2005 Mercury Sable Owner's Manual - Page 167

Driving TRACTION CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED) Your vehicle may be equipped with a Traction Control system. This system helps you maintain the stability and steerability of your vehicle, especially on slippery road surfaces such as snow- or ice-covered roads and gravel roads. The system will allow your vehicle to make better use of available traction in these conditions. During Traction Control operation, the traction control active light will illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not "rev-up" when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior and should be no reason for concern. Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN. The Traction Control switch, located on the right-hand side of the instrument cluster, has an indicator O light that illuminates when the F T/C system is off. The Traction Control F system will automatically turn on every time the ignition is turned off and on. The Traction Control system should normally be left on. If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction Control system off. This may allow excess wheel spin to "dig" the vehicle out and enable a successful "rocking" maneuver. If a system fault is detected, the traction control active light will illuminate, the Traction Control button will not turn the system on or off and your vehicle should be serviced. 167 REVIEW COPY 2005 Sable (sab), Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt) (own2002), Market: USA_English (fus)