Page 13 of 248
GAUGES
Speedometer:Indicates the
current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature
gauge:Indicates engine coolant
temperature. At normal operating
temperature, the needle will be in
the normal range (between“H”and
“C”).If it enters the red section,
the engine is overheating. Stop
the vehicle as soon as safely
possible, switch off the engine and let the engine cool.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
13
Page 14 of 248

Tachometer:Indicates the engine
speed in revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer continuously at the top of
the scale may damage the engine.
Fuel gauge:Indicates
approximately how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank (when the ignition
is in the ON position). The fuel
gauge may vary slightly when the
vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
The FUEL icon and arrow indicates
which side of the vehicle the fuel
filler door is located.
Refer toFilling the tankin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter for more information.
Odometer:Registers the total miles
(kilometers) of the vehicle.
Refer toMessage Centerin the
Drivers Controlschapter on how to
switch the display from Metric to
English.
Trip odometer:Registers the miles
(kilometers) of individual journeys.
Press and release the message
center INFO button until“TRIP”
appears in the display (this
represents the trip mode). Press
and hold the RESET button for three seconds to reset.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14
Page 61 of 248

2. Start the engine.
3. Press and hold the INFO button for 2 seconds to select the
Compass/Odometer function. (Do not select Trip, DTE, or AFE. The top
of the message center must be blank).
Note:If the compass displaysCAL 000000.0 miinstead of heading
information, the compass will need to be calibrated. Slowly drive the
vehicle in a circle (less than 3 mph [5 km/h]) until theCALindicator
changes to display compass heading. This may take up to 3 circles to
complete calibration.
4. Determine your magnetic zone by
referring to the zone map.
5. Press and hold the RESET until
the message center display changes
to show the current zone setting.
6. Release the RESET control, then
slowly press RESET down again.
7. Press the SET control repeatedly
until the correct zone setting for
your geographic location is
displayed on the message center. To exit the zone setting mode press
and release the RESET control.
8. Press the RESET control to start
the compass calibration function.
1 2 3
4
5
6 7 8 9 101112 13 14 15
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
61
Page 63 of 248

Units (English/Metric)
1. Select this function from the
SETUP menu for the current units
to be displayed.
2. Press the RESET control to
change from English to Metric.
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either an OK message or a warning message
for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL PRESSURE
2. CHARGING SYSTEM
3. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
4. FUEL LEVEL
5. DOORS CLOSED (If RESET control is pressed PLEASE CLOSE DOOR
will be displayed).
6. PARK BRAKE STATUS
7. ENGINE TEMP
8. BRAKE SYSTEM
9. TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped)
System warnings
System warnings alert you to possible problems or malfunctions in your
vehicle’s operating systems.
In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will cycle
the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
63
Page 64 of 248

Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will not disappear until a condition is changed.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warnings Status
Driver’s door ajar Warning cannot be reset (CLOSE
DOOR TO RESET) will be displayed
Passenger door ajar
Left rear door ajar
Right rear door ajar
Park brake engaged RELEASE PARK BRAKE will be
displayed
Check engine temp Warning returns after 10 minutes
Transmission overheated
Check transmission
Low fuel level
Check fuel cap
Check charging system
Oil pressure low
Check brake system
Low brake fluid Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Liftgate ajar (if equipped)
Check Traction Control (if
equipped)
Data error
DRIVER’S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
64
Page 65 of 248

PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
CHECK ENGINE TEMPERATURE.Displayed when the engine
coolant is overheating. Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn
off the engine and let it cool. Check the coolant and coolant level. Refer
toEngine coolantin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter. If
the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your dealer as
soon as possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Refer toTransmission fluidin theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on,
contact your dealer for transmission service as soon as possible.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK FUEL CAP.Displayed when the fuel filler cap is not properly
installed. Check the fuel filler cap for proper installation. Refer toFuel
filler capin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
OIL PRESSURE LOW.Displayed when the engine oil level is low. If this
warning message is displayed, check the level of the engine oil. Refer to
Engine oilin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter for
information about adding engine oil.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toChecking and
adding brake fluidin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
65
Page 66 of 248

LIFTGATE AJAR (if equipped).Displayed when the liftgate is not
completely closed.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Controlsystem is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlin theDrivingchapter.
DATA ERR.These messages indicate improper operation of the vehicle
network communication between electronic modules.
•Fuel computer
•Charging system
•Coolant system
•Traction control (if equipped)
•Door sensor
•Brake fluid
•Compass (if equipped)
•Outside temperature (if equipped)
•Engine sensor
•Transmission sensor
•Fuel cap sensor
•Seat belt sensor
•Park brake
•Oil pressure sensor
Contact your dealer as soon as possible if these messages occur on a
regular basis.
CENTER CONSOLE
Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These
include:
•Utility compartment
•Bin mat (snap-in)
•Cupholders (front and rear)
•Coin holder slots
•Compact disc changer (if equipped)
•Tissue holder
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Driver Controls
66
Page 72 of 248

KEYS
The key operates all locks on your vehicle. In case of loss, replacement
keys are available from your dealer.
You should always carry a second key with you in a safe place in case
you require it in an emergency.
Refer to theSecuriLockpassive anti-theft systemsection in this
chapter for more information.
POWER DOOR LOCKS
Press control to unlock or lock all
doors.
AUTOLOCK (IF EQUIPPED)
This feature automatically locks all vehicle doors when the following
conditions are met:
•all the doors are closed,
•the engine is running,
•you shift into gear, putting the vehicle in motion, and.
•the vehicle’s speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
RELOCK
The autolock feature repeats when the following conditions are met:
•any door is opened then closed while the engine is running, and
•you shift into gear, putting the vehicle in motion, and
•the vehicle’s speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
TO DEACTIVATE/REACTIVATE THE AUTOLOCK FEATURE USING
THE POWER DOOR UNLOCK CONTROL
You must complete Steps 1-4 within 30 seconds or the procedure will
have to be repeated. If the procedure needs to be repeated, you must
wait 30 seconds.Note:All doors must be closed and remain closed
throughout the process.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Sable(sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)(own2002),
Market:USA_English(fus)
Locks and Security
Locks and Security
72