adding oil Mercury Sable 2003 Owner's Manuals

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 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.
Maintenance and Specifications
167

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 it stops.
To avoid possible oil loss, DO NOT operate the vehicle with the
engine oil level indicator and/or the engine oil filler cap removed.
Engine oil and filter recommendations
Look for this certification
trademark.
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended.
Only use oils“Certified For Gasoline Engines”by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Use Motorcraft or an equivalent oil meeting
Ford specification WSS-M2C153–H.SAE 5W-20 oil provides optimum
fuel economy and durability performance meeting all
requirements for your vehicle’s engine.
Do not use supplemental engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine
treatments. They are unnecessary and could, under certain conditions,
lead to engine damage which is not covered by your warranty.
Change your engine oil and filter according to the appropriate schedule
listed in the scheduled maintenance guide.
Ford production and aftermarket (Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life. If a replacement oil filter is used
Maintenance and Specifications
169

•Always 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.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding engine coolantsection.
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:
•Freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•Boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and Specifications
172

•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•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.
Maintenance and Specifications
185

instrument panel ....................159
interior .............................159–160
interior trim ............................160
plastic parts ............................158
washing ....................................156
waxing .....................................156
wheels ......................................157
wiper blades ............................159
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............25
Compass, electronic ....................49
calibration .................................50
set zone adjustment .................49
Console ........................................54
Controls
power seat .................................75
Coolant
checking and adding ..............172
refill capacities ................175, 197
specifications ..................198, 200
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................51
Customer Assistance ................127
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................161
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................149
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................153
Getting roadside assistance ...127
Getting the service you need 147
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................154
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................149
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................152D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................29
Defrost
rear window ..............................28
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .190
engine oil .................................167
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........198
Driving under special
conditions ..................................120
through water .........................121
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................140
Emergency Flashers .................128
Emission control system ..........186
Engine ........................................200
cleaning ...................................157
coolant .....................................172
idle speed control ...................170
lubrication specifications ......198,
200
refill capacities ........................197
service points ..................164–165
starting after a collision .........128
Engine block heater .................113
Engine oil ..................................167
checking and adding ..............167
dipstick ....................................167
filter, specifications ........169, 196
recommendations ...................169
refill capacities ........................197
specifications ..................198, 200
Exhaust fumes ..........................113
Index
208

Jump-starting your vehicle ......140
K
Keyless entry system .................66
Keys
positions of the ignition .........109
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................34
cargo lamps ...............................30
daytime running light ...............29
fog lamps ...................................29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...............32–33, 35
replacing
bulbs .................. 34–35, 38–40, 43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Liftgate ........................................56
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........114
speed control ............................54
Load limits .................................121
GAWR ......................................121
GVWR ......................................121
trailer towing ..........................121
Locks
childproof ..................................60
doors ..........................................60
Lubricant specifications ...198, 200
Lumbar support, seats ...............74
M
Mirrors ...................................47–48automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................48
heated ........................................51
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ................182, 196
O
Octane rating ............................180
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................167
Overdrive ...................................118
P
Parking brake ............................115
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....196
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................51
Power adjustable foot pedals .....51
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................133
Power door locks ........................60
Power point .................................47
Power steering ..........................116
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................197
fluid, specifications .........198, 200
Power Windows ...........................47
R
Radio ......................................16, 18
Rear window defroster ...............28
Relays ........................................135
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................65
Index
210