Mercury SABLE 1996 User Manual

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Table of Contents

Introductory Information ............................... 1

Safety Restraints .............................................. 9

Starting Your Sable ....................................... 61

Warning Lights and Gauges ....................... 73

Instrument Panel Controls .......................... 91

Steering Column Controls ........................ 115

Features .......................................................... 125

Electronic Sound Systems ......................... 169

Driving Your Sable ..................................... 191

Roadside Emergencies ................................ 217

Customer Assistance ................................... 235

Reporting Safety Defects ...................... 243

Accessories .................................................... 247

Servicing Your Sable .................................. 255

Quick Index .................................................. 335

Index ............................................................... 347

Service Station Information ...................... 364

Introductory Information

At Ford Motor Company, excellence is the continuous commitment to achieve the best result possible. It is dedication to learning what you want, determination to develop the right concept, and execution of that concept with care, precision, and attention to detail. In short, excellence means being the standard by which others are judged.

Our Guiding Principles

Quality comes first. For your satisfaction, the

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quality of our products and services must be our number one priority.

You are the focus of everything we do. Our

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work must be done with you in mind, providing better products and services than our competition.

Continuous improvement is essential to our

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success. We must strive for excellence in everything we do: in our products — in their safety and value — and in our services, our human relations, our competitiveness, and our profitability.

Employee involvement is our way of life.

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We are a team. We must treat one another with trust and respect.

Dealers and suppliers are our partners. We

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must maintain mutually beneficial relationships with dealers, suppliers, and our other business associates.

Integrity is never compromised. Our conduct

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worldwide must be pursued in a manner that is socially responsible and commands respect for its integrity and for its positive contributions to society.

This Guide

Congratulations on the purchase of your new vehicle. This guide has information about the equipment and the options for your new vehicle. You may not have bought all of the options available to you. If you do not know which information applies to your vehicle, talk to your dealer.

This guide describes equipment and gives specifications for equipment that was in effect when this guide was approved for printing. Ford may discontinue models or change specifications or design without any notice and without incurring obligation.

As you read through your owner guide, carefully read all Warnings because they tell you how to avoid endangering yourself, your passengers, and other people.

Finding Information in This Guide

After you have read this guide once, you will probably return to it when you have a specific question or need additional information. To help you find specific information quickly, you can use the Quick Index or the Index.

The Quick Index at the end of the book provides a page number following each item which indicates where detailed information can be found.

To use the Index, turn to the back of the book and search in the alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think of other related words and look them up. We have designed the Index so that you can find information under a technical term.

Canadian Owners — French Version

French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4G3.

Record Booklet

The Maintenance Schedule and Record booklet lists the services that are most important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record log is also provided to help you keep track of all services performed.

Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties: Basic Vehicle Warranty, Extended

Warranties on certain parts, and Emissions Warranties.

Read your Warranty Information Booklet carefully to find out about your vehicle’s warranties and your basic rights and responsibilities.

If you lose your Warranty Information Booklet, you can get a new one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer, or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page of this owner guide.

Buying a Ford Extended Service Plan

If you bought your vehicle in the U.S., you can buy a Ford Extended Service Plan for your vehicle. This optional contract provides service protection for a longer period of time than the basic warranty that comes with your vehicle.

You do not have to buy this option when you buy your vehicle. However, your option to purchase the Ford Extended Service Plan runs out after 18 months or 18,000 miles. See your dealer for more details about the Ford Extended Service Plan.

If you purchased a Canadian vehicle and did not take advantage of the Ford Extended Service Plan at the time of purchase, you may still be eligible. See your dealer for the details.

Your new vehicle goes through an adjustment or break-in period during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) that you drive it. During the break-in period, you need to pay careful attention to how you drive your vehicle.

Avoid sudden stops. Because your vehicle

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has new brake linings, you should take these steps:

— Watch traffic carefully so that you can

anticipate when to stop. — Begin braking well in advance. — Apply the brakes gradually.

The break-in period for new brake linings lasts for 100 miles (160 km) of city driving or 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of highway driving.

Use only the type of engine oil that Ford

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recommends. See Engine oil recommendations in the Index. Do not use special “break-in” oils.

Safety Labels

There are labels, decals and tags on your vehicle to alert you about possible hazards. The signal word on the label tells you the degree of hazard and is used in the following ways:

DANGER: Used to indicate the presence of a

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hazard which will cause severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored.

WARNING: Used to indicate the presence of

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a hazard which can cause severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored.

CAUTION: Used to indicate the presence of a

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hazard which will or can cause minor personal injury or property damage if the warning is ignored.

Vehicle

Pollen, bird droppings and tree sap can damage the paint, especially in hot weather. Wash your vehicle as often as necessary to keep it clean.

Take similar precautions if your vehicle is exposed to chemical industrial fallout.

Paint damage resulting from fallout is not related to a defect in paint materials or workmanship and therefore is not covered by warranty. Ford, however, believes that continual improvement in customer satisfaction is a high priority. For this reason, Ford has authorized its dealers to repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by environmental fallout within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20,000 km) of purchase, whichever comes first. Customers may be required to bring their vehicle in for inspection by a Ford representative.

Washing and Polishing Your Vehicle

Wash the outside of your vehicle, including the underside, with a cleaner made for washing cars. If your vehicle has clear-coat, make sure that the cleaner is recommended for clear-coat.

DO NOT:

Wash your vehicle with hot water

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Wash your vehicle while it sits in direct

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sunlight Wash your vehicle while the body is hot

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Polish your vehicle to remove harmful deposits and protect the finish.

Cleaning Chrome and Aluminum Parts

Wash chrome and aluminum parts with a mild detergent. Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, fuel or strong detergents.

Cleaning Plastic Parts

Some of your vehicle’s exterior trim parts are plastic. Clean with a tar and road oil remover if necessary. Use a vinyl cleaner for routine cleaning.

Do not clean plastic parts with thinners, solvents or petroleum-based cleaners.

If you have your vehicle rustproofed, remove oversprayed rustproofing with a tar and road oil remover. If rustproofing is not removed from plastic and rubber parts, it can cause deterioration.

Safety Restraints

The use of safety belts helps to restrain you and your passengers in case of a collision. In most states and in Canada the law requires their use.

Safety belts provide best restraint when:

the seatback is upright

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the occupant is sitting upright (not slouched)

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the lap belt is snug and low on the hips

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the shoulder belt is snug against the chest

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the knees are straight forward

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To help you remember to fasten your safety belt, a warning light may come on and a chime may sound. See Safety Belt Warning Light and Chime in the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.

See the following sections in this chapter for directions on how to properly use these safety belts. Also see Safety Restraints for Children in this chapter for special instructions about using safety belts for children.

