1996 Mercury Sable maintenance

282
*
[SV19850(ALL)03/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[SV19900(ALL)03/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[SV19950(ALL)04/95]
About Your Battery
*
[SV20001(ALL)02/95]
Your vehicle may have a Motorcraft
maintenance-free battery. When the original
equipment battery is replaced under warranty, it
may be replaced by a Motorcraft
Low-Maintenance Battery.
[SV20850(ALL)04/95]
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically
controlled by a computer, some control
conditions are maintained by power from the
battery. If you ever disconnect the battery or
install a new battery, you must allow the
computer to ªrelearnº its idle conditions before
your vehicle will drive properly. To begin this
process, put the gearshift in P (Park), set the
parking brake, turn off all the accessories, and
start the vehicle. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature. Allow the engine to idle
for one minute in N (Neutral) and one minute in
Drive or Overdrive. Perform the previous
procedure with the air conditioning on and off
(conditions permitting). The relearning process
will complete automatically as you drive the
vehicle.
*
[SV21000(ALL)03/95]
If you do not let the engine relearn its idle, the
idle quality of your vehicle may be adversely
affected until the idle is relearned. Your vehicle
will eventually relearn its idle while you drive
it, but it takes much longer than if you use the
previous procedure.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

286
[SV23716(ALL)04/95]
MicronAirHAir Filter
Replacement
*
[SV23719(ALL)04/95]
In your climate control system, you may have a
filter that cleans the air before it enters the
interior of the vehicle. This filter should be
replaced at the intervals in theMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV23723(ALL)04/95]
To replace the MicronAirHair filter:
[SV23725(ALL)04/95]
1. Open the hood. Move the vacuum hose at
the rear passenger side of the engine
compartment by pulling the hose clips off
the leaf screen and removing the loose clip.
With a coin or screwdriver, turn the four
retainers on the leaf screen 90Ê and pull
them straight out. Remove the leaf screen.
[SV23730(ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0001387-A
Removing the vacuum hose clips
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

291 %
*
[SV25100(ALL)02/95]
Tire Rotation
[SV25200(ALL)11/94]
Because your vehicle's front and rear tires
perform different jobs, they often wear
differently. To make sure your tires wear evenly
and last longer, rotate them as indicated in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
[SV25300(ALL)11/94]
Rotate the tires according to the following
diagram. Do not include the spare tire as part of
your rotation. If you notice that the tires wear
unevenly, have them checked.
[SV25410(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001369-A
Rotating the tires
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

297
%*
[SV29300(ALL)03/01]
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29310(ALL)03/95]
Under normal circumstances, you do not need to
check the fluid level of the transaxle, since your
vehicle does not use up transaxle fluid. Refer to
theMaintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet for
replacement intervals. However, if the transaxle
is not working properly Ð for instance, the
transaxle may slip or shift slowly, or you may
notice some sign of fluid leakage Ð the fluid
level should be checked.
%*
[SV29340(ALL)02/93]
Checking the Automatic Transaxle Fluid
*
[SV29350(ALL)02/95]
With the vehicle on a level surface and the brake
pedal fully applied, start the engine and move
the gearshift selector through all of the gears.
Allow sufficient time for each position to engage.
Securely latch the gearshift selector in the P
(Park) position. Fully set the parking brake and
leave the engine running.
*
[SV29370(ALL)01/95]
Wipe off the dipstick cap and pull the dipstick
out. Wipe the indicator end clean. Put the
dipstick back into the filler tube and make sure
it is fully seated. Pull the dipstick out and read
the fluid level.
[SV29380(ALL)04/95]
one inch art:0000717-E
Automatic overdrive transaxle fluid dipstick
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

325
*
[SV41700(ALL)03/95]
q
Have the services listed in yourMaintenance
Schedule and Recordbooklet performed
according to the specified schedule.
*
[SV41710(ALL)03/95]
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet are
required because they are considered essential to
the life and performance of your vehicle and to
its emissions system.
%*
[SV41720(ALL)03/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emissions control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV41800(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your
vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emissions system
heats up the engine compartment and
exhaust system, which can start a
fire.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

