tow Mercury Sable 2002 s Owner's Guide

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
replacement or repurchase remedies provided by certain state laws. This
dispute handling procedure is not required prior to enforcing state
created rights or other rights which are independent of the
Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act or state replacement or repurchase laws.
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 the following:
•Benefits during the warranty period depending on the plan you
purchase (such as: reimbursement for rentals; coverage for certain
maintenance and wear items).
•Protection against covered repair costs after your Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty expires.
You may purchase Ford ESP from any participating Ford and Lincoln
Mercury and 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.
When you buy Ford ESP, you receive Peace-of-Mind protection
throughout the United States and Canada, provided by a network of
more than 5,000 participating Ford or 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, you may still be eligible. Please contact
your dealer for further information. Since this information is subject to
change, please ask your dealer for complete details about Ford Extended
Service Plan coverage options, or visit the Ford ESP website at
www.ford-esp.com.
Customer Assistance
176

WASHING THE EXTERIOR
Wash your vehicle regularly with cool or lukewarm water and a neutral
Ph shampoo, such as Motorcraft Detail Wash (ZC-3–A), which is available
from your dealer.
•Never use strong household detergents or soap, such as dish washing
or laundry liquid. These products can discolor and spot painted
surfaces.
•Never wash a vehicle that is“hot to the touch”or during exposure to
strong, direct sunlight.
•Always use a clean sponge or carwash mitt with plenty of water for
best results.
•Dry the vehicle with a chamois or soft terry cloth towel in order to
eliminate water spotting.
•It is especially important to wash the vehicle regularly during the
winter months, as dirt and road salt are difficult to remove and cause
damage to the vehicle.
•Immediately remove items such as gasoline, diesel fuel, bird droppings
and insect deposits because they can cause damage to the vehicle’s
paintwork and trim over time.
•Remove any exterior accessories, such as antennas, before entering a
car wash.
•Suntan lotions and insect repellents can damage any painted
surface; if these substances come in contact with your vehicle,
wash off as soon as possible.
WAXING
Applying a polymer paint sealant to your vehicle every six months will
assist in reducing minor scratches and paint damage.
•Wash the vehicle first.
•Do not use waxes that contain abrasives.
•Do not allow paint sealant to come in contact with any non-body
(low-gloss black) colored trim, such as grained door handles, roof
racks, bumpers, side moldings, mirror housings or the windshield cowl
area. The paint sealant will“gray”or stain the parts over time.
PAINT CHIPS
Your dealer has touch-up paint and sprays to match your vehicle’s color.
Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jam) to
your dealer to ensure you get the correct color.
Cleaning
184

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only unleaded fuel (or E85, if equipped with the 3.0L FFV V6
engine).
Maintenance and Specifications
214

Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................29
Liftgate ........................................54
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........111
speed control ............................51
Load limits .................................118
GAWR ......................................118
GVWR ......................................118
trailer towing ..........................118
Locks
childproof ..................................58
doors ..........................................58
Lubricant specifications ...183, 185
Lumbar support, seats ...............72
M
Mirrors .........................................44
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................45
heated ........................................48
side view mirrors (power) .......47
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts ................168, 180
O
Octane rating ............................167
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................154
Overdrive ...................................114
P
Parking brake ............................112
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....180
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................48Power adjustable foot pedals .....48
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................129
Power door locks ........................58
Power point .................................44
Power steering ..........................113
fluid, checking and adding ....173
fluid, refill capacity ................181
fluid, specifications .........183, 185
Power Windows ...........................44
R
Radio ......................................15, 17
Rear window defroster ...............25
Relays ................................125, 131
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................62
locking/unlocking doors ...........58
opening the trunk .....................61
Roof rack .....................................57
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................75, 77–80, 82
Safety restraints ..............75, 77–83
belt minder ...............................85
cleaning the safety belts ..........89
extension assembly ..................88
for adults .............................78–80
for children .........................96–97
lap belt ......................................82
warning light and chime ....84–85
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............75
Seats ............................................71
Index
238

child safety seats ......................99
cleaning ...................................146
Servicing your vehicle ..............149
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................132
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................180, 185
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................183, 185
Speed control ..............................48
Starting your vehicle ........107–109
jump starting ..........................135
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................43
T
Tires ...........................131, 176–177
changing ..........................131–132
checking the pressure ............177
replacing ..................................178
rotating ....................................178
snow tires and chains ............179
tire grades ...............................177
treadwear ................................176
Towing .......................................120
recreational towing .................123
trailer towing ..........................120
wrecker ....................................141
Traction control ........................112
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............181
lubricant specifications ..........185Transmission .............................113
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................174
lubricant specifications ..........183
Trunk ...............................55, 57–58
remote release ....................54, 61
Turn signal ..................................29
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................185
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................187
Vehicle loading ..........................118
Ventilating your vehicle ...........110
W
Warning chimes .........................112
Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................153
Water, Driving through .............118
Windows
power .........................................44
rear wiper/washer .....................42
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................42
checking and adding fluid .....153
liftgate reservoir .....................154
replacing wiper blades .............43
Wrecker towing .........................141
Index
239