2002 Mercury Sable check engine light

For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the“cold full”level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (an opaque plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“cold fill range”or the“cold full”level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Maintenance and Specifications
203

•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Close windows for high speed driving.
EPA window sticker
Every new vehicle should have the EPA window sticker. Contact your
dealer if the window sticker is not supplied with your vehicle. The EPA
window sticker should be your guide for the fuel economy comparisons
with other vehicles.
It is important to note the box in the lower left corner of the window
sticker. These numbers represent the Range of L/100 km (MPG)
expected on the vehicle under optimum conditions. Your fuel economy
may vary depending upon the method of operation and conditions.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with various emission control components and a
catalytic converter which will enable your vehicle to comply with
applicable exhaust emission standards. To make sure that the catalytic
converter and other emission control components continue to work
properly:
•Use only unleaded fuel (or E85, if equipped with the 3.0L FFV V6
engine).
Maintenance and Specifications
214

description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. 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“not ready for I/M test”
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:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid.
Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is
necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
Maintenance and Specifications
216

A
Accessory delay ..........................45
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..............................90–91, 94
and child safety seats ..............92
description ..........................91, 94
disposal ......................................96
driver air bag ................90, 93, 95
indicator light ...........................93
operation .......................90, 93, 95
passenger air bag .........90, 93, 95
side air bag ................................94
Air cleaner filter .......................180
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................159
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................111
Anti-theft system ........................69
arming the system ....................69
disarming a triggered system ..69
Audio system (see Radio) ...15, 17
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................174
fluid, checking ........................174
fluid, refill capacities ..............181
fluid, specification ..................185
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................116
Auxiliary power point .................44
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........183
B
Battery .......................................157
acid, treating emergencies .....157
jumping a disabled battery ....135maintenance-free ....................157
replacement, specifications ...180
servicing ..................................157
BeltMinder ...................................85
Brakes ........................................110
anti-lock ...................................111
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................111
fluid, checking and adding ....174
fluid, refill capacities ..............181
fluid, specifications .........183, 185
lubricant specifications ..183, 185
parking ....................................112
shift interlock ..........................113
Bulbs ............................................31
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....181
Cargo area shade ........................56
Cargo cover .................................55
Cargo net .....................................55
CD changer .................................19
CD-single premium ...............15, 17
Cell phone use ............................52
Cellular telephone (see your
Cellular Phone Guide) ................52
Certification Label ....................187
Changing a tire .........................131
Child safety restraints ................97
child safety belts ......................97
Child safety seats ........................99
attaching with tether straps ..103
in front seat ............................100
in rear seat ......................100, 103
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............144
Index
235

Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................29
Liftgate ........................................54
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........111
speed control ............................51
Load limits .................................118
GAWR ......................................118
GVWR ......................................118
trailer towing ..........................118
Locks
childproof ..................................58
doors ..........................................58
Lubricant specifications ...183, 185
Lumbar support, seats ...............72
M
Mirrors .........................................44
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................45
heated ........................................48
side view mirrors (power) .......47
Moon roof ....................................51
Motorcraft parts ................168, 180
O
Octane rating ............................167
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................154
Overdrive ...................................114
P
Parking brake ............................112
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....180
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................48Power adjustable foot pedals .....48
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................129
Power door locks ........................58
Power point .................................44
Power steering ..........................113
fluid, checking and adding ....173
fluid, refill capacity ................181
fluid, specifications .........183, 185
Power Windows ...........................44
R
Radio ......................................15, 17
Rear window defroster ...............25
Relays ................................125, 131
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................62
locking/unlocking doors ...........58
opening the trunk .....................61
Roof rack .....................................57
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................75, 77–80, 82
Safety restraints ..............75, 77–83
belt minder ...............................85
cleaning the safety belts ..........89
extension assembly ..................88
for adults .............................78–80
for children .........................96–97
lap belt ......................................82
warning light and chime ....84–85
Safety seats for children ............99
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............75
Seats ............................................71
Index
238