1998 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

This lamp will come on when the ignition is first
turned on, but then should turn off. If the lamp
stays on, you should check the coolant level inside
the reservoir. For instructions on adding coolant, see
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toAnti-theft
systemin theControls
and featureschapter.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the
transmission control
switch has been
pushed. When the light
is on, the transmission does not shift into overdrive.
If the light does not come on when the transmission
control switch is depressed or if the light flashes
when you are driving, have your vehicle serviced.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned on and the
engine is off. If the
light does not illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the ABS needs to
be serviced. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock
brake system is disabled and normal braking is still
effective unless the brake warning light also remains
illuminated with parking brake released.
THEFT
O/D
OFF
ABS
Instrumentation
9

Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on
when either the
SET/ACCEL or
RESUME controls are
pressed. It turns off
when the speed control OFF control is pressed, the
brake is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF
position.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is
turned to the ON
position and the engine
is off. If brake warning lamp does not illuminate at
this time, seek service immediately. Also illuminates
when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake
fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately.
Engine oil pressure
Illuminates when the
oil pressure falls below
the normal range. Stop
the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level and add oil if
needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
This lamp also illuminates when the ignition is
turned to ON and the engine is off.
Charging system
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to
the ON position and
the engine is off. The
light also illuminates when the battery is not
CRUISE
ON
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
10

charging properly, requiring electrical system
service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily
illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON.
If the light fails to
illuminate, continues to flash or remains on, have
the system serviced immediately.
Low washer fluid
Illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON
and when the
windshield washer fluid
is low.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
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.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and either front door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and either front door is opened.
Instrumentation
11

GAUGES
Speedometer
Indicates the current
vehicle speed.
Tachometer
Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions
per minute.
Driving with your
tachometer pointer in
the red zone may
damage the engine.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONP!
BRAKEABS
+ –
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT LOW
COOLANTO/D
OFF102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000110
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
Instrumentation
12

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the
needle remains within
the normal area (the
area between the ªHº
and ªCº). If it enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine immediately and let
the engine cool. Refer toEngine coolantin the
Maintenance and carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total
kilometers (miles) of
the vehicle.
C H
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
Instrumentation
13

Trip odometer
Registers the
kilometers (miles) 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. When
the gauge first indicates empty, there is a small
amount of reserve fuel in the tank. When refueling
the vehicle from empty indication, the amount of
fuel that can be added will be less than the
advertised capacity due to the reserve fuel.
102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
EF
Instrumentation
14

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Rotate the headlamp
control to the first
position to turn on the
parking lamps only.
Rotate to the second
position to also turn on
the headlamps.
Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the highbeam headlamps on with a reduced
output. To activate:
²the engine must be running and
²the headlamp control is in the OFF or Parking
lamps 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.
High beams
Push forward to
activate.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
15

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to
activate and release to
deactivate.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the
brightness of the
instrument panel
during headlamp and
parklamp operation.
²Rotate up to
brighten.
²Rotate down to dim.
AUTOLAMP CONTROL
The autolamp system
provides light sensitive
automatic on-off
control of the exterior
lights normally
controlled by the
headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the lights on for a
preselected period of time after the ignition switch
is turned to OFF.
²To turn autolamps on, rotate the control up. The
preselected time lapse is adjustable up to
approximately three minutes by continuing to
rotate the control upward.
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
PPANEL
DIMAUTO
LAMP
Controls and features
16