1997 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

Brake system warning
Extinguishes when the
parking brake is
released. Illumination
after releasing the
parking brake indicates low brake fluid level.
Engine oil pressure
When the oil pressure
is below the normal
operating range, this
lamp will illuminate.
The engine oil level being too high or too low could
cause this lamp to illuminate. This lamp will come
on when the ignition is first turned on but then
should turn off. If the lamp stays on, continued
operation will cause severe engine damage.
Charging system
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. The light
also illuminates when the battery is not charging
properly, requiring electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Briefly illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light fails to illuminate, continue to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced immediately.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps are on, the ignition is
off (and the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver's door is opened.
P!
BRAKE
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com_headlamps_chime.01
com_key_chime.01
Instrumentation
9

Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver's door is
opened.
Low coolant chime
Sounds when the engine coolant in the coolant
reservoir is low.
Safety belt warning chime
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Speedometer
Indicates the current
vehicle speed.
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120
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P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
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Instrumentation
10

Tachometer
Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the
needle remains within
the normal area. If it
enters the red section,
the engine is
overheating. Switch off the ignition and let it cool.
Refer toChecking and adding engine coolantin
theMaintenance and carechapter.
Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (mileage) of
the vehicle.
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
C H
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com_trip_odometer.01Instrumentation
11

Trip odometer
Can register the
kilometers (mileage) of
individual journeys. To
reset, depress the
control.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in
the fuel tank (when
the key is in the ON
position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in
motion. The ignition
should be in the OFF
position while the vehicle is being refueled.
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00013
EF
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Instrumentation
12

TURNING ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR
LAMPS
Panel dimmer control
Instrument panel
illumination, interior
lamps and cargo lamp
brightness can be
adjusted with this
control. Move the
thumbwheel up to brighten the lamps or down to
dim the lamps.
Headlamp control
Turn the headlamp
control one turn to
turn on the parking
lamps. Turn it all the
way to turn on the
headlamps.
Autolamp delay system (if equipped)
The autolamp system
sets the headlamps to
turn on and off
automatically. You can
use the autolamps to:
²Turn on the lamps
automatically at
night.
²Turn off the lamps automatically in daylight.
²Keep the lamps on for up to three minutes after
the ignition is turned off.
Setting autolamp
1. Make sure headlamp control is in the OFF
position, then turn the key to ON or start the
vehicle.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
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Controls and features
13

2. Locate autolamp
thumbwheel and turn
thumbwheel to
beginning of MAX
position. The indicator
light will come on if it
is dark enough to
activate the light sensor. The closer the thumbwheel
is to the MAX mark, the longer the lamps will stay
on after leaving the vehicle.
The autolamps will now automatically turn the
headlamps on and off for you. To turn the autolamps
off, move thumbwheel back to the OFF position.
Daytime running lights (Canadian vehicles only)
The daytime running light system turns the
headlamps on, with a reduced light output, when:
²the engine is running
²the parking brake is released
²the headlamp system is in the OFF position.
The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system
will not illuminate the tail lamps and parking
lamps. Turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to
do so may result in a collision.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
Manual heating and air conditioning system
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of
air circulated in the
vehicle.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
R-DEFLO
HIOFF
A/C
MAX
A/CVENT
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Controls and features
14

Mode selector control
Controls the direction
of the airflow to the
inside of the vehicle.
²MAX A/C - Uses recirculated air to cool the
vehicle. It allows for faster cooling but is noisier
than A/C. The air conditioning compressor will
operate in this mode.
²A/C - Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is
quieter than MAX A/C but not as economical. The
air conditioning compressor will operate in this
mode.
²VENT - Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers.
²OFF - Outside air is shut out and the fan will not
operate.
²
(Panel and floor) - Distributes outside air
through the instrument panel registers and the
front and rear floor ducts. The air conditioning
compressor will operate in this mode.
²
(Floor) - Allows for maximum heating. The
airflow is from the front and rear floor ducts.
²
(Floor and defrost) - Distributes outside air
through the floor ducts and the windshield
defroster ducts. The air conditioning compressor
will operate in this mode.
²
(Front defrost) - Distributes outside air
through the windshield defroster ducts. It can be
used to clear ice or fog from the windshield. The
air conditioning compressor will operate in this
mode.
Temperature control knob
Turn the dial to the
desired mix of warm
(red) and cool (blue)
air.
R-DEFLO
HIOFF
A/C
MAX
A/CVENT
R-DEFLO
HIOFF
A/C
MAX
A/CVENT
Controls and features
15

Operating tips
²In humid weather, selectbefore driving. This
will prevent your windshield from fogging. After a
few minutes, select any desired position.
²To prevent humidity buildup inside the vehicle,
don't drive with the climate control system in the
OFF position.
²Don't put objects under the front seat that will
interfere with the airflow to the back seats.
²Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air
intake area (at the bottom of the windshield
under the hood) on the passenger side of your
vehicle.
²If the air conditioner works well in MAX A/C but
not in A/C, this may indicate that the passenger
compartment air filter (if equipped) needs to be
replaced.
Electronic Automatic Temperature Control
(EATC) system (if equipped)
The EATC system will maintain a selected
temperature and automatically control airflow. You
can override automatic operation with any of the six
override controls at the bottom of the control panel.
TEMP
—+OFFAUTO
TEMPOUT
SIDEA/C MAXF-DEF
R-DEF
AUTO
VENT
F—+
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Controls and features
16