1999 Mercury Sable power steering

modulation.º Signal modulation is a process radio
stations use to increase their strength/volume
relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings
between your vehicle's antenna and the radio
station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power
lines, electric fences, traffic lights and
thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your
reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes
captured by stronger signals when you pass a
broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play
while the weak station frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single
channel reception if it will improve the reception of
a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system
warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified
technician.
POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows
key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel.
1
23
4
5
Controls and features
40

TRUNK REMOTE CONTROL
Press the remote trunk
release control on the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering
wheel.
LIFTGATE (WAGON ONLY)
You can open the
entire liftgate or just
the liftgate window. To
open the entire liftgate,
pull the release handle
hidden under the
exterior trim panel just
above the license plate.
You must lock the liftgate with the key or power
lock control; it does not lock automatically.
The window locks when the liftgate is locked. To
open the window, make sure the liftgate and window
are unlocked, then press the outside lock cylinder.
The window can only be opened from the outside.
To prevent any damage to the liftgate and window,
close them completely before driving.
Controls and features
53

Pull the release lever
to release the brake.
Driving with the
parking brake on will
cause the brakes to
wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power
steering pump fluid level.
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
Driving
104

IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE
COMPARTMENT
3.0L V6 Vulcan engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Power steering fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
12
3
4567
8
9
Maintenance and care
137

3.0L V6 Duratec engine
1. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
2. Brake fluid reservoir
3. Air filter assembly
4. Battery
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
9. Power steering fluid reservoir
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the
appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
8912
3
4
56
7
Maintenance and care
138

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
Maintenance and care
146

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameAppli-
cationCapacity
Brake fluid High Per-
formance
DOT 3
Motor
Vehicle
Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Premium
Engine
Coolant3.0L V6
Vulcan
engine11.0L
(11.6 quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine10.0L
(10.6 quarts)
Engine oil
(includes
filter
change)Motorcraft
5W-30
Super
Premium
Motor Oil3.0 V6
Vulcan
engine4.25L
(4.5 quarts)
3.0L V6
Duratec
engine5.2L
(5.5 quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All
vehicles60.6L
(16.0 gallons)
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT F3.0L V6
Vulcan
engineKeep in FULL
range on
dipstick
3.0L V6
Duratec
engineFill to line on
reservoir
Capacities and specifications
181

ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specifi-
cation
Engine
coolantFord
Premium
Engine
CoolantE2FZ-
19549-AA
(in Oregon,
F5FZ-
19549-CC,
in Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-
M97B44-A
Power
steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Windshield
washer
fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-
19550-ACESR-
M17P5-A
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.0L V6
Vulcan engine3.0L V6
Duratec
engine
Cubic inches 182 183
Horsepower 145 @
5250 rpm200 @
5750 rpm
Torque 170 lb.-ft. @
3250 rpm200 lb.-ft. @
4500 rpm
Recommended
fuel87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-
0.046 inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-
00.056 inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS
Compression
ratio9.3:1 10:1
Capacities and specifications
184