2009 Mercury Sable check transmission fluid

Once through water, always try the brakes. Wet brakes do not stop the
vehicle as effectively as dry brakes. Drying can be improved by moving
your vehicle slowly while applying light pressure on the brake pedal.
Be cautious of sudden changes in vehicle speed or direction when you
are driving in mud. Even AWD vehicles can lose traction in slick mud. As
when you are driving over sand, apply the accelerator slowly and avoid
spinning your wheels. If the vehicle does slide, steer in the direction of
the slide until you regain control of the vehicle.
If the engine, transmission, AWD system components or axles are
submerged in water, their fluids should be checked and changed, if
necessary.
Driving through deep water may damage the engine or
transmission.
If the front or rear axle is submerged in water, the axle lubricant and
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) lubricant should be checked and changed if
necessary.
After driving through mud, clean off residue stuck to rotating driveshafts
and tires. Excess mud stuck on tires and rotating driveshafts causes an
imbalance that could damage drive components.
“Tread Lightly” is an educational
program designed to increase public
awareness of land-use regulations
and responsibilities in our nations
wilderness areas. Ford Motor
Company joins the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land
Management in encouraging you to help preserve our national forest and
other public and private lands by “treading lightly.”
Driving on hilly or sloping terrain
Although natural obstacles may make it necessary to travel diagonally up
or down a hill or steep incline, you should always try to drive straight up
or straight down.Avoid driving crosswise or turning on steep
slopes or hills.A danger lies in losing traction, slipping sideways and
possibly rolling over. Whenever driving on a hill, determine beforehand
the route you will use. Do not drive over the crest of a hill without
seeing what conditions are on the other side. Do not drive in reverse
over a hill without the aid of an observer.
When climbing a steep slope or hill, start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the engine and the possibility of stalling.
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Driving
224

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

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.
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
299

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

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
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
306

SYNC..........................................45
T
Tilt steering wheel ......................66
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
Roadside Emergencies ...........236
Tires, Wheels and Loading ....187
Tires ...........................171–172, 236
alignment ................................179
care ..........................................175
changing ..........................236, 239
checking the pressure ............175
inflating ...................................173
label .........................................186
replacing ..................................177
rotating ....................................180
safety practices .......................178
sidewall information ...............181
snow tires and chains ............192
spare tire .................................237
terminology .............................172
tire grades ...............................172
treadwear ........................171, 176
Towing .......................................199
recreational towing .................201
trailer towing ..........................199
wrecker ....................................249
Transaxle
fluid, refill capacities ..............298lubricant specifications ..........298
Transmission .............................215
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....215
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................294
Trunk .................................102, 105
remote release ..........................94
Turn signal ..................................58
U
USB port ......................................38
V
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................301
Vehicle loading ..........................193
Ventilating your vehicle ...........206
W
Warning lights (see Lights) .......12
Washer fluid ..............................269
Water, Driving through .............226
Windows
power .........................................69
Windshield washer fluid and
wipers ..........................................65
checking and adding fluid .....269
replacing wiper blades ...........270
Wrecker towing .........................249
2009 Sable(mgo)
Owners Guide, 2nd Printing
USA(fus)
Index
310