1997 Mercury Sable warning

BRAKES
Your brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the ªService
Guideº for maintenance scheduling.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
The ABS operates by
detecting the onset
of wheel lock up
during brake
applications and
compensating for this
tendency. The front
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS warning lamp
in the instrument
cluster illuminates if an
ABS fault is detected.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Normal braking
operation is still
effective unless the
BRAKE warning lamp
is also illuminated.
Using ABS
²In an emergency, apply full force on the brake.
The ABS will be activated immediately, thus
allowing you to retain full steering control of your
vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space,
will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the
vehicle to a quiet stop.
ABS
ABSP!
BRAKE
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Driving
81

²We recommend that you familiarize yourself with
this braking technique. However, avoid taking any
unnecessary risks.
Parking brake
The parking brake
should be used
whenever the vehicle is
parked. Push pedal
downward to set the
parking brake.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
The parking brake is not designed to stop a moving
vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail, the
parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an
emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the
rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will
increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will
be adversely affected.
P!
BRAKE
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Driving
82

HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an
emergency to warn
traffic of vehicle
breakdown,
approaching danger,
etc. Depress to activate
all indicators
simultaneously.
Depress again to switch
off. The warning lights
can be operated when
the ignition is off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
If the engine cranks but does not start after a
collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have
been activated. The shut-off switch is a device
intended to stop the electric fuel pump when your
vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Pause
for a few seconds and return the key to the OFF
position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.com_hazard_switch.01
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Roadside emergencies
96

one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire grade 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance. Warning: The traction
grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straightahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
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Maintenance and care
131

To make sure that the catalytic converter and the
other emission control parts continue to work
properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the services listed in yourService Guide
performed according to the specified schedule.
The Scheduled Maintenance Services listed in the
Service Guideare required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of
your vehicle and to its emissions system.
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine Ford
replacement parts. If other than Ford or Motorcraft
parts or Ford authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for the service of
components affecting emission control, such
non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine Ford
Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
It is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
Warranty Information Booklet for complete warranty
information.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine compartment
and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss of
oil pressure, the charging system warning light, the
service engine soon light or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emissions
system is not working properly.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
Maintenance and care
138

Function Trade Number
Rear turn lamp 3156
Backup lamp 3156
License plate lamp 168
High-mount brake lamp 912
Rear side marker lamp 168
Cargo lamp (wagon) 211-2
Dome lamp 211-2
Dome/map lamp 578
Dome lamp/moon roof 208
Visor vanity lamp
(passenger/driver)74-194
Door courtesy lamp 168
Floor console 194
Luggage compartment lamp 906
Glove compartment 194
Instrument courtesy lamps 168
I/P ashtray lamp 194
Radio illuminationGo to Ford
authorized radio
service center
ClockGo to Ford
authorized
dealer
Warning indicator lights (except
THEFT)Go to Ford
authorized
dealer
THEFT warningGo to Ford
authorized
dealer
Cluster illuminationGo to Ford
authorized
dealer
Maintenance and care
142

Aiming headlamps .. 144
Air bag supplemental
restraint system
and child safety
seats ......................... 61
description .............. 60
disposal .................... 64
indicator light ......... 63
passenger air bag ... 62
Air cleaner filter
replacing ................ 129
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control system 16,17,18,
19,20
manual heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 14,15,16
Anti-theft system ...... 44
warning light ............. 8
Audio system (see
Electronic sound
system) ...................... 21
Autolamp system (see
Headlamps) ............... 13
Battery ..................... 127
servicing ................ 128
Brakes
adjustment .............. 81
anti-lock ................... 81
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 120
Brake-shift interlock . 83
Break-in period ........... 2
Cargo cover ............... 35
Cargo net ................... 35
Child safety seats ...... 66
Childproof locks ........ 31
Cleaning your vehicle 146
built-in child seat . 150engine
compartment ......... 147
fabric ...................... 149
instrument panel .. 149
plastic parts .......... 148
safety belts ............ 150
tail lamps ............... 148
washing .................. 146
waxing ................... 147
wheels .................... 147
Climate control
system ........................ 14
Console, description . 31
Daytime running light
system ........................ 14
Emission control
system ...................... 137
Engine
service points . 116,117
Engine block heater . 79
Engine coolant
checking and
adding ............. 121,122
disposal .................. 123
refill capacities ...... 124
Engine oil ................ 119
changing oil and oil
filter ....................... 119
checking and
adding .................... 118
Entry system
illumination ............. 43
Exhaust fumes .......... 79
Floor mats ................. 33
Fuel
calculating fuel
economy ................ 137
improving fuel
economy .................. 95
octane rating ......... 136
Index
163

quality .................... 136
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 134
Fuel gauge ................. 12
Fuel pump shut-off
switch .................... 21,96
Fuse panels
instrument panel .... 98
power
distribution box .... 102
Fuses .......................... 97
Gauges, Mechanical
engine coolant
temperature gauge . 11
Hazard flashers .... 26,96
Headlamps
flashing .................... 26
high beam ............... 25
turning on and off .. 13
Hood ........................ 116
Ignition
positions of the
ignition .................... 21
Instrument cluster ...... 6
Jump-starting your
vehicle ............... 110,111
attaching cables .... 110
disconnecting cables 112
Keyless entry system
autolock ................... 39
keypad ..................... 37
locking and unlocking
doors ........................ 38
programming entry
code ......................... 37
Lamps ........................ 13
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 13
map lamps ............... 27
replacing bulbs .... 140,
141,143Liftgate
remote release ........ 34
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ........................ 9
anti-lock
brakes (ABS) ....... 8,81
brake .......................... 9
charging system ........ 9
cruise indicator ......... 8
door ajar .................... 7
engine oil pressure ... 9
high beam ................. 6
low coolant ................ 7
low fuel ...................... 7
overdrive off .............. 8
safety belt ................. 7
service engine soon .. 7
Lubricant
specifications ........... 154
Luggage rack ............. 36
Mirrors
heated ...................... 30
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 30
Moon roof .................. 27
Motorcraft parts ...... 151
Odometer ................... 11
Parking brake ............ 82
Phone, cellular .......... 33
Power door locks ...... 29
Power steering
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 124
Rear window
defroster .................. 20
Refill capacities for
fluids ........................ 152
Relays ...................... 104
Remote entry system 41
Index
164