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If you do stall out, Do not try to turnaround because you might roll over.
It is better to back down to a safe location.
Apply just enough power to the wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip, spin or lose traction, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren’t turning, you won’t be
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle.
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, apply the brakes steadily. Do not
“pump” the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
Note:Excessive tire slippage can cause transaxle damage.
AWD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
Avoid sudden braking as well. Although an AWD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. In emergency stopping situations, apply the brake steadily. Since
your vehicle is equipped with a four wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS),
do not “pump” the brakes. Refer to theBrakessection of this chapter
for additional information on the operation of the anti-lock brake system.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
242
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Stopping and securing the vehicle
1. Park on a level surface, set the
parking brake and activate hazard
flashers.
2. Place gearshift lever in P (Park)
and turn engine off.
Removing the spare tire and jack
1. Lift the trunk cargo cover, and
remove the wing nut that secures
the spare tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
2. Lift and remove the spare tire
from the trunk.
3. Remove the second wing nut that
secures the jack retention bracket
by turning it counterclockwise,
remove the jack kit from the
vehicle.
4. Remove the jack and the wrench
from the felt bag. Fold down the
wrench socket to use to loosen the
lug nuts and to operate the jack.
Tire change procedure
When one of the front wheels is off the ground, the transaxle
alone will not prevent the vehicle from moving or slipping off the
jack, even if the vehicle is in P (Park).
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
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To help prevent the vehicle from moving when you change a tire,
be sure to place the transaxle in P (Park), set the parking brake
and block (in both directions) the wheel that is diagonally opposite
(other side and end of the vehicle) to the tire being changed.
If the vehicle slips off the jack, you or someone else could be
seriously injured.
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close
to moving traffic. Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or changing the wheel.
1. Block the diagonally opposite
wheel.
2. Remove wheel cover (if
equipped) with the lug wrench tip
and loosen each wheel lug nut
one-half turn counterclockwise but
do not remove them until the wheel
is raised off the ground.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
257
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plastic parts ............................278
washing ....................................276
waxing .....................................277
wheels ......................................277
wiper blades ............................279
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......76, 78
Clock ............................................94
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................29
AM/FM/CD .................................21
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment ...............113
Console
overhead ....................................94
Controls
power seat ...............................145
steering column ......................104
Coolant
checking and adding ..............292
refill capacities ................296, 313
specifications ..........................313
Cruise control
(see Speed control) ..................101
Cupholder(s) .............................150
Customer Assistance ................244
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................272
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................273
Getting roadside assistance ...244
Getting the service you
need .........................................268
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................274
Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................272D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................84
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................309
engine oil .................................287
Driving under special
conditions ..........................239, 241
sand .........................................240
snow and ice ...........................242
through water .................240, 243
DVD system .................................44
E
Electronic message center .......111
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................261
Emission control system ..........305
Engine ........................................316
cleaning ...................................278
coolant .....................................292
idle speed control ...................290
lubrication specifications .......313
refill capacities ........................313
service points ..........................285
starting after a collision .........246
Engine block heater .................224
Engine oil ..................................287
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................287
checking and adding ..............287
dipstick ....................................287
filter, specifications ........289, 312
recommendations ...................289
refill capacities ........................313
specifications ..........................313
Event data recording ....................6
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Index
322