RWARNING

Make sure that you and your passengers, including pregnant women, wear safety belts. Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt portion of your safety belt snug and low across the hips. This will reduce the risk of serious injury to the abdomen or neck that could be caused by sliding under the safety belts in a collision. If safety belts are not used properly, the risk of you or your passengers being injured in a collision greatly increases.

RWARNING

Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person or across more than one seating position. Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that are designed to be used as a pair. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk and/or severity of injury in a collision.

RWARNING

Never drive or ride with a twisted or jammed safety belt. If you cannot untwist or unjam the safety belt, see the nearest qualified technician immediately.

RWARNING

Children should always ride with the seatback in the fully upright position. When the seatback is not fully upright, there is a greater risk that the child will slide under the safety belt and be seriously injured in a collision.

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision.

Lock the doors of your vehicle before driving to lessen the risk of the door coming open in a collision.

Combination Lap and Shoulder Belts

While your vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the lap and shoulder belt locks and helps reduce your forward movement.

After you get into your vehicle, close the door and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position that suits you best.

Pull the combination lap/shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of the belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on tongue.

Fastening the front seat combination lap and shoulder belt

NOTE: Be sure to read and understand

Important Safety Belt Information at the beginning of this chapter.

Unfastening the combination lap and shoulder belts — front and rear outboard seating positions

While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from striking you or the vehicle.

Safety Belts for Front Outboard Passenger and Rear Outboard Seating Positions (Except Wagon Rear-Facing Seat)

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front seat outboard passenger and rear outboard passengers.

Dual locking mode retractors operate in two ways:

Vehicle Sensitive (Emergency) Locking Mode

In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more. The retractor can also be made to lock by pulling on the belt.

Automatic locking mode

In this operating mode, the shoulder belt retractor will be automatically locked and will remain locked when the combination lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, and does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides the following:

A tight lap/shoulder belt on the occupant.

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Child safety seat installation.

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RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seats.

This mode must be used when installing a child safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear outboard seats where dual locking retractors are provided.

To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode, perform the following steps:

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted, and when allowed to retract, a clicking sound will be heard. At this time, the belt retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).

3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard as the belt is allowed to retract. This indicates that the retractor is in the automatic locking mode.

NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder

belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode. See the detailed instructions under Safety Seats for Children in this chapter.

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment

Driver and right front passenger

You can adjust the shoulder belt height to one of five (5) positions.

To adjust the belt down, pinch the release button. To adjust the belt up, slide the adjuster up. (You do not have to pinch the release button.)

Make sure the adjuster is firmly in one of the five positions. The belt should be adjusted up or down until the belt rests on your shoulder near your neck.

The shoulder belt height adjuster

RWARNING

Position the shoulder belt height adjuster so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Be sure the shoulder belt is properly positioned on your shoulder each time you use the belt. If the shoulder belt is off your shoulder, on your upper arm or neck, there is a greater risk of severe injury in a collision.

Safety Belts for Rear-Facing Occupants (Wagon)

RWARNING

If you have a wagon, never use child safety seats in the third seat. Safety seats for children are not intended for use in rear facing seats.

Your vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts containing a cinch tongue at the rear-facing seating positions.

The locking cinch tongue will slide up and down the belt webbing when the belt is in the stowed position or while putting seat belts on. When the locking cinch tongue of the lap/shoulder combination seat belt is latched into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the lap portion to become shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from becoming longer.

Before you can reach and latch a combination lap and shoulder belt having a cinch tongue into the buckle, you may have to lengthen the lap belt portion of it. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some webbing out of the shoulder belt retractor. While holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and slide the tongue upward. Provide enough lap belt length so that the tongue can reach the buckle.

NOTE: If you grasp the tongue by the tongue

cover to lengthen the belt, the tongue cover will grab the webbing, making it difficult to slide.

To fasten a cinch tongue, pull the combination lap and shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt is twisted remove the twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle for your seating position until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling of the tongue.

RWARNING

Make sure that the lap belt is as low around your hips as possible. Do not wear the lap belt around your waist. If you do not use the lap belts properly, the risk of being injured in a collision greatly increases.

RWARNING

All front and rear seat outboard occupants (including pregnant women) should wear lap and shoulder belts, for optimum protection in a collision.

RWARNING

Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. Never swing it around your neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the risk and/or severity of injury in a collision.

Due to folding rear seats, sometimes the buckles and tongues toward the center of the vehicle may be hidden by the rear edge of the seat cushion. Pull them out so they will be accessible.

While you are fastened in the seat belt, the combination lap/shoulder belt with a cinch tongue adjusts to your movement. However, if you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more,

the safety belt will become locked and help reduce your forward movement.

To unfasten the belt, push the red release button on the end of the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from striking you or the vehicle.

Unfastening the combination lap and shoulder belts for the rear-facing third seat (wagon)

Center Occupant Rear Safety Belt (Sedan)

The safety belt in the center rear seating position has a detachable shoulder belt.

To attach the shoulder belt to the lap belt, pull the shoulder belt out from the retractor in the seatback and insert the lap belt connecting pin into the wide end of the key-slot on the shoulder belt as shown in Figure 1. Pull the connecting pin into the narrow end of the key-slot until you hear a snap and feel it latch. See Figure 2. Make sure the shoulder belt is securely fastened to the lap belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt.

The reverse side of the lap belt and the detachable shoulder belt

The reverse side of the shoulder belt attached to the lap belt

RWARNING

The rear center lap belt must be tightened separately from the shoulder strap. The lap belt must fit snugly, and as low as possible around the hips. Do not wear around your waist. For information about adjusting the belt, see “LAP BELTS” in this chapter.

Detach the shoulder belt before folding down the passenger side rear seat. To detach the shoulder belt, slide the connecting pin to the wide end of the key-slot and lift the shoulder belt off the connecting pin. As the shoulder belt retracts, guide the belt so that it does not strike you or the vehicle.

The lap belts in the center front seating position (if equipped) and center rear seat (wagon) do not adjust automatically. You must adjust them to fit snugly and as low as possible around your hips. Do not wear the lap belt around your waist.

The front center seat belt buckle and tongue are stowed in a pocket between the seat cushion and seatback. Remove them from the stowage pocket before fastening.

Pull the belt across your hips and insert the tongue into the correct buckle on your seat until you hear a snap and feel it lock. Make sure the buckle is securely fastened.

If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and tip the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt. Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it reaches the buckle.

If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose end of the webbing until the belt fits snugly.

Unfastening the lap belts for the center front and center rear seating positions

To unfasten the belt, push the release button on the end of the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle.

RWARNING

Safety Belt Extension Assembly

For some people, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. You can add about eight inches (20 cm) to the belt length with a safety belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from your dealer.

This assembly is not for use in the wagon rear-facing seat.

RWARNING

The use of the safety belt extension assembly, in the wagon rear-facing seat will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

RWARNING

Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for you when fully extended. Do not use extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

Safety Belt Maintenance

Check the safety belt systems periodically to make sure that they work properly and are not damaged.

