2008 Mercury Sable steering wheel

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

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)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driving
243

Passenger compartment fuse panel
The fuse panel is located under the instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
The fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
1 30A Smart window motor
2 15A Brake on/off switch, High-mounted
brake lamp
3 15A SDARS, Bluetooth, Family
entertainment system (FES)/Rear
seat control
4 30A Spare
5 10A SPDJB logic power
6 20A Turn signals
7 10A Low beam headlamps (left)
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Roadside Emergencies
248

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingPassenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
8 10A Low beam headlamps (right)
9 15A Interior lights, Cargo lamps
10 15A Backlighting, Puddle lamps
11 10A All wheel drive
12 7.5A Memory seat/mirror switches, Memory
module
13 5A FEPS module
14 10A Analog clock
15 10A Climate control
16 15A Spare
17 20A All power lock motor feeds, Decklid
release
18 20A Spare
19 25A Moon roof
20 15A OBDII connector
21 15A Fog lamps
22 15A Park lamps, License lamps
23 15A High beam headlamps
24 20A Horn relay
25 10A Demand lamps/Interior lamps
26 10A Instrument panel cluster
27 20A Adjustable pedal switch
28 5A Radio, Radio start signal
29 5A Instrument panel cluster
30 5A Overdrive cancel switch
31 10A Compass, Automatic dimming rear
view mirror
32 10A Restraint control module
33 10A Spare
34 5A AWD module
35 10A Steering rotation sensor, FEPS, Rear
park assist, Heated seat modules
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Roadside Emergencies
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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

INSTRUMENT PANEL/INTERIOR TRIM AND CLUSTER LENS
Clean the instrument panel, interior trim areas and cluster lens with a
clean and damp white cotton cloth, then with a clean and dry white
cotton cloth; you may also use Motorcraft Dash & Vinyl Cleaner
(ZC-38-A) on the instrument panel and interior trim areas.
•Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion
of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect the
driver from undesirable windshield reflection.
•Be certain to wash or wipe your hands clean if you have been in
contact with certain products such as insect repellent and suntan
lotion in order to avoid possible damage to the interior painted
surfaces.
•Do not use household or glass cleaners as these may damage the
finish of the instrument panel, interior trim and cluster lens.
Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning
the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of
the airbag system.
If a staining liquid like coffee/juice has been spilled on the instrument
panel or on interior trim surfaces, clean as follows:
1. Wipe up spilled liquid using a clean, white, cotton cloth.
2. Apply Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl Cleaner (ZC-11-A) [In
Canada use Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner (CXC-101)] to the wiped
area and spread around evenly.
3. Apply more Motorcraft cleaner to a clean, white, cotton cloth and
press the cloth onto the soiled area–allow this to set at room
temperature for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the soaked cloth, and if it is not soiled badly, use this cloth to
clean the area by using a rubbing motion for 60 seconds.
5. Following this, wipe area dry with a clean, white, cotton cloth.
INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats, safety belts and seats equipped with side
airbags:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
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280

15 minutes of steady driving on an expressway/highway followed by 20
minutes of stop-and-go driving with at least four 30-second idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete. If
the vehicle is still not ready for I/M testing, the above driving cycle will
have to be repeated.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Refer to thescheduled maintenance informationfor the service
interval schedules.
1. Start the engine and let it run
until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area
between H and C).
2. While the engine idles, turn the
steering wheel left and right several
times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be between the MIN
and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if the level is in this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the range between the MIN and MAX lines. Be
sure to put the cap back on the reservoir. Refer toMaintenance
product specifications and capacitiesin this chapter for the proper
fluid type.
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Maintenance and Specifications
308

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