2003 Mercury Sable light

If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace it with a fuel filler
cap that is designed for your vehicle. The customer warranty may
be void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel system if the
correct genuine Ford or Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Choosing the right fuel
Use only UNLEADED FUEL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
If your vehicle is a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV), use only UNLEADED
FUEL and (E85) ETHANOL. The use of leaded fuel is prohibited by law
and could damage your vehicle.
Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can damage critical fuel system
components.
Your vehicle was not designed to use fuel or fuel additives with metallic
compounds, including manganese-based compounds containing MMT.
Repairs to correct the effects of using a fuel for which your vehicle was
not designed may not be covered by your warranty.
Octane recommendations
Do not be concerned if your engine
sometimes knocks lightly. However,
if it knocks heavily under most
driving conditions while you are
using fuel with the recommended
octane rating, see your dealer or a qualified service technician to prevent
any engine damage.
Unleaded Gasoline engines
Your vehicle is designed to use“Regular”unleaded gasoline with an
(R+M)/2 octane rating of 87. We do not recommend the use of gasolines
labeled as“Regular”that are sold with octane ratings of 86 or lower in
high altitude areas.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
Maintenance and Specifications
180

•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

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

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

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

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