2005 Mercury Sable tow

Seating and Safety Restraints 87
Seating 87
Safety restraints 92
Air bags 108
Child restraints 117
Tires, Wheels and Loading 130
Tire Information 131
Tire Inflation 132
Changing tires 135
Wheel lug nut torque 140
Vehicle loading 150
Trailer towing 156
Recreational towing 159
Driving 160
Starting 160
Brakes 164
Traction control 167
Transmission operation 168
Roadside Emergencies 173
Getting roadside assistance 173
Hazard flasher switch 174
Fuel pump shut-off switch 174
Fuses and relays 176
Jump starting 182
Wrecker towing 187
Customer Assistance 188
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 196
Cleaning 197
Table of Contents
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SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Warning symbols in this guide
How can you reduce the risk of personal injury to yourself or others? In
this guide, answers to such questions are contained in comments
highlighted by the warning triangle symbol. These comments should be
read and observed.
Warning symbols on your vehicle
When you see this symbol, it is
imperative that you consult the
relevant section of this guide before
touching or attempting adjustment
of any kind.
Protecting the environment
We must all play our part in
protecting the environment. Correct
vehicle usage and the authorized
disposal of waste, cleaning and
lubrication materials are significant
steps towards this aim. Information in this respect is highlighted in this
guide with the tree symbol.
BREAKING-IN YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle does not need an extensive break-in. Try not to drive
continuously at the same speed for the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
new vehicle operation. Vary your speed frequently in order to give the
moving parts a chance to break in.
Drive your new vehicle at least 500 miles (800 km) before towing a
trailer.
Do not add friction modifier compounds or special break-in oils during
the first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation, since these
additives may prevent piston ring seating. SeeEngine oilin the
Maintenance and Specificationschapter for more information on oil
usage.
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Introduction
5

5. Line up the CD with the groove
of the disc holder. Ensure that the
label on the CD faces downwards.
6. Press the disc holder until it locks
securely into the magazine.
Ensure that the disc holder is
evenly inserted and at the same
level as the magazine (A). The unit
will not operate if the disc holder is
not inserted at the same level (B).
RADIO FREQUENCIES
AM and FM frequencies are established by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC). Those frequencies are:
AM - 530, 540–1700, 1710 kHz
FM- 87.7, 87.9–107.7, 107.9 MHz
RADIO RECEPTION FACTORS
There are three factors that can affect radio reception:
•Distance/strength: The further you travel from an FM station, the
weaker the signal and the weaker the reception.
•Terrain: Hills, mountains, tall buildings, power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms can interfere with your reception.
•Station overload: When you pass a broadcast tower, a stronger signal
may overtake a weaker one and play while the weak station frequency
is displayed.
CASSETTE/PLAYER CARE
Do:
•Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less.
A
B
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Entertainment Systems
21

OPERATING TIPS
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity buildup within the cabin, do not drive with the
selector in the OFF or MAX A/C position.
•To improve A/C cool down, drive with the windows slightly open for
the first 2–3 minutes after starting the vehicle or until the vehicle has
“aired out.”
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For best cooling results when using the MAX A/C mode, move the
temperature control to full cold and initially set the fan to highest
speed, then adjust the temperature and fan to maintain comfort.
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
3. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
4. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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Climate Controls
24

OPERATING TIPS
•To reduce fog build up on the windshield during humid weather, place
the air flow selector in the
position.
•To reduce humidity build up inside the vehicle,do notdrive with the
airflow selector in the OFF position, or with
(recirculated air)
engaged without A/C engaged as well.
•Do not put objects under the front seats that will interfere with the
airflow to the back seats.
•Remove any snow, ice or leaves from the air intake area at the base of
the windshield.
•For maximum cooling in the AUTO mode, press AUTO and set to
desired temperature; do not press A/C or
(recirculated air). In
the manual override mode, press
,and A/C, then set the
temperature to 60°F (16°C) and the fan to the highest setting.
•To improve the A/C cool down of the vehicle cabin, drive with the
windows slightly open for the first 2–3 minutes after starting the
vehicle or until the vehicle has“aired out.”
To aid in side window defogging/demisting in cold weather:
1. Select
.
2. Select A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control to maintain comfort.
4. Set the fan speed to the highest setting.
5. Direct the outer instrument panel vents towards the side windows.
To increase airflow to the outer instrument panel vents, close the vents
located in the middle of the instrument panel.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
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Climate Controls
27

HEADLAMP CONTROL
Turns the lamps off.
Turns on the parking lamps,
instrument panel lamps, license
plate lamps and tail lamps.
Turns the headlamps on.
Autolamp control (if equipped)
The autolamp system provides light
sensitive automatic on-off control of
the exterior lights normally
controlled by the headlamp control.
The autolamp system also keeps the
lights on for a fixed period of time
after the ignition switch is turned to
OFF.
•To turn autolamps on, rotate the control counterclockwise.
•To turn autolamps off, rotate the control clockwise to OFF.
Foglamp control (if equipped)
The foglamps can be turned on
when the headlamp control is in
the
orposition and the
high beams are not turned on.
Pull headlamp control towards you
to turn foglamps on. The foglamp
indicator light
will illuminate.
Note:The foglamp“ON”indicator, in the headlamp switch, may be
illuminated even though the foglamps are not on. The foglamps will
illuminate once the ignition is in the run position.
A
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Lights
Lights
29

Daytime running lamps (DRL) (if equipped)
Turns the headlamps on with a reduced output.
To activate:
•the ignition must be in the ON position,
•the headlamp control is in the OFF or parking lamp position and
•the parking brake must be disengaged.
Always remember to turn on your headlamps at dusk or during
inclement weather. The Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) system
does not activate the tail lamps and generally may not provide
adequate lighting during these conditions. Failure to activate your
headlamps under these conditions may result in a collision.
High beams
Push the lever toward the
instrument panel to activate. Pull
the lever towards you to deactivate.
Flash to pass
Pull toward you slightly to activate
and release to deactivate.
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Lights
30

MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
Windshield wiper:Rotate the end
of the control away from you to
increase the speed of the wipers;
rotate towards you to decrease the
speed of the wipers.
Windshield washer:Push the end
of the stalk:
•briefly: causes a single swipe of
the wipers without washer fluid.
•a quick push and hold: the wipers
will swipe three times with
washer fluid.
•a long push and hold: the wipers and washer fluid will be activated for
up to ten seconds.
Rear window wiper and washer (wagon only)
The rear wiper control is located
under the headlamp controls. Press
the wiper control to activate the
rear wiper. Press again to turn off
the wiper.
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Driver Controls
Driver Controls
45