2001 Mercury Sable Flex Fuel Vehicle Supplement

4.Fuel railÐ Material changes are made for ªalcohol fuel compatibility.º
5.Engine block heaterÐ If equipped, is used to assist in cold start
below ±23ÉC (±10ÉF).
6.PCM processorÐ Calibration is utilized to optimize engine function
for alcohol fuel operation.
7.Wiring harnessÐ Wiring changes have been made to connect with
the fuel sensor.
8.Fuel sensorÐ Determines the percentage of ethanol in the fuel.
9.Fuel supply lineÐ Material changes are made for ªalcohol fuel
compatibility.º
10.Fuel pump assembly/fuel sending unitÐ Fuel pump specifically
designed for alcohol fuels. Stainless steel parts are used.
11.Vapor control valveÐ Controls vapor flow to charcoal canister.
12.Filler tubeÐ Improved coating is applied and anti-siphon screens
installed.
13.Charcoal canister trayÐ Protective enclosure.
14.Evaporative emission systemÐ Charcoal canister system enlarged
and modified for additional alcohol fuel vapor capacity and higher vapor
flow.
15.Vapor (roll over) valvesÐ Helps to increase fuel capacity and
vapor flow. Material changes are made for ªalcohol fuel compatibility.º
16.Fuel tankÐ A 68.2 liter (18 gallon) specially coated steel fuel tank
is used for ªalcohol fuel compatibility.º
ªAlcohol fuel compatibilityº means that the component performs
satisfactorily, is durable and does not contaminate the fuel when tested
in worst-case ethanol-gasoline blends up to 85% alcohol.
Instrument panel controls
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REFUELING
Use only fuels which meet the type specified for the calibration number
printed on the calibration decal. Use of other fuels may cause powertrain
damage as well as loss of vehicle performance. It will also invalidate the
Ford Warranty and any extended service agreement.
WHAT FUELS SHOULD BE USED?
Your Sable FFV uses fuel ethanol. Unleaded gasoline may be also used.
However,do notuse fuel methanol. The correct fuel for your FFV is
shown on a decal, located on the inside surface of the fuel filler door.
These vehicles will operate well on ordinary commercial quality unleaded
regular gasoline, but only the highest quality fuel ethanol will provide the
same level protection and performance.
Standards for these fuels have been developed to provide FFVs the best
possible performance, safety and durability. To assist alcohol fuel
providers in meeting these standards, guidelines have also been
developed which prescribe ªEthanol Fuel Compatibleº dispensing station
equipment. Fuel stations may apply to be certified as meeting these
standards. However, not all stations meet these standards at this time. To
ensure proper operation of your Sable FFV on fuel ethanol, refuel at
certified stations. These standards and guidelines can be obtained from
the Ford Motor Company Alternative Fuels Program (call toll-free
1-800-ALT-FUEL (258-3835) or contact the U.S Dept of Energy
Altertnative Fuels Data Center (call toll±free 1-800-423-1DOE
(423-1363).
WHAT IS FUEL ETHANOL (E
D85)?
Pure ethanol is the alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in liquor, beer
and wine. It is distilled from the fermentation of plants such as field corn
and sugar cane. When ethanol is used in the making of motor fuels, a
small amount of a bad tasting chemical is added to discourage beverage
use. The resulting fuel is called E
d100 meaning 100% pure ethanol
diluted by 2% to 5% gasoline as the ªdenaturant.º
Fuel ethanol (E
d85) is then made by adding 15% more unleaded
gasoline. The resulting fuel also has a higher octane rating than unleaded
regular gasoline and other properties which allow engine designs with
greater efficiency and power.
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Winter blends may contain up to 30% unleaded gasoline (25% plus the
denaturant) to enhance cold engine starts. Severely cold weather may
require additional measures for reliable starting. This supplement
contains specific information for starting under these conditions.
Ethanol is more chemically active than gasoline. It corrodes some metals
and causes some plastic and rubber components to swell, break down or
become brittle and crack, especially when mixed with gasoline. Special
materials and procedures have been developed for the Sable FFV and for
the dispensers used by ethanol fuel providers.
Ethanol also has less energy per liter (gallon), so fuel economy in
kilometer per liters (miles per gallon) will decrease as the percentage of
ethanol goes up.
U.S. government regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing pumps
to have a small, square, orange and black label with the common
abbreviation for the fuel such as: ªE85º above the mid-line and the
words ªMINIMUM xx% ETHANOLº below the mid-line. The ªxx%º is
replaced with either ª70%º or ª85%º as appropriate for the region.
SeePrecautionary Informationfor more fuel information.
Use of other fuels may cause powertrain damage as well as loss of
vehicle performance. It will also invalidate your extended service
agreement.
Do not operate the engine while refueling. Do not smoke while refueling.
WARNING: Do not modify the fuel system configuration or
components, or replace components with parts not especially
designed for use with fuel ethanol. Ford Motor Company has
specially designed the materials, components and system
configuration for ethanol-fueled vehicles and the particular
system is precisely calibrated for efficient operation. The use of
different parts or materials could produce an untested
configuration that could result in fire, personal injury, or could
cause engine damage.
ADDING ENGINE OIL
Ethanol/gasoline flexible fuel vehicles use Motorcraft engine oil (part
number XO-5W30-QSP or XO-10W30-QSP, meeting Ford specification
WSS-M2C153-G) designed for gasoline fueled vehicles.
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Use of a specific oil is mandatory for proper operation of flexible fueled
engines throughout the warranty period and for validation of the
extended service agreement.
Oil change intervals must be maintained at the recommended intervals.
Refer to the ªService Guideº for the service interval schedules.
SPARK PLUGS
The spark plugs used in the flexible fuel vehicle are different than those
used in the gasoline-powered vehicle. This is necessary to prevent engine
damage due to pre-ignition.
Standard spark plugs must never be installed on the FFV engine,
because disabling and expensive engine damage may occur. Proper spark
plugs may be purchased through your dealer.
The FFV vehicle recommended Motorcraft spark plugs part number
AGSF-22PP, which is installed as original equipment,mustalways be
used foralltypes of fuels.
LONG-TERM STORAGE
Due to the small amounts of corrosive impurities that may be found in
E
d85, it is recommended that the fuel be switched over to 100%
high-quality unleaded gasoline prior to long-term storage of your FFV.
Servicing your vehicle
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