wiper blades Mercury Sable 1999 Owner's Manuals

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

3.The ªUPº and ªDNº on the bubble label indicate the
directional change (up or down) of the vertical aim.
4.Usea7mmwrench or socket to turn the vertical
adjusting screw clockwise or counterclockwise until
the bubble aligns with the ª0º reference mark on the
vertical indicator when viewed directly from above.
Repeat the above procedures to the other headlamp,
if necessary.
CLEANING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Refer to the Customer Assistance chapter 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
175

Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This
could be every three or four months, depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to remove
any bugs and tar before waxing vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have
wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris
may be repaired with touch-up paint, repair foil or
aerosol paint spray from the Ford Car Care
Chemicals line. Observe the application instructions
on the products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap,
insect remains, tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your
vehicle. Do not use acid-based or alcohol-based
wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of
special wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove
grease and tar.
The brushes used in some automatic car washes may
damage the finish on your wheels. Before going to a
car wash, find out if the brushes are abrasive.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean
because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When washing:
Maintenance and care
176

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

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

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