Mercury Sable 1998 s Owner's Guide

Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
(EATC) system (if equipped)
The EATC system will maintain a selected
temperature and automatically control airflow. You
can override automatic operation with any of the
override controls or the fan speed control.
Turning the EATC on
Press AUTO, any of the override controls or the fan
speed control. The EATC will only operate when the
ignition is in the ON position.
Turning the EATC off
Press OFF. The
Outside Temperature
function will continue
to operate until the
ignition is turned off.
TEMP
—+OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDEA/C MAXF-DEF
R-DEF
AUTO
VENT
F—+
TEMP
—+OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDEA/C MAXF-DEF
R-DEF
AUTO
VENT
F—+
OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDE
A/C MAX
VENT
Controls and features
21

Automatic operation
Press AUTO and select the desired temperature.
The selected temperature and the word AUTO will
appear in the display window. The EATC system will
either heat or cool to achieve the selected
temperature. The system will automatically
determine fan speed, airflow location and if fresh
outside air or recirculated air is required. Fan speed
remains automatic unless the fan speed control is
pressed.
When in AUTO and weather conditions require heat,
air will be sent to the floor. However, if the engine is
not warm enough to provide heat, the fan will be at
a low speed and the air will be directed to the
windshield. In 3ó minutes or less, the fan speed will
start to increase and the airflow location will change
to the floor area.
If unusual conditions exist (i.e.-window fogging,
etc.), the manual override controls allow you to
select airflow locations and the fan control allows
you to adjust fan speed as necessary.
Temperature selection
The display window
indicates the selected
temperature, function
(AUTO or one of the
override controls) and
manual control of fan
speed (
)if
automatic fan speed is not desired.
To control the
temperature, select any
temperature between
18ÉC (65ÉF) and 29ÉC
(85ÉF) by pressing the
temperature control.
FAUTO
FAN• • •
TEMP
—+
F-DEF
R-DEF
—+
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22

For continuous maximum cooling, push the
temperature control until 16ÉC (60ÉF) is shown in
the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed
temperature) until a warmer temperature is selected
by pressing the temperature control.
For continuous maximum heating, push the
temperature control until 32ÉC (90ÉF) is shown in
the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum heating (disregarding the displayed
temperature) until a cooler temperature is selected
by pressing the temperature control.
Temperature conversion
Press MAX A/C and F-DEFat the same time
(until the display changes) to switch between
Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Fan speed ()
When AUTO is
pressed, fan speed is
adjusted automatically
for existing conditions.
You can override fan
speed at any time. To
control fan speed
manually, press the fan
control to cancel automatic fan speed operation.
Press the control up for higher fan speed or down
for lower fan speed.
TEMP
—+OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDEA/C MAXF-DEF
R-DEF
VENT
—+AUTOC
TEMP
—+
F-DEF
R-DEF
—+
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23

The display will show
and a bar graph to
indicate manual fan
operation and relative
speed.
To return to automatic fan operation, press AUTO.
Manual override controls
The override controls are located at the bottom of
the EATC and allow you to determine where airflow
is directed. To return to full automatic control, press
AUTO.
The air conditioning compressor will operate in all
modes except
and VENT. It will also operate
only when required when AUTO has been selected.
However, the air conditioning will only function if
the outside temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
above.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable
moisture from the air during operation, it is normal
if clear water drips on the ground under the air
conditioner drain while the system is working and
even after you have stopped the vehicle.
Under normal conditions, your vehicle's climate
control system should be left in any position other
than MAX A/C or OFF when the vehicle is parked.
This allows the vehicle to ªbreatheº through the
outside air inlet duct.
FAUTO
FAN• • •
TEMP
—+OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDEA/C MAXF-DEF
R-DEF
VENT
—+AUTOF
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²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle.
The temperature will remain unchanged and air
will be cooled based on the selected temperature.
To exit, press AUTOMATIC or any other override
controls. MAX A/C is noisier than normal A/C but
more economical and will cool the inside of the
vehicle faster. Airflow is from the instrument
panel registers. This mode can also be used to
prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
²VENT-Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers. However, the air
cannot be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
²
-Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. The air will be heated or
cooled based on the temperature selection. For
added customer comfort, the air distributed
through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the instrument panel
registers.
²
-Allows for maximum heating by distributing
outside air through the floor ducts. However, the
air cannot be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not
operate in this mode.
²
-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts.
Heating and air conditioning capabilities are
provided in this mode. The air will be heated or
cooled based on the temperature selection. For
added customer comfort, the air distributed
through the floor ducts will be slightly warmer
than the air sent to the windshield defroster
ducts. If the temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or
higher, the air conditioner will automatically
dehumidify the air to prevent fogging.
Controls and features
25

