2001 Mercury Sable fuel cap

When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
Use the following guidelines to avoid static build-up when filling an
ungrounded fuel container:
²Place approved fuel container on the ground.
²DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle.
²Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
²DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/8 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2.
Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it stops.
If the ªCheck Fuel Capº
indicator comes on or if ªService Engine
Soon/Check Engineº indicator comes on and stays on when you start the
engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
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.
Maintenance and care
184

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 cap to disengage 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
pump (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
with the recommended octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified
service technician to prevent any engine damage.
Fuel quality
If you are experiencing starting, rough idle or hesitation driveability
problems during a cold start, try a different brand of ªRegularº unleaded
gasoline. ªPremiumº unleaded gasoline is not recommended (particularly
in the United States) because it may cause these problems to become
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and care
185

Replace the fuel filter with an authorized Motorcraft part. The
customer warranty may be void for any damage to the fuel system
if an authorized Motorcraft fuel filter is not used.
ESSENTIALS OF GOOD FUEL ECONOMY
Measuring techniques
Your best source of information about actual fuel economy is you, the
driver. You must gather information as accurately and consistently as
possible. Fuel expense, frequency of fillups or fuel gauge readings are
NOT accurate as a measure of fuel economy. We do not recommend
taking fuel economy measurements during the first 1 600 km (1 000
miles) of driving (engine break-in period). You will get a more accurate
measurement after 3 000 km±5 000 km (2 000 miles-3 000 miles).
Filling the tank
The advertised fuel capacity of the fuel tank on your vehicle is equal to
the rated refill capacity of the fuel tank as listed in theRefill Capacities
section of theCapacities and specificationschapter.
The advertised capacity is the amount of the indicated capacity and the
empty reserve combined. Indicated capacity is the difference in the
amount of fuel in a full tank and a tank when the fuel gauge indicates
empty. Empty reserve is the small amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank after the fuel gauge indicates empty.
The amount of usable fuel in the empty reserve varies and should
not be relied upon to increase driving range. When refueling your
vehicle after the fuel gauge indicates empty, you might not be
able to refuel the full amount of the advertised capacity of the
fuel tank due to the empty reserve still present in the tank.
For consistent results when filling the fuel tank:
²Turn the engine/ignition switch to the off position prior to refueling,
an error in the reading will result if the engine is left running.
²Use the same filling rate setting (low Ð medium Ð high) each time
the tank is filled.
²Allow no more than 2 automatic click-offs when filling.
²Always use fuel with the recommended octane rating.
²Use a known quality gasoline, preferably a national brand.
Maintenance and care
187

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-32PP3AWSF-32F
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
210

REFILL CAPACITIES
Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Brake fluid High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidAll Fill to line on
reservoir
Engine
coolant
1Premium
Engine Coolant3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine11.0L
(11.6 quarts)
3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine10.0L
(10.6 quarts)
Engine oil
(includes filter
change)Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium
Motor Oil3.0 V6 Vulcan
engine4.25L (4.5 quarts)
3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine5.2L (5.5 quarts)
Fuel tank
capacityN/A All vehicles 68.1L
(18.0 gallons)
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONt
AT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engineKeep in FULL
range on dipstick
3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engineFill to line on
reservoir
Automatic
transaxle -
4F50NMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine12.8L
(13.5 quarts)
3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine12.7L
(13.4 quarts)
Automatic
transaxle -
AX4SMotorcraft
MERCONtV
AT F3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine11.6L
(12.2 quarts)
Windshield
washer fluid -
FrontUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 2.8L (94.7 oz.)
Capacities and specifications
211

