ECU Mercury Sable 2000 s Owner's Guide

ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the appropriate intervals
for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P.
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
5. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil indicator (dipstick).
6. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
²If the oil level isbetween the add 1QT and FULL marks or
between the MIN and MAX marks (depending on application),
the oil level is acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
MAX MIN
FULL 1QT
Maintenance and care
151

recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and chains:
²Use only cable type chains offered by Ford as an accessory or
equivalent. SAE class ªSº or other conventional link type chains may
cause damage to the vehicle's wheel house and/or body.
²Install cable chains securely, verifying that the cables do not touch any
wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables rub or bang against your
vehicle, stop and re-tighten the cables. If this does not work, remove
the cables to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire cables when they are no longer needed. Do not use
tire cables on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help prevent vehicle
damage. Do not remove these components from your vehicle when
using snow tires and cables.
²Do not exceed 48 km/h (30 mph) with tire cables on your vehicle.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Maintenance and care
177

reinstall it securely. Theindicator should turn off after three
driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city/highway driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do
not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as ªRegularº that are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
180

4. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb from the socket and
push in the new bulb.
6. Install the bulb socket into the
lamp assembly by rotating it
clockwise.
7. Install the lamp assembly on the
vehicle with four nut and washer
assemblies ensuring the washers on the nuts are flush with the body to
prevent water from entering the trunk.
8. Carefully push the carpet back in to place and install the plastic cover
inside the trunk with three push pins and two plastic mushroom nuts.
Wagon
The tail lamp/turn lamp bulbs are
located in the same portion of the
tail lamp assembly, one just below
the other. Follow the same steps to
replace either bulb:
1. Open the liftgate to expose the
lamp assemblies.
2. Remove the two bolts from the
tail lamp assembly.
3. Carefully pull the lamp assembly
from the tailgate.
4. Twist the bulb socket
counterclockwise and remove from
lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of the
socket and push in the new bulb.
6. Install bulb socket in lamp
assembly by turning clockwise.
7. Carefully install the tail lamp assembly on tailgate and secure with two
bolts.
Maintenance and care
193

If you have questions or concerns, or are unsatisfied with the service you
are receiving, follow these steps:
1. Contact your Sales Representative or Service Advisor at your
selling/servicing dealership.
2. If your inquiry or concern remains unresolved, contact the Sales
Manager or Service Manager at the dealership.
3. If the inquiry or concern cannot be resolved at the dealership level,
please contact the Ford Customer Assistance Center.
Ford Motor Company and Ford of Canada dealerships also carry quality
parts and accessories, providing you with equipment reliability.
Away from home
If you own a Ford or Mercury vehicle and are away from home when
your vehicle needs service, or if you need more help than the dealership
could provide, after following the steps described above, contact the
Ford Customer Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership to
help you. In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-392-3673 (FORD)
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
In Canada:
Customer Assistance Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
Customer assistance
212

If you own a Lincoln vehicle and are away from home when your vehicle
needs service, or if you need more help than the dealership could
provide, after following the steps described above, contact the Ford
Customer Assistance Center to find an authorized dealership to help you.
In the United States:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-521-4140
(TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952)
In Canada:
Customer Assistance Centre
Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited
P.O. Box 2000
Oakville, Ontario L6J 5E4
1-800-565-3673 (FORD)
In order to help you service your Ford or Lincoln Mercury vehicle, please
have the following information available when contacting a Customer
Assistance Center:
²Your telephone number (home and business)
²The name of the dealer and the city where the dealership is located
²The year and make of your vehicle
²The date of vehicle purchase
²The current odometer reading
²The vehicle identification number (VIN)
If you still have a complaint involving a warranty dispute, you may wish
to contact the Dispute Settlement Board (U.S.) or the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP), available in all of Canada (except
Quebec).
In some states (in the U.S.) you must directly notify Ford in writing
before pursuing remedies under your state's warranty laws. Ford is also
allowed a final repair attempt in some states.
In the United States, a warranty dispute must be submitted to the
Dispute Settlement Board before taking action under the Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, or to the extent allowed by state law, before pursuing
Customer assistance
213

