2002 Mercury Sable Owner's Manuals

•Do not insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer
magazine.
CD units are designed to play commercially pressed 12 cm
(4.75 in) audio compact discs only. Due to technical
incompatibility, certain recordable and re-recordable compact
discs may not function correctly when used in Ford CD players.
Irregular shaped CDs, CDs with a scratch protection film
attached, and CDs with homemade paper (adhesive) labels should
not be inserted into the CD player. The label may peel and cause
the CD to become jammed. It is recommended that homemade
CDs be identified with permanent felt tip marker rather than
adhesive labels. Ball point pens may damage CDs. Please contact
your dealer for further information.
CLEANING CASSETTE PLAYER (IF EQUIPPED)
Clean the tape player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after 10 to
12 hours of play in order to maintain the best sound and operation.
CASSETTE AND CASSETTE PLAYER CARE
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
•Do not expose tapes to direct sunlight, high humidity, extreme heat or
extreme cold. Allow tapes that may have been exposed to extreme
temperatures to reach a moderate temperature before playing.
•Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole
and turning the hub.
•Remove loose labels before inserting tapes.
•Do not leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not
being played.
RADIO FREQUENCY INFORMATION
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio
and Telecommunications Commission(CRTC) establish the frequencies
AM and FM stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies
are:
AM 530, 540–1600, 1610 kHz
FM 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
Not all frequencies are used in a given area.
Entertainment Systems
33

RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
Three factors can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(24 miles). This range can be affected by“signal modulation.”Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
•Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle’s
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its“shadow”) returns your reception to normal.
•Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
AUDIO SYSTEM WARRANTIES AND SERVICE
Refer to theWarranty Guidefor audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
Entertainment Systems
34

MANUAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
(IF EQUIPPED)
Fan speed control
Controls the volume of air circulated
in the vehicle.
Temperature control knob
Controls the temperature of the
airflow inside the vehicle.
Mode Selector Control
Controls the direction of the airflow
to the inside of the vehicle.
R
A/C
MAX
A/COFF
A/C
Climate Controls
35

The air conditioning compressor can operate in all modes except
and. However, the air conditioning will only function if the outside
temperature is about 6°C (43°F) or higher.
Since the air conditioner removes considerable moisture from the air
during operation, it is normal if clear water drips on the ground under
the air conditioner drain while the system is working and even after you
have stopped the vehicle.
•MAX A/C–Uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. MAX A/C is
noisier than A/C but more economical and will cool the inside of the
vehicle faster. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. This
mode can also be used to prevent undesirable odors from entering the
vehicle.
•A/C–Uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter than MAX A/C
but not as economical. Airflow will be from the instrument panel
registers.
•
(Panel)–Distributes outside air through the instrument panel
registers. However, the air will not be cooled below the outside
temperature because the air conditioning does not operate in this
mode.
•OFF–Outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate. For short
periods of time only, use this mode to prevent undesirable odors from
entering the vehicle.
•
(Panel and floor)–Distributes outside air through the
instrument panel registers and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, when the temperature control knob is anywhere in
between the full hot and full cold positions, the air distributed through
the floor ducts will be slightly warmer than the air sent to the
instrument panel registers.
•
(Floor)–Distributes outside air through the floor ducts.
However, the air will not be cooled below the outside temperature
because the air conditioning does not operate in this mode.
•
(Floor and defrost)–Distributes outside air through the
windshield defroster ducts and the floor ducts. Heating and air
conditioning capabilities are provided in this mode. For added
customer comfort, the air distributed through the floor ducts will be
slightly warmer than the air sent to the windshield defroster ducts. If
the temperature is about 6°C (43°F) or higher, the air conditioner will
automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Climate Controls
36

