1998 Mercury Sable lock

Towing your vehicle behind another vehicle
At times, you may want to tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, car
or a truck.
Before you have your vehicle towed:
²Release the parking brake.
²Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
²Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
²Unlock the steering wheel.
Do not tow your vehicle at a speed faster than 56
km/h (35 mph) or for a distance greater than 80 km
(50 miles), unless the drive wheels are placed on
dollies.
Never use a tow bar that attaches to the
bumper when you tow your vehicle. This
could damage the bumper and cause an accident.
LUGGAGE RACK (IF EQUIPPED)
The rear crossbar can be adjusted to fit the item
being carried. The front crossbar does not move. Do
not load more than 44 kg (100 lbs.) on the luggage
rack.
To adjust cross-bar position:
1. Loosen the
thumbwheel at both
ends of the cross-bar.
2. Slide the cross-bar
to the desired location.
3. Tighten the thumbwheel at both ends of the
cross-bar.
Use adjustable tie down loops to secure the load.
Driving
107

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

Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
23 5A GEM, RAP, PATS
24 5A ICP, RCC, Speedometer
25 10A Data Link Connector (DLC)
26 15A Trunklid
27 10A Battery Saver Relay
28 15A Speed Control, Stop Lamp
29 15A Multi-Function Switch, Hazard
30 15A High Beams, Daytime Running
Lamps, Instrument Cluster
31 Ð Not Used
32 10A ICP, Heated Mirrors
33 5A Power Windows, Lock
Illumination
34 Ð Battery Saver Relay
35 Ð Driver Door Unlock Relay
36 Ð Rear Defroster Relay
37 Ð Interior Lamp Relay
38 Ð One Touch Window Down
Relay
39 Ð Accessory Delay Relay
Power distribution box
The power distribution
box is located in the
engine compartment
near the battery. The
power distribution box
contains high-current
fuses that protect your
vehicle's main electrical
systems from
overloads.
Roadside emergencies
112

Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
7 40A** Rear Window Defrost Relay
8 30A** Thermactor Air ByPass
Solenoid, EAM Solid State
Relay
9 40A** High Speed Cooling Fan Relay,
Low Speed Cooling Fan Relay
10 20A** Fuel Pump Relay
11 40A** Blower Motor Relay
12 Ð Not Used
13 40A** Anti-Lock Brake Module
14 Ð Not Used
15 15A* Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) Module
16 10A* Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor
17 20A* Rear Control Unit, CD Changer
18 30A* Anti-Lock Brake Module
19 15A* Horn Relay, Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)
20 15A* Headlamp Switch, Autolamp
Park Relay
21 Ð Not Used
22 30A* Autolamps Relay,
Multi-Function Switch,
Headlamp Switch
23 Ð Blower Motor Relay
24 Ð Starter Relay
25 Ð A/C Clutch Relay
26 30A* Generator/Voltage Regulator
27 10A* A/C Clutch Relay
28 15A* Heated Oxygen Sensors,
Canister Vent
29 Ð Fuel Pump Relay
Roadside emergencies
114

Removing the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut. Make sure
you hold the key square to the lug nut. If you hold
the key at an angle, you could damage the key and
the lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
3. Turn the wrench in a counterclockwise direction
to remove the lug nut.
Reinstalling the anti-theft lug nut
1. Insert the key over the locking lug nut.
2. Place the lug nut wrench over the lug nut key and
apply pressure on the key with the wrench.
3. Install the lug nut.
Tire change procedure
1. Park on a level surface, activate hazard flashers
and set parking brake.
When one of the front wheels is off the
ground, the transaxle alone will not prevent
the vehicle from moving or slipping off the jack,
even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
To prevent the vehicle from moving when
you change a tire, be sure the parking brake
is set, then block (in both directions) the wheel
that is diagonally opposite (other side and end of
the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
Roadside emergencies
118

If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or
someone else could be seriously injured.
2. Place gearshift lever
in P (Park), block the
diagonally opposite
wheel, then remove the
spare tire, jack and lug
wrench.
²In the sedan, these
are located in the
trunk cargo area
storage
compartment.
²In the wagon, they
are stored in the left
side rear trim panel
for the temporary
spare and in the
floor cargo area
storage compartment
for the full size
spare.
3. Loosen each wheel
lug nut one-half turn
counterclockwise but
do not remove them
until the wheel is
raised off the ground.
Roadside emergencies
119

4. Put the jack in the
jack notch next to the
door of the tire you are
changing. Turn the jack
handle clockwise until
the wheel is completely
off the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts with the lug wrench.
6. Replace the flat tire with the spare tire, making
sure the valve stem is facing outward. Reinstall lug
nuts until the wheel is snug against the hub. Do not
fully tighten the lug nuts until the wheel has been
lowered.
7. Lower the wheel by turning the jack handle
counterclockwise.
8. Remove the jack and
fully tighten the lug
nuts in the order
shown.
9. Return the flat tire,
jack and lug wrench to
their proper storage
locations. Make sure
the jack is fastened so
it does not rattle when
you drive.
10. Unblock the
wheels.
1
4 3
52
Roadside emergencies
120

2. Turn off the engine and remove the key.
3. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Working with the engine on
1. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park).
2. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving unexpectedly.
Do not start your engine with the air cleaner
removed and do not remove it while the
engine is running.
OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle,
pull the hood release
handle located under
the bottom of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of
the vehicle and release
the auxiliary latch that
is located under the
front center of the
hood.
3. Lift the hood until
the lift cylinders hold it open.
Maintenance and care
128