2008 Mercury Sable lights

Flash to pass
Pull toward you to activate and
release to deactivate.
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, autolamps or parking lamp
position and
•the transmission must be out of the Park position.
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.
PANEL DIMMER CONTROL
Use to adjust the brightness of the
instrument panel and all applicable
switches in the vehicle during
headlamp and parking lamp
operation.
Move the control to the full upright
position, past detent, to turn on the
interior lamps.
Note:If the battery is disconnected,
discharged, or a new battery is
installed, the dimmer switch requires re-calibration. Rotate the dimmer
switch from the full dim position to the full Dome/ON position to reset.
This will ensure that your displays are visible under all lighting
conditions.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
84

AIMING THE HEADLAMPS
The headlamps on your vehicle are properly aimed at the assembly plant.
If your vehicle has been in an accident the alignment of your headlamps
should be checked by your authorized dealer.
Vertical aim adjustment
1. Park the vehicle directly in front of a wall or screen on a level surface,
approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) away.
•(1) 8 feet (2.4 meters)
•(2) Center height of lamp to
ground
•(3) 25 feet (7.6 meters)
•(4) Horizontal reference line
2. Measure the height of the
headlamp bulb center from the
ground and mark an 8 foot (2.5
meter) horizontal reference line on
the vertical wall or screen at this
height (a piece of masking tape works well).
3. Turn on the low beam headlamps to illuminate the wall or screen and
open the hood.
To see a clearer light pattern for adjusting, you may want to block the
light from one headlamp while adjusting the other.
4. On the wall or screen you will
observe an area of high intensity
light. The top of the high intensity
area should touch the horizontal
reference line, if not, the beam will
need to be adjusted using the next
step.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
85

5. Locate the vertical adjuster on
each headlamp. Using a Phillips #2
screwdriver, turn the adjuster either
clockwise (to adjust down) or
counterclockwise (to adjust up).
The horizontal edge of the brighter
light should touch the horizontal
reference line.
6. Close the hood and turn off the
lamps.
HORIZONTAL AIM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS VEHICLE AND IS
NON-ADJUSTABLE.
TURN SIGNAL CONTROL
•Push down to activate the left
turn signal.
•Push up to activate the right turn
signal.
INTERIOR LAMPS
Dome lamps and map lamps
The map lamps are located on the
overhead console. Press the controls
on either side of each map lamp to
turn on the lamps.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
86

Your vehicle may also have reading
lamps within the rear dome lamp(s).
Press the switches on either side of
the dome lamp to turn on the
lamps.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlamp Condensation
The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters
the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that
condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and will clear
within 45 minutes of headlamp operation.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs
must be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an
“E” for Europe to ensure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern
and safe visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly
or void the lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn
time.
Function Number of bulbsTrade
number
Headlamp high beam 2 9005
Headlamp low beam 2 H11
Sidemarker lamp (front) 2 194A
Park/turn signal lamp 23457A or
3457AK
(amber)
* Stop/tail lamp 2 LED
Backup lamp 2 921
Rear turn signal lamp 23157A
(amber)
License plate lamp 2 C5WL
* Sidemarker lamp (rear) 2 LED
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
87

Function Number of bulbsTrade
number
* High-mount brake lamp N/A LED
Fog lamp (if equipped) 2 H11
Map lamp 2 12V6W
Dome/reading lamp 6 578
All replacement bulbs are clear in color except where noted.
To replace all instrument panel lights - see your authorized dealer.
*To replace these lamps - see your authorized dealer.
Replacing the interior bulbs
Check the operation of all bulbs frequently.
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Replacing headlamp (low beam and high beam) bulbs
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the OFF position, then open the
hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulbs and
connectors.
3. Locate the outboard (low beam)
or inboard (high beam) electrical
connector and remove it by
releasing the locking tab and pulling
it straight down.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully and keep out of
children’s reach. Grasp the bulb only by its plastic base and do
not touch the glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb to
break the next time the headlamps are operated.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
88

Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in the OFF position, then open the
hood.
2. Reach in behind the headlamp assembly to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Locate the electrical connector
and remove it by releasing the
locking tab and pulling it straight
down.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
turning it counterclockwise and
pulling it straight out.
5. To remove the bulb, pull it
straight out of the bulb socket.
Install the new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing front sidemarker bulb
1. Make sure the headlamp control
is in the OFF position.
2. Reach under the side of the front
fascia to access the bulb sockets
and connectors.
3. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
4. Pull the bulb straight from the
socket.
Install new bulb in reverse order.
Replacing rear stop/tail/turn signal/backup lamp bulbs
The stop/tail/turn signal/backup lamp bulbs are located in the tail lamp
assembly. Follow the same steps to replace either bulb.
Note:Your vehicle is equipped with a stop/tail lamp assembly containing
integral multiple light emitting diodes (LED). If replacement is required,
see your authorized dealer.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
89

•(1)Backup lamp
•(2)Turn signal lamp
•(3)Stop/tail lamp (LED)
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position and open the
trunk.
2. Remove the cargo net fastener.
Carefully pull the carpet away to
expose the backside of the tail lamp
assembly.
3. Remove the nut and washer assemblies, then pull the lamp assembly
away from the vehicle.
4. Remove the bulb socket by
rotating it counterclockwise, then
pulling it out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb straight from the
socket.
Install new bulb(s) in reverse order.
Replacing brake and tail lamp bulbs
These must be replaced by your authorized dealer.
Replacing high-mount brake lamp bulbs
This must be replaced by your authorized dealer.
Replacing license plate lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. Remove the two screws from the
license plate lamp assembly.
3. Remove bulb socket by turning
counterclockwise.
4. Carefully pull the bulb out from
the socket.
Install new bulb(s) in reverse order.
1
2
3
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
90

Replacing fog lamp bulbs
1. Make sure the fog lamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the
fog lamp by turning
counterclockwise.
3. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
Install the new bulb in reverse order.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Lights
91