instrument panel Mercury Sable 1998 Owner's Manuals

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to
activate and release to
deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the
brightness of the
instrument panel
during headlamp and
parklamp operation.
²Rotate up to
brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
AUTOLAMP CONTROL
The autolamp system
provides light sensitive
automatic on-off
control of the exterior
lights normally
controlled by the
headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the lights on for a
preselected period of time after the ignition switch
is turned to OFF.
²To turn autolamps on, rotate the control up. The
preselected time lapse is adjustable up to
approximately three minutes by continuing to
rotate the control upward.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
16

Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the airflow inside the
vehicle.
Mode selector control
Controls the direction
of the airflow to the
inside of the vehicle.
The air conditioning
compressor will operate in all modes except VENT
and
. 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.
²MAX A/C-Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle.
MAX A/C is noisier than A/C but more economical
and will cool the inside of the vehicle faster.
Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers. This mode can also be used to prevent
undesirable odors from entering the vehicle.
²A/C-Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is
quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical.
Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
²VENT-Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers. However, the air will
OFF
A/C
MAX
A/CVENT
Controls and features
18

not be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in
this mode.
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.
²
(Panel and floor)-Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel registers and the
floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control
knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air distributed through the
floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel registers.
²
(Floor)-Allows for maximum heating by
distributing outside air through the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be cooled below the
outside temperature because the air conditioning
does not operate in this mode.
²
(Floor and defrost)-Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster ducts and the
floor ducts. Heating and air conditioning
capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control
knob is anywhere in between the full hot and full
cold positions, the air distributed through the
floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air
sent to the instrument panel registers. If the
temperature is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the
air conditioner will automatically dehumidify the
air to prevent fogging.
²
-Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear
ice or fog from the windshield. If the temperature
is about 10ÉC (50ÉF) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to prevent
fogging.
Controls and features
19

Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore 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.
²Remove any snow,
ice or leaves from
the air intake area
(at the bottom of
the windshield under
the hood).
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C, but
not in A/C, this may indicate that the cabin air
filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.
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 your air conditioner as you
would normally.
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.
Controls and features
20

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

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

TRUNK REMOTE CONTROL
Press the remote trunk
release control on the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering
wheel.
LIFTGATE (WAGON ONLY)
You can open the
entire liftgate or just
the liftgate window. To
open the entire liftgate,
press the release
button hidden under
the exterior trim panel
just above the license
plate.
You must lock the liftgate with the key or power
lock control; it does not lock automatically.
The window locks when the liftgate is locked. To
open the window, make sure the liftgate and window
are unlocked, then press the outside lock cylinder.
The window can only be opened from the outside.
To prevent any damage to the liftgate and window,
close them completely before driving.
Controls and features
40

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of
the vehicle and release
the auxiliary latch that
is located under the
front center of the
hood.
3. Lift the hood until
the lift cylinders hold it open.
Maintenance and care
128

REPLACING THE INTERIOR BULBS
Check the operation of the following interior bulbs
frequently:
²interior overhead lamp
²map lamp
Using the right bulbs
FunctionTrade
Number
Front side marker lamp 194
Front park/turn lamp 3457 NA
Headlamp 9007
Tail lamp/brake lamp 3157
Rear turn lamp 3456K
Backup lamp 3156
License plate lamp 168
High-mount brake lamp 912
Rear side marker lamp 168
Cargo lamp (wagon) 211-2
Dome lamp 211-2
Dome/map lamp 578
Dome lamp/moon roof 208
Visor vanity lamp (passenger/driver) 74-194
Floor console 194
Luggage compartment lamp 906
Glove compartment 194
I/P ashtray lamp 194
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your
dealer.
Maintenance and care
164

Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a
tar remover if necessary. Do not clean plastic parts
with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as 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.
Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the
wiper blade rubber element with undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. To
avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could
be caused by substances on the windshield such as
tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
windshield with a non-abrasive cleanser such as the
non-abrasive Bon-Amitpowder. Rinse thoroughly
with clean water.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on
glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield is
clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with
water. The windshield and wiper blades should be
cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of
the upper portion of the instrument panel. The dull
finish in this area helps protect the driver from
undesirable windshield reflection.
Maintenance and care
170