All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision

was minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

Cleaning the Safety Belts

Clean the safety belts with any mild soap solution that is recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Do not bleach or dye the belt webbing because this may weaken it.

System (SRS)

The driver and right front passenger air bags are Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), provided at these seating positions in addition to the lap/shoulder belt, and are designed to supplement the protection provided to properly belted occupants in moderate to severe frontal collisions. The supplemental air bag system does not provide restraint to the lower body.

The Importance of Wearing Safety Belts

RWARNING

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT!

RWARNING

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always wear their safety belts, whether or not an air bag Supplemental Restraint System is also provided at their seating position. Failure to do so may increase the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a collision.

There are four very important reasons to use safety belts even with an air bag system. Use your safety belts to:

help keep you in the proper position (away

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from the air bag) when it inflates reduce the risk of harm in rollover, side or

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rear impact collisions, because an air bag is not designed to inflate in such situations

reduce the risk of harm in frontal collisions

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that are not severe enough to activate the supplemental air bag

reduce the risk of being thrown from your

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vehicle

The Importance of Being Properly Seated

In a collision, the air bag must inflate extremely fast to help provide additional protection for you. In order to do this, the air bag must inflate with considerable force. If you are not seated in a normal riding position with your back against the seatback, the air bag may not protect you properly and could possibly hurt you as it inflates.

RWARNING

If a passenger is not properly seated and restrained, an inflating air bag could cause serious injury.

RWARNING

Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat.

In rear-facing infant seats, the infant’s head is closer to the air bag. The force of the rapidly inflating air bag could push the top of the rear-facing seat against the vehicle seatback or center armrests (if so equipped), or center console (if so equipped). REAR-FACING INFANT CARRIERS MUST ALWAYS BE SECURED IN THE REAR SEAT, and other child safety seats and infant seats should be secured in the rear seat whenever possible.

RWARNING

Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. Front passengers, especially children and small adults, should never sit on the edge of the seat, stand near the glove compartment of the instrument panel, or lean over with their faces near the glove compartment when the vehicle is moving. All occupants should sit with their backs against the seatback and use the safety belts. Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg) should use child or infant seats. Forward-facing child seats must have the passenger seat moved as far back from the instrument panel as possible. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THE FRONT SEAT, BECAUSE THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE VEHICLE SEATBACK, CENTER ARMRESTS OR CONSOLE (IF SO EQUIPPED). REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED IN THE REAR SEAT.

RWARNING

Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag module covers (identified by the letters “SRS”) on the steering wheel and instrument panel, or in front seat areas that may come in contact with a deploying air bag, because any such objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the air bag to inflate. Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

For further information about the proper mounting of equipment in the front seat of this vehicle, please refer to Ford’s brochure entitled

Some Important Information About Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System which can be

obtained by calling Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356. Ask for brochure FPS-8602.

For additional important safety information on the proper use of seat belts, child seats, and infant seats, please read the other sections of this part of the Owner Guide, especially sections entitled Safety Belts for Children and Safety Seats

for Children.

How the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System Operates

The Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System consists of the Driver and Passenger air bags, impact sensors, a system diagnostic module, a readiness light and tone, and the electrical wiring which connects the components.

The driver air bag is in the center of the steering wheel. The front passenger seat air bag is located in the center of the instrument panel ledge above the glove compartment. Both air bags are designed to stay out of sight until they are activated.

The location of air bags and warning labels

If a collision occurs, the sensors sense the severity of the impact and activate the air bags if necessary. The air bag system is designed to deploy in frontal and front-angled collisions more severe than hitting a parked vehicle (of

similar size and weight) head-on at about 28 mph (45 km/h). Because the system senses the crash severity rather than vehicle speed, some frontal collisions at speeds above 28 mph (45 km/h) will not inflate the air bag.

When the sensors activate the system, the air bags inflate rapidly, filling with non-toxic gas mixture in a fraction of a second. Immediately after inflation, the air bags deflate by releasing the gas mixture through vent holes. The whole process takes place in a matter of seconds.

RWARNING

Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not try to touch them after inflation.

Inflated driver-side air bag

Inflated passenger-side air bag

RWARNING

The air bag will inflate only once. The system is designed to function on a one-time-only basis. If the air bag is inflated, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION AGAIN AND MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

To ensure that the air bag system will operate as intended in a crash, the system is equipped with a diagnostic module. The diagnostic module monitors its own circuits, the air bag electrical system, the air bag readiness light, the air bag power, and the air bag inflators.

The air bag system uses a readiness light on the instrument cluster and a tone to indicate the condition of the system. When you turn the ignition key to the ON position, this light will illuminate for approximately six (6) seconds and then turn off. This indicates that the system is operating normally. NOTE: Maintenance of the air bag system is not required.

A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,

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or it will not light immediately after ignition

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is turned on, or a group of five beeps will be heard. The

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tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, have the air bag system serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System may not function properly in the event of a collision.

RWARNING

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System; tampering could cause activation of the system and increase the risk of personal injury. DO NOT REPLACE OR OTHERWISE TAMPER WITH THE AIR BAG FUSES. For servicing of the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System, see your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles

For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Air bags MUST be disposed of by qualified personnel.

In the U.S. and Canada, you are required by law to use safety restraints for children. If small children ride in your vehicle — this generally includes children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 40 pounds (18 kg) or less — you must put them in safety seats that are made specially for children. Safety belts alone do not provide maximum protection for these children. Check your local and state laws for specific requirements.

RWARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision.

Make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained. If they are not restrained, the risk of their being injured in a collision greatly increases.

RWARNING

Never let children or adults ride in the cargo area of your vehicle. Make sure that they sit where they can be properly restrained. If they are not restrained, the risk of their being injured in a collision greatly increases.

RWARNING

When possible, put children in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions.

RWARNING

When using any infant or child restraint system, it is important that you follow the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer concerning its installation and use. Failure to follow each of the restraint manufacturer’s instructions could increase the risk or severity of an injury in the event of a collision or sudden stop.

Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.

RWARNING

Never leave a child unattended in your vehicle. Always remove the key from the ignition and take it with you.

Safety Seats for Children

Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer’s instructions when installing and using the safety seat.

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether straps see Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps in this chapter.

When installing a child safety seat, be sure to use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position, and make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.

RWARNING

Your vehicle is equipped with a right front passenger air bag. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THE FRONT SEAT, BECAUSE THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE VEHICLE SEATBACK, OR CENTER CONSOLE (IF SO EQUIPPED), OR CENTER ARMRESTS (IF SO EQUIPPED). ALWAYS PLACE REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS IN THE REAR SEAT. When using forward-facing child seats in the front seat, always move the passenger seat as far back from the instrument panel as possible. Failure to follow these warnings could result in injury to the child.

