warning Mercury Sable 1999 s User Guide

The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications
and compensating for
this tendency. The
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster
momentarily illuminates when the ignition is turned
on and the engine is off. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or
continues to flash, the ABS needs to be serviced.
With the ABS light on,
the anti-lock brake
system is disabled and
normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the ABS is required, apply continuous full
force on the brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
102

²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce
stopping distance. Always leave enough room
between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you to stop.
²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
press the parking brake
pedal down until the
pedal stops.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park).
The parking brake is not recommended to stop a
moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail,
the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle
in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance
will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle
will be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
Driving
103

If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle
Your automatic
overdrive transaxle
provides fully
automatic operation in
either
(Overdrive)
or D (Drive). Driving
with the shift selector
in
(Overdrive) gives
the best fuel economy
for normal driving conditions. For manual control
start in 1 (First) and then shift manually.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a
console mounted
gearshift, you must
press the thumb button
on the side of the
gearshift to move the
gearshift from P
(Park).
To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress
the brake pedal, then move gearshift out of P
(Park).
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from P (Park) to another
position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
Driving
106

²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your Scheduled
Maintenance Guide performed according to the
specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
Scheduled Maintenance Guide are essential to the
life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
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.
Illumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Maintenance and care
167

Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning Lights
and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
Maintenance and care
168

Accessory delay ........ 49
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 83
and child
safety seats ............. 85
description .............. 84
disposal .................... 88
indicator light ......... 87
passenger air bag ... 86
Air conditioning
automatic
temperature control
system . 22,23,24,25,27
Anti-theft system . 60,67
arming the system .. 60
disarming a triggered
system ..................... 62
Automatic transaxle. 105
driving
with .......... 107,108,109
Brakes ...................... 101
anti-lock .......... 101,102
anti-lock brake
system (ABS)
warning light ......... 102
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 141
shift interlock ........ 105
Break-in period ........ 2,3
Cargo area shade ...... 55
Cargo cover ............... 55
Cargo net ................... 54
CD changer. 37,38,39,40
Cellular telephone
(see your Cellular
Phone Guide) ............ 52
Child safety seats
attaching with tether
straps ....................... 94
in rear seat ......... 92,94
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 95
Cleaning
your vehicle
.............. 175
engine
compartment ......... 176
exterior .................. 176
exterior lamps ....... 178
interior ................... 179
plastic parts .......... 178
washing .................. 175
waxing ................... 176
wheels .................... 176
wiper blades .......... 178
Console ...................... 52
Controls
power seat ............... 71
Coolant .................... 145
checking
and adding ............ 143
refill capacities ...... 145
Customer Assistance
Ford accessories
for your
vehicle ..... 198,199,200
Ford Extended
Service Plan .......... 190
Getting assistance
outside the
U.S. and Canada ... 197
Getting roadside
assistance .............. 189
Getting the service
you need ........ 191,192
Ordering additional
owner's literature . 203
The Dispute
Settlement Board . 193
194,195,196
Defrost
rear window ............ 18
Doors
central unlocking .... 50
Index
205

Lights, warning and
indicator ...................... 6
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ........................ 9
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 10
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 7
low coolant ................ 9
low fuel ...................... 8
oil pressure ............. 10
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 7
speed control .......... 44
turn signal indicator . 6
Locks
childproof ................ 51
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 72,73
Mirrors ....................... 48
heated ...................... 51
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 50
Moon roof .................. 48
Motorcraft parts ...... 162
Octane rating .......... 161
Overdrive ................. 106
Parking brake .......... 103
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ............. 123
Power door locks ...... 50
Power steering ........ 104
fluid, checking and
adding ............. 146,147
Radio ................ 29,30,31
32,33,34,35,36
Relays ............... 119,125
Remote entry
system ................... 56,58
illuminated entry .... 58locking/unlocking
doors ........................ 57
replacement/additional
transmitters ............. 59
replacing the
batteries .................. 59
Roof rack ................. 117
Safety Compliance
Certification Label .. 187
Safety defects,
reporting .................. 204
Safety restraints ........ 80
cleaning the safety
belts .................. 83,179
extension
assembly .................. 82
for children ........ 88,89
lap belt ............... 78,79
warning light and
chime ....................... 82
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ............. 74,75
76,77,78
Seats .......................... 70
child safety seats .... 90
cleaning ................. 179
Servicing your
vehicle ............... 135,136
Spark plugs,
specifications ........... 180
Specification chart,
lubricants ................. 183
Speed control ............ 41
Starting your
vehicle .............. 96,97,98
jump
starting .... 129,130,132
preparing to start
your vehicle ....... 66,68
Steering wheel
tilting ....................... 46
Tires ........... 153,154,155
Index
207

changing ................ 126
checking the
pressure ................. 155
replacing ................ 156
rotating .................. 155
snow tires
and chains ............. 157
tire grades ............. 154
treadwear .............. 153
Towing ..................... 112
114,115,116
wrecker .................. 134
Transaxle
fluid,
refill capacities ...... 181
Transmission
fluid, checking and
adding (automatic). 147
148,149
Trunk
remote
release lever ............ 53Vehicle dimensions . 185
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ......... 188
Vehicle loading ........ 110
Ventilating
your vehicle ............. 100
Warning chimes ......... 11
Washer fluid ............ 142
Water,
Driving through ....... 112
Windows ............... 48,49
rear wiper/washer ... 46
Windshield washer fluid
and wipers
checking
and cleaning .......... 152
operation ................. 45
replacing
wiper blades .......... 152
Index
208