²F- DEF-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear
ice or fog from the windshield. If the outside air
temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the
air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the
air to prevent fogging.
²OFF-Outside air is shut out and the fan will not
operate. For short periods of time only, use this
mode to prevent undesirable odors from entering
the vehicle.
Displaying outside temperature
Press OUTSIDE TEMP
to display the outside
air temperature. It will
be displayed until
OUTSIDE TEMP is
pressed again or until
any other control is
pressed. When the
EATC system is off and OUTSIDE TEMP is pressed,
the outside temperature will only be displayed for
four seconds.
The outside temperature reading is most accurate
when the vehicle is moving. Higher readings may be
obtained when the vehicle is not moving. The
readings that you get may not agree with
temperatures given on the radio due to differences
in vehicle and station locations.
Operating tips
²In humid weather, select F-DEFbefore
driving. This will prevent your windshield from
fogging. After a few minutes, select any desired
position.
²To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle,
don't drive with the climate control system in the
OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will
interfere with the airflow to the back seats.
OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDE
A/C MAX
VENT
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26

²Remove any snow,
ice or leaves from
the air intake area
(at the bottom of
the windshield).
²If your vehicle has been parked with the windows
closed during hot weather, the air conditioner will
do a much faster job of cooling if you drive for
two or three minutes with the windows open. This
will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Then operate the air conditioner as you
would normally.
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C but
not in normal A/C, this may indicate that the
cabin air filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
²When placing objects on top of your instrument
panel, be careful to not place them over the
defroster outlets. These objects can block airflow
and reduce your ability to see through your
windshield. Also, avoid placing small objects on
top of your instrument panel. These objects can
fall down into the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage your climate control
system.
AUDIO SYSTEM
Refer to theAudio Guidefor instructions on how to
operate the audio system.
Controls and features
27

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows
key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
To turn speed control on
²Press ON.
Vehicle speed cannot
be controlled until the
vehicle is traveling at
or above 48 km/h (30
mph).
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, slippery, or
unpaved.
Do not shift the gearshift lever into N
(Neutral) with the speed control on.
1
23
4
5
OFF ON
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28

To turn speed control off
²Press OFF or
²Turn off the vehicle
ignition.
Once speed control is switched off, the previously
programmed set speed will be erased.
To set a speed
²Press SET ACC/SET
ACCEL. For speed
control to operate,
the speed control
must be ON and the
vehicle speed must
be greater than 48
km/h (30 mph).
If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle
speed may vary momentarily slower or faster than
the set speed. This is normal.
Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it
increases above the set speed on a downhill. If your
vehicle speed is faster than the set speed while
driving on a downhill, you may want to shift to the
next lower gear or apply the brakes to reduce your
vehicle speed.
If your vehicle slows down more than 16 km/h (10
mph) below your set speed on an uphill, your speed
control will disengage. This is normal. Pressing
RES/RSM/RESUME will re-engage it.
Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, slippery, or
unpaved.
OFF ON
COAST
RESUME
SET
ACCEL
Controls and features
29

To set a higher set speed
²Press and hold SET
ACC/SET ACCEL.
Release the control
when the desired
vehicle speed is
reached or
²Press and release
SET ACC/SET
ACCEL. Each press will increase the set speed by
1.6 km/h (1 mph) or
²Accelerate with your accelerator pedal. When the
desired vehicle speed is reached, press and
release SET ACC/SET ACCEL.
You can accelerate with the accelerator pedal at any
time during speed control usage. Releasing the
accelerator pedal will return your vehicle to the
previously programmed set speed.
To set a lower set speed
²Press and hold
CST/COAST. Release
the control when the
desired speed is
reached or
²Press and release
CST/COAST. Each
press will decrease
the set speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or
²Depress the brake
pedal. When the
desired vehicle
speed is reached,
press SET ACC/SET
ACCEL.
COAST
RESUME
SET
ACCEL
COAST
RESUME
SET
ACCEL
COAST
RESUME
SET
ACCEL
Controls and features
30