1996 Mercury Sable Owner's Manual - Page 111

Gauges Fuel Gauge The fuel gauge displays approximately how much fuel is in the fuel tank only when the ignition is in the ON position. For proper fuel gauge indication after adding fuel, the ignition should be in the OFF position while the vehicle is being refueled. The fuel gauge indicator may vary slightly when the vehicle is in motion. With the ignition in the OFF position, the fuel gauge indicator may drift from the ignition ON indication. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level or mixture, the gauge indication will not be accurate. The pointer moves from the C (cold) mark into the Normal band as the engine coolant warms up. It is acceptable for the pointer to fluctuate within the Normal band under normal driving conditions. Under certain driving conditions, such as heavy stop and go traffic or driving up hills in hot weather, the pointer may indicate at the top of the Normal band. 84