1999 Mercury Sable key

not available (one or both of your original keys were
lost or stolen), you must bring your vehicle to your
dealership to have the spare SecuriLockykey(s)
programmed.
Procedure to program spare SecuriLockYkeys
to your vehicle
New SecuriLockykeys must have the correct
mechanical key cut for your vehicle.
Conventional (non-SecuriLocky) keyscannotbe
programmed to your vehicle.
You will need to have two previously programmed
SecuriLockykeys and the new unprogrammed
SecuriLockykey readily accessible for the
procedure. Please read and understand the entire
procedure before you begin.
1. Insert the first previously programmed
SecuriLockykey into the ignition and turn the
ignition from OFF to RUN (maintain ignition in RUN
for at least one second).
2. Turn ignition to OFF and remove the first
SecuriLockykey from the ignition.
3. Within five seconds of turning the ignition to OFF,
insert the second previously programmed
SecuriLockykey into the ignition and turn the
ignition from OFF to RUN (maintain ignition in RUN
for at least one second but no more than 5 seconds).
4. Turn the ignition to OFF and remove the second
SecuriLockykey from the ignition.
5. Within 10 seconds of turning the ignition to OFF,
insert the unprogrammed SecuriLockykey (new
key/valet key) into the ignition and turn the ignition
from OFF to RUN (maintain ignition in RUN for at
least one second). This step will program your new
SecuriLockykey.
6. To program additional SecuriLockykey(s), repeat
this procedure from step 1.
Controls and features
68

If the programming procedure was successful, the
new SecuriLockykey(s) will start the vehicle's
engine. The theft indicator (located on the
instrument cluster) will light for three seconds and
then go out.
If the programming procedure was not successful,
the new SecuriLockykey(s) will not operate the
vehicle's engine. The theft indicator will flash on and
off. Wait at least one minute and then repeat the
procedure from step 1. If failure repeats, bring your
vehicle to your dealership to have the spare
SecuriLockykey(s) programmed.
Controls and features
69

3rd seat (wagon only)
The third seat faces the rear of the vehicle. For
height and weight limits, see the label on the seat
cushion. When the seat is down, the back of your
wagon has a flat surface for carrying cargo.
To open up the seat:
1. Unlock the floor
panel with the key,
then use the handle to
fold the floor panel
toward the front of the
car.
2. Remove the cargo
cover. The cargo cover
must be removed or
the seatback will not
latch in the upright
position.
3. Lift the remote latch
release on the left side
of the compartment
and fold the remaining
floor panel until it
latches. Make sure the
seatback is locked in
the upright position.
To close the seat, make sure the safety belts are
properly stowed, then lift the remote latch release
and push the seat down until it latches. Pull up on
the handle and push the floor panel into place.
Seating and safety restraints
73

To attach the shoulder
belt to the lap belt, pull
the shoulder belt out
from the retractor in
the seatback and insert
into the lap belt
connecting pin into the
wide end of the key
slot on the shoulder
belt. Pull the
connecting pin into the
narrow end of the key
slot until you hear a
snap and feel it latch.
Make sure the shoulder
belt is securely
fastened to the lap belt
by pulling up on the shoulder belt.
Lap belts
Adjusting the lap belt
The lap belt does not adjust automatically.
The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as
possible around the hips, not around the
waist.
Insert the tongue into
the correct buckle (the
buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is
coming from). To
lengthen the belt, turn
the tongue at a right
angle to the belt and
pull across your lap
until it reaches the
buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt through the
tongue until it fits snugly across the hips.
Seating and safety restraints
79

Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine's idle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine.
If the engine idle speed does not slow down
automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not
allow the vehicle to idle for more than ten minutes
at the higher engine RPM.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories
are off.
3. Make sure the
parking brake is set.
4. Make sure the
gearshift is in P (Park).
5. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
PRNDD1
1
23
4
5
Starting
97

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate briefly.
If a light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle
serviced.
²If the driver's safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Turn the key to 5
(START) without
pressing the
accelerator pedal and
release as soon as the
engine starts. The key
will return to 4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is above ±12É C (10É F) and
the engine does not start within five seconds on the
first try, turn the key to OFF, wait ten seconds and
try again.
3. If the temperature is below -12ÉC (10ÉF) and the
engine does not start in fifteen seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait ten seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
depress the accelerator and start the engine while
holding the accelerator down to the floor. Release
the accelerator when the engine starts.
4. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake
and release the parking brake.
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOONP!
BRAKEABS
+ –
UNLEADED FUEL ONLY
THEFT LOW
COOLANTO/D
OFF102030405060
70
80
90
100
1202060100
140
180
P R N D 2 1MPH km/h
00
000
00000
110
1
23
4
5
Starting
98

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 depressed.
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 or the vehicle's brakelamps are not operating
properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
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. The transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may overheat.
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
105

Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs
and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
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.
²Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
²Move the gearshift to N (Neutral).
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.
Driving
116