2009 Mercury Sable steering

OPENING THE HOOD
1. Inside the vehicle, pull the hood
release handle located under the
bottom of the instrument panel near
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and
release the auxiliary latch that is
located under the front center of
the hood.
3. Lift the hood.
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IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine coolant reservoir
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Battery
5. Power distribution box
6. Air filter assembly
7. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine oil filler cap
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
What you should know about fail-safe cooling
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The “fail-safe” distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The service engine soon
indicator will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
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Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
WARNING:Fail-safe mode is for use during emergencies only.
Operate the vehicle in fail-safe mode only as long as necessary to
bring the vehicle to rest in a safe location and seek immediate repairs.
When in fail-safe mode, the vehicle will have limited power, will not be
able to maintain high-speed operation, and may completely shut down
without warning, potentially losing engine power, power steering assist,
and power brake assist, which may increase the possibility of a crash
resulting in serious injury.
WARNING:Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is running or hot. The hot coolant is under pressure and
may cause serious burns.
FUEL FILTER
Your vehicle is equipped with a lifetime fuel filter that is integrated with
the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not needed.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
WARNING:Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an
overfilled tank may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
WARNING:The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel
filler cap is venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait
until it stops before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise,
fuel may spray out and injure you or others.
WARNING:If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap,
excessive vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system
or cause the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in
serious personal injury.
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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.
BRAKE FLUID
The fluid level will drop slowly as
the brakes wear, and will rise when
the brake components are replaced.
Fluid levels between the “MIN” and
“MAX” lines are within the normal
operating range; there is no need to
add fluid. If the fluid levels are
outside of the normal operating
range the performance of the
system could be compromised; seek
service from your authorized dealer
immediately.
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Items CapacityFord Part Name or
equivalentFord Part Number /
Ford Specification
Engine coolant11.1 quarts
(10.5L)Motorcraft Premium
Gold Engine Coolant
with bittering agent
(yellow-colored)
4
VC-7-B /
WSS-M97B51-A1
Power steering fluidBetween MAX and
MIN on reservoirMotorcraft
MERCONVATFXT-5-QM /
MERCONV
Windshield washer fluidTop-off fluid as
neededMotorcraft Premium
Windshield Washer
ConcentrateZC-32-A /
WSB-M8B16-A2
Fuel tank20.5 gallons
(77.6L) AWD,
PZEV AWD and
PZEV FWD——
20.0 gallons
(75.7L) (FWD)
1Approximate dry fill capacity. Actual amount may vary during fluid changes.2Automatic transmissions that require MERCONV should only use MERCONV fluid. Refer to
scheduled maintenance informationto determine the correct service interval. Use of any fluid
other than the recommended fluid may cause transmission damage.3Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine oil need only meet the
requirements of Ford specification WSS-M2C930-A and the API Certification mark.4Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.5See your authorized dealer for fluid level checking or filling.
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Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............261
instrument panel ....................263
interior .....................................263
plastic parts ............................262
washing ....................................259
waxing .....................................260
wheels ......................................260
wiper blades ............................262
Climate control (see Air
conditioning or Heating) ......48, 50
Clock ............................................67
Clock adjust
6-CD in dash .............................30
AM/FM/CD .................................23
Compass, electronic
set zone adjustment .................87
Console
overhead ....................................67
Controls
power seat ...............................120
steering column ........................77
Coolant
checking and adding ..............276
refill capacities ................279, 298
specifications ..........................298
Cruise control (see Speed
control) ........................................74
Cupholder(s) .............................125
Customer Assistance ................227
Ford Extended Service
Plan ..........................................255
Getting assistance outside the
U.S. and Canada .....................256
Getting roadside assistance ...227
Getting the service you
need .........................................251
Ordering additional owner’s
literature .................................257Utilizing the
Mediation/Arbitration
Program ...................................255
D
Daytime running lamps
(see Lamps) ................................56
Dipstick
automatic transmission
fluid ..........................................294
engine oil .................................270
Driving under special
conditions ..........................222, 224
sand .........................................223
snow and ice ...........................225
through water .................223, 226
E
Electronic message center .........84
Emergencies, roadside
jump-starting ..........................244
Emission control system ..........290
Engine ........................................300
cleaning ...................................261
coolant .....................................276
fail-safe cooling .......................280
idle speed control ...................273
lubrication specifications .......298
refill capacities ........................298
service points ..................268–269
starting after a collision .........229
Engine block heater .................206
Engine oil ..................................270
change oil soon warning,
message center .......................270
checking and adding ..............270
dipstick ....................................270
filter, specifications ........272, 297
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Index
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Power distribution box (see
Fuses) ........................................233
Power door locks ........................97
Power mirrors .............................72
Power point .................................68
Power steering ..........................214
fluid, checking and adding ....293
fluid, refill capacity ................298
fluid, specifications .................298
Power Windows ...........................69
R
Radio ................................18, 22, 29
Recommendations for
attaching safety restraints for
children ......................................156
Relays ........................................229
Remote entry system .......103–104
illuminated entry ............107, 109
locking/unlocking
doors ................................104–105
opening the trunk ...................105
panic alarm .............................105
replacement/additional
transmitters .............................107
replacing the batteries ...........106
Reverse sensing system ...........219
Roadside assistance ..................227
S
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..................125, 129–133
Safety Canopy ...................148, 150
Safety defects, reporting ..........258
Safety restraints ........125, 129–133
Belt-Minder...........................134extension assembly ................133
for adults .........................130–132
for children .............................154
Occupant Classification
Sensor ......................................127
warning light and chime ........134
Safety restraints - LATCH
anchors ......................................162
Safety seats for children ..........158
Safety Compliance
Certification Label ....................301
Satellite Radio Information ........42
Seats ..........................................117
child safety seats ....................158
front seats .......................117, 119
heated ................................50, 122
memory seat ...................105, 123
SecuriCode keyless entry
system ........................................110
SecuriLock passive anti-theft
system ........................................111
Servicing your vehicle ..............266
Setting the clock
AM/FM single CD .....................23
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................30
Spare tire (see Changing the
Tire) ...........................................239
Spark plugs,
specifications .....................297, 300
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................298
Speed control ..............................74
Starting your vehicle ........203–205
jump starting ..........................244
Steering wheel
controls ......................................77
tilting .........................................66
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USA(fus)
Index
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