2000 Mercury Sable battery

11. Replace the four clips located on the cowl vent screen.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the ªlevel indicatorº.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
Maintenance and care
170

If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compunds. Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle's engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
Maintenance and care
171

2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. With your foot on the brake pedal and with the A/C on, put the
vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
²The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
²If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock must be reset once the battery is reconnected.
²Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Check the wiper blades at least twice a year or when they seem less
effective. Substances such as tree sap and some hot wax treatments used
by commercial car washes reduce the effectiveness of wiper blades.
Checking the wiper blades
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean both the windshield and
wiper blades using undiluted windshield wiper solution or a mild
detergent. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. To avoid damaging the
blades, do not use fuel, kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
Maintenance and care
172

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

MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.0L V6 Vulcan engine 3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Air filter element
1FA-1683 FA-1683
Fuel filter FG-1006 FG-81006
Battery (standard) BXT-58R BXT-36R
Battery (optional) BXT-36R N/A
Oil filter FL-400-S FL-820-S
PCV valve EV-228 EV-243
Spark plugs
2AWSF-32PP3AGSF-32W
1Do not use oil-impregnated air filter elements. Failure to use the
correct air filter element may result in severe engine damage. The
customer warranty may be voided for any damage to the engine if the
correct air filter element is not used.
2Refer to Vehicle Emissions Control Information (VECI) decal for spark
plug gap information.
3If a spark plug is to be removed for inspection, it must be reinstalled in
the same cylinder. If a spark plug needs to be replaced, use only spark
plugs with the service part number suffix letter as shown on the engine
decal.
Capacities and specifications
204

Comfort and convenience
Cabin air filter
Cargo nets
Cargo organizers
Cargo shades
Engine block heaters
Travel equipment
Auto headlamps with DRL
Daytime running lights (DRL)
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass
Electrochromic inside mirror with compass and temperature
Factory luggage rack adaptors
Framed luggage covers
Heavy-duty battery
Removable luggage rack
Removable luggage rack adapters
Soft luggage cover
Speed control
Track rider bars
Protection and appearance equipment
Air bag anti-theft locks
Car/truck covers
Cargo liners, interior
Carpet floor mats
Cleaners, waxes and polishes
Flat splash guards
Front end covers (full)
Lubricants and oils
Molded splash guards
Molded vinyl floor mats
Customer assistance
220

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