2008 Mercury Sable ABS

CHANGING THE WIPER BLADES
1. Pull the wiper blade and arm
away from the glass. Turn the blade
at a right angle to the arm.
2. Squeeze the locking tabs to
release the blade from the arm and
pull the blade away from the arm to
remove it.
3. Attach the new blade to the arm and snap it into place.
Replace wiper blades at least once per year for optimum performance.
Poor wiper quality can be improved by cleaning the wiper blades and the
windshield, refer toWindows and wiper bladesin theCleaning
chapter.
To prolong the life of the wiper blades, it is highly recommended to
scrape off the ice on the windshield before turning on the wipers. The
layer of ice has many sharp edges and can damage the micro edge of the
wiper rubber element.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate
intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain into the
oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
287

Observe the following guidelines when handling automotive fuel:
•Extinguish all smoking materials
and any open flames before
refueling your vehicle.
•Always turn off the vehicle before
refueling.
•Automotive fuels can be harmful
or fatal if swallowed. Fuel such as gasoline is highly toxic and if
swallowed can cause death or permanent injury. If fuel is swallowed,
call a physician immediately, even if no symptoms are immediately
apparent. The toxic effects of fuel may not be visible for hours.
•Avoid inhaling fuel vapors. Inhaling too much fuel vapor of any kind
can lead to eye and respiratory tract irritation. In severe cases,
excessive or prolonged breathing of fuel vapor can cause serious
illness and permanent injury.
•Avoid getting fuel liquid in your eyes. If fuel is splashed in the eyes,
remove contact lenses (if worn), flush with water for 15 minutes and
seek medical attention. Failure to seek proper medical attention could
lead to permanent injury.
•Fuels can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin. If fuel is
splashed on the skin and/or clothing, promptly remove contaminated
clothing and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Repeated or
prolonged skin contact with fuel liquid or vapor causes skin irritation.
•Be particularly careful if you are taking “Antabuse” or other forms of
disulfiram for the treatment of alcoholism. Breathing gasoline vapors,
or skin contact could cause an adverse reaction. In sensitive
individuals, serious personal injury or sickness may result. If fuel is
splashed on the skin, promptly wash skin thoroughly with soap and
water. Consult a physician immediately if you experience an adverse
reaction.
When refueling always shut the engine off and never allow
sparks or open flames near the filler neck. Never smoke while
refueling. Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Care should be taken to avoid inhaling excess fumes.
The flow of fuel through a fuel pump nozzle can produce static
electricity, which can cause a fire if fuel is pumped into an
ungrounded fuel container.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
298

Refueling
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel fire can cause severe
injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others:
•Read and follow all the instructions on the pump island;
•Turn off your engine when you are refueling;
•Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle;
•Keep sparks, flames and smoking materials away from fuel;
•Stay outside your vehicle and do not leave the fuel pump unattended
when refueling your vehicle — this is against the law in some places;
•Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump
fuel.
Use the following guidelines to avoid electrostatic charge build-up when
filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the vehicle (including the
cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the fuel container while
filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel pump handle in the fill
position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with a 1/4 turn on/off
feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn until it
stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with the notches on the
filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/4 of a turn until it clicks at least once.
If the check fuel cap light
or a “check fuel cap” message comes on,
the fuel filler cap may not be properly installed. The light or message can
come on after several driving events after you’ve refueled your vehicle.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
299

6. Replace the air filter housing
cover and secure the clamps. Be
sure that the air cleaner cover tabs
are engaged into the slots of the air
cleaner housing.
Note:Failure to use the correct air filter element may result in severe
engine damage. The customer warranty may be void for any damage to
the engine if the correct air filter element is not used.
MOTORCRAFT PART NUMBERS
Component 3.5L V6 Engine
Engine air filter element FA-1884
Battery BXT-59
Oil filter FL-400-SB12
PCV valve
1
Spark plugs2
1
The PCV valve is a critical emission component. It is one of the items
listed in thescheduled maintenance informationand is essential to
the life and performance of your vehicle and to its emissions system.
For PCV valve replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the PCV valve.
Replace the PCV valve with one that meets Ford material and design
specifications for your vehicle, such as a Motorcraft or equivalent
replacement part. The customer warranty may be void for any
damage to the emissions system if such a PCV valve is not used.
2For spark plug replacement, see your authorized dealer. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationfor the appropriate intervals for
changing the spark plugs.
Replace the spark plugs with ones that meet Ford material and
design specifications for your vehicle, such as Motorcraft or
equivalent replacement parts. The customer warranty may be void
for any damage to the engine if such spark plugs are not used.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
312

A
Accessory delay ..........................98
AdvanceTrac ..............................228
Air cleaner filter ...............311–312
Air conditioning ....................76, 78
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ................163–164, 172, 174
and child safety seats ............165
description ..............164, 172, 174
disposal ....................................177
driver airbag ............166, 173, 175
indicator light .................172, 177
operation .................166, 173, 175
passenger airbag .....166, 173, 175
side airbag ...............................172
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................238
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................292
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................226
Anti-theft system ..............137, 140
arming the system ..................140
disarming a triggered
system .....................................141
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................16, 20, 28
Automatic transaxle
fluid, adding ............................309
fluid, checking ........................309
fluid, refill capacities ..............313
fluid, specification ..................313
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................234
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36
B
Battery .......................................290acid, treating emergencies .....290
jumping a disabled battery ....261
maintenance-free ....................290
replacement, specifications ...312
servicing ..................................290
Belt-Minder.............................159
Booster seats .............................178
Brakes ........................................226
anti-lock ...................................226
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................226
fluid, checking and adding ....309
fluid, refill capacities ..............313
fluid, specifications .................313
lubricant specifications ..........313
parking ....................................227
shift interlock ..........................232
Bulbs ............................................87
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....313
Cargo cover ...............................120
Cargo net ...................................121
Cell phone use ..............................7
Changing a tire .........................253
Child safety restraints ..............178
child safety belts ....................178
Child safety seats ......................182
attaching with tether straps ..186
in front seat ............................183
in rear seat ..............................183
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................178
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............278
instrument panel ....................280
interior .....................................280
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
321

autolock ...................................124
keypad .....................................135
locking and unlocking doors ..136
programming entry code .......135
Keys ...................................122, 138
positions of the ignition .........221
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................82
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................87
daytime running light ...............84
fog lamps ...................................83
headlamps .................................82
headlamps, flash to pass ..........84
instrument panel, dimming .....84
interior lamps .....................86, 88
replacing bulbs ...................88, 91
Liftgate ......................................131
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........226
Load limits .................................211
Locks
autolock ...................................124
childproof ................................127
doors ........................................123
Lubricant specifications ...........313
Lug nuts ....................................260
Lumbar support, seats .............143
M
Message center .........................111
english/metric button .............116
system check button ..............115
warning messages ...................117
Mirrors ...................................98–99automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................99
fold away .................................100
heated ......................................100
programmable memory ..........131
side view mirrors (power) .......99
Moon roof ..................................106
Motorcraft parts ........282, 297, 312
N
Navigation system .......................73
O
Octane rating ............................301
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................287
Overdrive ...................................233
P
Parking brake ............................227
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....312
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................152
Power adjustable foot pedals ...100
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................250
Power door locks ......................123
Power mirrors .............................99
Power point .................................95
Power steering ..........................231
fluid, checking and adding ....308
fluid, refill capacity ................313
fluid, specifications .................313
Power Windows ...........................96
R
Radio ................................16, 20, 28
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
324