1998 Mercury Sable light

The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications
and compensating for
this tendency. The
wheels are prevented
from locking even
when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
ABS warning lamp
The
ABSwarning lamp
in the instrument
cluster 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. (If your
brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle
serviced immediately).
Using ABS
²In an emergency or when maximum efficiency
from the ABS is required, apply continuous full
force on the brake. The ABS will be activated
immediately, thus allowing you to retain full
steering control of your vehicle and, providing
there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid
obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled
stop.
²The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time
necessary to apply the brakes or always reduceP!
BRAKE
Driving
90

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is pressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown and the vehicle's brakelamps may not be
operating properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern.
Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear. Do not
rock the vehicle for more than a few minutes,
because it could damage the vehicle.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
Driving
93

If the O/D OFF indicator light (if equipped) is
flashing on and off when the vehicle is started or
does not come on when the O/D OFF switch is
pressed, it means there is a malfunction in your
transaxle's electronic system. Contact your dealer as
soon as possible or damage to the transaxle may
occur.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transaxle will
automatically return to normal overdrive mode.
When to use D (Drive) or press the O/D OFF
switch (if equipped)
You will notice that
there is only one drive
position on your
gearshift indicator
(instead of Drive and
Overdrive). However,
you will find a control
labeled O/D located on
the gearshift lever.
Push in the switch and
the O/D OFF light in
the instrument cluster
will illuminate. With
the O/D OFF light
illuminated, the
transaxle will operate
in first, second and
third gears and will not shift into fourth gear.
Operating in D (O/D OFF) provides more engine
braking than Overdrive for descending hills or city
driving.
To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive
operation, press the O/D OFF control again. Use this
control to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF)
whenever you drive your vehicle.
Driving
98

If the O/D OFF indicator light is flashing on and off
repeatedly when the vehicle is started or does not
come on when the O/D OFF control is pressed, it
means that there is a transaxle electronic system
malfunction. You should contact your dealer as soon
as possible or damage to the transaxle could occur.
2 (Second - if equipped)
Use 2 (Second) for
start-up on slippery
roads or to give you
more engine braking to
slow your vehicle on
downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (First) for when
added engine braking
is desired when
descending steep hills.
The automatic
transaxle will shift to
the proper gear to
ascend any grade
without any need to
shift to 1 (First).
Do not go faster than 61 km/h (38 mph) when in
this gear. You can upshift from 1 (First) to overdrive
at any time.
Driving
99

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs (truck)/wheel rims (car).
Once through the water, always try the brakes. Wet
brakes do not stop the vehicle as effectively as dry
brakes. Drying can be improved by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the
brake pedal.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing
vehicle. The amount of weight you can safely tow
depends on the type of engine you have in your
vehicle. Your vehicle does not come from the factory
fully equipped to tow. No towing packages are
available through Ford or Mercury/Lincoln dealers.
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 800 km (500 miles). If towing with a
station wagon, inflate the rear tires to 35 psi.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your
vehicle's engine, transaxle, brakes, tires and
suspension. Inspect these components carefully after
towing.
The amount of weight that you can tow depends on
the type of engine in your vehicle. See the following
charts:
Driving
102

HAZARD LIGHTS CONTROL
Use only in an emergency to warn traffic of vehicle
breakdown, approaching danger, etc. The hazard
flashers can be operated when the ignition is off.
²The hazard lights
control is located on
top of the steering
column.
²Depress hazard
lights control to
activate all hazard
flashers
simultaneously.
²Depress control again to turn the flashers off.
FUEL PUMP SHUT-OFF SWITCH
After a collision, if the engine cranks but does not
start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been
activated. The shut-off switch is a device intended to
stop the electric fuel pump when your vehicle has
been involved in a substantial jolt.
1. Turn the ignition to the OFF position.
2. Check the fuel system for leaks.
3. If no fuel leak is apparent, reset the fuel pump
shut-off switch by pushing in the button on the
switch.
4. Turn the ignition to the ON position. Pause for a
few seconds and return the key to the OFF position.
5. Make a further check for leaks in the fuel system.
Roadside emergencies
108

Standard fuse amperage rating and color
Fuse rating Color
5 amp Tan
7.5 amp Brown
10 amp Red
15 amp Light blue
20 amp Yellow
20 amp fuse link Light blue
25 amp Natural
30 amp Light green
30 amp fuse link Pink
40 amp fuse link Green
50 amp fuse link Red
60 amp fuse link Yellow
80 amp fuse link Black
100 amp fuse link Dark blue
Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located below and to the left of
the steering wheel by the brake pedal. Remove the
panel cover to access the fuses.
To remove a fuse use the fuse puller tool provided
on the fuse panel cover.
RELAY
38
RELAY 37
RELAY 35
RELAY 34RELAY
39
RELAY
36
29
25
21
17
13
9
5
130
26
22
18
14
10
6
227
23
19
15
11
7
332 33
28
24
20
16
12
8
4 31
Roadside emergencies
110

The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
1 Ð Not Used
2 5A Instrument Illumination
3 10A Left Low Beam Headlamp
4 10A Right Low Beam Headlamp
5 5A Brake Shift Interlock, Rear
Defrost
6 15A MLPS Switch, Backup Lamps,
Speed Control
7 10A MLPS Switch, Starter Relay
8 5A Power Antenna, RCU, GEM
9 10A ABS
10 20A PCM Relay, Ignition Coil,
PATS, Radio
11 5A Instrument Cluster
12 5A Instrument Cluster, Autolamps,
Transmission Control Switch,
ICP, GEM
13 5A Air Bag, Blower Motor, EATC
14 5A Air Suspension
15 10A Multi-Function Switch (Turn
Signal)
16 Ð Not Used
17 30A Front Wiper/Washer
18 5A Headlamp Switch
19 15A Rear Wiper/Washer
20 5A ICP, RAP, Phone
21 20A Cigar Lighter
22 5A Power Mirrors, Power
Antenna, Decklid Lamps,
Autolamp
Roadside emergencies
111