RWARNING

All child restraint systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt. If you do not properly secure the safety seat to the vehicle, the risk is greater that a child, occupying the seat during a collision or sudden stop, will be injured. An unsecured safety seat could also injure other passengers in the vehicle.

RWARNING

Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the safety seat that you put in your vehicle. Make sure that the shoulder belt (if provided at the seating position where the safety seat is being used) does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

RWARNING

If you have a wagon, never use child safety seats in the third seat. Safety seats for children are not intended for use in rear facing seats.

RWARNING

Always keep the buckle release button pointing upward and away from the child seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button as shown in the following illustration. Failure to follow these instructions could result in accidental unbuckling of the safety belt if the child safety seat hits the release button. Release of the safety belt could result in serious injuries.

Safety belt buckle placement for child seats

Installing Child Safety Seats in the Front Passenger Seat and Outer Rear Seating Positions

Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front passenger seat and rear outer seats. The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child seat or infant carrier in the front passenger seat or rear outer seats.

RWARNING

Never install a rear-facing child seat or infant carrier in the right front passenger seat.

If you choose to install a child safety seat in the front seating position, move vehicle seat as far back as possible.

1. Position the child seat on the passenger seat of the vehicle.

2. Pull down on shoulder belt, then grasp shoulder belt and lap belt together. Figure 1.

3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. See Figure 2. Be sure that the belt webbing is not twisted.

Routing the lap/shoulder belt

Buckling the belt

4. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard. At this time, the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child seat restraint mode). Figure 4.

Setting the retractor to automatic locking mode

5. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the shoulder webbing. A clicking sound will be heard as the belt retracts. This indicates the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. Push down on the child seat while you pull up on the belt to remove any slack in the belt. Figures 5 and 6.

6. Before placing the child in the child seat, forcibly tilt the seat from side to side, and tug it forward to make sure that the seat is securely held in place, Figure 7.

Checking that the seat is secure

7. Double check that the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. Try to pull more belt out of the retractor. If you cannot, the belt is in the automatic locking mode, Figure 8.

Checking the retractor

8. Check to make sure that the child seat is properly secured prior to each use. If the retractor is not locked, repeat steps 4 through 7.

NOTE: To remove the retractor from automatic

lock mode, allow seat belt to retract fully to its stowed position and the retractor will automatically switch back to the vehicle sensitive locking mode for normal adult usage.

RWARNING

Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps

Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.

Front Seats

To install a tether from a child safety seat in the front seat:

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder belt (in the seat directly behind the front passenger seat in which the child safety seat will be installed).

2. Pull all the stored belt out of the rear seat retractor to switch the retractor to automatic locking mode.

3. Let the retractor wind up the slack from the lap/shoulder belt.

4. Install the child safety seat in the front seat. Refer to the previous section on Installing Safety Seats. Hook the tether strap hook around the webbing near the center of the shoulder portion of the locked lap/shoulder belt.

5. Tighten the tether strap.

Rear Seats

If you use a tethered safety seat on one of the rear seats, you can anchor the strap to the appropriate tether anchor directly behind that seat position.

Tether anchorage hardware

Attachment holes (at each rear outboard seating position) have been provided in your vehicle to attach anchor hardware, if required. Kits can be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Be sure to follow the child safety seat manufacturer’s instructions.

RWARNING

Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

In a station wagon, you simply attach the tether strap to one of the anchors that are already installed for you.

Tether anchorage hardware

All wagons have a tether anchor installed for each of the second row seating positions.

Finding the tether anchors in the wagon

1. Behind the second seat, find the plastic snap-on covers for the floor anchors.

2. Use a screwdriver or coin to snap the covers off the anchor in a rearward and upward direction. Remove the covers completely.

3. Snap the tether strap hook onto the U-shaped tether anchor.

Built-In Child Seat (Wagon — If equipped)

The second row seat may include an optional built-in child safety seat on the passenger side. The child restraint is to be used only by children who are at least one year old, weigh between 9 and 27 kilograms (20 and 60 pounds) and whose shoulders (top) are below the shoulder harness slots in the seatback.

If your child is less than one year old or weighs less than 9 kilograms (20 pounds), always use a rear facing infant or convertible seat because a child of that size is not sufficiently developed to withstand crash forces in a front facing position. Follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions for weight and height restrictions.

Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle. It is the law in every state and province. This child seat conforms to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.

Built-in child seat belt retractors

The belts on the built-in child seat are equipped with a retractor that locks when both belt tongues are latched into the crotch safety belt buckled.

The retractor will automatically snug the belts around the child. Frequently check the child seat’s lap and shoulder harness belts for correct placement and tightness. Use the child seat only if the harness belts will stay snug with a child buckled in the seat. If belts do not remain snug, take the vehicle to the dealer for child seat repair.

RWARNING

Always adjust the lap and shoulder harness belts provided with this child seat snugly around your child.

Never leave your child unattended in the vehicle.

The child seat’s metal and plastic parts can become very hot when left in the sun. These can cause burns to unprotected skin.

Failure to follow all of the instructions on the use of this child restraint system can result in your child striking the vehicle’s interior during a sudden stop or crash.

How to use the Built-In Child Seat

Read the following procedures and all of the labels on the Built-In Child Seat before using the seat.

RWARNING

Never use the Built-In Child Seat as a booster cushion with the adult safety belts. A child using the adult belts could slide forward off the front edge of the child seat cushion and out from under the adult safety belts.

1. Pull and release flap from top of seatback. See Figure 1.

Figure 1: Releasing the flap

2. Grasp the child seat at the top of the seatback and pull the top forward to release the latch. See Figure 2.

NOTE: The child seat cannot be opened unless

the seatback is latched in the upright position.

Figure 2: Releasing the latch

3. Continue to unfold the child seat until it rests on the seat as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Opening the built-in child seat

4. Read the information and warnings on the child seat cushion and shoulder safety belt. Refer to Figure 4. Check the child’s size, weight and age to be sure the child is not too small or too large for the child seat.

Figure 4: Child seat information and warnings

5. If connected, squeeze the top and the bottom of the right half of the chest clip and pull to separate both halves.

6. Place the child on the child seat and position the shoulder belts over each shoulder. Refer to Figure 5.

Figure 5: Shoulder safety belt placement on the child

NOTE: Read the following steps carefully to

become familiar with the indicator windows located on each safety belt tongue and the chest clip. When either of the tongues or the chest clip is unbuckled, the color red appears in the window. When the tongues or chest clip are securely buckled, the color green appears.

7. Insert either the left or right safety belt tongue into the single opening of the crotch safety belt buckle as shown in Figure 6. (It does not matter which tongue is inserted first.) Then insert the other tongue. Allow belts to retract and fit snugly.

NOTE: The indicator window on each tongue

must appear green when buckled.

NOTE: If a belt locks during extraction, allow

belts to retract FULLY and repeat procedure.

