2001 Mercury Sable traction control

U.S. Department of Transportation-Tire quality grades:The U.S.
Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following
information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Maintenance and care
179

Replacing the tires
Replace the tires when the wear
band is visible through the tire
treads.
When replacing full size tires, never mix radial bias-belted, or
bias-type tires. Use only the tire sizes that are listed on the
Certification or Tire Label. Make sure that all tires are the same size,
speed rating, and load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire combinations
recommended on the label. If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and safely.
Make sure that all replacement tires are of the same size, type,
load-carrying capacity and tread design (e.g., ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
Failure to follow these precautions may adversely affect the
handling of the vehicle and make it easier for the driver to lose
control and roll over.
Tires that are larger or smaller than your vehicle's original tires may also
affect the accuracy of your speedometer.
SNOW TIRES AND CHAINS
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, you may need to use snow
tires and chains. If you need to use snow tires and chains, it is
recommended that steel wheels are used of the same size and
specifications as those originally installed.
Maintenance and care
181

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

child safety seats ....................105
cleaning ...........................208±209
SecuriLock passive
anti-theft system ...................73, 75
Servicing your vehicle ..............153
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................210, 213
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................212±213
Speed control ..............................47
Speedometer ...............................14
Starting your vehicle ........113, 115
jump starting ..........................147
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................52
T
Tachometer .................................14
Tires ...........................143, 178±180
changing ..........................143±144
checking the pressure ............180
replacing ..................................181
rotating ....................................180
snow tires and chains ............181
tire grades ...............................179
treadwear ................................179
Towing .......................................130
recreational towing .................133
trailer towing ..........................130
wrecker ....................................152
Traction control ..................46, 121
active light ..................................8
Transaxle
automatic operation ...............123
fluid, refill capacities ..............211lubricant specifications ..........213
Transmission
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................168
lubricant specifications ..........212
Trip odometer .............................15
Trunk .........................61, 63±64, 76
remote release ..........................60
Turn signal ..............................8, 50
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................213
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) ...........................216
Vehicle loading ..........................128
Ventilating your vehicle ...........117
W
Warning chimes ...........................13
Warning lights (see Lights) .........8
Washer fluid ..............................161
Water, Driving through .............129
Windows
power .........................................56
rear wiper/washer .....................51
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers
checking and adding fluid .....161
checking and cleaning ....177±178
liftgate reservoir .....................162
operation ...................................50
replacing wiper blades ...........178
Wrecker towing .........................152
Index
236