1998 Mercury Sable service

Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel
is prohibited by law and could damage your vehicle.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel
additives with metallic compounds, including
manganese-based compounds containing (MMT).
Vehicles certified to meet California emission
standards (indicated on the underhood Vehicle
Emissions Control Information label) are designed to
operate on California reformulated gasolines. If
California reformulated gasoline is not available
when you refuel, your vehicle can be operated on
non-California fuels. However, even though your
engine will perform adequately on other gasolines,
the performance of the emission control devices and
systems may be adversely affected.
Repair of damage caused by using a fuel for which
your vehicle was not designed may not be covered
by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is
designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend
the use of gasolines labeled as ªRegularº that are
sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high
altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes
knocks lightly. However, if it knocks heavily under
most driving conditions while you are using fuel with
the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or
a qualified service technician to prevent any engine
damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or
hesitation driveability problems during a cold start,
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
156

try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded gasoline.
ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended
(particularly in the United States) because it may
cause these problems to become more pronounced.
If the problems persist, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician.
The American Automobile Manufacturers Association
(AAMA) issued a fuel specification to provide
information on high quality fuels that optimize the
performance of your vehicle. We recommend the use
of fuels that meet the AAMA specification if they are
available.
It should not be necessary to add any aftermarket
products to your fuel tank if you continue to use a
high-quality fuel.
Cleaner air
Ford approves the use of gasolines to improve air
quality, including reformulated gasolines that contain
oxygenates up to 10% ethanol or 15% MTBE.
Do not use gasolines containing methanol, which can
damage critical fuel system components. Damage
resulting from the use of methanol may not be
covered by your warranty.
Running out of fuel
Avoid running out fuel because this situation may
have an adverse affect on modern powertrain
components.
If you have run out of fuel:
²You may need to crank the engine several times
before the system starts to pump fuel from the
tank to the engine.
²Your ªService Engine Soonº light may come on.
For more information on the ªService Engine
Soonº light, refer to theInstrumentationchapter.
Maintenance and care
157

Fuel Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter that is
mounted on the underbody.
For fuel filter replacement, see your dealer or a
qualified service technician. Refer to the ªService
Guideº for the appropriate intervals for changing the
fuel filter.
If you replace the fuel filter, replace it with an
authorized Motorcraft part. The customer
warranty may be void for any damage to the
fuel system if an authorized Motorcraft fuel
filter is not used.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission
control components and a catalytic converter which
will enable your vehicle to comply with applicable
exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the
catalytic converter and other emission control
components continue to work properly:
²Use only unleaded fuel.
²Avoid running out of fuel.
²Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is
moving, especially at high speeds.
²Have the items listed in your ªService Guideº
performed according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the
ªService Guideº are essential to the life and
performance of your vehicle and to its emissions
system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized
parts are used for maintenance replacements or for
service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
Maintenance and care
158

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

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

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