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.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
5. Turn the A/C on and allow the engine to idle for at least one minute.
6. Release the parking brake. With your foot on the brake pedal and with
the A/C on, put the vehicle in D (Drive) and allow the engine to idle for
at least one minute.
7. Drive the vehicle to complete the relearning process.
•The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles (16 km) or more to
relearn the idle and fuel trim strategy.
•If you do not allow the engine to relearn its idle trim, the idle
quality of your vehicle may be adversely affected until the idle
trim is eventually relearned.
If the battery has been disconnected or a new battery has been installed,
the clock and radio settings must be reset once the battery is
reconnected.
•Always dispose of automotive
batteries in a responsible manner.
Follow your local authorized
standards for disposal. Call your
local authorized recycling center
to find out more about recycling
automotive batteries.
L
E
A
D
RETURN
RECYCLE
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
275
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to yourscheduled maintenance informationfor scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 20 miles [30 km]). If your vehicle has been
operated for an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic
during hot weather or pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be
turned off for about 30 minutes to allow fluid to cool before
checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 20 miles (30 km) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer toIdentifying components in the engine compartment
in this chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal operating temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is in the add range or does not
show at all on the dipstick.
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperature 149°F (65°C) on a level surface. The normal operating
temperature can be reached after approximately 20 miles (30 km) of
driving.
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
294
A
Accessory delay ..........................71
AdvanceTrac ..............................210
Air cleaner filter ...............295–297
Air conditioning ....................48, 50
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................139, 148, 150
and child safety seats ............141
description ..............139, 148, 150
disposal ....................................153
driver airbag ............141, 149, 151
indicator light .................147, 153
operation .................141, 149, 151
passenger airbag .....141, 149, 151
side airbag ...............................148
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................221
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................276
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................208
Anti-theft system ..............111, 115
arming the system ..................115
disarming a triggered
system .....................................116
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 22, 29
Automatic transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............298
fluid, specification ..................298
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................216
fluid, adding ............................294
fluid, checking ........................294
Auxiliary input jack (Line in) ....36B
Battery .......................................273
acid, treating emergencies .....273
jumping a disabled battery ....244
maintenance-free ....................273
replacement, specifications ...297
servicing ..................................273
Belt-Minder.............................134
Booster seats .............................167
Brakes ........................................208
anti-lock ...................................208
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................209
fluid, checking and adding ....293
fluid, refill capacities ..............298
fluid, specifications .................298
lubricant specifications ..........298
parking ....................................209
shift interlock ..........................215
Bulbs ............................................59
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....298
Cargo cover .................................94
Cargo net .....................................95
Cell phone use ..............................8
Changing a tire .........................236
Child safety seats ......................158
attaching with tether straps ..165
in front seat ............................159
in rear seat ..............................159
LATCH .....................................162
recommendations ...................156
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................167
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
305
J
Jack ............................................236
positioning ...............................236
storage .....................................236
Jump-starting your vehicle ......244
K
Keyless entry system
autolock .....................................98
keypad .....................................110
locking and unlocking
doors ........................................111
programming entry code .......110
Keys .....................................96, 113
positions of the ignition .........203
L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................54
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................59
daytime running light ...............56
fog lamps ...................................55
headlamps .................................54
headlamps, flash to pass ..........56
instrument panel, dimming .....56
interior lamps .....................58, 60
replacing bulbs ...................60, 64
LATCH anchors .........................162
Liftgate ......................................105
Lights, warning and indicator ....12
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........209
Load limits .................................193
Locks
autolock .....................................98
childproof ................................101
doors ..........................................97Lubricant specifications ...........298
Lug nuts ....................................243
Lumbar support, seats .............118
M
Message center .....................84–85
english/metric button ...............90
system check button ................89
warning messages .....................92
Mirrors ...................................71–72
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................72
fold away ...................................73
heated ........................................73
programmable memory ..........105
side view mirrors (power) .......72
Moon roof ....................................79
Motorcraft parts ................265, 297
N
Navigation system .......................45
O
Octane rating ............................285
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................270
Overdrive ...................................216
P
Parking brake ............................209
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....297
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................127
Power adjustable foot pedals .....74
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
308