RWARNING

If both tongues do not latch in the buckle, do not use the child seat. See your dealer for repairs.

Figure 6: Fastening the crotch safety belt buckle

8. Fasten both halves of the chest clip below the child’s shoulders and adjust it to comfortably hold the shoulder belts in place on the child’s chest. The color green must appear in the indicator window when fastened. (The purpose of this clip is to position the shoulder belts correctly on the child’s shoulders. The clip can be easily pulled apart and is designed to pull apart during a collision. The clip helps keep the belts on the shoulders of a sleeping or squirming child.) Refer to Figure 7.

Figure 7: Securing the chest clip

9. Pull the shoulder belts out to ensure that the crotch safety belt buckle is securely fastened and the retractor is locked. Refer to Figure 8.

Figure 8: Checking for securely latched buckle and locked retractor

10. If the belts become too tight, unbuckle the crotch safety belt buckle allow belts to retract, then reinsert both belt tongues.

To remove the child from the built-in child seat:

1. Squeeze the tabs on the top and bottom of the chest clip and pull the halves apart to open the chest clip. Refer back to Figure 7.

2. Press the release button on the crotch safety belt buckle.

3. Slide the shoulder belts off the child’s shoulders and remove the child. Refer back to Figure 5.

To stow the built-in child seat:

1. Return the child seat cushion to the upright position.

2. Press firmly in the center and top of the child seat to place it in the stowed position.

3. Reattach the flap on the child seat to the top of the seatback.

The seat can now be used by an adult or the seatback can be folded down.

NOTE: The seatback cannot be folded down

unless the child seat is fully stowed.

Inspection after a collision

RWARNING

All built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles, retractors, seat latches, interlocks, and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified Dealer technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the child restraints do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Built-in child seats not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

Built-in child seat maintenance

Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belts system of your child seat. See your Ford dealer if the shoulder belt webbing is frayed, or if the

buckle and tongue are damaged and/or do not function properly.

Cleaning

Your built-in child seat may be cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not use household cleaners as they may weaken the webbing or damage the plastic parts. For your convenience, the liner is removable and can be machine-washed and air-dried.

Safety Belts for Children

Children who are too large for child safety seats should always wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child that will safely fit in the seat.)

RWARNING

If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a collision will be much greater.

RWARNING

If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.

To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child’s face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.

RWARNING

Do not use a belt-positioning booster with a lap-only belt.

RWARNING

Lap belts and the lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the child’s thighs.

RWARNING

Starting Your Sable

Understanding the Positions of the Ignition

The positions of the key in the ignition

ACCESSORY allows some of your vehicle’s electrical accessories such as the radio and the windshield wipers to operate while the engine is not running.

LOCK locks the steering wheel. It also locks the gearshift for all vehicles with an automatic transaxle.

The automatic transaxle gearshift must be in P (Park) to move the key to the LOCK position.

LOCK is the only position that allows you to remove the key. The LOCK feature helps to protect your vehicle from theft.

If the key is stuck in the LOCK position, move your steering wheel left or right until the key turns freely.

OFF allows you to shut off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel or the automatic transaxle gearshift lever.

ON allows you to test your vehicle’s warning lights (except the brake system warning light) to make sure they work before you start the engine. The key returns to the ON position once the engine is started and remains in this position while the engine runs.

START cranks the engine. Release the key once the engine starts so that you do not damage the starter. The key should return to ON when you release it. The START position also allows you to test the brake warning light.

Removing the Key From the Ignition

Procedures for removing the key from the ignition will be the same for both the columnand console-mounted gearshifts.

1. Put the gearshift in P (Park).

2. Set the parking brake fully.

3. Turn the ignition to the LOCK position.

4. Remove the key.

If you have difficulty in turning the key, rotate the steering wheel slightly because it may be binding.

If the driver’s door is open while the key is still in the ignition, a warning chime sounds.

RWARNING

Before you leave the driver’s seat, make sure that the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Set the parking brake fully and shut off the engine. Do not park your vehicle in N (Neutral). If you do not take these precautions, your vehicle may move suddenly and injure someone.

Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets alone in your vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Further, on hot, sunny days temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe and possibly fatal injuries to people as well as animals.

Preparing to Start Your Vehicle

RWARNING

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or other enclosed area. Exhaust fumes are toxic. Always open the garage door before you start the engine. See Guarding Against Exhaust Fumes in this chapter for more instructions.

Before you start your vehicle, do the following:

1. Make sure you and all your passengers buckle your safety belts. See Safety Restraints in the Index for more details.

2. Make sure your headlamps and other accessories are turned off and the parking brake is set.

3. Make sure that the gearshift is in P (Park) before you turn the key.

Before you start your vehicle, you should test the warning lights on the instrument panel to make sure that they work. Refer to the Warning Lights and Gauges chapter.

Starting Your Engine

To start your engine:

1. Follow the steps under Preparing to Start Your Vehicle at the beginning of this section.

2. Turn the ignition key to the ON position.

3. DO NOT depress the accelerator pedal when starting your engine. DO NOT use the accelerator while the vehicle is parked.

4. Turn the key to the START position (cranking) until the engine starts. Allow the key to return to the ON position after the engine has started.

rotate the steering wheel slightly because it may be binding.

For a cold engine:

At temperatures 10˚F (-12˚C) and below: If

❑

the engine does not start in fifteen (15) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF,

wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again.

At temperatures above 10˚F (-12˚C): If the

❑

engine does not start in five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to OFF, wait approximately ten (10) seconds so you do not flood the engine, then try again.

For a warm engine:

Do not hold the key in the START position

❑

for more than five (5) seconds at a time. If the engine does not start within five (5) seconds on the first try, turn the key to the OFF position. Wait a few seconds after the starter stops, then try again.

Whenever you start your vehicle, release the key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking could damage the starter or flood the engine.

After you start the engine, let it idle for a few seconds. Keep your foot on the brake pedal and put the gearshift lever in gear. Release the parking brake. Slowly release the brake pedal and drive away in the normal manner.

NOTE: Your vehicle is equipped with an

automatic transaxle and has an interlock that prevents you from shifting out of P (Park) unless your foot is on the brake pedal.

If the engine does not start after two attempts:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Press the accelerator all the way to the floor and hold it.

3. Turn the ignition key to the START position.

4. Release the ignition key when the engine starts.

5. Release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up. Then drive away in the normal manner.

If the engine still does not start, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. For directions on how to reset the switch see Fuel Pump Shut-Off Switch later in this chapter.

A computer system controls the engine’s idle speed. When you start your vehicle, the engine’s idle speed normally runs high. These faster engine speeds will make your vehicle move slightly faster than its normal idle speed. It should, however, slow down after a short time. If it does not, have the idle speed checked.

RWARNING

If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, do not allow your vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes. Have the vehicle checked. Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of fire or other damage to the vehicle and may possibly result in personal injury.

