Mercury Sable 1997 s Manual PDF

2. Use a screwdriver or
coin to snap the covers
off the anchor in a
rearward and upward
direction. Remove the
covers completely.
3. Snap the tether strap hook onto the U-shaped
tether anchor.
BUILT-IN CHILD SEATS
Built-in child safety seat (wagon - if equipped)
The second row bench seat may include a built-in
child seat. This child seat conforms to all Federal
and local motor vehicle safety standards. Read the
labels located on the child seat cushion and shoulder
belt for information on the built-in child seat.
Use the built-in child seatonlyif the child is at least
one year old, weighs 10±27 kg (22±60 lbs.) and the
child's shoulders fit below the shoulder harness slots
on the built-in child seat.
Children not meeting these requirements should be
secured in an approved aftermarket seat. Refer to
Children and infant or child safety seatsin this
chapter.
Built-in child seat retractors
The belts on built-in child seats are equipped with a
retractor that locks when both tongues are latched
into the crotch safety belt buckle. The retractor will
automatically snug the belts around the child. If the
belts do not remain snug, take the vehicle to the
dealer for child seat repair. The belts will not snug
during a collision.
dno_built-in
dno_second-row-seat
Seating and safety restraints
71

Placing your child in the built-in child seat
Failure to follow all of the instructions on
the use of this child restraint system can
result in your child striking the vehicle's interior
during a sudden stop or crash.
Never use the Built-In Child Seat as a
booster cushion with the adult safety belts.
A child using the adult belts could slide forward
and out from under the safety belts.
The rear seatback must be fully locked
before operating the child restraint system.
1. Grasp the child seat
at the top of the
seatback and pull the
top forward to release
the latch.
Seating and safety restraints
72

2. Continue to unfold
the child seat until it
rests on the seat.
3. Read all information
and warnings on the
child seat cushion and
shoulder safety belt.
Make sure the child is
not too large for the
child seat.
4. If connected, squeeze the top and the bottom of
the right half of the chest clip and pull to separate
both halves.
5. Place the child on the child seat and position the
shoulder belts over each shoulder.
6. Insert either the left
or the right safety belt
tongue into the single
opening of the crotch
safety belt buckle (it
doesn't matter which
tongue is inserted
first). Insert other
tongue. The color
green must appear in the indicator window on the
Seating and safety restraints
73

crotch safety belt buckle when buckled. Allow belts
to retract and fit snugly.
7. Fasten both halves
of the chest clip below
the child's shoulders
and adjust it to
comfortably hold the shoulder belts in place on the
child's chest. The color green must appear in the
indicator window when fastened.
8. Pull the shoulder belts toward you to make sure
the crotch safety belt buckle is properly fastened
and the retractor is locked.
9. If the belts become too tight, unbuckle the crotch
safety belt buckle to unlock the retractors, then
reinsert both belt tongues.
Removing your child from the built-in child seat
1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and the bottom of
the chest clip and pull the halves apart to open the
chest clip.
2. Press the release button on the crotch safety belt
buckle.
3. Slide the shoulder belts off the child's shoulders
and remove the child.
To stow the built-in child seat
Return the child seat
cushion to the upright
position, then press
firmly in the center and
top of the child seat.
dno_inspect
Seating and safety restraints
74

Inspecting the built-in child seat after a collision
All built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles,
retractors, seat latches. Interlocks and attaching
hardware should be inspected by a qualified
technician after any collision. If the child seat was in
use during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it.
Built-in child restraints not in use during a collision
should be inspected and replaced if either damage
or improper operation is noted.
Seating and safety restraints
75

PREPARING TO START THE VEHICLE
Engine starting is controlled by the spark ignition
system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the vehiclein this chapter.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the
headlamps and vehicle
accessories are off.
²Make sure the
parking brake is set.
²Make sure the
gearshift is in P
(Park).
3. Turn the key to the ON position (without turning
the key to START.)
P
P R N D 2 1
dno_preparing_start
Starting
76

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate
briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
does not illuminate.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not
allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON1020304050 60
70
80
90
100
110
00 20406080100
120
140
160
180P R N D D 1MPH km/h
00
122
00013
P!
BRAKEABS
+ –
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT LOW
COOLANTO/D
OFFREAR
LAMP
OUT
EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONTHEFT102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
P!
BRAKELOW
COOLANT
+ –
110CRUISE
RPMx1000
ABSO/D
OFFREAR
LAMP
OUTPREMIUM UNLEADED
FUEL RECOMMENDED0 1234
5
6
78
com_important_precautions.05
Starting
77

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage
or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the garage door before
you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5
(Start) without
pressing the
accelerator. The key
will return to 4 (On).
2. If the engine does not start within five seconds,
wait ten seconds and try again.
3. If the engine does not start in two attempts OR
the temperature is below Ð12ÉC (10ÉF), depress
accelerator and start the engine while holding the
accelerator down. Release accelerator when engine
starts.
1
23
4
5
com_starting_vehicle.01
Starting
78

4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. They are strongly recommended if you live
in a region where temperatures reach Ð23ÉC
(±10ÉF) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind
inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if
you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
²the vehicle is raised for service
²the sound of the exhaust system changes
²the vehicle has been damaged in a collision
com_engine_heater.01
com_guarding_exhaust.01
com_ventilation_info.01
Starting
79

Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling
while the vehicle is
stopped in an open
area for long periods of
time, open the
windows at least 2.5
cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped)
to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle
ventilation by keeping
all air inlet vents clear
of snow, leaves and
other debris.
Starting
80