1999 Mercury Sable brake

Always ensure that the weight of passengers, cargo
and equipment being carried is within the weight
limitations that have been established for your
vehicle including both Gross Vehicle Weight and
Front and Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating limits.
Under no circumstance should these limitations be
exceeded. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating
limitation could result in serious damage to the
vehicle and/or personal injury.
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.
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.
Driving through deep water where the
transmission is submerged may allow water
into the transmission and cause internal
transmission damage.
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.
Driving
112

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:
3.0L 2-Valve Vulcan Engine
Model Passenger
Load-#/kg
(lbs.)Luggage
Load-kg
(lbs.)Max Trailer
Wt.-kg (lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 365 (800)
4/270 (600) 70 (150) 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 500 (1 100)
2/135 (300) 0 565 (1 250)
Wagon 4/270 (600) 0 365 (800)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 430 (950)
2/135 (300) 0 500 (1 100)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at
a maximum GCW (Vehicle weight + Trailer weight)
equal to 2 245 kg (4 950 lbs.).
3.0L 4-Valve Duratec Engine
Model Passenger
Load-#/kg
(lbs.)Luggage
Load-kg
(lbs.)Max Trailer
Wt.-kg (lbs.)
Sedan 5/340 (750) 0 590 (1 300)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 725 (1 600)
2/135 (300) 0 795 (1 750)
Wagon 5/340 (750) 70 (150) 455 (1 000)
2/135 (300) 70 (150) 660 (1450)
2/135 (300) 0 725 (1 600)
The above chart is based on the specified vehicle at
a maximum GCW (Vehicle weight + Trailer weight)
equal to 2 470 kg (5 450 lbs.).
Driving
113

Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight exceeds
the limit of the vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transaxle damage, structural damage, loss
of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and
make sure it is properly attached to your vehicle.
See your dealer or a reliable trailer dealer if you
require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use hitches that clamp onto the vehicle
bumper. Use a load carrying hitch. You must
distribute the load in your trailer so that 10% of the
total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the
vehicle. To connect the trailer's safety chains, cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack
for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that
the rental agency gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type
brakes are safe if installed properly and adjusted to
the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer brakes
must meet local and Federal regulations.
Driving
114

Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake
system directly to your vehicle's brake
system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for
operation at the GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles.
Make sure your trailer lamps conform to local and
Federal regulations. See your dealer or trailer rental
agency for proper instructions and equipment for
hooking up trailer lamps.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when
towing a trailer. Do not drive faster than 72 km/h
(45 mph) with any weight on the trailer while
towing on a hot day or in hilly country.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on
long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or
down steep hills. This will eliminate excessive
downshifting and upshifting for optimum fuel
economy and transaxle cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
your maintenance guide and or service guide for
more information.
Driving
115

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

Standard fuse amperage rating and color
COLOR
Fuse
Rat-
ingMini
FusesStan-
dard
FusesMaxi
FusesCar-
tridge
Maxi
FusesFuse
Link
Car-
tridge
2A Grey Grey Ð Ð Ð
3A Violet Violet Ð Ð Ð
4A Pink Pink Ð Ð Ð
5A Tan Tan Ð Ð Ð
7.5A Brown Brown Ð Ð Ð
10A Red Red Ð Ð Ð
15A Blue Blue Ð Ð Ð
20A Yellow Yellow Yellow Blue Blue
25A Natural Natural Ð Ð Ð
30A Green Green Green Pink Pink
40A Ð Ð Orange Green Green
50A Ð Ð Red Red Red
60A Ð Ð Blue Ð Yellow
70A Ð Ð Tan Ð Brown
80A Ð Ð Natural Ð Black
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.
Roadside emergencies
120

Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
14 5A
Semi-Active Ride Control Module
15 10A Multifunction 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, GEM
21 20A Cigar Lighter
22 5A Power Mirrors, Power Antenna,
Luggage Compartment Lamp,
Autolamp
23 5A GEM, RAP, PATS
24 5A ICP, RCC, Speedometer
25 10A Data Link Connector (DLC)
26 15A Luggage Compartment
27 10A Battery Saver Relay
28 15A Speed Control, Brake Lamp
29 15A Multifunction 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
Roadside emergencies
122

The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/
Relay
LocationFuse
Amp
RatingDescription
1 40A** Fuse Junction Panel
2 30A** PCM Relay
3 40A** Ignition Switch, Starter Relay
4 30A
C.B.Accessory Delay Relay, Power
Seat
5 40A** Ignition Switch
6 Ð Not Used
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* Electronic Control Unit (ECU)
17 20A* Rear Control Unit, CD Changer
22
14 13
12 11
10 9
87
175A MEGA-FUSE
65
43
2121 24 23 28 27 26 2530 2931
33 3432
20 19
18 17 16 15
Roadside emergencies
124