RWARNING

Do not park, idle, or operate your vehicle in tall, dry grass, or other dry ground areas. The high heat generated by engine and emissions components could start a ground fire.

If you consistently start your vehicle in subzero temperatures, use an engine block heater (if your vehicle has this option).

Engine Block Heater (If equipped) (Standard in Canada)

Engine block heaters are strongly recommended if you live in a region where temperatures reach

-10˚F (-23˚C) or below. An engine block heater

warms the engine coolant, which improves starting, warms up the engine faster, and allows the heater-defrost system to respond quickly.

To turn the heater on, simply plug it into a grounded 110-volt outlet. Ford recommends that you use a 110-volt circuit that is protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.

For best results, plug the heater in at least three hours before you start your vehicle. Using the heater for longer than three hours will not damage the engine, so you can plug it in at night to start your vehicle the following morning.

RWARNING

Do not use your heater with ungrounded electrical systems or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be injured by an electrical shock if you use an ungrounded connection.

Not Start or Does Not Start After a Collision

Fuel Pump Shut-off Switch

If the engine cranks but does not start or does not start after a collision, the fuel pump shut-off switch may have been triggered. The shut-off switch is a device intended to stop the fuel pump when your vehicle has been involved in a substantial jolt.

Once the shut-off switch is triggered, you must reset the switch by hand before you can start your vehicle. If you have a sedan, the switch is on the right side of the trunk behind the trunk liner. If you have a wagon, it is behind the service panel on the right side of the cargo area.

The right side of the trunk in the sedan

Inside the right side service panel in the wagon

RWARNING

If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the switch or try to start your vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Have all the passengers get out of the vehicle and call the local fire department or a towing service.

If your engine cranks but does not start after a collision or substantial jolt:

1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.

3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push the red reset button on the fuel pump shut-off switch down.

4. Turn the ignition key to the ON position for a few seconds, then turn it to the OFF position.

5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking fuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not start your vehicle again. If you do not see or smell fuel, you can try to start your vehicle again.

6. Check all vehicle warning lights before driving the vehicle.

Vehicles with automatic transaxles cannot be started by pushing. Follow the directions under

If Your Vehicle Needs a Jump-Start in the Roadside Emergencies Chapter.

Carbon monoxide, although colorless and odorless, is present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid its dangerous effects.

RWARNING

Never idle the engine in closed areas. Never sit in a parked or stopped vehicle for more than a short period of time with the engine running. Exhaust fumes, particularly carbon monoxide, may build up. These fumes are harmful and could kill you.

RWARNING

If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful and could kill you.

Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems checked whenever:

your vehicle is raised for service

❑

the sound of the exhaust system changes

❑

your vehicle has been damaged in a collision

❑

Improve your ventilation by keeping all air inlet vents clear of snow, leaves, and other debris.

If the engine is idling while you are stopped in an open area for long periods of time, open the windows at least one inch (2.5 cm). Also, adjust the heating or air conditioning to bring in outside air.

If you use the heater, set the fan speed on

❑

either medium or HI with the select knob on either R (floor) or VENT.

If you use the air conditioner, set the fan

❑

speed on either medium or HI with the select knob on A/C. (Do not use MAX A/C.)

If you use the automatic temperature control,

❑

set the fan speed on medium or high and press the S (panel and floor) or R (floor) manual override button. (Do not use AUTO or MAX A/C.)

Instrument Panel Controls

The main controls for the climate control system, clock, and radio are in the oval Integrated Control Panel on the instrument panel.

The controls for the lights and climate control air registers are also on the instrument panel.

Clean the instrument panel lens and woodtone trim with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner. Do not use paper towel or any abrasive cleaner to clean either the lens or the woodtone trim as these may cause scratches.

NOTE: Any cleaner or polish that increases the

gloss (shine) of the upper part of the instrument panel should be avoided. The dull finish in this area is to help protect the driver from undesirable windshield reflection.

Instrument panel

Your vehicle has one of the following climate control systems:

Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System

❑

Electronic Automatic Temperature Control

❑

(EATC) System

If you are not sure which system your vehicle has, see the diagrams on the following pages.

Manual Heating and Air Conditioning System

The knobs that control the manual heating and air conditioning system

Fan speed knob

The fan speed knob controls the volume of air circulated in the vehicle. There are four fan speeds: LO, medium/low (first dot), medium/high (second dot), and HI.

Function selector knob

The function selector knob controls airflow to the inside of the vehicle.

MAX A/C

MAX A/C uses recirculated air to cool the vehicle. It allows for faster cooling but is noisier than A/C. The airflow will be from the instrument panel registers.

A/C

A/C uses outside air to cool the vehicle. It is quieter that MAX A/C, but not as economical. The airflow will be from the instrument panel registers.

VENT

VENT brings in outside air through the instrument panel registers. It can be used for heating or ventilating.

OFF

In OFF, outside air is shut out and the fan will not operate.

S (Panel and floor)

This brings in outside air through the instrument panel registers and the front and rear floor ducts. It can be used for heating or ventilating.

R (Floor)

This allows for maximum heating. The airflow is from the front and rear floor ducts.

P (Floor and defrost)

This brings in outside air through the floor ducts and the windshield defroster ducts. It can be used for heating or ventilation.

V (Defrost)

This brings in outside air through the windshield defroster ducts. It can be used to clear ice or fog from the windshield.

Temperature control knob

The temperature control knob may be adjusted from cool (blue range) to warm (red range).

Electronic Automatic Temperature Control System

The control for your Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) is located at the center of the instrument panel in the Integrated Control Panel and will operate only when the ignition is turned on to the ON position.

The EATC feature will maintain the temperature you select and automatically control the airflow for your comfort. It also allows you to override the automatic operation with manual override buttons.

The Electronic Automatic Temperature Control System

To turn your EATC on, press the AUTO button or any of the six manual override buttons along the bottom of the control.

To turn your EATC off, press the OFF button. When the system is off, the Display window will be blank (dark).

If you select AUTO, the system will automatically determine fan speed and airflow location. If a manual override button is selected, your selection determines airflow location only. Fan speed remains automatic unless you override it by pressing either side of the FAN speed button located at the extreme left of the control panel.

To change the temperature, select any temperature between 65˚F (18˚C) and 85˚F (29˚C) by pressing theaorbside of the TEMP button. The EATC will display the selected temperature.

To change the temperature display from Farenheit to Celsius, depress the MAX A/C and V F-DEF at the same time and hold them down for about a second. To change back to the original setting, repeat the process. If the battery is disconnected, the display will revert to Fahrenheit and must be reset to Celsius.

