1996 Mercury Sable towing

70
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[ST11800(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset
the switch or try to start your vehicle.
You could injure yourself or others.
Have all the passengers get out of
the vehicle and call the local fire
department or a towing service.
*
[ST11900(ALL)03/95]
If your engine cranks but does not start after a
collision or substantial jolt:
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[ST11950(ALL)04/95]
1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
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[ST12000(ALL)03/95]
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
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[ST12050(ALL)01/95]
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red
reset button on the fuel pump shut-off
switch down.
*
[ST12100(ALL)03/95]
4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for
a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF
position.
*
[ST12150(ALL)03/95]
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel.If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again.If you do not see or
smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle
again.
*
[ST12200(ALL)03/95]
6. Check all vehicle warning lights before
driving the vehicle.
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[ST12225(ALL)01/95]
Pushing
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[ST12250(ALL)11/94]
Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be
started by pushing. Follow the directions under
If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Startin theRoadside
EmergenciesChapter.
File:fcsts.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:34:24 1995

212
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[DR22100(ALL)04/95]
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
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

213
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[DR22200(ALL)01/95]
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.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

214
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[DR26580(ALL)01/95]
RWARNING
Do not tow a trailer when the
temporary spare tire is being used.
Tire failure, loss of vehicle control,
and possible injury to vehicle
occupants could result.
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[DR26600(ALL)01/95]
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer's weight should
be on the tongue. However, the tongue load
should never exceed 10% of the maximum
weight that your vehicle can safely tow.
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[DR28500(ALL)01/95]
Preparing to Tow
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[DR28600(ALL)01/95]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
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[DR28700(ALL)01/95]
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
%*
[DR28750(ALL)01/95]
Using the hitch
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[DR28800(ALL)05/94]
Your vehicle uses a load carrying hitch. Because
this type of hitch places the tongue load of a
trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle, you
must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10 to 15% of the total weight of the trailer is on
the tongue.
*
[DR28900(ALL)01/95]
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and
change the weight on the hitch. This will
prevent damage to your vehicle and make your
vehicle easier to handle.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

216 %
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[DR29650(ALL)01/95]
Connecting the trailer's lights
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[DR29700(ALL)01/95]
Do not connect a trailer's lighting system
wiring directly to your vehicle's lighting system
wiring.To get the proper equipment for
hooking up your trailer's lights, see your local
trailer dealer and your Ford dealer. Be sure to
follow their instructions carefully.
*
[DR29800(ALL)01/95]
If you do not install trailer lights correctly, you
may cause damage to the vehicle's lighting system.
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[DR29900(ALL)01/95]
Driving While You Tow
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[DR30000(ALL)08/95]
Be especially careful when driving while you
tow a trailer. Never drive faster than 45 mph
(70 km/h) when you tow in hilly country on
hot days. Also, anticipate stops so that you can
brake gradually.
[DR30175(ALL)04/95]
When you tow in steep hills, move the
automatic transaxle to 1 (First) (vehicles without
O/D OFF switch) or 2 (Second) (vehicles with
O/D OFF switch) when descending. This will
give more engine braking on downgrades. The
automatic transaxle will automatically downshift
to the proper gear on upgrades.
[DR30200(ALL)04/95]
If you tow in Overdrive while riding through
hilly country, your vehicle may frequently shift
between Overdrive and Third gears. To prevent
your vehicle from shifting too much, move the
gearshift to D (Drive) (column shift without
O/D OFF switch) or push the O/D OFF switch
(column or console shift). This will also give
better braking going down hills.
%*
[DR30300(ALL)01/95]
If you use the speed control while you are
towing on very long, steep grades, the speed
control may shut off.
[DR30400(ALL)04/95]
Servicing Your Vehicle When You Tow
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[DR30500(ALL)08/93]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your
vehicle will need to be serviced more frequently
than usual. Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and
Recordbooklet for additional information.
File:fcdrs.ex
Update:Wed Dec 20 09:31:15 1995

232
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[RE15050(ALL)02/95]
If the Engine Cranks But Does
Not Start or Does Not Start After
a Collision
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[RE15100(ALL)04/95]
The Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch
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[RE15200(ALL)03/95]
If the engine cranks but does not start or if you
have had a collision, the fuel pump shut-off
switch may have been triggered. The shut-off
switch is a device that stops the fuel pump
when your vehicle has been involved in a
substantial jolt.
*
[RE15250(ALL)01/95]
For information on how to check and reset the
fuel pump shut-off switch, seeFuel pump shut-off
switchin the Index.
%
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[RE16400(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle
[RE16500(ALL)08/95]
If you need to have your vehicle towed, contact
a professional towing service or, if you are a
member, your roadside assistance center. Your
Sable should be towed from the front unless
conditions do not allow it. It is recommended
that your vehicle be towed with wheel lift or
flatbed equipment.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

233 [RE17550(ALL)04/95]
three fourths page art:0001463-A
[RE17600(ALL)04/95]
When calling for a tow truck, tell the operator
what kind of vehicle you have. A towing
manual is available from Ford Motor Company
for all authorized tow truck operators. Have
your tow truck driver refer to this manual for
the proper hook-up and towing procedures for
your vehicle.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995

234
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[RE18000(ALL)03/95]
Towing Your Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle
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[RE18100(ALL)03/95]
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle, such as a recreational
vehicle, a car, or a truck.
*
[RE18200(ALL)03/95]
Before you have your vehicle towed:
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[RE18300(ALL)03/95]
q
Release the parking brake.
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[RE18400(ALL)03/95]
q
Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
[RE18500(ALL)01/95]
q
Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
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[RE18600(ALL)03/95]
q
Unlock the steering wheel.
[RE18700(ALL)01/95]
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than
35 mph (56 km/h) or for a distance greater than
50 miles (80 km), unless the drive wheels are
placed on dollies.
*
[RE19000(ALL)03/95]
RWARNING
Never use a tow bar that attaches to
the bumper when you tow your
vehicle. You could damage the
bumper and cause an accident.
File:fcres.ex
Update:Tue Aug 8 11:02:29 1995