check oil Mercury Sable 1997 Owner's Manuals

9. Power steering fluid reservoir
CHECKING AND ADDING ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Check the engine oil each time you fuel your
vehicle.
To check the oil:
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground. If the
engine is warm, turn the engine off and wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
2. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
4. Locate and carefully
remove the engine oil
dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick fully,
then remove it again. The oil level should be in the
range shown on the dipstick.
6. If the oil level is below the MIN line or the ADD 1
QUART line, add oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the MAX or FULL line, engine damage or
high engine oil consumption may occur and some oil
must be removed from the engine by a service
technician.
7. Put the dipstick back in and ensure it is fully
seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer to
Checking the engine oilin this chapter.
ADD 1 QTFULL
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Maintenance and care
118

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

It is recommended you use the appropriate
Motorcraft oil filter (or another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine application.
BRAKE FLUID
CHECKING AND ADDING BRAKE FLUID
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as needed
at least once each year:
²Clean the reservoir
cap before removal
to prevent dirt or
water from entering
the reservoir.
²Visually inspect the
fluid level.
²If necessary, add
brake fluid until the level reaches MAX. Do not fill
above this line.
²Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid certified to meet
Ford specifications. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
Brake fluid is toxic.
If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
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Maintenance and care
120

²Always dispose of automotive batteries in a
responsible manner. Follow your communities
standards for disposal. Call your local recycling
center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
CHANGING YOUR AIR FILTER
To replace your air
filter, unclip the two
latches, separate the
housing and remove
the old filter. Wipe the
interior clean before
inserting new air filter.
Lock the two latches.
Do not use oil-impregnated air filters. Filters other
than the ones specified in this owner guide can
cause serious damage. Your warranties may not
apply if your vehicle is damaged because you use
the wrong air filter. Refer toMotorcraft part
numbersin theCapacities and specifications
chapter.
CHECKING AND CHANGING WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when
they seem less effective than usual. Substances such
as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of
wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not clean properly, clean the
windshield and wipers. Use an undiluted windshield
washer solution or a mild detergent, then rinse
thoroughly with clear water. Do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents to clean
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Maintenance and care
129

Aiming headlamps .. 144
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety
seats ......................... 61
description .............. 60
disposal .................... 64
indicator light ......... 63
passenger air bag ... 62
Air cleaner filter
replacing ................ 129
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system 16,17,18,
19,20
manual heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 14,15,16
Anti-theft system ...... 44
warning light ............. 8
Audio system (see
Electronic sound
system) ...................... 21
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) ............... 13
Battery ..................... 127
servicing ................ 128
Brakes
adjustment .............. 81
anti-lock ................... 81
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 120
Brake-shift interlock . 83
Break-in period ........... 2
Cargo cover ............... 35
Cargo net ................... 35
Child safety seats ...... 66
Childproof locks ........ 31
Cleaning your vehicle 146
built-in child seat . 150engine
compartment ......... 147
fabric ...................... 149
instrument panel .. 149
plastic parts .......... 148
safety belts ............ 150
tail lamps ............... 148
washing .................. 146
waxing ................... 147
wheels .................... 147
Climate control
system ........................ 14
Console, description . 31
Daytime running light
system ........................ 14
Emission control
system ...................... 137
Engine
service points . 116,117
Engine block heater . 79
Engine coolant
checking and
adding ............. 121,122
disposal .................. 123
refill capacities ...... 124
Engine oil ................ 119
changing oil and oil
filter ....................... 119
checking and
adding .................... 118
Entry system
illumination ............. 43
Exhaust fumes .......... 79
Floor mats ................. 33
Fuel
calculating fuel
economy ................ 137
improving fuel
economy .................. 95
octane rating ......... 136
Index
163

quality .................... 136
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 134
Fuel gauge ................. 12
Fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 21,96
Fuse panels
instrument panel .... 98
power
distribution box .... 102
Fuses .......................... 97
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant
temperature gauge . 11
Hazard flashers .... 26,96
Headlamps
flashing .................... 26
high beam ............... 25
turning on and off .. 13
Hood ........................ 116
Ignition
positions of the
ignition .................... 21
Instrument cluster ...... 6
Jump-starting your
vehicle ............... 110,111
attaching cables .... 110
disconnecting cables 112
Keyless entry system
autolock ................... 39
keypad ..................... 37
locking and unlocking
doors ........................ 38
programming entry
code ......................... 37
Lamps ........................ 13
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 13
map lamps ............... 27
replacing bulbs .... 140,
141,143Liftgate
remote release ........ 34
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ........................ 9
anti-lock
brakes (ABS) ....... 8,81
brake .......................... 9
charging system ........ 9
cruise indicator ......... 8
door ajar .................... 7
engine oil pressure ... 9
high beam ................. 6
low coolant ................ 7
low fuel ...................... 7
overdrive off .............. 8
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 7
Lubricant
specifications ........... 154
Luggage rack ............. 36
Mirrors
heated ...................... 30
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 30
Moon roof .................. 27
Motorcraft parts ...... 151
Odometer ................... 11
Parking brake ............ 82
Phone, cellular .......... 33
Power door locks ...... 29
Power steering
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 124
Rear window
defroster .................. 20
Refill capacities for
fluids ........................ 152
Relays ...................... 104
Remote entry system 41
Index
164