•(Defrost)–Distributes outside air through the windshield
defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.
If the temperature is about 6°C (43°F) or higher, the air conditioner
will automatically dehumidify the air to reduce fogging.
Operating tips
•In humid weather conditions, place the climate control system in
Defrost mode before driving. This will reduce fogging on your
windshield. Once the windshield has been cleared, operate the climate
control system as desired.
•To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in cold weather
conditions, don’t drive with the climate control system in the OFF or
MAX A/C position.
•To reduce humidity buildup inside the vehicle in warm weather
conditions, don’t drive with the climate control system in the OFF
position.
•Under normal weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate control
system should be left in any position other than the MAX A/C or OFF
when the vehicle is parked. This allows the vehicle to“breathe”
through the outside air inlet duct.
•Under snowy or dirty weather conditions, your vehicle’s climate
control system should be left in the OFF position when the vehicle is
parked. This allows the climate control system to be free from
contamination of outside pollutants.
•If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during warm
weather conditions, the air conditioner will perform more efficiently in
cooling the vehicle if driven for two or three minutes with the
windows open. This will force most of the hot, stale air out of the
vehicle. Once the vehicle has been“aired out”, operate the climate
control system as desired.
•Do not put objects under the front seat which may interfere with the
airflow to the rear seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield and underneath the hood).
•Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce visibility through your windshield. Avoid
placing small objects on top of the instrument panel. These objects
may fall down into the defroster outlets and block airflow, in addition
to, damaging the climate control system.
Climate Controls
37

To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather conditions:
1. Select the position that distributes air through the Panel and Floor.
2. Set the temperature control to full heat.
3. Set the fan speed to full fan.
4. Direct the outer panel vents towards the side windows.
5. To increase airflow to the outer panel vents, close the central panel
vents.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (EATC)
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The EATC system will maintain a selected temperature and automatically
control airflow. You can override automatic operation with any of the
override controls or the fan speed control.
F
R
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
Climate Controls
38

Turning the EATC on
Press AUTO, any of the override controls or the fan speed control. The
EATC will only operate when the vehicle is running.
Turning the EATC system off
Press OFF. The outside temperature
function will continue to operate
until the ignition is turned off.
Automatic operation
Press AUTO and select the desired temperature. The selected
temperature and the word AUTO will appear in the display window. The
EATC system will either heat or cool to achieve the selected
temperature. The system will automatically determine fan speed, airflow
location and if outside air or recirculated air is required. Fan speed
remains automatic unless the fan speed control is pressed or the steering
wheel fan speed control (if equipped) is pressed.
When in AUTO and weather conditions require heat, air will be sent to
the floor. However, if the engine is not warm enough to provide heat, the
fan will be at a low speed and the air will be directed to the windshield.
In approximately 3
1⁄2minutes or less, the fan speed will start to increase
and the airflow location will change to the floor area.
If unusual conditions exist (i.e.-window fogging, etc.), the manual
override controls allow you to select airflow locations and the fan control
allows you to adjust fan speed as necessary.
F
R
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
AUTO
TEMPOFF
MAX
A/CTEMP
OUTSIDE
Climate Controls
39

Temperature selection
The display window indicates the
selected temperature, function
(AUTO or one of the override
controls) and manual control of fan
speed (
) if automatic fan speed
is not desired.
To control the temperature, select
any temperature between 18°C
(65°F) and 29°C (85°F) by pressing
the temperature control.
For continuous maximum cooling, push the temperature control until
16°C (60°F) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum cooling (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a
warmer temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control.
For continuous maximum heating, push the temperature control until
32°C (90°F) is shown in the display window. The EATC will continue
maximum heating (disregarding the displayed temperature) until a
cooler temperature is selected by pressing the temperature control.
Temperature conversion
Press MAX A/C and F
at the same time (until the display changes)
to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.
F
AUTO
FAN• • •
AUTO
TEMPOFF
MAX
A/CTEMP
OUTSIDE
F
R
AUTO
TEMPOFFTEMP
MAX
A/C
OUTSIDE
Climate Controls
40