1996 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

206 [DR18300(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0001391-AThe parking brake and parking brake release
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[DR18420(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the gearshift in place of
the parking brake. Always set the
parking brake fully and make sure
that the gearshift is securely latched
in P (Park).
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[DR18700(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
If the parking brake is fully released,
but the Brake Warning Light remains
on, have the brakes checked
immediately. They may not be
working properly.
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[DR18750(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
To avoid personal injury when
manually releasing the parking
brake, make sure the gearshift
selector is securely latched in P
(Park) and do not release the parking
brake from outside the vehicle.
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207
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The parking brake is not designed to stop a
moving vehicle, but you can use the parking
brake to stop your vehicle in an emergency if
the normal brakes fail. However, since the
parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the
stopping distance will increase greatly and the
handling of your vehicle will be adversely
affected.
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[DR19050(ALL)03/95]
Always check the Brake Warning Light each
time you start your engine. Driving with the
parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear
out quickly and will reduce the fuel economy.
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[DR19100(ALL)01/95]
Driving Under Special Conditions
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Tips for Safe Driving
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[DR19300(ALL)03/95]
As with any new vehicle, yours may drive and
handle differently from your previous vehicle.
Use care until you become accustomed to its
various features and driving characteristics.
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[DR19400(ALL)03/95]
Operate your vehicle within reasonable limits.
Sudden acceleration, deceleration, turning, or
combinations of these maneuvers can cause a
vehicle to behave differently than anticipated.
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[DR19750(ALL)01/95]
Driving in Bad Weather
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Slippery roads
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[DR19900(ALL)03/95]
On some slippery road surfaces, front-wheel
drive may provide better acceleration than
rear-wheel drive. However, this does not mean
that your vehicle can stop any faster or any
better than a vehicle with rear-wheel drive.
Exercise the same caution while driving on
slippery roads with your front-wheel drive
vehicle as you would with a rear-wheel drive
vehicle.
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[DR20100(ALL)03/95]
q
Do not quickly move the steering wheel
unless necessary.
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208
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q
Drive slower than you normally would.
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q
Give your vehicle more distance to stop.
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[DR20500(ALL)03/92]
q
Pump the brake pedal steadily and evenly to
avoid locking your wheels. (Does not apply
to vehicles with anti-lock brakes.)
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[DR20600(ALL)02/93]
q
Consider using one of the lower gears.
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[DR20750(ALL)11/94]
RWARNING
To avoid skidding and losing control
on slippery roads, do not downshift
into 1 (First) when you are moving
faster than 20 mph (32 km/h).
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[DR20775(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If your vehicle has speed control, do
not use it on slippery roads. You
could lose control of your vehicle
and could injure someone.
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[DR20850(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle gets stuck (for example, in mud
or snow), you may try to ªrockº it out of the
spot. Shift, in a steady rhythm, between forward
and reverse gears. While in each gear, press
lightly on the accelerator and release.
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[DR20900(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not spin the wheels at over
35 mph (56 km/h). If you do, the
tires may fail and injure a passenger
or bystander.
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209
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[DR21000(ALL)03/95]
By moving the vehicle backward and forward,
you may gain enough momentum to move out
of the spot. Do not rock the vehicle for more
than a few minutes. This may overheat the
engine, damage the transaxle, or damage the
tires. If you are still stuck after a minute or two
of rocking, call for a tow truck.
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[DR21200(ALL)01/95]
High water
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Do not drive through flooded areas unless you
are sure that the water is below the bottom of
the wheel rims.
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[DR21400(ALL)04/94]
If you must drive through high water, drive
slowly. You may have limited traction or wet
brakes, so allow extra stopping distance because
your vehicle will not stop as quickly as usual.
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[DR21500(ALL)01/95]
After you drive through the standing water,
apply your brakes gently several times as your
vehicle moves slowly. This helps to dry the
brakes.
%
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[DR21600(ALL)03/95]
Driving With a Heavy Load
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[DR21700(ALL)01/95]
There are limits to the amount of weight your
vehicle can carry or tow. The total weight of
your vehicle, plus the weight of the passengers
and cargo, should never be more than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Also, the weight
that your vehicle carries over the front axle and
rear axle should never be more than the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the respective
axle.
%*
[DR21800(ALL)01/95]
You can find your vehicle's GVWR and GAWR
on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on
the left front door lock facing or on the door
latch post pillar.
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210
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[DR21900(ALL)01/95]
The weight limits of your vehicle's tires affect
the GVWR or GAWR limitations. Usage of
replacement tires with higher weight limit than
originals does not increase GVWR or GAWR.
Usage of lower capacity replacement tires may
lower GVWR and GAWR limitations.
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[DR22000(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
If the GVWR or the GAWR specified
on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label is exceeded, your
vehicle may be damaged or you may
lose control and injure someone.
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[DR22005(ALL)01/95]
Limiting Your Vehicle's Load
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[DR22010(ALL)01/95]
The load that you add to your vehicle must not
exceed the maximum load stated on the Safety
Compliance Certification Decal attached to the
left front door pillar.
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[DR22015(ALL)01/95]
To figure the weight of your vehicle's load, add
the weights of:
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[DR22020(ALL)01/95]
q
the driver and passengers
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[DR22025(ALL)01/95]
q
luggage and any other items that you put in
your vehicle
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[DR22030(ALL)01/95]
q
the tongue load of the loaded trailer
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[DR22035(ALL)01/95]
q
the weight of any equipment that has been
added to your vehicle since it was delivered
to your dealer
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[DR22040(ALL)01/95]
If you do not know the actual weights of these
items, use the following procedure to figure the
weight of a load:
*
[DR22045(ALL)01/95]
1. Weigh your vehicle without the driver,
passengers and luggage. You might take
your vehicle to a shipping company or an
inspection station for trucks.
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211
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2. Then weigh your vehicle with the driver,
passengers and luggage.
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[DR22055(ALL)01/95]
3. Subtract the first reading from the second to
figure the total weight of the load.
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[DR22060(ALL)01/95]
After determining this load, you must also make
sure that the total weight of your vehicle, plus
the load it carries, is less than its GVWR. Also,
make sure that the weight your vehicle carries
over each axle is less than the GAWR for the
respective axle.
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[DR22065(ALL)01/95]
You can find the GVWR and GAWR on the
Safety Compliance Certification Label on the left
front door lock facing or the door latch post
pillar.
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[DR22070(ALL)01/95]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load
or remove cargo accordingly.
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212
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Trailer Towing
[DR22125(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight that you can
safely tow depends on the type of engine in
your vehicle. See the following charts:
[DR22150(ALL)04/95]
sixteen pica chart:0000489-H[DR22190(ALL)04/95]
fourteen pica chart:0001436-BFile:fcdrs.ex
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213
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Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Lincoln/Mercury
dealers.
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[DR22300(ALL)01/95]
Because towing a trailer puts extra strain on
your vehicle, you must follow certain
precautions for your safety and the good of your
vehicle:
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[DR25800(ALL)11/92]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
(SeeKnowing Your Vehicle's Load Limits.)
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[DR25900(ALL)01/95]
q
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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[DR26000(ALL)01/95]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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[DR26100(ALL)01/95]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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[DR26150(ALL)05/94]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
*
[DR26500(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight
exceeds the limits of the vehicle and
could result in engine damage,
transaxle damage, structural damage,
loss of control, and personal injury.
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