1998 Mercury Sable check engine

Severe winter climate
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
±36ÉC [±34ÉF]), it may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to the chart
on the coolant container to ensure the coolant
concentration in your vehicle is such that the
coolant will not freeze at the temperature level in
which you drive during winter months. Never
increase the engine coolant concentration above
60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and
water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power
steering fluid. Refer to
the ªService Guideº for
the service interval
schedules. If adding
fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONtAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches
normal operating temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be near the center
of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Perform steps 4 and 5 following the procedure for
your engine.
Maintenance and care
138

3.0L Vulcan engine
4. Check the fluid level
on the dipstick. It
should be between the
arrows in the FULL
HOT range. Do not add
fluid if the level is
within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
FULL HOT range. Be sure to put the dipstick back
in the reservoir.
3.0L Duratec engine
4. Check the fluid level
in the reservoir. It
should be between the
MIN and MAX lines. Do
not add fluid if the
level is within this
range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be sure to
put the cap back on the reservoir.
FULL HOT
MINMAX
Maintenance and care
139

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your ªService Guideº for scheduled intervals
for fluid checks and changes. Your transaxle does
not consume fluid. However, the fluid level should
be checked if the transaxle is not working properly,
i.e., if the transaxle slips or shifts slowly or if you
notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when
warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid check,
drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your
vehicle has been operated for an extended
period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot
weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should
be turned off for about 30 minutes to allow
fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated areas for
normal and room temperature.
Maintenance and care
140

Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a one-eighth turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
If the ªService Engine Soon/Check Engine ª indicator
comes on and stays on when you start the engine,
the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed.
Turn off the engine, remove the fuel filler cap and
reinstall it being careful to align the cap properly.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace
it with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage
to the fuel tank or fuel system if an authorized
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If
the fuel filler cap is venting vapor or if you
hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops before
completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
the pressure in the fuel tank can damage
the fuel system or cause it to work improperly in a
collision.
Maintenance and care
155

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.
Lumination of the charging system warning light,
ªService Engine Soonº light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of oil pressure, could indicate that the emission
control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, items, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle's emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your ªWarranty Guideº for complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostic (OBD-II)
system. If your ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº
light is on, refer to the description in theWarning
Lights and Chimessection of theInstrumentation
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the ªCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonº light on.
Maintenance and care
159

If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the OBD-II system is reset to a
ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To ready the
OBD-II system for I/M testing, a minimum of 30
minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
²First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
²Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
EXTERIOR BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of the following lamps
frequently:
²Headlamps
²Tail lamps
²Brakelamps
²High-mount brakelamp
²Turn signals
²Backup lamps
²License plate lamp
Do not remove lamp bulbs unless they will be
replaced immediately. If a bulb is removed for an
extended period of time, contaminants may enter
the lamp housings and affect performance.
Maintenance and care
160

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

Automatic transaxle
capacity (AX4N)-3.0L
V6 Vulcan engine12.8L (13.5 quarts) Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F.
Automatic transaxle
capacity (AX4N)-3.0L
V6 Duratec engine12.7L (13.4 quarts) Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F.
Automatic transaxle
capacity (AX4S)-3.0L V6
Vulcan engine11.6L (12.2. quarts) Use
Motorcraft MERCONtV
AT F.
1If your engine coolant is green in color, use Ford
Premium Cooling System Fluid. If your engine
coolant is orange in color, use Ford Extended Life
Engine Coolant. Refer toLubricant Specifications.
Ensure correct automatic transmission fluid is used
for a specific application. Check the container to
verify the fluid is MERCONtand/or MERCONtV
approved. Some fluids have been approved as
meeting both MERCONtand MERCONtV
requirements and will be labeled as such. Fluids
labeled as meeting only MERCONtor only
MERCONtV requirements must not be used
interchangeably. DO NOT mix MERCONtand
MERCONtV. Transmission fluid requirements are
indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick handle.
Refer to your ªService Guideº to determine the
correct service interval.
Filling station information
192