1996 Mercury Sable brake

197 %
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[DR06765(ALL)04/95]
Your vehicle is equipped with a Brake Shift
Interlock safety feature. This feature prevents the
gearshift from being moved from the P (Park)
position until the brake pedal is depressed. This
feature is active when the ignition is in the ON
position. If the gearshift lever CANNOT be
moved from P (Park) with the brake pedal
depressed:
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[DR06770(ALL)01/95]
1. Turn the engine off and remove the ignition
key.
[DR06775(ALL)11/94]
2. Reinsert the ignition key and turn clockwise
to the first position (OFF).
[DR06780(ALL)11/94]
3. Depress the brake pedal, move the gearshift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
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[DR06783(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If you need to shift out of P (Park)
by using the alternate procedure
described above, it is possible that a
fuse has blown and that your
brakelamps may also not be
functional. Please refer to the chapter
titledServicing Your Vehiclein this
Owner Guide for instructions on
checking and replacing fuses. DO
NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE
UNTIL YOU VERIFY THAT THE
BRAKELAMPS ARE WORKING.
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199 [DR06789(ALL)04/95]
If your gearshift is on the console, you can use
any of the following positions:
[DR06790(ALL)04/95]
half page art:0001028-D
The console-mounted gearshift
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[DR06791(ALL)04/95]
The console-mounted gearshift will lock when
you turn the key to the LOCK position. When
the gearshift is in any position except P (Park),
the ignition key cannot be turned to LOCK or
removed from the steering column. TO
REMOVE THE KEY, the gearshift levermustbe
in P (Park).
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[DR06793(ALL)11/94]
Once the gearshift is secure in the desired
position, release the brake pedal and use the
accelerator as necessary.
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[DR06795(ALL)01/95]
R (Reverse)
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[DR06800(ALL)02/95]
With the gearshift in the R (Reverse) position,
the vehicle will move backward. You should
always come to a complete stop before shifting
into or out of R (Reverse).
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200
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[DR06802(ALL)01/95]
N (Neutral)
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[DR06804(ALL)01/95]
With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position,
the vehicle can be started and is free to roll.
Hold the brake pedal down while in this
position.
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[DR06805(ALL)01/95]
Driving
%*
[DR06825(ALL)01/95]
When to use D (Overdrive)
[DR06830(ALL)11/94]
D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for
an automatic overdrive transaxle. It
automatically upshifts or downshifts as the
vehicle speeds or slows.
[DR06835(ALL)11/94]
However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth
gear Ð an overdrive gear Ð when your vehicle
cruises at a consistent speed for any length of
time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel
economy when you travel at cruising speeds.
[DR07025(ALL)04/95]
When to use D (O/D OFF)
[DR07050(ALL)04/95]
You will notice that there is only one drive
position on your gearshift indicator (instead of
Drive and Overdrive). However, you will find a
switch labeled O/D located on the gearshift
lever. Push in the switch and the O/D OFF light
in the instrument cluster will illuminate. With
the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle
will operate in first, second and third gears and
will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in D
(O/D OFF) eliminates the excessive shifting
between third and fourth gears that your vehicle
sometimes does when you are traveling through
hilly terrain in D (Overdrive). It also provides
more engine braking than D (Overdrive) for
descending hills or city driving.
[DR07075(ALL)04/95]
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive
operation, press the O/D OFF switch again. Use
this switch to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF)
whenever you drive your vehicle.
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202
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[DR10175(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not use the P (Park) position 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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[DR10225(ALL)03/95]
Always turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Do
not leave your vehicle unattended
while the engine is running.
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[DR10250(ALL)01/95]
If you do not take these precautions,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly
and injure someone.
[DR10275(ALL)11/94]
You can tell a console-mounted gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) if you cannot move
it without pushing in the thumb button.
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[DR15600(ALL)01/95]
Steering Your Vehicle
%*
[DR15800(ALL)01/95]
Your vehicle comes with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help
steer your vehicle.
[DR15970(ALL)11/94]
Your vehicle has variable-assist steering. This
system provides light power steering efforts for
parking and heavier power steering efforts for
highway driving. If you notice that the power
steering effort does not change according to the
speed you are traveling, or if the power steering
system is not working, have the system checked.