You may also contact the North American Customer Assistance Center at
1-800-392-3673 (Ford), TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-232-5952 or
by writing to the Center at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
Customer Assistance Center
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
UTILIZING THE MEDIATION/ARBITRATION PROGRAM
(CANADA ONLY)
In those cases where you continue to feel that the efforts by Ford and
the dealer to resolve a factory-related vehicle service concern have been
unsatisfactory, Ford of Canada participates in an impartial third party
mediation/arbitration program administered by the Canadian Motor
Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
The CAMVAP program is a straight-forward and relatively speedy
alternative to resolve a disagreement when all other efforts to produce a
settlement have failed. This procedure is without cost to you and is
designed to eliminate the need for lengthy and expensive legal
proceedings.
In the CAMVAP program, impartial third-party arbitrators conduct
hearings at mutually convenient times and places in an informal
environment. These impartial arbitrators review the positions of the
parties, make decisions and, when appropriate, render awards to resolve
disputes. CAMVAP decisions are fast, fair, and final; the arbitrator's
award is binding both to you and Ford of Canada.
CAMVAP services are available in all territories and provinces, except
Quebec. For more information, without charge or obligation, call your
CAMVAP Provincial Administrator directly at 1-800-207-0685.
GETTING ASSISTANCE OUTSIDE THE U.S. AND CANADA
Before exporting your vehicle to a foreign country, contact the
appropriate foreign embassy or consulate. These officials can inform you
of local vehicle registration regulations and where to find unleaded fuel.
If you cannot find unleaded fuel or can only get fuel with an anti-knock
index lower than is recommended for your vehicle, contact a district or
owner relations/customer assistance office.
Customer assistance
217

Ford Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (not available in Canada)
Motorcraft Vinyl Cleaner (Canada only)
Ford Extra Strength Tar and Road Oil Remover* (not available in
Canada)
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner (Canada only)
Ford Extra Strength Upholstery Cleaner (not available in Canada)
Ford Metal Surface Cleaner
Ford Multi-Purpose Cleaner*
Motorcraft Car Wash Concentrate
Motorcraft Carlite Glass Cleaner
Ford Spot and Stain Remover*
Ford Super Premium Tire and Trim Dressing
Ford Triple Clean
Ford Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner (not available in Canada)
* May be sold with the Motorcraft name
FORD ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR VEHICLE
A wide selection of Ford accessories are available for your vehicle
through your local authorized Ford, Lincoln Mercury or Ford of Canada
dealer. These quality accessories have been specifically engineered to
fulfill your automotive needs; they are custom designed to complement
the style and aerodynamic appearance of your vehicle. In addition, each
accessory is made from high quality materials and meets or exceeds
Ford's rigid engineering and safety specifications. Ford accessories are
warranted for up to 12 months or 20 000 km (12 000 miles) on all cars
and light trucks and 12 months with unlimited distance on medium/heavy
duty trucks unless the accessory is installed on a new vehicle, then the
warranty becomes the balance of the new vehicle's warranty or the
accessories warranty, whichever is greater. See your dealer for complete
warranty information and availability.
Not all accessories are available for all models.
Vehicle Security
Styled wheel protector locks
Vehicle security systems
Customer assistance
219

anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,113
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................11
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ......................................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................10
low fuel ......................................10
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................9
speed control ............................46
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................122
GAWR ......................................122
GVWR ......................................122
trailer towing ..........................122
Locks
autolock .....................................68
childproof ..................................53
Lubricant specifications ....206,207
Lumbar support, seats ...............75
Mirrors .........................................50
cleaning ...................................199
heated ........................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......54
Moon roof ....................................50
Motorcraft parts .................182,204
Octane rating ............................180
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................151
Overdrive ...................................118
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ............................114
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....204
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................42
Power adjustable foot pedals .....42Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................135
Power door locks ........................53
Power steering ..........................116
fluid, checking and adding ....161
fluid, refill capacity ................205
fluid, specifications ..........206,207
Radio ............................................28
Relays .................................132,137
Remote entry system ............59,60
illuminated entry ......................61
locking/unlocking doors ......59,60
opening the trunk .....................60
panic alarm ...............................60
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................61
replacing the batteries .............62
Roof rack ...................................128
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....13,78,80
81,82,83,84,85
Safety defects, reporting ..........223
Safety
restraints ..78,80,81,82,83,84,85,86
belt minder ...............................89
cleaning the safety belts ...92,203
extension assembly ..................88
for adults ....................81,82,83,84
for children ........................99,100
lap belt ......................................86
warning light and chime ..9,13,88
Safety seats for children ..........101
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............78
Seats ............................................73
child safety seats ....................101
cleaning ............................202,203
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................69,70
Servicing your vehicle ..............147
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................204,207
Index
227