2008 Mercury Sable brake light

•It may be safer to stay on the apron or shoulder of the road and slow
down gradually before returning to the pavement. You may lose
control if you do not slow down or if you turn the steering wheel too
sharply or abruptly.
•It often may be less risky to strike small objects, such as highway
reflectors, with minor damage to your vehicle rather than attempt a
sudden return to the pavement which could cause the vehicle to slide
sideways out of control or rollover. Remember, your safety and the
safety of others should be your primary concern.
If your vehicle gets stuck
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 your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control™, it may be beneficial
to disengage the Traction Control™ system while attempting to rock the
vehicle.
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 few minutes or damage
to the transmission and tires may occur or the engine may
overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is
latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and
remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp
remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly.
See your authorized dealer.
Do not spin the wheels at over 35 mph (56 km/h). The tires may
fail and injure a passenger or bystander.
Emergency maneuvers
•In an unavoidable emergency situation where a sudden sharp turn
must be made, remember to avoid “over-driving” your vehicle (i.e.,
turn the steering wheel only as rapidly and as far as required to avoid
the emergency). Excessive steering will result in less vehicle control,
2008 Sable(mgo)
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Driving
239

Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the transmission, AWD system components or axles are submerged in
water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
2008 Sable(mgo)
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Driving
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Maintenance and Modifications
The suspension and steering systems on your vehicle have been designed
and tested to provide predictable performance whether loaded or empty
and durable load carrying capability. For this reason, Ford Motor
Company strongly recommends that you do not make modifications such
as adding or removing parts (such as lift kits or stabilizer bars) or by
using replacement parts not equivalent to the original factory equipment.
Any modifications to a vehicle that raise the center of gravity can make
it more likely the vehicle will rollover as a result of a loss of control.
Ford Motor Company recommends that caution be used with any vehicle
equipped with a high load or device (such as ladder or luggage racks).
Failure to maintain your vehicle properly may void the warranty, increase
your repair cost, reduce vehicle performance and operational capabilities
and adversely affect driver and passenger safety. Frequent inspection of
vehicle chassis components is recommended if the vehicle is subjected to
heavy off-highway usage.
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 wheel rims (for cars) or the
bottom of the hubs (for trucks).
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.
2008 Sable(mgo)
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243

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPower Distribution Box
Description
45 10A** Speed control deactivate switch, Mass
air flow sensor, Inline module VPWR2
46 10A** A/C clutch relay, VPWR3
47 15A** PCM VPWR1
48 15A** PCM VPWR4
49 15A** Heated mirrors
50 Full ISO relay PCM relay
51 — Not used
52 — Not used
53 Full ISO relay Rear defrost relay
54 Full ISO relay Blower motor relay
55 Full ISO relay Starter relay
56 — Not used
57 Full ISO relay Front wiper relay
58 — Not used
* Cartridge Fuses ** Mini Fuses
CHANGING THE TIRES
If you get a flat tire while driving:
•do not brake heavily.
•gradually decrease the vehicle’s speed.
•hold the steering wheel firmly.
•slowly move to a safe place on the side of the road.
Note:The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) indicator light will
illuminate when the spare is in use. To restore the full functionality of
the monitoring system, all road wheels equipped with tire pressure
monitoring sensors must be mounted on the vehicle.
Have a flat serviced by an authorized dealer in order to prevent damage
to the TPMS sensor, refer toChanging tires with TPMSin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter. Replace the spare tire with a road tire as
soon as possible.
The use of tire sealants may damage your Tire Pressure
Monitoring System and should not be used.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
253

It is recommended that the negative battery cable terminal be
disconnected from the battery if you plan to store your vehicle for an
extended period of time. This will minimize the discharge of your battery
during storage.
Note: Electrical or electronic accessories or components added to
the vehicle by the dealer or the owner may adversely affect
battery performance and durability.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
When lifting a plastic-cased battery, excessive pressure on the
end walls could cause acid to flow through the vent caps,
resulting in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or battery.
Lift the battery with a battery carrier or with your hands on opposite
corners.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Batteries contain sulfuric
acid. Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Shield your eyes
when working near the battery to protect against possible splashing of
acid solution. In case of acid contact with skin or eyes, flush
immediately with water for a minimum of 15 minutes and get prompt
medical attention. If acid is swallowed, call a physician immediately.
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds.Wash hands after handling.
Because your vehicle’s engine is electronically controlled by a computer,
some control conditions are maintained by power from the battery. When
the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the engine must
relearn its idle and fuel trim strategy for optimum driveability and
performance. To begin this process:
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop, set the parking brake.
2. Put the gearshift in P (Park), turn off all accessories and start the
engine.
3. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
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•Idling for long periods of time (greater than one minute) may waste
fuel.
•Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate the need to stop.
•Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel economy.
•Slow down gradually.
•Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 55 mph [88 km/h] uses 15%
less fuel than traveling at 65 mph [105 km/h]).
•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between the top gears 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 toMaintenance product
specifications and capacitiesin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found inscheduled maintenance information.
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.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Maintenance and Specifications
304

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)
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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