If you want continuous maximum cooling, press thebside of the TEMP button until 60˚F (16˚C) is shown in the display window. Your EATC will cool at maximum and disregard the 60˚F (16˚C) setting until you select a warmer temperature with theaside of the TEMP button. If you want continuous maximum heating, press theaside of the TEMP button until 90˚F (32˚C) is shown in the display window. Your EATC will provide maximum heat regardless of the 90˚F (32˚C) setting until you select a cooler temperature with thebside of the TEMP button.

The display window

The display window will indicate the selected temperature and the operating function you have chosen: AUTO or one of the six manual overrides. It will also indicate manual control of the fan speed with the word FAN,H, and dots. The display window with all possible displays and their positions are shown here. Normally not all are shown at the same time but are included here to familiarize you with the names and symbols.

Automatic operation

Press the AUTO button and select the desired temperature. The selected temperature and AUTO will be shown in the Display window. The EATC will automatically heat or cool to achieve the set temperature. Under normal conditions, your EATC will need no additional attention.

The AUTO temperature display

When in AUTO and weather conditions require heat, air will be sent to the floor. But a feature is included in your EATC to prevent blowing cold air to the floor if the engine coolant is not warm enough to allow heating. The EATC will direct the airflow to the windshield at low fan speed. In 3-1/2 minutes or less, the fan speed will start to increase and the airflow will change to the floor area.

When in AUTO and weather conditions require cooling, the EATC will use outside air or recirculated air, depending on the temperature that is selected.

If unusual conditions exist (i.e., window fogging, etc.), the six manual override buttons allow you to select special air discharge locations. The fan speed button allows you to adjust the fan speed to suit your needs.

Temperature selection

The TEMP button at the upper left of the Control is for temperature selection. Theaside of the TEMP button will increase the set temperature and thebside of the TEMP button will lower the set temperature. Pressing the button and releasing it will change the set temperature one degree. Holding either side of the button in will rapidly change the temperature setting in one degree increments to either 65˚F (18˚C) or 85˚F (29˚C). Then, the set temperature will jump 5˚F (3˚C) and stop at either 60˚F (16˚C) which is maximum cooling or 90˚F (32˚C) which is maximum heating.

The average temperature range used is between 68˚F (20˚C) and 78˚F (26˚C). Changing the temperature setting by several degrees outside this range or overriding to 60˚ or 90˚F (16˚ or 32˚C) as described above will not speed up the heating or cooling process.

Fan speed button

Your EATC automatically adjusts the fan speed to the existing conditions. You must press AUTO for automatic fan speed operation. To control the fan speed yourself, use the button which will cancel the automatic fan speed control. The button is located at the left side of the EATC control panel. It is markedH. Press the (-) side for lower speeds. Press the (+) side for higher speeds.

When you press the fan speed button, the fan speed will go to manual control. The display window will show the word FAN,Hand a series of dots along with the selected temperature and operating function.

The fan display

You can override the fan speed at any time. If you use the button to control the fan speed, the EATC will continue to control the temperature but you control the fan speed. To return to auto fan control, press the AUTO button. If you are operating in one of the override functions (S, MAX A/C, etc.), automatic fan control will continue unless you press the fan speed button. To return to automatic fan control, press the AUTO button. The EATC will return to automatic operation. If you want to return to any override function, press the button for that function. The fan speed will continue to be automatically controlled.

100

Manual override buttons

Your EATC has six buttons which allow you to make special selections. The buttons are located along the bottom edge of the EATC and allow you to determine where the air will be discharged. Pressing any override button changes the air discharge location only. It does not affect the ability of the system to control temperature or the fan speed. Return to fully automatic operation by pushing the AUTO button.

MAX A/C button

The MAX A/C feature allows for faster cooling because air is drawn from inside the vehicle. Using inside air causes the fan to sound louder which is normal for this selection. The display window will change to indicate MAX A/C and the airflow will be from the instrument panel registers. To exit, push AUTO or any of the other five manual override buttons.

VENT button

Press this button to select outside air through the instrument panel registers. The display window will show the set temperature and VENT to the lower right of the temperature. Your EATC will heat the air if the temperature you have selected is warmer than the outside air coming into the vehicle. However, the air will NOT be cooled regardless of the temperature setting. Airflow will be from the instrument panel registers.

101

S (Panel and floor) button

Push this button to get air from the floor and instrument panel registers at the same time. The display will show the set temperature and S. Depending on the selected temperature, the air will be automatically heated or cooled.

R (Floor)

Airflow will be to the floor when the R (floor) button is pressed. The display window will show the set temperature and R (floor) to the right of the temperature. Fan speed will be automatic unless manually controlled. If you override the fan speed and wish to return to automatic fan control, press AUTO. Then, again select R (floor) for airflow to the floor.

P (Floor and defrost)

Press this button to get air to the floor and windshield defrosters at the same time. The display will show the set temperature and P.If the outside temperature is about 50˚F (10˚C) and above, the air will be dehumidified to remove moisture. This will help to prevent fogging in humid weather.

V F-DEF (Front defrost)

Press the V F-DEF (front defrost) button to obtain maximum airflow to the windshield. Adjust the temperature setting as required for defrosting. The Display window will show the temperature setting with V to the right of the temperature. When the outside temperature is about 50˚F (10˚C) and above, the air will be dehumidified to remove moisture. This will help prevent fogging in humid weather.

102

OUTSIDE TEMP button

When this button is pressed, the temperature of the air outside of the vehicle will show in the display window. If the EATC is off, the display will go blank after 4 seconds. If the EATC is on, the outside temperature will be shown until the OUTSIDE Temp button is pressed a second time or another override button is pressed.

NOTE: The outside temperature reading is

most accurate when the vehicle is moving. Higher readings may be obtained when the vehicle is not moving. The readings that you get may not agree with temperatures given on the radio due to differences in vehicle and station locations.

Service

If your EATC is not operating as described here, take it to your dealer to have it checked. System diagnostics are built in which will allow your dealer to readily identify problems that might occur.

Operating tips

The following tips will help you to get the most satisfaction from your climate control system.

In humid weather, select V F-DEF (front

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defrost) before driving. This will help to prevent windshield fogging. After a few minutes of operation, switch to any desired selection.

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Do not put objects under the front seats that

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interfere with the flow of air to the back seat area.

Remove any snow, ice, or leaves from the air

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intake area of your climate control system which could block the air intake. The intake area is located at the bottom of the windshield, under the hood at the passenger side rear corner.

If the air conditioner performs well in MAX

❑

A/C but not in A/C, this may indicate that the MicronAirH filter (if equipped) needs to be replaced.

MicronAirH Air Filter (If equipped)

Your vehicle may have an air filter that removes pollen and road dust from outside air before it is directed to the interior of the vehicle. For maintenance of this filter, see Servicing Your Sable.

Rear Window Defroster and Heated Side View Mirrors

The defroster for the rear window clears frost, fog, or thin ice from both the inside and outside of the rear window and activates the heated side view mirrors.

The button for the rear defroster and heated side view mirrors is on the instrument panel.

