light Mercury Sable 1998 s Service Manual

CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the ªCustomer Assistance Guideº for a list
of Ford-approved cleaners, polishes and waxes.
Washing your vehicle
Wash your vehicle
regularly with cold or
lukewarm water. Never
use strong detergents
or soap. If your vehicle
is particularly dirty, use
a quality car wash
detergent. Always use a
clean sponge, washing
glove or similar device and plenty of water for best
results. To avoid spots, avoid washing when the
hood is still warm, immediately after or during
exposure to strong sunlight.
During winter months, it is especially important to
wash the vehicle on a regular basis. Large quantities
of dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and also
cause damage to the vehicle.
Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas,
before entering a car wash. If you have wax applied
to the vehicle at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
After washing, apply the brakes several times to dry
them.
Maintenance and care
167

²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking
the engine block or other engine components.
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water
damage when cleaning the engine.
²3.0L Vulcan engine
²3.0L Duratec engine
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running; water in the running engine may cause
internal damage.
Maintenance and care
169

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 66
and child
safety seats ............. 69
description .............. 67
disposal .................... 72
indicator light ......... 72
passenger air bag ... 70
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control
system . 21,22,23,24,26
Anti-theft system ...... 47
arming the system .. 47
Automatic transaxle . 93
driving
with ........... 96,97,98,99
Brakes ........................ 89
anti-lock ................... 89
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning
light .......................... 90
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 133
shift interlock .......... 93
Break-in period ........... 3
Cargo cover .......... 41,42
Cargo net ................... 41
Cellular telephone
(see your Cellular
Phone Guide) ............ 39
Child safety seats
attaching with tether
straps ....................... 78
in rear seat ......... 76,78
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 79
Cleaning your
vehicle ...................... 167
built-in child
seat ..................... 80,83engine
compartment ......... 168
exterior lamps ....... 170
plastic parts .......... 170
washing .................. 167
waxing ................... 168
wheels .................... 168
wiper blades .......... 170
Console ...................... 38
Controls
power seat ............... 55
Coolant ............. 137,138
checking and
adding .................... 135
refill capacities ...... 137
Defrost
rear window ............ 17
Doors
central unlocking 36,37
Emission control
system ...................... 158
Engine
coolant ................... 134
idle speed control . 142
service points . 129,130
starting after a
collision ................. 108
Engine block heater . 87
Engine oil
checking and
adding .................... 132
dipstick .................. 130
specifications . 130,132
Exhaust fumes .......... 87
Floor mats ................. 39
Fuel
choosing the
right fuel ................ 156
detergent in fuel ... 157
filling your vehicle
with fuel ......... 153,155
quality .................... 156
Index
182

running out of
fuel ......................... 157
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 153
Fuses ................. 109,110
Hazard flashers ....... 108
Head restraints ......... 54
Headlamps
high beam ............... 15
Heating ...................... 17
heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 17,18,20
Hood ........................ 128
Ignition ..................... 177
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 159
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 170
Keyless entry system
autolock .............. 51,52
keypad ..................... 49
locking and unlocking
doors ........................ 51
programming entry
code ......................... 50
Keys
key in ignition chime 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 28
Lamps ...................... 160
autolamp system ..... 16
daytime running
light .......................... 15
headlamps ............... 15
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 16
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 16
interior lamps ....... 164replacing
bulbs ............... 161,163
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 32
Liftgate ...................... 44
remote release ........ 40
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ........................ 9
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 10
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 6
low coolant ................ 8
low fuel ...................... 8
oil pressure ............. 10
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 6
service engine soon .. 7
speed control .......... 31
turn signal
indicator .................... 6
Locks .......................... 53
childproof ................ 38
Luggage rack ........... 107
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 55,56
Mirrors
heated ...................... 38
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 37
Moon roof .................. 34
Motorcraft parts ...... 158
Octane rating .......... 156
Odometer ................... 13
Overdrive .............. 94,95
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 44
Index
183

Parking brake ............ 91
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 112
Power door locks ...... 36
Power steering .......... 92
fluid, checking and
adding ............. 138,139
Relays ............... 109,115
Remote entry system 43
illuminated entry .... 45
locking/unlocking
doors ................... 43,44
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 45
replacing the
batteries .................. 46
Safety restraints ........ 62
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 66,172
extension
assembly .................. 64
for children ........ 72,73
lap belt ............... 61,62
warning light and
chime .................. 11,65
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ... 57,58,59,60
Seats .......................... 54
child safety seats .... 74
cleaning .......... 171,172
Servicing your
vehicle ...................... 127
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 173
Specification chart,
lubricants ................. 175
Speed control ............ 28
Speedometer ............. 12
Starting your
vehicle .............. 84,85,86jump
starting .... 121,122,124
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 33
Tires .................. 148,150
changing ................ 118
checking the
pressure ................. 150
replacing ................ 151
rotating .................. 151
snow tires an
d chains ................. 152
treadwear .............. 149
Towing
wrecker .................. 126
Transaxle
fluid, refill
capacities ............... 174
Transmission ........... 140
fluid, checking and
adding
(automatic) .... 140,141
Trip odometer ........... 14
Trunk
remote releas
e lever ...................... 40
Vehicle dimensions . 177
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 180
Vehicle loading ........ 100
Ventilating your
vehicle ........................ 88
Warning chimes ........... 6
Washer fluid ............ 134
Wheels
anti-theft lug
nuts ................. 117,118
Windows ............... 35,36
rear wiper/washer ... 32
Index
184