327 %
*
[SV42405(ALL)03/95]
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance
Testing
*
[SV42410(ALL)03/95]
In some localities it may become a legal
requirement to pass an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) II system. If the
vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD II system is reset to
a not ready for I/M testing condition. To
prepare for I/M testing, the law specifies a
ªneed for additional mixed city and highway
driving to complete the checkº of the OBD II
system. As soon as all of the OBD II system
checks are successfully completed, the OBD II
system is set to the ready condition. The amount
of driving required to reach the ready condition
varies with individual driving patterns. To
complete this requirement in the minimum
amount of time, refer to the OBD II Drive Cycle
defined below. If the vehicle owner cannot or
does not want to do the additional driving
required by law, a service center can perform
this drive cycle as it would any other type of
repair work.
*
[SV42420(ALL)03/95]
OBD II Drive Cycle
*
[SV42430(ALL)04/95]
The following steps must be run in the order
shown. If any steps are interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is
acceptable between steps.
*
[SV42440(ALL)03/95]
Always drive vehicle in safe manner according
to traffic conditions and obey all traffic laws.
[SV42445(ALL)04/95]
The engine must be warmed up and at
operating temperature before proceeding with
the drive modes of the following OBD II Drive
Cycle.
*
[SV42450(ALL)04/95]
1. Start the engine. Drive or idle (in neutral)
the vehicle for 4 minutes.
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Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

332
%*
[SV44000(ALL)01/95]
Vehicle Storage
*
[SV44100(ALL)01/95]
Maintenance Tips
*
[SV44150(ALL)01/95]
If you plan on storing your vehicle for an
extended period of time (60 days or more), refer
to the following maintenance recommendations
to ensure your vehicle stays in good operating
condition.
*
[SV44200(ALL)01/95]
General
*
[SV44300(ALL)01/95]
q
Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilated place.
*
[SV44400(ALL)01/95]
q
Protect from sunlight, if possible.
*
[SV44500(ALL)01/95]
q
If vehicles are stored outside, they require
regular maintenance to protect against rust
and damage.
*
[SV44600(ALL)01/95]
Body
*
[SV44700(ALL)01/95]
q
Wash vehicle thoroughly to remove dirt,
grease, oil, tar or mud from exterior surfaces,
rear wheel housing and underside of front
fenders.
*
[SV44800(ALL)01/95]
q
Periodically wash vehicles stored in exposed
locations.
*
[SV44900(ALL)01/95]
q
Touch-up raw or primed metal to prevent
rust.
*
[SV45000(ALL)01/95]
q
Cover chrome and stainless steel parts with a
thick coat of auto wax to prevent
discoloration. Re-wax as necessary when the
vehicle is washed.
[SV45100(ALL)04/95]
q
Lubricate all hood, door and trunk latches
with a light grade oil.
[SV45150(ALL)04/95]
q
Lubricate trunk lid or wagon liftgate hinges
with a light grade oil. (Do not lubricate hood
and door hinges.)
File:fcsvs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:36:55 1995

Index 357
M
Maintenance (see Servicing)....... 255
Master cylinder, brakes......... 299
Methanol in fuel............ 267
MicronHair filter............ 286
Mileage, calculating fuel economy.... 270
Mirrors
dual electric remote control...... 153
heated................ 104
vanity mirror, illuminated....... 155
Moon roof............... 143
Motorcraft parts............. 330
N
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration............ 243
O
Octane rating.............. 265
Odometer
description............... 85
trip odometer............. 86
Oil filter................ 330
Oil (see Engine oil)........... 273
Oil viscosity.............. 273
On-board diagnostic (OBD II) system . . . 327
Overdrive.............194, 200
P
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system............. 135
Parking brake
operation.............. 205
warning light.............. 75
Parts (see Motorcraft Parts)....... 330
PCV valve, specifications........ 330
Phone, cellular............. 158
Power distribution box (see Fuses).... 309
File:fcixs.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 10:58:02 1995