2003 Mercury Sable window

•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•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.
Maintenance and Specifications
185

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).
•Avoid running out of fuel.
•Do not turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving, especially at
high speeds.
•Have the items listed in your scheduled maintenance guide performed
according to the specified schedule.
The scheduled maintenance items listed in the scheduled maintenance
guide are essential to the life and performance of your vehicle and to its
emissions system.
If other than Ford, Motorcraft or Ford-authorized parts are used for
maintenance replacements or for service of components affecting
emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the
indicator, charging system warning light or the
temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or loss of
engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is not
working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Maintenance and Specifications
186

instrument panel ....................159
interior .............................159–160
interior trim ............................160
plastic parts ............................158
washing ....................................156
waxing .....................................156
wheels ......................................157
wiper blades ............................159
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............25
Compass, electronic ....................49
calibration .................................50
set zone adjustment .................49
Console ........................................54
Controls
power seat .................................75
Coolant
checking and adding ..............172
refill capacities ................175, 197
specifications ..................198, 200
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................51
Customer Assistance ................127
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................161
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................149
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................153
Getting roadside assistance ...127
Getting the service you need 147
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................154
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................149
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................152D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................29
Defrost
rear window ..............................28
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid .190
engine oil .................................167
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........198
Driving under special
conditions ..................................120
through water .........................121
E
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................140
Emergency Flashers .................128
Emission control system ..........186
Engine ........................................200
cleaning ...................................157
coolant .....................................172
idle speed control ...................170
lubrication specifications ......198,
200
refill capacities ........................197
service points ..................164–165
starting after a collision .........128
Engine block heater .................113
Engine oil ..................................167
checking and adding ..............167
dipstick ....................................167
filter, specifications ........169, 196
recommendations ...................169
refill capacities ........................197
specifications ..................198, 200
Exhaust fumes ..........................113
Index
208

Jump-starting your vehicle ......140
K
Keyless entry system .................66
Keys
positions of the ignition .........109
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................34
cargo lamps ...............................30
daytime running light ...............29
fog lamps ...................................29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps ...............32–33, 35
replacing
bulbs .................. 34–35, 38–40, 43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Liftgate ........................................56
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........114
speed control ............................54
Load limits .................................121
GAWR ......................................121
GVWR ......................................121
trailer towing ..........................121
Locks
childproof ..................................60
doors ..........................................60
Lubricant specifications ...198, 200
Lumbar support, seats ...............74
M
Mirrors ...................................47–48automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................48
heated ........................................51
side view mirrors (power) .......50
Moon roof ....................................54
Motorcraft parts ................182, 196
O
Octane rating ............................180
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................167
Overdrive ...................................118
P
Parking brake ............................115
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....196
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................51
Power adjustable foot pedals .....51
Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................133
Power door locks ........................60
Power point .................................47
Power steering ..........................116
fluid, checking and adding ....188
fluid, refill capacity ................197
fluid, specifications .........198, 200
Power Windows ...........................47
R
Radio ......................................16, 18
Rear window defroster ...............28
Relays ........................................135
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................65
Index
210

Warning lights (see Lights) .......10
Washer fluid ..............................166
Water, Driving through .............121
Windows
power .........................................47
rear wiper/washer .....................45Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................45
checking and adding fluid
.....166
liftgate reservoir
.....................167
replacing wiper blades
.............46
Wrecker towing
.........................145
Index
212