2003 Mercury Sable child seat

Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a
child seat with LATCH attachments. Two plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. They
snap onto the LATCH lower anchors in the seat to help attach a child
seat with rigid attachments. The guides hold the seat trim away to
expose the anchor and make it easier to attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the
anchors shown.
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten
the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without
lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the
vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly
attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child
seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child
being injured in a crash greatly increases.
Seating and Safety Restraints
108

A
Accessory delay ..........................48
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ..............................91–92, 95
and child safety seats ..............94
description ..........................92, 95
disposal ......................................97
driver air bag ................92, 94, 96
indicator light ...........................95
operation .......................92, 94, 96
passenger air bag .........92, 94, 96
side air bag ................................95
Air cleaner filter .......................196
Air conditioning ..........................25
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................172
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................114
Anti-theft system ........................71
arming the system ....................71
disarming a triggered system ..72
Audio system (see Radio) ...16, 18
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................190
fluid, checking ........................190
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specification ..................200
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................119
Auxiliary power point .................47
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........198
B
Battery .......................................170acid, treating emergencies .....170
jumping a disabled battery ....140
maintenance-free ....................170
replacement, specifications ...196
servicing ..................................170
BeltMinder ...................................87
Brakes ........................................114
anti-lock ...................................114
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................114
fluid, checking and adding ....189
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
fluid, specifications .........198, 200
lubricant specifications ..198, 200
parking ....................................115
shift interlock ..........................117
Bulbs ............................................34
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....197
Cargo area shade ........................58
Cargo cover .................................57
Cargo net .....................................57
CD changer .................................20
CD-single premium ...............16, 18
Cell phone use ............................55
Certification Label ....................202
Changing a tire .........................136
Child safety restraints ................98
child safety belts ......................98
Child safety seats ......................101
attaching with tether straps ..105
in front seat ............................102
in rear seat ......................102, 105
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............157
Index
Index
207

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

locking/unlocking doors ...........60
opening the trunk .....................63
Roadside assistance ..................127
Roof rack .....................................59
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ............91
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................77, 79–82, 84
Safety defects, reporting ..........155
Safety restraints ..............77, 79–85
belt minder ...............................87
extension assembly ..................90
for adults .............................80–82
for children .........................97–98
lap belt ......................................84
safety belt maintenance ...........91
warning light and chime ....86–87
Safety seats for children ..........101
Seat belts (see Safety
restraints) ....................................77
Seats ............................................73
child safety seats ....................101
cleaning ...................................159
Servicing your vehicle ..............162
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................136
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................196, 200
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................198, 200
Speed control ..............................51
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......112
Starting your vehicle .......109–110,
112
jump starting ..........................140Steering wheel
tilting .........................................46
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................46
Tires ...........................136, 191–193
changing ..........................136–137
checking the pressure ............193
replacing ..................................194
rotating ....................................193
snow tires and chains ............195
tire grades ...............................193
treadwear ................................192
Towing .......................................123
recreational towing .................126
trailer towing ..........................123
wrecker ....................................145
Traction control ........................115
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............197
lubricant specifications ..........200
Transmission .............................117
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................190
lubricant specifications ..........198
Trunk ...............................57, 59–60
remote release ....................56, 63
Turn signal ..................................32
V
Vehicle dimensions ...................200
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................203
Vehicle loading ..........................121
Ventilating your vehicle ...........113
W
Warning chimes .........................115
Index
211