If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in theScheduled Maintenance Guide. The
coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and distilled
water, which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant
concentration testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester
(such as the Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The
level of coolant should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”
level in the coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the
instructions in theAdding engine coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•Freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•Boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•Protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•Enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
LEAD
RETURN
RECYCLE
2004 Sable(sab)
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USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
196
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.
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.
2004 Sable(sab)
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USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
209
ItemsFord Part Name
or equivalentFord Part
NumberFord
Specification
Engine oil Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–LSP12
(Canada)WSS-M2C153-H
and API
Certification
Mark
Constant velocity
jointsCV Joint Grease
(High Temp.)XG-5 WSS-M2C258–A1
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA and
OR), VC-7-B (CA
and OR only)WSS
-M97B51–A1
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FXT-2-QDX MERCON
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcrarft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateZC-32–A WSB-M8B16–A2
1Ensure the correct automatic transmission fluid is used. Transmission
fluid requirements are indicated on the dipstick or on the dipstick
handle. Check the container to verify the fluid being added is of the
correct type. Refer to yourScheduled Maintenance Guideto determine
the correct service interval.
Some transmission fluids may be labeled as dual usage, such as
MERCONand MERCONV. These dual usage fluids are not to be used
in an automatic transmission that requires use of the MERCONtype
fluid. However, these dual usage fluids may be used in transmissions that
require the MERCONV type fluid.
MERCONand MERCONV type fluids are not interchangeable.
DO NOT mix MERCONand MERCONV. Use of a transmission
fluid that indicates dual usage (MERCONand MERCONV) in
an automatic transmission application requiring MERCONmay
cause transmission damage. Use of any fluid other than the
recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.
2004 Sable(sab)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
232
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............180
instrument panel ....................182
interior .....................................182
interior trim ............................183
plastic parts ............................181
washing ....................................179
waxing .....................................179
wheels ......................................180
wiper blades ............................182
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ............25
Clock adjust
AM/FM/CD .................................18
AM/FM/Tape ..............................15
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................60
Console ........................................66
Controls
power seat .................................89
Coolant
checking and adding ..............196
refill capacities ................200, 230
specifications ..................231, 233
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ....................50
Customer Assistance ................148
Ford accessories for your
vehicle .....................................184
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................172
Getting assistance outside
the U.S. and Canada ..............176
Getting roadside assistance ...148
Getting the service you
need .........................................170
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................177
The Dispute Settlement
Board .......................................172Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................175
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................29
Defrost
rear window ..............................27
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................214
engine oil .................................190
Doors
lubricant specifications ..........231
Driving under special
conditions ..................................140
through water .........................140
E
Electronic message center .........57
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................162
Emergency Flashers .................149
Emission control system ..........210
Engine ........................................233
cleaning ...................................180
coolant .....................................196
idle speed control ...................194
lubrication
specifications ..................231, 233
refill capacities ........................230
service points ..................187–188
starting after a collision .........149
Engine block heater .................132
Engine oil ..................................190
checking and adding ..............190
2004 Sable(sab)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
242
Instrument panel
cleaning ...................................182
cluster ........................................10
lighting up panel and
interior .......................................30
J
Jack ............................................157
positioning ...............................157
storage .....................................157
Jump-starting your vehicle ......162
K
Keyless entry system .................80
Keys
positions of the ignition .........128
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................29
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................34
daytime running light ...............29
fog lamps ...................................29
headlamps .................................29
headlamps, flash to pass ..........30
instrument panel, dimming .....30
interior lamps .....................32–35
replacing
bulbs ..................34, 36, 38–41, 43
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................32
Liftgate ........................................68
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........133
Load limits .................................140Locks
childproof ..................................73
doors ..........................................72
Lubricant specifications ...231, 233
Luggage rack ...............................71
Lumbar support, seats ...............88
M
Message center ...........................57
english/metric button ...............62
system check button ................63
warning messages .....................63
Mirrors ...................................47–48
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................48
heated ........................................49
side view mirrors (power) .......49
Moon roof ....................................53
Motorcraft parts ................206, 229
O
Octane rating ............................204
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................190
Overdrive ...................................137
P
Parking brake ............................134
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....229
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor ...................92
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................50
Power adjustable foot pedals .....50
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................154
2004 Sable(sab)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
244