2001 Mercury Sable warning

ABOUT THIS SUPPLEMENT
This booklet supplements your ªOwner Guideº and is part of the owner's
portfolio. It describes the operation of your flexible fuel vehicle (FFV)
and how it differs from an unleaded gasoline powered vehicle. Therefore
it is very important that you read this guide and thoroughly familiarize
yourself and others operating the vehicle with this information.
Some of the information in this supplement replaces certain instructions in
the ªOwner Guideº. Please read this supplement carefully and completely.
After reading this supplement, for complete vehicle information, also refer
to the ªOwner Guideº which is included with the vehicle.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Your vehicle is equipped with a 3.0L flexible fuel (FF) engine and fuel
system. The Sable FFV uses fuel ethanol. Unleaded gasoline may also be
used. However, methanol isnotto be used. A decal on the inside of the
fuel filler door shows you the correct alternative fuel for your FFV. See
theRefuelingsection of this supplement for more information on the
fuels which may be used in your FFV.
Your FFV can be identified by checking the eighth character of the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) located on the forward left corner of
your instrument panel. A ª2º indicates the ethanol/gasoline FFV version.
WARNINGS
Warnings remind you to be especially careful in those areas where
carelessness can cause damage to your vehicle or personal injury to
yourself, your passengers or others. Please read all warnings carefully.
ABOUT THE WARRANTIES
The normal vehicle warranties will apply to your flexible fuel vehicle. For
further information, refer to your ªWarranty Information Booklet.º
Specified maintenance procedures must be followed. Repairs must be
made by trained personnel.
It is important that your flexible fuel vehicle be properly maintained by
Ford flexible fuel trained personnel. If a problem occurs, it is important
that properly trained personnel diagnose the cause. If the problem
relates to the fuel system, proper part replacement is imperative to keep
your vehicle operating at normal performance. Flexible fuel components
and standard fuel components are not interchangeable and if your
vehicle is not serviced in accordance with flexible fuel vehicle
procedures, damage may occur and your warranty may be invalidated.
Introduction
2

PRECAUTIONARY INFORMATION
HEALTH INFORMATION
WARNING: Do not swallow fuel of any kind. Fuels such as
gasoline, ethanol and mixtures of these fuels are highly toxic and
if swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. IMMEDIATELY
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION from a physician to treat anyone
who has swallowed fuel. Be aware, if fuel is swallowed, onset of
serious health effects may be delayed 12±24 hours.
WARNING: Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel
vapor of any kind can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation.
In severe cases, excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor
can cause serious illness and permanent injury.
WARNING: Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If you get fuel
in your eyes, remove contact lenses (if worn), flush immediately
with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical
attention. Allowing fuel to get in your eyes will cause severe
irritation. Failure to seek proper medical attention could lead to
permanent injury.
WARNING: If you get fuel on your skin, wash with soap and
water. Repeated or prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or
vapor causes skin irritation. Make sure you wash your hands
before handling food.
WARNING: Fuels containing gasoline such as Fuel Ethanol may
contain benzene which is a cancer-causing agent.
WARNING: If you are taking medication such as Antabusetor
other forms of disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism, skin
contact with fuel containing ethanol may cause the same kind of
adverse reaction as drinking alcoholic beverages. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injury or sickness could result. If
you are taking such medication, you should take extra care to
avoid skin contact with fuel and to avoid breathing its vapors. If
you do get fuel on your skin, wash it off immediately. Consult a
physician promptly if you experience an adverse reaction.
NOTE:Flexible fuel vehicle fuel tanks may contain any percentage of
ethanol from zero to 85 percent or more. Any fuel blends containing
ethanol and gasoline should be treated the same as ªFuel Ethanol
(E
d85)º, which is described in theRefuelingsection of this supplement.
Introduction
3

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE
Climate conditions and other factors play a large part in deciding how to
start the engine. Read all the starting instructions carefully, so you'll be
aware of these factors when you start the engine.
WARNING: Before turning the key, make sure the parking brake
has been set fully. Place the gearshift in P (Park).
Do not crank the starter continuously for more than 30 seconds at a
time, as starter overheating or other damage could result. If the engine
fails or falters in starting, wait three or four seconds before re-engaging
the starter. If the engine is flooded, or fires intermittently, and fails to
start during a 30±second cranking period, wait two minutes before
attempting to start the engine again.
A computer system controls the engine's idle RPM. When you start your
vehicle, the engine's idling RPM normally runs high. These higher engine
speeds will slow down when the vehicle warms up. If they do not, have
the idle RPM checked.
WARNING: If the engine idling speed does not slow down
automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for more than 10
minutes. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible. Extended
idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures
in the engine, fuel systems and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage to the vehicle and possibly resulting in
personal injury.
If fuel odor is detected inside the vehicle, have the vehicle checked by a
qualified service technician.
WARNING: Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other
enclosed area. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the
garage door before you start the engine.
Before you start your vehicle, do the following:
1. Make sure you and all your passengers buckle your safety belts.
2. Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned off.
3. Make sure the gearshift lever is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
set before you turn the key.
Starting your vehicle
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1. Fuel gauge
2. Engine coolant temperature gauge
3. Turn signal indicator
4. Trip odometer
5. Speedometer
6. Odometer
7. Trip odometer reset control
8. Tachometer
9. Warning/indicator lights
WARNING LIGHTS AND GAUGES
The FFV instrument cluster has separate warning lights and gauges
that tell you the condition of your vehicle. When illuminated, these
warning lights and gauges warn you about the brakes and parking
brake, safety belts, battery, oil pressure, high beams, air bag,
anti-lock brake system, Powertrain Control Module (PCM) system
(
), door ajar status, speed control activation, temperature of the
engine coolant, how much fuel you have in your tank, how fast you are
CRUISE
RPMx1000
0 1234
5
6
7
EFC H
FUEL DOOR>
102030405070 60
80
90
100
110
1202060100
140
180
PMPH km/h
00
000
00000
P!
BRAKEABS
+ –
R N D 2 1THEFTLOW
COOLANT8
123456738
99
Instrument panel controls
7

driving, engine RPM, transmission range, trip distance and the total
distance your vehicle has been driven.
Refer to your ªOwner Guideº for more information regarding the warning
lights and gauges for your FFV.
FLEX FUEL (FF) COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
The accompanying illustration shows all of the unique 3.0L Sable FF
components at a glance. All of these unique materials and alloys
have ªethanol fuel compatibilityº. NEVER replace a unique FF
component with a standard vehicle component. Ford Motor Company
has designed the materials, components and system configurations
specifically for the 3.0L Sable FF vehicle and is monitoring the
service history of these vehicles.
1.Spark plugÐ Has a colder heat range.
2.EngineÐ Able to use fuel ethanol, unleaded gasoline, or a
combination of both fuels up to 85% alcohol.
3.Fuel injectorsÐ Higher fuel flow capacity, modified spray nozzle
design and material changes for ªalcohol fuel compatibility.º
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4
5
8
9
10
1112
151614
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Instrument panel controls
8

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.
Servicing your vehicle
11