2003 Mercury Sable lights

Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational
The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument
cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer
to theWarning Lightsection in theInstrument Clusterchapter.
Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not required.
The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, and the driver
seat position sensor. In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints
warning light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is
indicated by one or more of the following.
•The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
•The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal
Safety System serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
Safety belt precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always
properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag (SRS) is
provided.
Seating and Safety Restraints
79

are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time
of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be
properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag has deployed,the air bag will not function
again and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
Determining if the system is operational
The supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator in the
instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theWarning lightsection in theInstrument cluster
chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
•The readiness light (same light
for front and side air bag system)
will either flash or stay lit.
•The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.
•A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
Side air bag system (if equipped)
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag
cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front
seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure
to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
Seating and Safety Restraints
95

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel,
automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine without
locking the steering wheel. This
position also allows the automatic
transmission shift lever to be moved from the P (Park) position without
the brake pedal being depressed.
When the key is in the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from the P (Park) position
without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle
movement, always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated with
engine off. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, don’t press the accelerator before
or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty
starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to
Starting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
1
23
4
5
Driving
Driving
109

Make sure the corresponding lights illuminate or illuminate briefly. If a
light fails to illuminate, have the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the
engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter.
1. Turn the key to 5 (START)
without pressing the accelerator
pedal and release as soon as the
engine starts. The key will return to
4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is above -12°C
(10°F) and the engine does not
start within five seconds on the first
try, turn the key to OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again.
3. If the temperature is below -12°C (10°F) and the engine does not
start in 15 seconds on the first try, turn the key OFF and wait 10
seconds and try again. If the engine does not start in two attempts, Press
the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and hold. Turn the key to
START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then release the accelerator
pedal gradually as the engine speeds up.
5. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake, shift into gear and
drive.
Cold weather starting (flexible fuel vehicles only)
In cold weather, ethanol fuel distributors should supply winter grade
(E
d85) ethanol. If summer grade (Ed85) ethanol is used in cold weather,
you may experience increased cranking times, rough idle or hesitation
until the engine has warmed up. Consult your fuel distributor for the
availability of winter grade (E
d85) ethanol. High-quality blends of winter
grade (E
d85) ethanol will produce satisfactory cold weather starting and
driving results.
Cold starting performance can also be improved by using an engine block
heater. Engine block heaters are available as an option and can be
obtained from your Ford dealer. Consult the engine block heater section
for proper use of the engine block heater.
3
4
1 2
5
Driving
112

Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult your“Warranty Guide”for complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
present, theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your
indicator is on, refer to the
description in theWarning lights and chimessection of the
Instrument Clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the
indicator on.
Maintenance and Specifications
187

F
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....176
Floor mats ...................................55
Fluid capacities .........................197
Foglamps .....................................29
Fuel ............................................176
calculating fuel economy .......182
cap ...........................................179
capacity ...................................197
choosing the right fuel ...........180
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................185
detergent in fuel .....................182
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................176, 179, 183
filter, specifications ........182, 196
fuel pump shut-off switch .....128
improving fuel economy ........182
octane rating ...................180, 200
quality ......................................181
running out of fuel .................182
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................176
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .................................176, 180
Fuses ..........................................130
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............179
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................182
Gauges .........................................13
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating) .......................................121
definition .................................121
driving with a heavy load ......121
location ....................................121GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) .......................................121
calculating ...............................121
definition .................................121
driving with a heavy load ......121
location ....................................121
H
Hazard flashers .........................128
Headlamps ...................................29
aiming ........................................31
autolamp system .......................29
bulb specifications ....................34
daytime running lights .............29
flash to pass ..............................30
high beam .................................30
replacing bulbs .........................35
turning on and off ....................29
Heating
heating and air conditioning
system .................................24–25
Hood ..........................................163
I
Ignition ...............................109, 200
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................101
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................187
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................159
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and interior..30
J
Jack ............................................136
positioning ...............................136
storage .....................................136
Index
209

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