%*
[DR16100(ALL)04/95]
If the amount of effort needed to steer your
vehicle changes at a constant vehicle speed, have
the power steering system checked. If the power
steering system breaks down (or if the engine is
turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually
but it takes more effort.
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203
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[DR16150(ALL)01/95]
Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or left for more than five seconds if the
engine is running. This can damage the power
steering pump.
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[DR16200(ALL)03/95]
Brakes
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[DR16300(ALL)01/95]
Applying the Brakes
[DR16450(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle may have four-wheel power
anti-lock disc brakes which adjust automatically
through everyday use.
[DR16500(ALL)11/94]
Some models have power front disc brakes and
rear drum brakes which automatically adjust as
the brake pads and linings wear down.
[DR16700(ALL)04/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
apply the brake pedal gradually. Use the
ªsqueezeº technique Ð push on the brake pedal
with a steadily increasing force. This allows the
wheels to continue to roll while you are slowing
down, which lets you steer properly.
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[DR16800(ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes,
extreme braking can make the wheels lock and
slide, causing you to lose control of the steering.
If the wheels lock, release the brake pedal and
repeat the ªsqueezeº technique.
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[DR16900(ALL)08/95]
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal; you will wear out the linings and increase
your vehicle's stopping distance. Brake rotor
damage may also eventually occur.
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[DR17000(ALL)03/95]
NOTE: If you are driving down a long or
steep hill, shift to a lower gear and do
not apply your brakes continuously. If
you apply your brakes continuously,
they may overheat and become less
effective.
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204 %
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[DR17100(ALL)03/95]
Occasional brake squeal during light to moderate
stops does not affect the function of the brake
system and is normal. However, if the squeal
becomes louder or more frequent, have your
brakes inspected by your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
[DR17350(ALL)02/95]
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
(If equipped)
[DR17450(ALL)11/94]
If your vehicle is equipped with the anti-lock
brake system (ABS), the wheels will not lock and
slide when you press down hard on the brake
pedal. The ABS automatically starts releasing
and reapplying the front brakes independently
and the rear brakes together whenever your
vehicle's wheels start to lock. When this
happens, you will feel the brake pedal pulsate.
This is an indication that the ABS is working
correctly and is normal.
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[DR17500(ALL)10/93]
If the brake pedal is applied while the vehicle is
driven over uneven road surfaces, the ABS may
cycle and the driver may sense a pulsation in
the brake pedal, accompanied by a slight up and
down movement of the pedal height and a
clicking sound. This may also happen when
driving on an inclined surface such as a
driveway while making a sharp turn. This is a
normal condition.
[DR17600(ALL)04/95]
Each time you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, the ABS will function through one test
cycle. When this happens, the ABS light will
come on for up to five seconds. If the light stays
on longer than five seconds, shut off the engine
and restart. If it remains on, it means the ABS is
disabled and should be serviced immediately to
restore the benefits of the anti-lock feature.
Normal braking is not affected unless the red
BRAKE system warning light is also lit.
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205 [DR17650(ALL)11/94]
ABS has self-check capabilities. As described
above, the system turns on the ABS light each
time you start your engine. After the engine is
started and the ABS light turns off, the system
performs another test the first time the vehicle
reaches 4-9 mph (6-15 km/h). The system turns
on the ABS pump motor for approximately 1/2
second. At this time, a mechanical noise may be
heard. This is a normal part of the self-check
feature. If a malfunction is found during this
check the ABS light will come on.
[DR17675(ALL)02/95]
Vehicles with ABS are identified with a label on
the front door pillar.
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[DR17700(ALL)12/93]
Ford Motor Company has not found any
negative effects of mobile radio transmitting
equipment installed on vehicles with the ABS
system providing that the radio is installed
according to the radio manufacturer's
instructions. However, if you have had a mobile
radio transmitter installed and the check ABS
light comes on (at any time other than
immediately after turning the key to the ON
position) have your mobile radio dealer inspect
the radio installation. Also, if the ABS system is
activated other than during maximum braking,
have your mobile radio installation checked.
%*
[DR17800(ALL)03/95]
Parking Brake
*
[DR17900(ALL)01/95]
The parking brake should be used whenever
you park your vehicle.
[DR18000(ALL)01/95]
This brake is suspended just below the bottom
of the instrument panel to the left of the brake
pedal.
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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).
*
[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.
*
[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.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995