1997 Mercury Sable length

To attach the shoulder
belt to the lap belt, pull
the shoulder belt out
from the retractor in
the seatback and insert
into the lap belt
connecting pin into the
wide end of the key
slot on the shoulder
belt. Pull the
connecting pin into the
narrow end of the key
slot until you hear a
snap and feel it latch.
Make sure the shoulder
belt is securely
fastened to the lap belt
by pulling up on the shoulder belt.
Lap belts
The lap belts in the center front seating position (if
equipped) and center rear seating position (wagon)
do not adjust automatically. You must adjust them to
fit snugly and low as possible around your hips. Do
not wear the lap belt around your waist.
Make sure you insert the tongue into the correct
buckle. If you need to lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt and pull across
your lap until it reaches the buckle. If you need to
tighten the belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it is snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when not in use.
LAP BELTS
The lap belt in the center rear seating position
(wagon) does not adjust automatically. You must
adjust it to fit snugly and low as possible around
your hips. Do not wear the lap belt around your
waist.
dno_lapbelts
dno_lapbelts.01
Seating and safety restraints
56

Make sure you insert the tongue into the correct
buckle. If you need to lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt and pull across
your lap until it reaches the buckle. If you need to
tighten the belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it is snugly across the hips.
Shorten and fasten the belt when not in use.
Safety belts for rear-facing occupants (wagon
only)
Never use child safety seats in the third seat
of a wagon.
Your vehicle is equipped with safety belts containing
an adjust tongue at the rear-facing seating positions.
When the adjust tongue of the lap/shoulder
combination seat belt is latched into the buckle, the
tongue will allow the lap portion to become shorter,
but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from
becoming longer.
Before you reach and latch a combination lap and
shoulder belt having an adjust tongue into the
buckle. you may have to lengthen the lap belt
portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some
webbing out of the shoulder belt retractor. While
holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the
tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and slide
the tongue upward. provide enough length so that
the tongue can reach the buckle.
To fasten the belt, pull the combination lap and
shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder
belt portion of the safety belt crosses your shoulder
and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt
is twisted, remove the twist. Insert the tongue into
the proper buckle for your seating position until you
hear a snap and fell it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on the
tongue.
dno_wagon-belts
Seating and safety restraints
57

N (Neutral)
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.
(Overdrive Ð column shift without O/D OFF
switch) or D (Overdrive Ð column or console
mounted gearshift with O/D off switch)
The overdrive position
is the normal driving
position for an
automatic overdrive
transaxle. It works the
same way as D (Drive)
or D (Overdrive Ð
with the O/D OFF
switchnotdepressed)
works, but shifts to a
fourth gear Ð an
overdrive gear Ð when
your vehicle cruises at
a constant speed for any length of time. This fourth
gear will increase your fuel economy when you
travel at cruising speeds.
Overdrive may not be appropriate for certain
terrains. If the transaxle shifts back and forth
between third and fourth gears while you are driving
hilly roads or if your vehicle requires additional
power for climbing hills, shift into D (Drive) or press
the O/D OFF switch (if equipped).
P RND21 PRNDD1
PRNDD1
P RND21
Driving
87

Engine data
Spark plug gap 1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-0.046
inch)1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-0.046
inch)
Ignition system DIS DIS
Valve clearance
cold inlet
exhaust0: Maintenance
free0: Maintenance
free
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle
dimensions
mm (in.)Sedan Wagon
(1) Overall
length5016.5 (197.5) 5069.8 (199.6)
(2) Overall
width1854.2 (73.0) 1854.2 (73.0)
(3) Overall
height1399.5 (55.1) 1463.0 (57.6)
(4) Wheelbase 2755.9 (108.5) 2755.9 (108.5)
(5) Track -
Front1564.6 (61.6) 1564.6 (61.6)
(5) Track -
Rear1559.6 (61.4) 1569.7 (61.8)
dno_vehicle-dimensions
Capacities and specifications
156