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If the“Check Fuel Cap”indicator comes on or if“Service Engine
Soon/Check Engine”indicator comes on and stays on when you start the
engine, the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. Turn off the
engine, remove the fuel filler cap, align the cap properly and reinstall it.
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) FUEL 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 additives.
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.
87(R+M)/2 METHOD
2004 Sable(sab)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
204
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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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
209
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Power door locks ........................72
Power Point
Cigar lighter ..............................47
Power steering ..........................135
fluid, checking and adding ....212
fluid, refill capacity ................230
fluid, specifications .........231, 233
Power Windows ...........................48
R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............27
Relays ........................................156
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................78
locking/unlocking doors ...........72
opening the trunk .....................76
Roadside assistance ..................148
Roof rack .....................................71
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........106
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................91, 94–97, 99
Safety defects, reporting ..........178
Safety restraints ............91, 94–100
belt minder .............................102
extension assembly ................106
for adults .............................95–97
for children .....................115–116
lap belt ......................................99
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................92
safety belt maintenance .........106
warning light and
chime ...............................101–102Safety seats for children ..........118
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............91
Seats ............................................87
child safety seats ....................118
front seats .................................88
Servicing your vehicle ..............185
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................18
AM/FM/Tape ..............................15
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........157
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................229, 233
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................231, 233
Speed control ..............................50
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......131
Starting your
vehicle ........................128–129, 131
jump starting ..........................162
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................46
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................46
Tires ...........................157, 216–217
alignment ................................224
care ..........................................222
changing ..................157, 159, 162
checking the pressure ............222
label .........................................222
replacing ..................................227
rotating ....................................224
safety practices .......................227
sidewall information ...............218
snow tires and chains ............228
2004 Sable(sab)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
245