and time requirements, whichever
occurs first:
²Normal Schedule ± 8,000 km (5,000 miles) or six
months.
²Severe Duty Schedule - 5,000 km (3,000 miles) or
three months. Severe duty operation would
include extensive idling, trailer towing, driving in
severe dust and police, taxi or delivery service.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil
filters are designed for added engine protection and
long life. If a replacement oil filter is used that does
not meet Ford material and design specifications,
startup engine noises or knock may be experienced.
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Maintenance and care
119

²At least ten minutes of driving on an expressway
or highway.
Before completing the above driving modes, the
engine must be warmed up and at operating
temperature. Once started, the vehicle must not be
turned off during these driving modes.
EXTERIOR LAMPS
It is a good idea to check the operation of the
following lights frequently:
²Headlamps
²High-mount brake lamp
²Tail lamps
²Brake lamps
²Backup lamps
²Hazard flashers
²Turn signals
²License plate lamp
²Interior overhead lamps
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be
replaced immediately. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
High-mount brake lamp - Sedan
To remove the brake lamp:
1. Remove package
tray trim, then push
attachment toward the
rear.
2. Slide brake lamp up
and away from the rear
window to remove it
from the tabs that hold
it down.
3. Disconnect bulbs.
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Maintenance and care
140

To install brake lamp:
1. Install bulbs, then position the brake lamp over
tab slots and line up the tab with the tab slots.
2. Push down and toward the rear window to engage
the tabs.
3. Push attachment toward the rear window and line
up slot in attachment with the edge of the sheet
metal screw.
4. Release the attachment slot onto the sheet metal
hole. Install the package tray trim.
High-mount brake lamp - Wagon
To remove the brake lamp:
1. Remove interior trim
panel, then remove the
three attachment nuts
that hold brake lamp in
place.
2. Lift whole assembly
off vehicle from the
outside.
3. Disconnect bulbs.
To install brake lamp:
1. Install bulbs, the position brake lamp into tailgate
holes.
2. From the inside of the vehicle, stall and tighten
the four nuts that hold the brake lamp in place.
3. Install the interior trim panel.
Using the right bulbs
Function Trade Number
Front side marker lamp 194
Front park/turn lamp 3457NA
Headlamp 9007
Tail lamp/brake lamp 3157
Maintenance and care
141

²Take care when using a power washer to clean
the engine. The high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking
the engine block.
²Cover the
highlighted areas to
prevent water
damage when
cleaning the engine.
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running; water in the running engine may cause
internal damage.
Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning of plastic.
Clean with a tar remover if necessary. Do not clean
plastic parts with thinners, solvents or
petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash the exterior
lamps with the same
detergent you used to
wash the exterior of
your vehicle. Use glass
cleaner or tar remover
if necessary.
To avoid scratching the
lamps, do not use a dry paper towel, chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps.
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Maintenance and care
148

arming and disarming
the anti-theft
system ..................... 42
locking/unlocking
doors ................... 41,42
opening the trunk ... 41
panic alarm ............. 42
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 43
replacing the
batteries .................. 43
Reporting safety
defects ..................... 162
Safety restraints
automatic locking
mode (retractor) 53,54
center rear lap belt 55
extension assembly 58
for children ............. 64
for second row bench
seats ............... 71,72,74
lap and shoulder
belts ......................... 52
maintenance ............ 60
proper use ............... 52
warning light and
chime ....................... 59
Safety seats for children
attaching with tether
straps .................. 69,70
automatic locking
mode (retractor) .... 67
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 70
Seats
adjusting the seat,
manual ..................... 48
adjusting the seat,
power ....................... 49
folding rear seats .... 50
head restraints ........ 48Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 114
precautions when
servicing ................ 114
Spare tire ................. 105
Speed control ............ 22
Speedometer ............. 10
Starting your vehicle 77
preparing to start your
vehicle ..................... 76
starting a warm
engine ...................... 78
Storage
compartments ........... 35
Tachometer
mechanical cluster . 11
Tilt steering wheel .... 27
Tires ......................... 132
changing ................ 106
checking the
pressure ................. 132
replacing ................ 133
rotating .................. 132
snow tires and
chains .................... 133
tire grades ............. 130
treadwear .............. 130
Towing your vehicle 113
Trailer towing ............ 91
tips ........................... 94
Transaxle ................... 83
automatic
operation ...... 84,85,86,
87,88,89
fluid, checking and
adding
(automatic) ... 125,126,
127
Trip odometer ........... 12
Trunk
using the remote entry
system to open ....... 34
Turn signal ................ 25
Index
165

indicator lights .......... 6
Vehicle dimensions . 156
Vehicle loading .......... 89
Ventilating your
vehicle ........................ 80
Warning chimes
headlamps on ............ 9
key in ignition ......... 10
safety belt ............... 10
Washer fluid ............ 121
rear window
reservoir ................ 121Wheels
anti-theft lug nuts 109
covers .................... 108
Windows
power windows,
operating ................. 29
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers ............ 21,26
checking and replacing
wiper blades .......... 129
Wrecker towing ....... 112
Index
166