1998 Mercury Sable oil

Waxing your vehicle
Wax when water stops beading on the surface. This
could be every three or four months, depending on
operating conditions.
Use only carnauba or synthetic-based waxes. Use
cleaning fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth to remove
any bugs and tar before waxing vehicle. Use tar
remover to remove any tar spots.
Avoid getting wax on the windshield. If you have
wax applied at a commercial car wash, it is
recommended that you clean the wiper blades and
windshield as described inCleaning the wiper
blades and windshield.
Repairing paint chips
Minor scratches or paint damage from road debris
may be repaired with touch-up paint, repair foil or
aerosol paint spray from the Ford accessory line.
Observe the application instructions on the
products.
Remove particles such as bird droppings, tree sap,
insect remains, tar spots, road salt and industrial
fallout immediately.
Cleaning the wheels
Wash with the same detergent as the body of your
vehicle. Do not use acid-based or alcohol-based
wheel cleaners, steel wool, fuel or strong detergents.
Never use abrasives that will damage the finish of
special wheel surfaces. Use a tar remover to remove
grease and tar.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean
because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean
the engine. The high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
Maintenance and care
168

Cleaning the interior fabric
Remove dust and loose dirt with a whisk broom or a
vacuum cleaner. Remove fresh spots immediately. Do
not use household or glass cleaners. These agents
can stain and discolor the fabric. Use a mild soap
and water solution if necessary.
Cleaning leather seats (if equipped)
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft,
damp cloth. For more thorough cleaning, wipe the
surface with a mild soap.
If the leather cannot be completely cleaned using a
mild soap and water solution, the leather may be
cleaned using a commercially available cleaning
product ªTanners Preserve Leather Cleanerº and a
3M ªType T' scrubbing pad by using the following
steps;
The type of scrubbing pad is very critical
because the common 3M ªScotch Briteº green
pad is too aggressive and will damage the
leather surface
²Spray a small amount of the leather cleaner on
the pad and rub the area to be cleaned with the
pad using a circular motion. Only clean 1/4 of the
area at a time. For heavily soiled areas, spray the
cleaner directly onto the leather (two squirts
should be adequate) and rub with the pad. Repeat
if necessary.
²Use a soft, damp cloth to remove the loosened
dirt and foam.
²Dry with a soft cloth.
Do not use household cleaners, glass cleaner,
alcohol solutions or cleaner intended for vinyl,
rubber or plastics. These products can damage
the leather.
In some instances, color or dye transfer can
occur when wet clothing (wool, denim, leathers
or other non-colorfast garments) comes in
Maintenance and care
171

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine3.0L V6
Duratec engine
Air filter FA-1630 FA-1630
Fuel filter FG-800-A FG-800-A
Battery
(standard)BXT-58R BXT-36R
Battery
(optional)BXT-36R N/A
Cabin air
filterFP-6 FP-6
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-228 EV-152
Spark plugs* AWSF-32PP** AWSF-32F
* Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information
(VECI) decal for spark plug gap information.
** If a spark plug is removed for inspection, it must
be reinstalled in the same cylinder. Cylinders No. 1,
2 and 3 have a ªPGº suffix. Cylinders No. 4, 5 and 6
have a ªPº suffix. If a spark plug needs to be
replaced, use only spark plugs with the service part
number suffix letter9PP9as shown on the engine
decal.
Capacities and specifications
173

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake
fluidHigh
Performance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake FluidAll Fill to line
on reservoir
Engine
coolant
13.0L V6
Vulcan
engine11.0L (11.6
quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine10.0L (10.6
quarts)
Engine oil
(includes
filter
change)Motorcraft
5W30
Super
Premium
Motor Oil3.0 V6
Vulcan
engine4.25L (4.5
quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine5.2L (5.5
quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All vehicles 60.6L (16.0
gallons)
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT F3.0L V6
Vulcan
engineKeep in
FULL range
on dipstick
3.0L V6
Duratec
engineFill to line
on reservoir
Automatic
transaxle
- AX4NMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine12.8L (13.5
quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine12.7L (13.4
quarts)
Automatic
transaxle
- AX4SMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine11.6L (12.2
quarts)
Capacities and specifications
174

ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord
Part
NumberFord
Specification
Automatic
transaxle
(AX4S and
AX4N)Motorcraft
MERCONtV
AT FXT-5-QM
MERCONtV
Engine oil Motorcraft
5W30 Super
Premium
Motor OilXO-
5W30-
QSPWSS-M2C153-
G and API
Certification
Mark
Constant
velocity
jointsCV Joint
Grease
(High
Temp.)E43Z-
19590-AESP-
M1C207-A
Engine
coolantFord
Premium
Engine
Coolant
(green in
color)E2FZ-
19549-
AAESE-
M97B44-A
Ford
Extended
Life Engine
Coolant
(orange in
color)F6AZ-
19544-
AAWSS-
M97B44-D or
DEX-COOLt
equivalent
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FXT-2-
QDXMERCONt
Windshield
washer
fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-
ABESR-M17P5-A
Capacities and specifications
176