ItemsFord Part
Name or
equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Engine coolant Ford Premium
Engine Coolant
(green colored)VC-4±A (in
Canada,
Motorcraft
CXC-10)ESE-M97B44-A
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONtAT FXT-2-QDX MERCONt
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateC9AZ-19550-AC ESR-M17P5-A
ENGINE DATA
Engine 3.0L V6 Vulcan
engine3.0L DOHC V6
Duratec engine
Cubic inches 182 183
Required fuel 87 octane 87 octane
Firing order 1-4-2-5-3-6 1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark plug gap 1.07-1.17 mm
(0.042-0.046 inch)1.3-1.4 mm
(0.052-00.056 inch)
Ignition system EDIS EDIS
Compression ratio 9.3:1 10.0:1
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
Vehicle dimensions Sedan mm (in) Wagon mm (in)
(1) Overall length 5 075 (199.9) 5 069.8 (197.8)
(2) Overall width 1 854 (73.0) 1 854.2 (73.0)
(3) Overall height 1 463 (57.6) 1 468 (57.8)
(4) Wheelbase 2 757 (108.5) 2 757 (108.5)
(5) Track - Front 1 566 (61.6) 1 566 (61.6)
(5) Track - Rear 1 577.0 (62.1) 1 570 (61.8)
Capacities and specifications
213

idle speed control ...................175
lubrication
specifications ..................212±213
refill capacities ........................211
service points ..................155±156
starting after a collision .........136
Engine block heater .................116
Engine oil ..................................157
checking and adding ..............157
dipstick ....................................157
filter, specifications ........159, 210
recommendations ...................159
refill capacities ........................211
specifications ..................212±213
Exhaust fumes ..........................116
F
Floor mats ...................................59
Fluid capacities .........................211
Foglamps .....................................18
Fuel ............................................182
calculating fuel economy .......187
cap .......................................9, 184
capacity ...................................211
choosing the right fuel ...........185
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................190
detergent in fuel .....................186
filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................182, 184, 187
filter, specifications ........186, 210
fuel pump shut-off switch .....136
gauge .........................................16
improving fuel economy ........187
low fuel warning light ..............11
octane rating ...................185, 213
quality ......................................185
running out of fuel .................186safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................182
Fuses ..................................138±139
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ........9, 184
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................187
Gauges .........................................14
engine coolant
temperature gauge ...................15
fuel gauge ..................................16
odometer ...................................15
speedometer .............................14
tachometer ................................14
trip odometer ............................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) .....128
definition .................................128
driving with a heavy load ......128
location ....................................128
GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) .............128
calculating ...............................128
definition .................................128
driving with a heavy load ......128
location ....................................128
H
Hazard flashers .........................136
Head restraints ...........................77
Headlamps ...................................17
aiming ..............................202±203
autolamp system .......................18
bulb specifications ..................201
daytime running lights .............17
flash to pass ..............................17
Index
233

high beam .............................8, 17
replacing bulbs .......................193
turning on and off ....................17
warning chime ..........................13
Heating ........................................19
heating and
air conditioning system ............19
Hood ..........................................154
I
Ignition .................................47, 213
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................105
Inspection/maintenance
(I/M) testing ..............................191
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................208
cluster ..................................8, 208
lighting up
panel and interior .....................18
location of components ..............8
J
Jack ............................................143
positioning ...............................143
storage .....................................143
Jump-starting your vehicle ......147
K
Keyless entry system .................69
autolock .....................................71
keypad .......................................69
locking and unlocking doors ....71
programming entry code .........70
Keys .......................................73, 75
key in ignition chime ...............13positions of the ignition ...........47
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................18
bulb replacement
specifications chart ................201
cargo lamps ...............................18
daytime running light ...............17
fog lamps ...................................18
headlamps .................................17
headlamps, flash to pass ..........17
instrument panel, dimming .....18
interior lamps .............52±53, 201
replacing
bulbs ........192±193, 195±197, 200
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................50
Liftgate ..................................60, 64
Lights, warning and indicator ......8
air bag ........................................13
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ....11, 119
anti-theft ...................................11
brake ..........................................12
charging system ........................13
check coolant ............................12
cruise indicator .........................12
door ajar ......................................9
fuel cap light ...............................9
high beam ...................................8
low coolant ................................11
low fuel ......................................11
oil pressure ...............................12
safety belt ...................................9
service engine soon ....................9
speed control ............................50
traction control active ................8
turn signal indicator ...................8
Load limits .................................128
Index
234