traction control Mercury Sable 2002 Owner's Manuals

Seating and Safety Restraints 95
Seating 95
Safety restraints 99
Air bags 115
Child restraints 122
Driving 134
Starting 134
Brakes 139
Traction control 142
Transmission operation 144
Vehicle loading 149
Trailer towing 151
Roadside Emergencies 155
Getting roadside assistance 155
Hazard flasher switch 156
Fuel pump shut-off switch 156
Fuses and relays 158
Changing tires 163
Jump starting 167
Wrecker towing 173
Customer Assistance 174
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 182
Cleaning 184
Table of Contents
2

These are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.
Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Safety Alert
See Owner’s Guide
Fasten Safety BeltAir Bag-Front
Air Bag-SideChild Seat
Child Seat Installation
WarningChild Seat Lower
Anchor
Child Seat Tether
AnchorBrake System
Anti-Lock Brake SystemBrake Fluid -
Non-Petroleum Based
Traction ControlAdvanceTrac
Master Lighting SwitchHazard Warning Flasher
Fog Lamps-FrontFuse Compartment
Fuel Pump ResetWindshield Wash/Wipe
Windshield
Defrost/DemistRear Window
Defrost/Demist
Introduction
8

Charging system
Illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the oil pressure
falls below the normal range. Check
the oil level and add oil if needed.
Refer toEngine oilin the
Maintenance and specificationschapter.
Low coolant (if equipped)
Illuminates when the coolant level in
the coolant reservoir is low and
more needs to be added. For more
information on adding engine
coolant, refer toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Traction Control
active (if equipped)
Illuminates when the Traction
Controlsystem is active. It will be
lit for a minimum of four seconds or
for the duration of the Traction
Controlevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
Low fuel
Illuminates when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is at, or near, empty
(refer toFuel gaugein this chapter
for more information).
Speed control (if equipped)
Illuminates when the speed control
is activated.
CRUISE
Instrument Cluster
13

CELL PHONE WARNING
Use of cell phones and other devices by driver:
Do not operate hand held communication equipment while
operating the vehicle as this may lead to an accident caused by
distraction and result in personal injury.
CELL PHONE HANDS-FREE SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The Cellport 3000–VR (voice recognition) allows for hands-free voice
activated communication while in your vehicle. With your cell phone
docked in the pocket adapter, located on the center console, incoming
calls will ring through the audio system speakers.
The radio will display the word
“CALL”when you are on the phone.
With this system, you will hear and
control the volume of the person
you are talking to through your car’s
audio system. Your voice is picked up through the microphone mounted
above the rear view mirror allowing you to talk on the phone. The
volume setting in your phone will effect the volume through the audio
system. You may have to reset the volume of your phone when using the
Cellport 3000–VR.
You will need a pocket adapter that
is compatible with your cellphone.
The adapter will plug into the
center console.
To order your phone specific Pocket
Adapter Kit, which includes the
pocket adapter, Owner’s manual and
Audio Guide, call 1(888) 801–2355
or visit Cellport at
www.cellport.com/pockets.Distribution is provided by:
Cellport Systems
4999 Pearl East Circle, Suite 300
Boulder, Colorado 80301
To install your pocket adapter, refer to yourCellport Owner’s Manual.
Check and obey the laws and regulations on the use of wireless
telephones in the areas where you drive.
Before driving, familiarize yourself with the operation and
location of the Cellport 3000–VR System.
Driver Controls
74

To avoid potential distraction and increased risk of injury or
accident, Ford recommends you do not use the phone while
driving.
Please pull off the road and park before making or answering a call.
To prevent damage to the antenna or your car, remove the cellular phone
antenna mast before using an automatic car wash.
POSITIVE RETENTION FLOOR MAT
Position the driver floor mat so that
the eyelet is over the pointed end of
the retention post and rotate
forward to lock in. Make sure that
the mat does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator or the
brake pedal. To remove the floor
mat, reverse the installation
procedure.
TRUNK REMOTE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Press the remote trunk release
control on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel.
LIFTGATE (WAGON ONLY)
You can open and close the liftgate and the liftgate window from outside
the vehicle. It cannot be opened from inside the cargo area.
Driver Controls
75

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a noise
from the hydraulic pump motor and pulsation in the pedal may be
observed during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled with noise
while braking under panic conditions or on loose gravel, bumps, wet or
snowy roads is normal and indicates proper functioning of the vehicle’s
anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a self-check after you start
the engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical noise may be
heard during this test. This is normal. If a malfunction is found, the ABS
warning light will come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the vehicle should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
The ABS operates by detecting the
onset of wheel lockup during brake
applications and compensates for
this tendency. The wheels are
prevented from locking even when
the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts
the advantage of an ABS equipped
vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with loss of front braking
traction.
Using ABS
•In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the four-wheel
ABS is required, apply continuous force on the brake. The four wheel
ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient
space, will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a
controlled stop.
•The anti-lock system does not reduce stopping distance. Always leave
enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to
stop.
•We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking
technique. However, avoid taking any unnecessary risks.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
TheABSwarning lamp in the instrument cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up, remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced.
Driving
140

Pull the release lever to release the
brake. Driving with the parking
brake on will cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
Park brake warning chime
Sounds when the parking brake is set, the engine is running and the
transaxle is not in P (Park) or N (Neutral). The chime will shut off when
the parking brake is disengaged.
TRACTION CONTROL
(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Control
system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.
The system operates by detecting and controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic and mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the front
brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection
systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast
acting. The front wheels“search”for optimum traction several times a
second and adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlsystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow, ice covered
and gravel roads.
Driving
142

During Traction Controloperation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the
engine will not“rev-up”when you push further on the accelerator. This
is normal system behavior.
The Traction Controlon/off
switch, located on the right side of
the instrument cluster, illuminates
OFF when the system is turned
OFF. The Traction Controlsystem
will revert to the ON position every
time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Controlsystem off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to“dig”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“rocking”maneuver.
If a system fault is detected the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Controlon/off switch will not toggle on and off,
and your vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to decrease the driver’s effort in steering the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
•Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
•Do not operate the vehicle with the power steering pump fluid level
below the MIN mark on the reservoir.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•Underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
•Uneven vehicle loading
•High crown in center of road
•High crosswinds
T/C O
F
F
Driving
143

•Wheels out of alignment
•Loose or worn suspension components
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the ON position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the ON position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF.Apply the brake pedal and shift
to N (Neutral).
In the ignition OFF position, the automatic transmission shift
lever can be moved from the P (Park) position without the brake
pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always set the
parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps
are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting from forward and reverse gears while stopping between shifts, in
a steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear. If
necessary, try turning the Traction Controlsystem off. This will allow
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more
information, refer toTraction Control(if equipped)in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transaxle may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes or damage
to the transaxle and tires may occur or the engine may overheat.
Driving
144

Fuse/relay
locationFuse amp
ratingPassenger compartment fuse
panel description
32 10A ABS, DRL relay coil, Speed control
actuator, Traction control switch, AC
heater selector switch, Blend door
actuator, Brake shift interlock, Rear
defroster relay coil
33—Not used
34—Not used
35—Not used
36 15A Turn signals, Back-up lamps
37 15A Transmission position switch
38 5A GEM park neutral switch
39—Not used
40—Not used
41—Not used
42—Not used
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is
located in the engine compartment.
The power distribution box contains
high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle’s main electrical systems
from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Roadside Emergencies
161