2005 Mercury Sable tires

1 (First)
•Provides maximum engine braking.
•Allows upshifts by moving gearshift lever.
•Will not downshift into 1 (First) at high speeds; allows for 1 (First)
when vehicle reaches slower speeds.
When parking, do not use the gearshift in place of the parking
brake. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in Park (P). Turn off the ignition
whenever you leave your vehicle. Never leave your vehicle unattended
while it is running. If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle
may move unexpectedly and injure someone.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow, it may be rocked out by
shifting between forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts in a
steady pattern. Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
If necessary, try turning the Traction Control
system off. This will allow
the wheels to spin, which may help to free your stuck vehicle. For more
information, refer toTraction Control
(if equipped)in this chapter.
Do not rock the vehicle if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature or damage to the transmission may occur.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a minute or damage to the
transmission and tires may occur, or the engine may overheat.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
If driving through deep or standing water is unavoidable, proceed very
slowly especially when the depth is not known. Never drive through
water that is higher than the bottom of the hubs (for trucks) or the
bottom of the wheel rims (for cars). When driving through water,
traction or brake capability may be limited. Also, water may enter your
engine’s air intake and severely damage your engine or your vehicle may
stall.Driving through deep water where the transmission vent
tube is submerged may allow water into the transmission and
cause internal transmission damage.
Once through the water, always dry the brakes by moving your
vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Wet brakes do not stop the vehicle as quickly as dry brakes.
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Driving
172

•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if unnecessary
shifting between third and fourth gear occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•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
1 mpg [0.4 km/L] is lost for every 400 lb [180 kg] 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
8–10 miles (12–16 km) 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.
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Maintenance and Specifications
227

R
Radio ......................................15, 18
Rear window defroster ...............28
Relays ........................................181
Remote entry system
illuminated entry ......................78
locking/unlocking doors ...........72
opening the trunk .....................76
Roadside assistance ..................173
Roof rack .....................................71
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........108
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ................92, 95–98, 100
Safety defects, reporting ..........196
Safety restraints ............92, 95–101
belt minder .............................103
extension assembly ................107
for adults .............................96–98
for children .....................117–118
lap belt ....................................100
Occupant Classification
Sensor ........................................93
safety belt maintenance .........108
warning light and
chime ...............................102–103
Safety seats for children ..........121
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) ...............92
Seats ............................................87
child safety seats ....................121
front seats .................................88
Servicing your vehicle ..............203
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................18AM/FM/Tape ..............................15
Spare tire
(see Changing the Tire) ...........135
Spark plugs, specifications ......234,
237
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................236–237
Speed control ..............................50
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......163
Starting your
vehicle ........................160–161, 163
jump starting ..........................182
Steering wheel
tilting .........................................47
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................47
Tires ...........................130–131, 135
alignment ................................147
care ..........................................146
changing ..........................135, 137
checking the pressure ............133
inspecting and inflating .........132
label .........................................145
replacing ..................................135
rotating ....................................148
safety practices .......................147
sidewall information ...............141
snow tires and chains ............150
spare tire .................................136
terminology .............................131
tire grades ...............................131
treadwear ........................130, 146
Towing .......................................156
recreational towing .................159
trailer towing ..........................156
wrecker ....................................187
Traction control ........................167
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Index
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