2002 Mercury Sable Owner Guide 4th Printing - Page 145

Driving Always set the parking brake fully and make sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park). Turn the ignition to the LOCK position and remove the key whenever you leave your vehicle. If the parking brake is fully released, but the brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the brakes may not be working properly. See your dealer or a qualified service technician. Driving with an automatic overdrive transaxle Your automatic transaxle electronically controls the shift feel by using an adaptive learning strategy. This feature is designed to optimize shift smoothness. It is normal for your transaxle to shift firmly during the first few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation until the adaptive strategy has been learned. The adaptive learning strategy is maintained by power from the battery. When the battery is disconnected or a new battery is installed, the transaxle must relearn its adaptive strategy. Optimal shifting will resume within a few hundred kilometers (miles) of operation. Your automatic overdrive transaxle provides fully automatic operation in (Overdrive) or D (Drive). either Driving with the gearshift lever (Overdrive) gives the best in fuel economy for normal driving conditions. For manual control, start in 1 (First) and then shift manually. If your vehicle is equipped with a console-mounted gearshift lever, you must press the thumb button on the side of the gearshift lever to move the gearshift lever from P (Park). To put your vehicle in gear, start the engine, depress the brake pedal, then move the gearshift lever out of P (Park). 145