2000 Mercury Sable air condition

Driving while you tow
When towing a trailer:
²Ensure that you turn off your speed control. The speed control may
shut off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
²Consult your local motor vehicle speed regulations for 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 scheduled maintenance guide for
more information.
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.
Recreational towing
Follow these guidelines for your specific powertrain combination to tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (such as behind a
recreational vehicle).
These guidelines are designed to ensure that your transmission is not
damaged due to insufficient lubrication.
Driving
127

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS
To help you service your vehicle:
²We highlight do-it-yourself items in the engine compartment for easy
location.
²We provide a Scheduled Maintenance Guide which makes tracking
routine service easy.
If your vehicle requires professional service, your dealership can provide
necessary parts and service. Check your ªWarranty Guideº to find out
which parts and services are covered.
Use only recommended fuels, lubricants, fluids and service parts
conforming to specifications. Motorcraft parts are designed and built to
provide the best performance in your vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN SERVICING YOUR VEHICLE
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
²Do not work on a hot engine.
²When the engine is running, keep loose clothing, jewelry or long hair
away from moving parts.
²Do not work on a vehicle with the engine running in an enclosed
space, unless you are sure you have enough ventilation.
²Keep all lit cigarettes, open flames and other lit material away from
the battery and all fuel related parts.
If you disconnect the battery, the engine must ªrelearnº its idle
conditions before your vehicle will drive properly, as explained in the
Batterysection in this chapter.
Working with the engine off
1. Set the parking brake, and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in
park.
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.
Maintenance and care
147

reinstall it securely. Theindicator should turn off after three
driving cycles with the fuel filler cap properly installed. A driving cycle
consists of a cold engine start-up followed by mixed city/highway driving.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel system to work improperly in a collision, which may result in
possible personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Your vehicle is designed to use
ªRegularº unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do
not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as ªRegularº that are sold
with octane ratings of 86 or lower in high altitude areas.
Do not be concerned if your engine sometimes knocks lightly. However, if
it knocks heavily under most driving conditions while you are using fuel
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
180

²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h [55 mph] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 105 km/h [65 mph]).
²Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type 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.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
184

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. 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
indicator is on, refer to
the description in theWarning Lights and Chimessection of the
Instrumentationchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator 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.
Maintenance and care
186

The use of leaded fuel in your vehicle without proper conversion may
damage the effectiveness of your emission control system and may cause
engine knocking or serious engine damage. Ford Motor Company/Ford of
Canada is not responsible for any damage caused by use of improper
fuel.
In the United States, using leaded fuel may also result in difficulty
importing your vehicle back into the U.S.
If your vehicle must be serviced while you are traveling or living in
Central or South America, the Caribbean, or the Middle East, contact the
nearest Ford dealership. If the dealership cannot help you, write or call:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
WORLDWIDE DIRECT MARKET OPERATIONS
1555 Fairlane Drive
Fairlane Business Park #3
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
U.S.A.
Telephone: (313) 594-4857
FAX: (313) 390-0804
If you are in another foreign country, contact the nearest Ford
dealership. If the dealership employees cannot help you, they can direct
you to the nearest Ford affiliate office.
If you buy your vehicle in North America and then relocate outside of
the U.S. or Canada, register your vehicle identification number (VIN) and
new address with Ford Motor Company Worldwide Direct Market
Operations.
FORD CAR CARE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Ford has many quality products available from your dealer to clean your
vehicle and protect its finishes. These quality products have been
specifically engineered to fulfill your automotive needs; they are custom
designed to complement the style and appearance of your vehicle. Each
product is made from high quality materials and that meet or exceed
Ford's rigid specifications. For best results, use the following or products
of equivalent quality:
Ford Custom Clearcoat Polish*
Ford Custom Silicone Gloss Polish
Ford Custom Vinyl Protectant* (not available in Canada)
Motorcraft Vinyl Conditioner (Canada only)
Customer assistance
218