Air bag supplemental
restraint system ........ 66
and child
safety seats ............. 69
description .............. 67
disposal .................... 72
indicator light ......... 72
passenger air bag ... 70
Air conditioning
automatic temperature
control
system . 21,22,23,24,26
Anti-theft system ...... 47
arming the system .. 47
Automatic transaxle . 93
driving
with ........... 96,97,98,99
Brakes ........................ 89
anti-lock ................... 89
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning
light .......................... 90
fluid, checking and
adding .................... 133
shift interlock .......... 93
Break-in period ........... 3
Cargo cover .......... 41,42
Cargo net ................... 41
Cellular telephone
(see your Cellular
Phone Guide) ............ 39
Child safety seats
attaching with tether
straps ....................... 78
in rear seat ......... 76,78
tether anchorage
hardware ................. 79
Cleaning your
vehicle ...................... 167
built-in child
seat ..................... 80,83engine
compartment ......... 168
exterior lamps ....... 170
plastic parts .......... 170
washing .................. 167
waxing ................... 168
wheels .................... 168
wiper blades .......... 170
Console ...................... 38
Controls
power seat ............... 55
Coolant ............. 137,138
checking and
adding .................... 135
refill capacities ...... 137
Defrost
rear window ............ 17
Doors
central unlocking 36,37
Emission control
system ...................... 158
Engine
coolant ................... 134
idle speed control . 142
service points . 129,130
starting after a
collision ................. 108
Engine block heater . 87
Engine oil
checking and
adding .................... 132
dipstick .................. 130
specifications . 130,132
Exhaust fumes .......... 87
Floor mats ................. 39
Fuel
choosing the
right fuel ................ 156
detergent in fuel ... 157
filling your vehicle
with fuel ......... 153,155
quality .................... 156
Index
182

running out of
fuel ......................... 157
safety information
relating to automotive
fuels ....................... 153
Fuses ................. 109,110
Hazard flashers ....... 108
Head restraints ......... 54
Headlamps
high beam ............... 15
Heating ...................... 17
heating and air
conditioning
system ........... 17,18,20
Hood ........................ 128
Ignition ..................... 177
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ............ 159
Instrument panel
cleaning ................. 170
Keyless entry system
autolock .............. 51,52
keypad ..................... 49
locking and unlocking
doors ........................ 51
programming entry
code ......................... 50
Keys
key in ignition chime 11
positions of the
ignition .................... 28
Lamps ...................... 160
autolamp system ..... 16
daytime running
light .......................... 15
headlamps ............... 15
headlamps, flash to
pass .......................... 16
instrument panel,
dimming ................... 16
interior lamps ....... 164replacing
bulbs ............... 161,163
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ...... 32
Liftgate ...................... 44
remote release ........ 40
Lights, warning and
indicator
air bag ...................... 11
anti-lock brakes
(ABS) ........................ 9
anti-theft ................... 9
brake ........................ 10
charging system ...... 10
cruise indicator ....... 10
door ajar .................... 6
low coolant ................ 8
low fuel ...................... 8
oil pressure ............. 10
overdrive off .............. 9
safety belt ................. 6
service engine soon .. 7
speed control .......... 31
turn signal
indicator .................... 6
Locks .......................... 53
childproof ................ 38
Luggage rack ........... 107
Lumbar support,
seats ...................... 55,56
Mirrors
heated ...................... 38
side view mirrors
(power) ................... 37
Moon roof .................. 34
Motorcraft parts ...... 158
Octane rating .......... 156
Odometer ................... 13
Overdrive .............. 94,95
Panic alarm feature,
remote entry
system ........................ 44
Index
183

Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only ± 87
octane
Fuel tank capacity 60.6L (16 gallons)
Engine oil capacity
(including filter
change)-3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine4.25L (4.5 quarts) Use
Motorcraft 5W30 Super
Premium Motor Oil,
Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-G.
Engine oil capacity
(including filter
change)-3.0L V6
Duratec engine5.2L (5.5 quarts) Use
Motorcraft 5W30 Super
Premium Motor Oil,
Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-G.
Tire size and pressure Refer to Safety
Certification Label on
driver's door panel.
Inflate temporary spare
to 60 psi.
Hood release Pull handle under the
left side of the
instrument panel.
Coolant capacity (3.0L
V6 Vulcan engine)
111.0L (11.6 quarts)
Coolant capacity (3.0L
V6 Duratec engine)
110.0L (10.6 quarts)
Power steering fluid
capacity-3.0L V6 Vulcan
engineKeep in FULL range on
dipstick.
Power steering fluid
capacity-3.0L V6
Duratec engineFill to line on reservoir.
Recommended fuel Unleaded fuel only ± 87
octane
Filling station information
191