octane Mercury Sable 2005 Owner's Manuals

•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking“Antabuse”or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline and/or
ethanol vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In
sensitive individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If
fuel is splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap
and water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an
adverse reaction.
•FFV fuel tanks may contain zero to 85 percent ethanol. Any fuel
blends containing gasoline and ethanol should be treated the same as
“Fuel Ethanol”. To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, check your VIN
or the label on the inside of your fuel filler door. When checking the
VIN look for the engine type identifier (8th character). If your vehicle
is an FFV, then the character will be labeled as a“2.”
Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor, beer
and wine. It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn
and sugar cane. When ethanol is produced for use in motor fuels, a small
amount of gasoline is added to make it unfit for beverage use. The
resulting ethanol blend is called denatured fuel ethanol meaning that it is
denatured with 2% to 5% gasoline and is suitable for automotive use.
During the summer season, fuel ethanol may contain a maximum of 85%
denatured ethanol (Ed85) and 15% unleaded gasoline. The fuel ethanol
has a higher octane rating than unleaded regular or premium gasoline
and this allows the design of engines with greater efficiency and power.
Winter blends may contain up to 75% denatured ethanol (Ed75) and up
to 25% unleaded gasoline to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold
weather may require additional measures for reliable starting. Refer to
Cold Weather Startingin theDrivingchapter.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for flexible fuel vehicles
and the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
220

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 cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED
FUEL and FUEL ETHANOL (Ed75–Ed85)
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based additives. Studies indicate that
these additives can cause your vehicle’s emission control system to
deteriorate more rapidly. In Canada, premium grade fuel generally
contains more metallic additives than regular fuel. We recommend using
regular grade fuel. In Canada, many fuels contain metallic additives, but
fuels free of such additives may be available; check with your local fuel
dealer.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
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
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent
any engine damage.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
222

Unleaded Gasoline engines
Your vehicle is designed to use“Regular”unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as“Regular”that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in
high altitude areas.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your vehicle is designed to use Fuel Ethanol(Ed75–Ed85),“Regular”
unleaded gasoline or any mixture of the two fuels.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to have a small, square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for that
region. Use of other fuels such as Fuel Methanol may cause
powertrain damage, a loss of vehicle performance, and your
warranty may be invalidated.
Fuel quality
Many of the world’s automakers approved the World-wide Fuel Charter
that recommends gasoline specifications to provide improved
performance and emission control system protection for your vehicle.
Gasolines that meet the World-wide Fuel Charter should be used when
available. Ask your fuel supplier about gasolines that meet the
World-wide Fuel Charter.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket products to your fuel
tank if you continue to use high quality fuel of the recommended octane
rating. Aftermarket products could cause damage to the fuel system.
Repairs to correct the effects of using an aftermarket product in your
fuel may not be covered by your warranty.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of“Regular”unleaded
gasoline.“Premium”unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
more pronounced. If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
FFV engine (if equipped)
Your FFV will operate well on ordinary“Regular”unleaded gasoline, but
only the highest quality fuel ethanol will provide the same level of
protection and performance. To identify if your vehicle is an FFV, check
your VIN or the label on the inside of your fuel filler door. When
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
223

ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fill-ups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 2,000 miles-3,000 miles (3,000 km–5,000 km).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill capacities
section of this chapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
•Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
•Use the same filling rate setting (low—medium—high) each time
the tank is filled.
•Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
•Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
•Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
•Use the same side of the same pump and have the vehicle facing the
same direction each time you fill up.
•Have the vehicle loading and distribution the same every time.
Your results will be most accurate if your filling method is consistent.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
225

Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCONtype
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCONV type fluid.
MERCONand MERCONV type fluids are not interchangeable.
DO NOT mix MERCONand MERCONV. Use of a transmission
fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCONand MERCONV) in
an automatic transmission application requiring MERCONmay
cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine3.0L FFV V6
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 182 182 181
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane or
Ethanol (E 85)87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition system EDIS EDIS Coil on plug
Spark plug gap 0.042–0.046 inch
(1.1–1.2mm)0.042–0.046 inch
(1.1–1.2mm)0.052–0.056 inch
(1.32–1.42mm)
Compression
ratio9.7:1 9.7:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Sedan - Inches
(mm)Wagon - Inches (mm)
(1) Overall length 199.9 (5075) 197.8 (5069.8)
(2) Overall width 73.0 (1854) 73.0 (1854.2)
(3) Overall height 57.6 (1463) 57.8 (1468)
(4) Wheelbase 108.5 (2757) 108.5 (2757)
(5) Track - Front 61.6 (1566) 61.6 (1566)
(5) Track - Rear 62.1 (1577) 61.8 (1570)
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
237

Engine oil ..................................208
checking and adding ..............208
dipstick ....................................208
filter, specifications ........211, 234
recommendations ...................211
refill capacities ........................235
specifications ..................236–237
Exhaust fumes ..........................164
F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....219
Floor mats ...................................68
Fluid capacities .........................235
Foglamps .....................................29
Fuel ............................................219
calculating fuel
economy ............................59, 225
cap ...........................................221
capacity ...................................235
choosing the right fuel ...........222
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................227
detergent in fuel .....................224
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................219, 221, 225
filter, specifications ........224, 234
fuel pump shut-off switch .....174
improving fuel economy ........225
octane rating ...................222, 237
quality ......................................223
running out of fuel .................224
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................219
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................219, 222
Fuses ..........................................176G
Garage Door Opener (see
Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................53
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............221
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................225
Gauges .........................................13
H
Hazard flashers .........................174
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................31
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................35
daytime running lights .............30
flash to pass ..............................30
high beam .................................30
replacing bulbs .........................36
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................23, 25
Homelink wireless control
system ..........................................53
Hood ..........................................204
I
Ignition ...............................160, 237
Infant seats (see Safety seats)..121
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................229
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................200
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and interior...31
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
245

J
Jack ............................................135
positioning ...............................135
storage .....................................135
Jump-starting your vehicle ......182
K
Keyless entry system .................80
Keys
positions of the ignition .........160
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................35
daytime running light ...............30
fog lamps ...................................29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....31
interior lamps .....................33–34
replacing bulbs..34, 36, 38–41, 43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Liftgate ........................................68
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........166
Load limits .................................150
Locks
childproof ..................................73
doors ..........................................72
Lubricant specifications ...236–237
Lug nuts ....................................140
Luggage rack ...............................71Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Message center ...........................57
english/metric button ...............63
system check button ................63
warning messages .....................63
Mirrors ...................................47, 49
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................49
heated ........................................50
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ................224, 234
O
Octane rating ............................222
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................208
Overdrive ...................................169
P
Parking brake ............................166
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....234
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................93
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................179
Power door locks ........................72
Power mirrors .............................49
Power point .................................47
Power steering ..........................168
fluid, checking and adding ....230
fluid, refill capacity ................235
fluid, specifications .........236–237
Power Windows ...........................48
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Index
246