2000 Mercury Sable charging

Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the RUN
position. Also illuminates if the
parking brake is engaged. If the
brake warning lamp does not
illuminate at these times, or remains on after releasing the parking brake,
seek service immediately.
One of the following conditions may exist:
²low brake fluid level in the reservoir.
²Brake force distribution system failure. The ABS light will also
illuminate if this condition is present.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
P!
BRAKE
Instrumentation
12

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

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

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

anti-lock brakes (ABS) .....11,113
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................12
check coolant ............................11
cruise indicator .........................11
door ajar ......................................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................10
low fuel ......................................10
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................9
speed control ............................46
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................122
GAWR ......................................122
GVWR ......................................122
trailer towing ..........................122
Locks
autolock .....................................68
childproof ..................................53
Lubricant specifications ....206,207
Lumbar support, seats ...............75
Mirrors .........................................50
cleaning ...................................199
heated ........................................54
side view mirrors (power) .......54
Moon roof ....................................50
Motorcraft parts .................182,204
Octane rating ............................180
Odometer .....................................15
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................151
Overdrive ...................................118
Panic alarm feature, remote
entry system ................................60
Parking brake ............................114
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....204
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................42
Power adjustable foot pedals .....42Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................135
Power door locks ........................53
Power steering ..........................116
fluid, checking and adding ....161
fluid, refill capacity ................205
fluid, specifications ..........206,207
Radio ............................................28
Relays .................................132,137
Remote entry system ............59,60
illuminated entry ......................61
locking/unlocking doors ......59,60
opening the trunk .....................60
panic alarm ...............................60
replacement/additional
transmitters ...............................61
replacing the batteries .............62
Roof rack ...................................128
Safety belts
(see Safety restraints) .....13,78,80
81,82,83,84,85
Safety defects, reporting ..........223
Safety
restraints ..78,80,81,82,83,84,85,86
belt minder ...............................89
cleaning the safety belts ...92,203
extension assembly ..................88
for adults ....................81,82,83,84
for children ........................99,100
lap belt ......................................86
warning light and chime ..9,13,88
Safety seats for children ..........101
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............78
Seats ............................................73
child safety seats ....................101
cleaning ............................202,203
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ....................69,70
Servicing your vehicle ..............147
Spark plugs,
specifications ......................204,207
Index
227