1996 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

62 %
*
[ST04200(ALL)01/95]
LOCK is the only position that allows you to
remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to
protect your vehicle from theft.
%*
[ST04300(ALL)03/95]
If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move
your steering wheel left or right until the key
turns freely.
[ST04325(ALL)04/95]
OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all
accessories without locking the steering wheel or
the automatic transaxle gearshift lever.
*
[ST04350(ALL)03/95]
ON allows you to test your vehicle's warning
lights (except the brake system warning light) to
make sure they work before you start the
engine. The key returns to the ON position once
the engine is started and remains in this position
while the engine runs.
*
[ST04375(ALL)03/95]
START cranks the engine. Release the key once
the engine starts so that you do not damage the
starter. The key should return to ON when you
release it. The START position also allows you
to test the brake warning light.
*
[ST04500(ALL)02/95]
Removing the Key From the Ignition
[ST06000(ALL)02/95]
Procedures for removing the key from the
ignition will be the same for both the column-
and console-mounted gearshifts.
*
[ST06300(ALL)03/95]
1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).
*
[ST06400(ALL)01/95]
2. Set the parking brake fully.
[ST06500(ALL)11/94]
3. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.
*
[ST06600(ALL)03/95]
4. Remove the key.
[ST07310(ALL)12/94]
If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate
the steering wheel slightly because it may be
binding.
%*
[ST07520(ALL)03/95]
If the driver's door is open while the key is still
in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

63
*
[ST07525(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Before you leave the driver's seat,
make sure that the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Set the parking
brake fully and shut off the engine.
Do not park your vehicle in N
(Neutral). If you do not take these
precautions, your vehicle may move
suddenly and injure someone.
*
[ST07575(ALL)01/95]
Do not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidentally injure
themselves or others through
inadvertent operation of the vehicle.
Further, on hot, sunny days
temperatures in a closed vehicle
could quickly become high enough
to cause severe and possibly fatal
injuries to people as well as animals.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

64
*
[ST08200(ALL)03/95]
Starting Your Vehicle
*
[ST08300(ALL)05/94]
Preparing to Start Your Vehicle
*
[ST08350(ALL)02/95]
RWARNING
Do not start your vehicle in a closed
garage or other enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes are toxic. Always open
the garage door before you start the
engine. SeeGuarding Against Exhaust
Fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
*
[ST08400(ALL)01/95]
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
*
[ST08500(ALL)01/95]
1. Make sure you and all your passengers
buckle your safety belts. SeeSafety Restraints
in the Index for more details.
*
[ST08600(ALL)03/95]
2. Make sure your headlamps and other
accessories are turned off and the parking
brake is set.
[ST08850(ALL)11/94]
3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park)
before you turn the key.
*
[ST09150(ALL)03/95]
Before you start your vehicle, you should test
the warning lights on the instrument panel to
make sure that they work. Refer to theWarning
Lights and Gaugeschapter.
%*
[ST09310(ALL)02/95]
Starting Your Engine
*
[ST09320(ALL)02/95]
To start your engine:
*
[ST09330(ALL)03/95]
1. Follow the steps underPreparing to Start
Your Vehicleat the beginning of this section.
*
[ST09340(ALL)03/95]
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.
*
[ST09350(ALL)03/95]
3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when
starting your engine. DO NOT use the
accelerator while the vehicle is parked.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

65
*
[ST09360(ALL)02/95]
4. Turn the key to the START position
(cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the
key to return to the ON position after the
engine has started.
*
[ST09370(ALL)02/95]
If you have difficulty in turning the key,
rotate the steering wheel slightly because it
may be binding.
%*
[ST09375(ALL)04/95]
For a cold engine:
*
[ST09381(ALL)04/95]
q
At temperatures10ÊF (-12ÊC) andbelow:If
the engine does not start infifteen (15)
secondson the first try, turn the key to OFF,
wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you
do not flood the engine, then try again.
*
[ST09385(ALL)04/95]
q
At temperaturesabove10ÊF(-12ÊC):If the
engine does not start infive (5) secondson
the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait
approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not
flood the engine, then try again.
%*
[ST09387(ALL)04/95]
For a warm engine:
*
[ST09390(ALL)04/95]
q
Do not hold the key in the START position
for more thanfive (5) secondsat a time. If
the engine does not start within five (5)
seconds on the first try, turn the key to the
OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the
starter stops, then try again.
*
[ST09400(ALL)04/95]
Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key
as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter or flood the engine.
*
[ST09410(ALL)04/95]
After you start the engine, let it idle for a few
seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and
put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the
parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal
and drive away in the normal manner.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

66 [ST09420(ALL)11/94]NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transaxle and has an
interlock that prevents you from
shifting out of P (Park) unless your
foot is on the brake pedal.
*
[ST09480(ALL)04/95]
If the engine does not start after two attempts:
*
[ST09492(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
*
[ST09494(ALL)04/95]
2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor
and hold it.
*
[ST09496(ALL)04/95]
3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.
*
[ST09497(ALL)04/95]
4. Release the ignition key when the engine
starts.
*
[ST09498(ALL)04/95]
5. Release the accelerator gradually as the
engine speeds up. Then drive away in the
normal manner.
*
[ST09500(ALL)04/95]
If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump
shut-off switch may have been triggered. For
directions on how to reset the switch seeFuel
Pump Shut-Off Switchlater in this chapter.
%*
[ST10200(ALL)04/95]
A computer system controls the engine's idle
speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine's
idle speed normally runs high. These faster
engine speeds will make your vehicle move
slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It
should, however, slow down after a short time.
If it does not, have the idle speed checked.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

67
*
[ST10325(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
If the engine idle speed does not
slow down automatically, do not
allow your vehicle to idle for more
than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle
checked. Extended idling at high
engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and
exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage to the vehicle
and may possibly result in personal
injury.
*
[ST10350(ALL)04/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or operate your
vehicle in tall, dry grass, or other dry
ground areas. The high heat
generated by engine and emissions
components could start a ground fire.
*
[ST10500(ALL)03/95]
If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero
temperatures, use an engine block heater (if
your vehicle has this option).
%*
[ST10600(ALL)03/95]
Engine Block Heater (If equipped)
(Standard in Canada)
*
[ST10700(ALL)03/95]
Engine block heaters are strongly recommended
if you live in a region where temperatures reach
-10ÊF (-23ÊC) orbelow. An engine block heater
warms the engine coolant, which improves
starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows
the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.
*
[ST10900(ALL)01/95]
To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a
grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that
you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a
ground fault circuit interrupter.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

68
*
[ST11000(ALL)03/95]
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before you start your vehicle. Using the
heater for longer than three hours will not
damage the engine, so you can plug it in at
night to start your vehicle the following
morning.
*
[ST11100(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not use your heater with
ungrounded electrical systems or
two-pronged (cheater) adapters. You
can be injured by an electrical shock
if you use an ungrounded
connection.
%
*
[ST11200(ALL)03/95]
If the Engine Cranks but Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
*
[ST11300(ALL)04/95]
Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
*
[ST11400(ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or does
not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device intended to stop the fuel
pump when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
[ST11500(ALL)03/95]
Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must
reset the switch by hand before you can start
your vehicle. If you have asedan, the switch is
on the right side of the trunk behind the trunk
liner. If you have awagon, it is behind the
service panel on the right side of the cargo area.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

69 [ST11600(ALL)11/94]
half page art:0000399-E
The right side of the trunk in the sedan
[ST11700(ALL)11/94]
one third page art:0000516-E
Inside the right side service panel in the wagon
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995