2008 Mercury Sable charging

Airbag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when the ignition is
turned to ON, continues to flash or
remains on, have the system
serviced immediately by your authorized dealer. A chime will also sound
when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A Belt-Minder
chime will also sound to remind you
to fasten your safety belt. Refer to
theSeating and Safety Restraints
chapter to activate/deactivate the Belt-Minderchime feature.
Charging system:Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
Engine oil pressure:Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range, refer toEngine oilin
theMaintenance and
Specificationschapter.
Traction Control™ (if
equipped):Illuminates when the
Traction Control™ is active or has
been disabled (by the driver or as a
result of a system failure). If the
light remains on, it indicates a
Traction Control Fault. Have the system serviced immediately, refer to
theDrivingchapter for more information.
Low tire pressure warning:
Illuminates when your tire pressure
is low. If the light remains ON at
start up or while driving, the tire
pressure should be checked. Refer
toInflating your tiresin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter. When
the ignition is first turned to ON, the light will illuminate for 3 seconds to
ensure the bulb is working. If the light does not turn ON or begins to
flash, have the system inspected by your authorized dealer. For more
information on this system, refer toTire pressure monitoring systemin
theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Instrument Cluster
12

Setup menu
Press this control for the following
displays:
•System Check
•Oil Life
•Language
•Units (English/Metric)
•Autolamp Delay (if equipped)
•Autolock (if equipped)
•Autounlock (if equipped)
•Easy entry/exit seat (if equipped)
System check
Selecting this function from the
SETUP menu causes the message
center to cycle through each of the
systems being monitored. For each
of the monitored systems, the
message center will indicate either
an OK message or a warning message for two to four seconds.
Pressing the RESET control cycles the message center through each of
the systems being monitored.
The sequence of the system check report is as follows:
1. OIL LIFE
2. CHARGING SYSTEM
3. WASHER FLUID LEVEL
4. DOORS CLOSED
5. TRUNK CLOSED
6. BRAKE SYSTEM
7. TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
8. DISTANCE TO EMPTY
Oil life
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
115

In the event of a multiple warning situation, the message center will
cycle the display to show all warnings by displaying each one for several
seconds.
The message center will display the last selected feature if there are no
more warning messages. This allows you to use the full functionality of
the message center after you acknowledge the warning by pressing the
RESET control and clearing the warning message.
Warning messages that have been reset are divided into three categories:
•They will not disappear until a condition is changed.
•They will reappear on the display ten minutes from the reset.
•They will not reappear until an ignition OFF-ON cycle has been
completed.
This acts as a reminder that these warning conditions still exist within
the vehicle.
Warnings Status
Driver door ajar Warning cannot be reset (CLOSE
DOOR TO RESET) will be displayed
Passenger door ajar
Rear Left door ajar
Rear Right door ajar
Fuel level low Warning returns after 10 minutes
Check charging system
Check brake system
Brake fluid level low Warning returns after the ignition key
is turned from OFF to RUN
Park brake engaged
Low tire pressure
Tire pressure monitor fault
Tire pressure sensor fault
Trunk ajar
Washer fluid level low
Change oil soon
Oil change required
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver’s door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
118

REAR LEFT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the left rear door is not
completely closed.
REAR RIGHT DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the right rear door is not
completely closed.
FUEL LEVEL LOW.Displayed as an early reminder of a low fuel
condition.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on when the
engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM.Displayed when the brake system needs
servicing. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW BRAKE FLUID.Indicates the brake fluid level is low and the
brake system should be inspected immediately. Refer toBrake fluid
reservoirin theMaintenance and Specificationschapter.
PARK BRAKE ENGAGED.Displayed when the park brake is engaged.
If the warning stays on after the park brake is off, contact your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE.Displayed when one or more tires on your
vehicle have low tire pressure. Refer toInflating your tiresin theTires,
Wheels and Loadingchapter.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR FAULT.Displayed when the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System is malfunctioning. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, have the system inspected by your authorized
dealer.
TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR FAULT.Displayed when a tire pressure
sensor is malfunctioning, or your spare tire is in use. For more
information on how the system operates under these conditions, refer to
Tire pressure monitoring systemin theTires, Wheels and Loading
chapter. If the warning stays on or continues to come on, have the
system inspected by your authorized dealer.
TRUNK AJAR.Displayed when the trunk is not completely closed.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is
less than one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer to
Windshield washer fluidin theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Driver Controls
119

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of theService engine soon
indicator, charging system
warning light or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors,
smoke or loss of engine power could indicate that the emission control
system is not working properly.
An improperly operating or damaged exhaust system may allow exhaust
to enter the vehicle. Have a damaged or improperly operating exhaust
system inspected and repaired immediately.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal also lists engine displacement.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). The OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists your
authorized dealer in properly servicing your vehicle. When theService
engine soon
indicator illuminates, the OBD-II system has detected
a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause theService engine
soon
indicator to illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel—the engine may misfire or run poorly.
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel—the engine may misfire or run
poorly.
3. The fuel cap may not have been securely tightened. SeeFuel filler
capin this chapter.
2008 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
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