run flat Mercury Sable 2008 Owner's Manuals

•Disc finalization — The disc may be left open for the purpose of
adding sessions to it at a later time, but be sure to close each session
or the disc will not play.
•Bit rate — The player supports bit rates from 32–320 kbps, as well as
variable bit rate MP3 files, but lower bit rates will have a noticeable
effect on sound quality and are recommended only for speech or low
fidelity music material. We recommend that you encode MP3 files
using a high quality encoder.
•PC configuration — Encoding MP3 files requires intensive use of your
computer’s resources. Follow the PC configuration recommendations
of the encoder software vendor. We recommend that you avoid
running other software applications on your PC during MP3 encoding
to avoid undesirable noise and distortion.
CD, MP3 and CD player care
•Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface.
•Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended
periods of time.
•Do not insert more than one disc into the slot of the CD player (if
equipped).
•Always store discs out of direct sunlight. Excessive heat may damage
or warp discs.
•Use care when handling and playing CD-R and CD-RW discs, which
are more susceptible to damage from heat, light and stress than are
regular CDs.
•Always insert and remove a disc by holding the disc flat, with the
playing surface facing down, in order to prevent damage to the disc or
the player.
•Never insert any object other than a compact disc (CD) or digital
versatile disc (DVD) into the player, as doing so may damage the
player and may cause injury to you.
•Do not disassemble the player. The laser used in disc playback is
extremely harmful to the eyes.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Entertainment Systems
65

REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Tire pressure monitoring systemin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
119

•Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against a curb when parking
If your vehicle is stuck in snow, mud, sand, etc.,do notrapidly
spin the tires; spinning the tires can tear the tire and cause an
explosion. A tire can explode in as little as three to five seconds.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Highway hazards
No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you
may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the
closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but
your safety is more important.
If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you
suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your
speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged,
deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If
you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair
facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
Tire and wheel alignment
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can cause the front end of your
vehicle to become misaligned or cause damage to your tires. If your
vehicle seems to pull to one side when you’re driving, the wheels may be
out of alignment. Have an authorized dealer check the wheel alignment
periodically.
Wheel misalignment in the front or the rear can cause uneven and rapid
treadwear of your tires and should be corrected by an authorized dealer.
Front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles and those with an independent rear
suspension (if equipped) may require alignment of all four wheels.
The tires should also be balanced periodically. An unbalanced tire and
wheel assembly may result in irregular tire wear.
Tire rotation
Rotating your tires at the recommended interval (as indicated in the
scheduled maintenance informationthat comes with your vehicle) will
help your tires wear more evenly, providing better tire performance and
longer tire life.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
198

If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
•an improperly inflated tire
•uneven tire wear
•loose or worn suspension components
•loose or worn steering components
•improper steering alignment
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE 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 RUN position unless brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn
ignition key to LOCK, then remove
the key.
2. Using a screwdriver (or similar
tool), remove the protective cover
to the interlock release access hole
on the console.
3. Insert the screwdriver (or similar
tool) into the access hole and press
downward while pulling the
gearshift lever out of the P (Park)
position and into the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Remove the tool and reinstall the
protective cover.
5. Start the vehicle and release the
parking brake.
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.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
232

Stowing the tire and jack
1. Fully collapse the jack, fold the
lug wrench socket into the handle
and place the jack and wrench into
the felt bag as shown. Take care to
position the jack as shown to ensure
that the locating holes in the jack
base can be placed on the locating
tabs of the jack mounting bracket in
the spare tire tub.
2. Securely close the wrench
compartment and the jack bag using
the VELCROstrips.
3. Place the jack kit on the angled bracket in the spare tire tub, using
the locating tabs to position the jack correctly.
4. Insert the straight end of the jack
retention bracket through the eyelet
of the angled bracket and swing the
retention bracket over the jack. With
the jack in place, place the end of
the retention bracket over the
threaded stud in the trunk floor and
secure it with the plastic wing nut.
If you are stowing the flat tire:
1. Install the jack retention bracket as shown in Step 4 underStowing
the tire and jack,without securing the jack beneath it.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
259

•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears occurs. Unnecessary
shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] 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.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
304

•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
8–10 miles (12–16 km) 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
authorized 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 MPG (L/100 km)
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 the specified fuel listed.
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed inscheduled maintenance information
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed inscheduled maintenance
informationare essential to the life and performance of your vehicle
and to its emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
305

Rear seat entertainment
system ..........................................44
Relays ........................................247
Remote entry system .......129–130illuminated entry ............133–134
locking/unlocking doors .........130
opening the trunk ...................131
panic alarm .............................130
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................132
replacing the batteries ...........132
Reverse sensing system ...........236
Roadside assistance ..................244
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........158
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................150, 154–157
Safety Canopy ...................172, 174
Safety defects, reporting ..274–275
Safety restraints ........150, 154–158 Belt-Minder
...........................159
extension assembly ................158
for adults .........................155–157
for children .....................177–178
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................152
safety belt maintenance .........158
warning light and chime ........159
Safety seats for children ..........182
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................317
Satellite Radio Information ........41
Seats ..........................................142 child safety seats ....................182
front seats .......................142, 144
heated ................................78, 147 memory seat ...................131, 148
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................137
Servicing your vehicle ..............283
Setting the clock AM/FM single CD .....................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................29
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........256
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................312, 316
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................313
Speed control ............................101
Starting your vehicle ........221–223 jump starting ..........................261
Steering wheel controls ....................................104
tilting .........................................93
SYNC ............................................73
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................93
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) Roadside Emergencies ...........253
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....205
Tires ...........................190–191, 253 alignment ................................198
care ..........................................194
changing ..........................253, 256
checking the pressure ............194
inflating ...................................192
label .........................................204
replacing ..................................196
rotating ....................................198
safety practices .......................197
2008 Sable (mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA (fus)
Index
325