1996 Mercury Sable Owner's Manual - Page 227
1996 Mercury Sable Manual
Page 227 highlights
N (Neutral) With the gearshift in the N (Neutral) position, the vehicle can be started and is free to roll. Hold the brake pedal down while in this position. Driving When to use D (Overdrive) D (Overdrive) is the usual driving position for an automatic overdrive transaxle. It automatically upshifts or downshifts as the vehicle speeds or slows. However, D (Overdrive) also shifts into a fourth gear - an overdrive gear - when your vehicle cruises at a consistent speed for any length of time. This fourth gear will increase your fuel economy when you travel at cruising speeds. When to use D (O/D OFF) You will notice that there is only one drive position on your gearshift indicator (instead of Drive and Overdrive). However, you will find a switch labeled O/D located on the gearshift lever. Push in the switch and the O/D OFF light in the instrument cluster will illuminate. With the O/D OFF light illuminated, the transaxle will operate in first, second and third gears and will not shift into fourth gear. Operating in D (O/D OFF) eliminates the excessive shifting between third and fourth gears that your vehicle sometimes does when you are traveling through hilly terrain in D (Overdrive). It also provides more engine braking than D (Overdrive) for descending hills or city driving. To return the transaxle to the normal Overdrive operation, press the O/D OFF switch again. Use this switch to select Overdrive or D (O/D OFF) whenever you drive your vehicle. 200