1998 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

²Do not spray with cold water to avoid cracking
the engine block or other engine components.
²Cover the highlighted areas to prevent water
damage when cleaning the engine.
²3.0L Vulcan engine
²3.0L Duratec engine
²Never wash or rinse the engine while it is
running; water in the running engine may cause
internal damage.
Maintenance and care
169

Cleaning plastic exterior parts
Use vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning. Clean with a
tar remover if necessary. Do not clean plastic parts
with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners.
Cleaning the exterior lamps
Wash with the same detergent as the exterior of
your vehicle. Use glass cleaner or tar remover if
necessary.
To avoid scratching the lamps, do not use a dry
paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning the wiper blades and windshield
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the
wiper blade rubber element with undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. To
avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could
be caused by substances on the windshield such as
tree sap and some hot wax treatments used by
commercial car washes. Clean the outside of the
windshield with a non-abrasive cleanser such as the
non-abrasive Bon-Amitpowder. Rinse thoroughly
with clean water.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on
glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield is
clean if beads do not form when you rinse it with
water. The windshield and wiper blades should be
cleaned on a regular basis, and blades or rubber
elements replaced when worn.
Cleaning the instrument panel
Clean with a damp cloth, then dry with a dry cloth.
Avoid cleaner or polish that increases the gloss of
the upper portion of the instrument panel. The dull
finish in this area helps protect the driver from
undesirable windshield reflection.
Maintenance and care
170

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

contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs,
the leather should be cleaned immediately to
avoid permanent staining.
ªTanners Preserve Leather Cleanerº (product
number AS-300) is available from ªFirst Brandsº by
calling 1±800±726±1001. This product may also be
available at many local automotive after market
stores.
3M ªType Tº Clean And Finish Scrubbing Pads (UPC
04011±01276) are available through your local 3M
distributor. Call 1±800±742±9649 for the nearest
distributor in your area.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
(Obtain Locally) Tanners Preserve Leather
Cleaner
(Obtain Locally) 3M9Type T9Clean and Finish
Scrubbing Pads
Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts
Clean the safety belts with a mild soap solution
recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do
not bleach or dye the belts, because these actions
may weaken the belt webbing.
Check the safety belt system periodically to make
sure there are no nicks, wear or cuts. If your vehicle
has been involved in an accident, refer to theSafety
belt maintenancesection in theSeating and safety
restraintschapter.
Cleaning the built-in child seat (if equipped)
Clean with mild soap and water. Do not use
household cleaning products because they may
weaken the safety belt webbing or damage the vinyl
parts of the seat.
The child seat liner is removable and may be
machine-washed and air dried.
Maintenance and care
172

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

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Windshield
washer
fluid -
FrontUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.7L (90
oz.)
Windshield
washer
fluid -
RearUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateWagon 2.1L (70
oz.)
1If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford
Premium Cooling System Fluid. If your coolant is
orange in color, use Ford Extended Life Engine
Coolant. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord
Part
NumberFord
Specification
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake FluidC6AZ-
19542-ABESA-
M6C25-A and
DOT 3
Door latch,
hood latch,
auxiliary
hood latch,
seat
tracks,
trunk and
liftgate
latchesMulti-
Purpose
GreaseDOAZ-
19584-
AA or
F5AZ-
19G209-
AAESA-
M1C93-B or
ESR-
M1C159-A
Lock
cylindersPenetrating
LubricantE8AZ-
19A501-Bnone
Capacities and specifications
175

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