The button that controls the rear window defroster and heated side view mirrors

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Clear away any snow that is on the rear window and side view mirrors before using the defroster. With the engine running, push the defrost button. After 10 minutes, the defroster will turn off. If the window and mirrors are still not clear, push the defroster button again. The defroster will turn off when the ignition key is turned to the OFF position.

NOTE: Never use sharp instruments or

window cleaners with abrasives to clean the inside of your rear window. If you do, you may damage the heating elements that are bonded to the inside of the rear window and cause damage to the rear window defroster.

Liftgate Window Wiper and Washer (If equipped)

The liftgate window wiper and washer switches

To turn on the liftgate window wiper, press the b switch. To turn the liftgate window wiper off, press the switch again.

To turn on the liftgate window washer, press the d switch. When the d switch is pressed, it also turns on the liftgate wiper.

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Turning On the Exterior Lights

To turn on your headlamps, parking lamps, side markers, and tail lamps, use the knob that is to the left of the steering wheel.

The knob for the headlamps, parking lamps, and tail lamps

To turn on the parking lamps, side markers, and tail lamps, turn the knob to “P” or the first position.

To turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, side markers, and tail lamps, turn the knob to the second position.

Turning on the high beams

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To change your headlamps from low to high beam, push the turn signal lever away from you. To change them back to low beam, pull the lever toward you.

For more information about how the high beam headlamps work, see Steering column controls in the Index.

Daytime Running Light System

(Canadian and fleet vehicles only)

The Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is designed to turn the high beam headlamps on, with a reduced light output and without illuminating the high beam indicator lamp in the instrument panel. The DRL system operates when all of the following conditions are met:

The vehicle is “running.”

❑

The vehicle has a fully released parking

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brake. The headlamp system is in the OFF position.

❑

NOTE: If you have a vehicle with an

automatic lighting system, the DRL system is active until the automatic system turns on the headlamps.

NOTE: The high beam indicator will not turn

on in the flash-to-pass mode during nighttime driving.

You may notice that the lights flicker when the vehicle is turned on or off. This is a normal condition.

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RWARNING

When the Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is active the tail lamps, parking lamps and side markers on your vehicle will not be illuminated. It is necessary to turn on your headlamps at dusk. Failure to do so may result in a collision, possibly injuring yourself and others.

Cleaning the Exterior Lamps

Do not use dry paper towel, chemical solvents or abrasive cleaners to clean the lamps, as these may cause scratches or crack the lamps.

Setting the Autolamp Delay System (If equipped)

The autolamp sets the headlamps to turn on and off automatically. You can use the autolamp to:

turn on the lamps automatically at night

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turn off the lamps automatically during

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daylight keep the lamps on for up to three minutes

❑

after you turn the ignition to the OFF position.

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The autolamp system on the left side of the instrument panel

To set the autolamp:

1. Make sure the headlamp knob is in the OFF position. If the switch for the headlamps is ON, you cancel the autolamp.

2. Turn the ignition key to ON or start your vehicle.

3. Find the autolamp thumbwheel to the left of the steering wheel on the instrument panel.

4. Turn the autolamp thumbwheel past the stop to the beginning of the MAX position. The indicator light will come on.

5. The autolamp automatically turns the lamps on and off for you.

Do not put any articles on top of the photocell that is located in the top right corner of the instrument panel. This photocell controls the autolamp. If you cover it, the photocell reacts as if it is nighttime, and the lamps turn on.

To turn the autolamp off, move the thumbwheel back to OFF.

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You can set the autolamp so the headlamps stay on for up to three minutes after you turn your vehicle off.

To keep the lamps on after you leave your vehicle:

Turn the thumbwheel as far into the MAX

❑

range as you want. The further you move the thumbwheel into

❑

the DELAY area (toward the MAX position), the longer the lamps will stay on after you leave your vehicle. Similarly, if you move the thumbwheel only slightly into the DELAY area, your lamps will stay on only for a moment after you turn your vehicle off.

Lighting Up the Interior and Instrument Panel

With the light knob in the parking lamps or the headlamps position, you can brighten or dim the lights in the instrument panel. To do this, use the thumbwheel to the left of the steering wheel. This wheel also turns on the interior lights with the light switch on or off.

The thumbwheel that controls the light on the instrument panel

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To dim the instrument panel lights, rotate the thumbwheel down. To turn on the interior lights, turn the thumbwheel all the way up. The interior lights also come on when any side door or the liftgate is opened.

Dome Lamps

The front dome lamp is located overhead between the driver and front passenger seats. However, if your vehicle is equipped with a power moon roof, the dome lamp is located behind the moon roof.

In the wagon, the rear dome lamp is located overhead near the rear seating positions.

The dome/map lamp

Turn the map lamps on and off with the switches on the lamp. The dome lamp illuminates when any door is opened. If either the driver’s or passenger’s front door is opened using the outside door handle, the light will remain on for 25 seconds after the door has been shut. If any other door is opened or if either of the front doors is opened using the inside handle, the lamp will immediately turn off when the door is closed.

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The dome lamp

The dome lamp will stay illuminated if the switch is pushed to the ON position. The dome lamp will stay off if the switch is pushed to the OFF position. When the switch is positioned to the door/middle position, the dome lamp will come on when either of the front doors or the liftgate (wagon) is opened.

The rear dome lamp also illuminates when the liftgate is opened and goes off when it is closed.

The map lamps on the moon roof console

Turn each map lamp on the moon roof console on and off with the switch near that lamp.

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Cleaning the Interior Lamps

Your interior dome lamps and map lamps are plastic and should be cleaned with a mild detergent diluted in water. Rinse them with clear water.

Battery Saver

When the ignition is turned off, the vehicle will turn off battery voltage to the interior lights after 40 minutes.

This will prevent draining of the battery if those lights have been left on inadvertently or if a door is not completely closed. Battery voltage to these lamps will be restored when the outside front door handles are lifted, the keyless entry keypad is used, the remote entry transmitter is used, any door is opened, the trunk is opened, or the ignition key is turned to the ON position.

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The digital clock

1. To set the hour, press and hold the hour button. When the desired hour appears, release the button.

2. To set the minutes, press and hold the minute button. When the desired minute appears, release the button.

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Warning Lights and Gauges

In your vehicle, the warning lights and gauges are grouped together on the instrument panel. We call this grouping a cluster. Your vehicle has one of the following clusters:

Standard cluster

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Optional cluster

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If you are not sure which cluster your vehicle has, check the diagrams on the following pages.

The Standard Cluster

The following warning lights and gauges are on the standard cluster. All of the warning lights and gauges alert you to possible problems with your vehicle. Some of the lights listed are optional. The following sections detail what each of these indicators means.

Mercury SABLE 1996 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Introductory Information

Safety Restraints

Starting Your Sable

Warning Lights and Gauges