tow Mercury Sable 1999 s Owner's Guide

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs
and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Towing your vehicle behind another vehicle
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, car
or a truck.
Before you have your vehicle towed:
²Release the parking brake.
²Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
²Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
²Unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than
56 km/h (35 mph) or for a distance greater than
80 km (50 miles), unless the drive wheels are placed
on dollies.
Driving
116

Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an accident.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item
being carried. The front crossbar does not move. Do
not load more than 44 kg (100 lbs.) on the luggage
rack.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the
thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
2. Slide the cross-bar
to the desired location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the
cross-bar.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
117

CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving, do not apply the
brake heavily. Instead, gradually decrease your
speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Temporary spare tire information
The temporary spare tire for your vehicle is labeled
as such. It is smaller than a regular tire and is
designed for emergency use only.
If you use the temporary spare tire
continuously or do not follow these
precautions, the tire could fail, causing you to lose
control of the vehicle, possibly injuring yourself or
others.
When driving with the temporary spare tiredo not:
²exceed 80 km/h (50 mph) under any
circumstances
²load the vehicle beyond maximum vehicle load
rating listed on the Safety Compliance Label
²tow a trailer
²use tire chains
²drive through an automatic car wash, because of
the vehicle's reduced ground clearance
²try to repair the temporary spare tire or remove it
from its wheel
²use the wheel for any other type of vehicle
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers
and set parking brake.
Roadside emergencies
126

WRECKER TOWING
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact a
professional towing service or, if you are a member,
your roadside assistance center.
It is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift or flatbed equipment. Do not tow with a
slingbelt. Ford Motor Company has not approved a
slingbelt towing procedure.
Ford Motor Company provides a towing manual for
all authorized tow truck operators. Have your tow
truck operator refer to this manual for proper
hook-up and towing procedures for your vehicle.
Roadside emergencies
134

²Always dispose of
automotive batteries
in a responsible
manner. Follow your
local authorized
standards for
disposal. Call your
local authorized
recycling center to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when
they seem less effective. 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 wipe properly, clean both
the windshield and wiper blades using undiluted
windshield wiper solution or a mild detergent. Rinse
thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or
other solvents.
Changing the wiper blades
To replace the wiper blades:
1. Pull the wiper arm
away from the
windshield and lock
into the service
position.
2. Turn the blade at an
angle from the wiper
arm. Push the lock pin
manually to release the
blade and pull the
wiper blade down
toward the windshield
to remove it from the arm.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
152

²Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 105 km/h
[65 mph] uses 15% more fuel than traveling at
88 km/h [55 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may
reduce fuel economy.
²Use of the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
²Use of speed control (if equipped) may improve
fuel economy. Speed control can help maintain a
constant speed and reduce speed changes. You
may want to turn off the speed control in hilly
terrain as unnecessary shifting between third and
fourth gears may occur and could result in
reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
Maintenance and care
165

²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running; water in the running engine may cause
internal damage.
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
Maintenance and care
178

IDENTIFYING YOUR VEHICLE
Certification label
The National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
Regulations require
that a Certification
Label be affixed to a
vehicle and prescribe
where the Certification
Label may be located.
The Certification Label
is located on the front
door latch pillar on the driver's side.
1
4
MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO. IN U.S.A.
EXT PNT: XXXXXX XXXXXX RC: XX DSO: XXXX F0000
BAR INT TR TP/PS R AXLE TR SPR T0000
X XX XXX X XX X XXXX
UTC
ÑFOHT-15294A10-GA
MAXIMUM LOAD=OCCUPANTS + LUGGAGE=XXXKG/XXXXLB
OCCUPANTS: X TOTAL X FR X 2ND X RR OCCUPANTS LUGGAGE
XX XXXKG/XXXXLB
TIRE: XXXX/XXXXX XXX X XXXKG/XXXXLB
PRESSURE (FR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
PRESSURE (RR) XXX kPa/33 PSI COLD
TRAILER TOWING - SEE OWNER GUIDE
DATE: XXXXX GVWR:XXXXX LB/ XXXXX KG
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TYPE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX FGAWR: XXXXXX/XXXXXXX RGAWR: XXXXXXX/XXXXXXXTHIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
Capacities and specifications
187

GETTING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
To fully assist you should you have a vehicle
concern, Ford offers a complimentary roadside
assistance program. This program is separate from
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service is
available:
²24±hours, seven days a week
²for the Basic warranty period (Canada) or New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period (U.S.) of three
years or 60,000 km (36,000 miles), whichever
comes first on Ford and Mercury vehicles, and
four years or 80,000 km (50,000 miles) on Lincoln
vehicles
In the United States, you may purchase additional
roadside assistance coverage beyond this period
through the Ford Auto Club by contacting your Ford
or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Roadside assistance will cover:
²changing a flat tire
²jump-starts
²lock-out assistance
²fuel delivery
²towing to the nearest Ford of Canada or Ford
Motor Company dealership, or towing to your
selling dealership if within 56 km (35 miles). Even
non-warranty related tows, like accidents or
getting stuck in the mud or snow, are covered
(some exclusions apply, such as impound towing
or repossession).
Using roadside assistance
Complete the roadside assistance identification card
and place it in your wallet for quick reference. In the
United States, this card is found in the Owner Guide
portfolio in the glove compartment in Ford vehicles
and is mailed to you if you own a Mercury or
Lincoln. In Canada, it's found in the Roadside
Assistance book in the glove compartment.
Customer assistance
189

To receive roadside assistance in the United States
for Ford or Mercury vehicles, call 1-800-241-3673 or
if you own a Lincoln vehicle, call 1±800±521±4140.
In Canada call 1±800±665±2006.
Should you need to arrange assistance for yourself,
Ford will reimburse a reasonable amount. To obtain
information about reimbursement, call
1-800-241-3673 in the United States for Ford or
Mercury vehicles; or if you own a Lincoln vehicle,
call 1±800±521±4140. Call 1±800±665±2006 in
Canada.
Ford extended service plan
You can get more protection for your new car or
light truck by purchasing Ford Extended Service
Plan (Ford ESP) coverage. Ford ESP is an optional
service contract which is backed by Ford Motor
Company or Ford Motor Service Company (in the
U.S.) and Ford of Canada (in Canada). It provides:
²Protection against repair costs after your New
Vehicle Limited Warranty period expires;
and
²Other benefits during the warranty period (such
as reimbursement for rentals and towing.)
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury or Ford of Canada dealer.
There are several plans available in various time,
distance and deductible combinations which can be
tailored to fit your own driving needs. Ford ESP also
offers reimbursement benefits for towing and rental
coverage. (In Hawaii, rules vary. See your dealer for
details.)
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind
protection throughout the United States and Canada,
provided by a network of more than 5,200
participating Ford, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of
Canada dealers.
If you did not take advantage of the Ford Extended
Service Plan at the time of purchasing your vehicle,
Customer assistance
190