1999 Mercury Sable check engine

When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
reservoir.
Plain water may be added in an emergency, but you
MUST replace it with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water as soon as possible.
Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary,
add enough of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water
to bring the liquid level into the cold fill range on
the reservoir.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
If you must remove the coolant reservoir cap, follow
these steps to avoid personal injury:
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off
and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap. Slowly turn cap counterclockwise
until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been
released, use the cloth to turn it counterclockwise
and remove the cap.
Change your engine coolant according to the
appropriate schedule listed in the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide.
Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549±AA
(in Oregon, F5FZ-19549±CC, in Canada, Motorcraft
CXC-10) or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A.
DO NOT USE Ford Extended Life Engine
Coolant F6AZ-19544±AA, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44±D (orange in color).
Do not add recycled coolant to your vehicle.
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144

Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any
engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. Do not use supplemental coolant
additives in your vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's
engine cooling system.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant
produced by Ford-approved processes.
Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant
which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44±A, and
use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling
system components.
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin the
Capacities and specificationschapter.
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system
for leaks if you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0
quart) of engine coolant per month.
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.
Maintenance and care
145

CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power
steering fluid. Refer to
the Scheduled
Maintenance Guide 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.
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.
FULL HOT
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146

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.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your Scheduled Maintenance Guide 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.
MINMAX
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147

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.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the outside temperatures are above
10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km
(20 miles) of driving.
The transmission fluid
should be in this range
if at normal operating
temperature (66ÉC-77ÉC [150ÉF-170ÉF]).
High fluid level
Fluid levels above the
safe range may result
in transaxle failure. An
overfill condition of transmission fluid may cause
shift and/or engagement concerns and/or possible
damage.
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
DON’T ADD IF IN CROSSHATCH AREA--CHECH WHEN HOT-IDLING
Maintenance and care
148

²Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is
splashed in the eyes, remove contact lenses (if
worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and seek
medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical
attention could lead to permanent injury.
²Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the
skin. If fuel is splashed on the skin and/or
clothing, promptly remove contaminated clothing
and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel
liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
²Be particularly careful if you are taking
ªAntabuseº or other forms of disulfiram for the
treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline
vapors, or skin contact could cause an adverse
reaction. In sensitive individuals, serious personal
injury or sickness may result. If fuel is splashed
on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with
soap and water. Consult a physician immediately
if you experience an adverse reaction.
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 Engineº 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.
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159

²Drive at reasonable speeds (traveling at 105 km/h
[65 mph] uses 15% more fuel than traveling at
88 km/h [55 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may
reduce fuel economy.
²Use of the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
²Use of speed control (if equipped) may improve
fuel economy. Speed control can help maintain a
constant speed and reduce speed changes. You
may want to turn off the speed control in hilly
terrain as unnecessary shifting between third and
fourth gears may occur and could result in
reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
Maintenance and care
165

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 diagnostics 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.
If the vehicle's powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a ªnot ready for I/M testº condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics 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.
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168