Accessory delay ..........................53
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ................93,94,97
and child safety seats ..............95
description ...........................94,97
disposal ......................................99
driver air bag ..................93,96,98
indicator light ......................12,96
operation .........................93,96,98
passenger air bag ...........93,96,98
side air bag ................................97
Air cleaner filter .......................204
Air conditioning ..........................18
automatic temperature
control system ..........................22
Air filter, cabin ..........................165
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................156
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) .......................112,113
Anti-theft system ........................63
arming the system ....................63
disarming a triggered system ..65
warning light .............................11
Audio system (see Radio) .........28
Automatic transaxle .................117
driving with .............................119
fluid, adding ............................162
fluid, checking ........................162
fluid, refill capacities ..............205
fluid, specification ..................207
Auxiliary power point .................28
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........206
Battery .......................................170
acid, treating emergencies .....170
charging system
warning light .............................12
jumping a disabled battery ....141
maintenance-free ....................170
replacement, specifications ...204
servicing ..................................170Belt minder .................................89
Brakes ........................................112
anti-lock ............................112,113
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ..........11,113
brake warning light ..................12
fluid, checking and adding ....154
fluid, refill capacities ..............205
fluid, specifications ..........206,207
lubricant specifications ...206,207
parking ....................................114
pedals (see Power
adjustable foot pedals) ............42
shift interlock ..........................117
Break-in period .............................3
Capacities for refilling fluids ....205
Cargo area shade ........................58
Cargo cover .................................57
Cargo net .....................................57
CD changer .................................38
Cellular telephone
Wireless Interface Module .......50
Certification Label ....................209
Child safety restraints ..............100
child safety belts ....................100
Child safety seats ......................101
attaching with tether straps ..105
in front seat ............................102
in rear seat .......................102,105
Cleaning your vehicle ...............197
engine compartment ..............200
exterior ....................................199
exterior lamps .........................200
instrument panel ....................202
instrument panel lens ............202
interior ..............................202,203
mirrors .....................................199
plastic parts ............................199
safety belts ..............................203
washing ....................................198
waxing .....................................198
wheels ......................................199
Index
224

windows ..................................202
wiper blades ............................200
woodtone trim ........................202
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............18
Clock .......................................31,38
Console ........................................55
Controls
power seat .................................74
Coolant
checking and adding ..............156
refill capacities .................160,205
specifications ...................206,207
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................43
Customer Assistance ................129
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................218
Ford Extended
Service Plan ............................211
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............217
Getting roadside assistance ...129
Getting the
service you need ....................211
Ordering additional owner's
literature .................................222
The Dispute
Settlement Board ...................214
Utilizing the Mediation/
Arbitration Program ...............217
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................16
Defrost
rear window ..............................18
Dipstick
automatic
transmission fluid ...................162
engine oil .................................151
Doors
door ajar warning .......................9
lubricant specifications ..........206Driving under special
conditions
through water .........................123
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................141
Emission control system ..........185
Engine ........................................207
check engine/
service engine soon light ...........9
cleaning ...................................200
coolant .....................................156
idle speed control ...................170
lubrication
specifications ...................206,207
refill capacities ........................205
service points ...................149,150
starting after a collision .........130
Engine block heater .................110
Engine oil ..................................151
checking and adding ..............151
dipstick ....................................151
filter, specifications .........153,204
recommendations ...................153
refill capacities ........................205
specifications ...................206,207
Exhaust fumes ..........................110
Floor mats ...................................55
Fluid capacities .........................205
Foglamps .....................................17
Fuel ............................................177
calculating fuel economy .......182
cap ...........................................179
capacity ...................................205
choosing the right fuel ...........180
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................185
detergent in fuel .....................181
filling your vehicle
with fuel ....................177,179,182
filter, specifications .........182,204
fuel pump shut-off switch .....130
gauge .........................................15
Index
225