User manual MERCURY SABLE 1999

[. . . ] Contents Before driving Introduction Instrumentation Controls and features Seating and safety restraints Starting and driving Starting Driving Roadside emergencies Servicing Maintenance and care Capacities and specifications Customer assistance Reporting safety defects Index 135 180 189 204 205 96 101 118 2 4 16 70 All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted without written authorization from Ford Motor Company. Copyright 1998 Ford Motor Company 1 Introduction ICONS Indicates a safety alert. Indicates vehicle information related to recycling and other environmental concerns will follow. [. . . ] P the anti-lock brake system is disabled and BRAKE normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning light also remains illuminated with parking brake released. (If your brake warning lamp illuminates, have your vehicle serviced immediately). Using ABS · In an emergency or when maximum efficiency from the ABS is required, apply continuous full force on the brake. The ABS will be activated immediately, thus allowing you to retain full steering control of your vehicle and, providing there is sufficient space, will enable you to avoid obstacles and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. 102 Driving · The Anti-Lock system does not decrease the time necessary to apply the brakes or always reduce stopping distance. Always leave enough room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to stop. · We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this braking technique. To set the parking brake, press the parking brake pedal down until the pedal stops. The BRAKE warning !P lamp in the instrument cluster illuminates and BRAKE remains illuminated (when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking brake is released. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure that the gearshift is securely latched in P (Park). However, if the normal brakes fail, the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle will be adversely affected. Driving with the parking brake on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel economy. STEERING Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. To prevent damage to the power steering pump: · Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left for more than a few seconds when the engine is running. · Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level. If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort. If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could be caused by any of the following: · underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s) · high crown in center of road · high crosswinds · wheels out of alignment · loose or worn components in steering linkage 104 Driving AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE OPERATION Brake-shift interlock This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed. If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed: 1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the key. If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not operating properly. Do not drive your vehicle until you verify that the brakelamps are working. If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern. Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park). [. . . ] Box 07150 Detroit, Michigan 48207 For a free publication catalog, order toll free: 1-800-782-4356 Monday-Friday 8:00 a. m. EST, for credit card holders only To order the publications in this portfolio in Canada: Make cheques payable to: Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. Box 1580, Station B Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Y 4G3 or order toll free: 1-800-387-4966 Monday-Friday 8:00 a. m. EST, for credit card holder orders only 203 Reporting safety defects REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (U. S. [. . . ]