checking oil Mercury Sable 2001 Owner's Manuals

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
157

²If the oil level is below the add
1QT or MIN mark, add enough oil
to raise the level within the
1QT-FULL or the MIN-MAX range
(depending on application).
²Oil levels above the F in FULL or above the MAX mark, may cause
engine damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by a
service technician.
7. Put the indicator back in and ensure it is fully seated.
Adding engine oil
1. Check the engine oil. For instructions, refer toChecking the engine
oilin this chapter.
2. If the engine oil level is not within the normal range, add only certified
engine oil of the recommended viscosity. Remove the engine oil filler cap
and use a funnel to pour the engine oil into the opening.
3. Recheck the engine oil level. Make sure the oil level is not above the
MAX mark or the letter F in FULL on the engine oil level indicator
(dipstick).
4. Install the indicator and ensure it is fully seated.
5. Fully install the engine oil filler cap by turning the filler cap clockwise
until three clicks can be heard.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Maintenance and care
158

Checking and adding washer fluid for the liftgate (if equipped)
The opening for the reservoir is
located on the passenger side under
the tail lamp. Refill this reservoir
with the same fluid you use for your
windshield.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50/50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
²freeze protection down to -36É C (-34É F).
²boiling protection up to 129É C (265É F).
²protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
²enables calibrated gages to function properly.
Maintenance and care
162

Child safety seats ......................105
attaching with tether straps ..109
in front seat ............................106
in rear seat ......................106, 109
LATCH .....................................111
Cleaning your vehicle ...............204
engine compartment ..............207
exterior ....................................205
exterior lamps .........................206
instrument cluster lens ..........208
instrument panel ....................208
interior .............................208±209
mirrors .....................................206
plastic parts ............................206
safety belts ..............................209
washing ....................................204
waxing .....................................205
wheels ......................................206
windows ..................................209
wiper blades ............................206
woodtone trim ........................209
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............19
Clock ......................................35, 41
Console ........................................59
Controls
power seat .................................78
Coolant
checking and adding ..............162
refill capacities ................165, 211
specifications ..................212±213
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................47
Customer Assistance ................135
Ford accessories
for your vehicle ......................225
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................217Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............224
Getting roadside assistance ...135
Getting the
service you need ....................217
Ordering additional
owner's literature ...................228
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................220
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............223
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................17
Defrost
rear window ..............................19
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................168
engine oil .................................157
Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
lubricant specifications ..........212
Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................129
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................147
Emission control system ..........190
Engine ........................................213
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................207
coolant .....................................162
Index
232

idle speed control ...................175
lubrication
specifications ..................212±213
refill capacities ........................211
service points ..................155±156
starting after a collision .........136
Engine block heater .................116
Engine oil ..................................157
checking and adding ..............157
dipstick ....................................157
filter, specifications ........159, 210
recommendations ...................159
refill capacities ........................211
specifications ..................212±213
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
F
Floor mats ...................................59
Fluid capacities .........................211
Foglamps .....................................18
Fuel ............................................182
calculating fuel economy .......187
cap .......................................9, 184
capacity ...................................211
choosing the right fuel ...........185
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................190
detergent in fuel .....................186
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................182, 184, 187
filter, specifications ........186, 210
fuel pump shut-off switch .....136
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........187
low fuel warning light ..............11
octane rating ...................185, 213
quality ......................................185
running out of fuel .................186safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................182
Fuses ..................................138±139
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 184
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................187
Gauges .........................................14
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................14
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....128
definition .................................128
driving with a heavy load ......128
location ....................................128
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............128
calculating ...............................128
definition .................................128
driving with a heavy load ......128
location ....................................128
H
Hazard flashers .........................136
Head restraints ...........................77
Headlamps ...................................17
aiming ..............................202±203
autolamp system .......................18
bulb specifications ..................201
daytime running lights .............17
flash to pass ..............................17
Index
233

GAWR ......................................128
GVWR ......................................128
trailer towing ..........................128
Locks
autolock .....................................71
childproof ..................................57
Lubricant specifications ...212±213
Lumbar support, seats ...............79
M
Mirrors .........................................54
cleaning ...................................206
heated ........................................58
side view mirrors (power) .......58
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ................186, 210
O
Octane rating ............................185
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................157
Overdrive ...................................124
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................65
Parking brake ............................120
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....210
Pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ...............46
Power adjustable foot pedals .....46
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................141Power door locks ........................57
Power steering ..........................122
fluid, checking and adding ....167
fluid, refill capacity ................211
fluid, specifications .........212±213
R
Radio ............................................29
Relays ................................138, 143
Remote entry system ...........63, 65
illuminated entry ......................65
locking/unlocking doors ...........64
opening the trunk .....................64
panic alarm ...............................65
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................65
replacing the batteries .............66
Roof rack ...................................134
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ............13, 81, 83±87, 89
Safety defects, reporting ..........230
Safety restraints ..............81, 83±90
belt minder ...............................92
cleaning the safety belts ..95, 209
extension assembly ..................91
for adults .............................84±87
for children .....................103±104
lap belt ......................................89
warning light
and chime ........................9, 13, 92
Safety seats for children ..........105
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............81
Seats ............................................77
Index
235