Target Audience:
Families and commuters seeking a mid-size sedan or wagon with comfort features at a mainstream price
Segment:
Mid-size front-wheel-drive sedan / wagon
Primary Competitors:
Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu
Key Advantage:
Distinctive oval-themed styling, roomy interior, and wide availability of standard safety features
Engine:
3.0L V6 (OHV and DOHC versions)
Standard Safety:
Dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes on most trims
Body Styles:
4-door sedan and 4-door wagon
Instrument Cluster:
Warning lamps, gauges, and indicator operation
Controls and Features:
Lighting, wipers, locks, windows, mirrors, seats
Climate Control:
Manual and electronic automatic temperature control operation
Audio System:
AM/FM/cassette and premium sound controls
Keys and Security:
Keyless entry, SecuriLock-type passive anti-theft system
Seating and Restraints:
Seat adjustment, head restraints, safety belts, child seat installation
Cruise Control:
Set, resume, and cancel operation
Tilt Steering:
Steering column adjustment
Scheduled Maintenance:
Factory service interval charts for normal and severe use
Fluids and Capacities:
Engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid specifications
Tires:
Inflation pressures, rotation, wear indicators, spare tire use
Battery and Fuses:
Jump starting, fuse panel locations and ratings
Bulb Replacement:
Exterior and interior lamp specifications
Wiper Blades:
Replacement sizes and installation
Roadside Emergencies:
Tire change procedure, jack placement, tow procedures
Starting:
Starting procedures, remote start considerations, guard against theft
Fuel and Refueling:
Fuel requirements, filler cap and fuel door operation
Emission Controls:
Catalytic converter precautions and inspection requirements
Technical Specifications:
Engine data, dimensions, and capacities tables
Customer Assistance:
Owner support, reporting safety defects, service policies
Audience Level:
Vehicle owner; routine care and operation, not full repair procedures
Parts Information:
Fluid specifications and capacities suitable for ordering correct parts and fluids
Procedures Included:
Owner-performable checks and adjustments with illustrations
Warnings and Cautions:
Factory safety notices throughout
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Primary Engine:
3.0L V6 OHV (Vulcan), 12 valves
Optional Engine:
3.0L V6 DOHC (Duratec), 24 valves
OHV Horsepower:
Approximately 145 hp
DOHC Horsepower:
Approximately 200 hp
Torque:
Approximately 215 lb-ft (DOHC); see manual tables for OHV rating
Fuel Delivery:
Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection
Recommended Fuel:
Regular unleaded, 87 octane
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Approximately 16 gallons
Cooling:
Liquid-cooled with pressurized recovery coolant system
Standard Transmission:
4-speed automatic overdrive (AX4N / AX4S depending on engine)
Optional Transmission:
N/A - automatic was the only transmission offered for 1998
Features:
Electronic locking torque converter, overdrive gear for highway efficiency
Shift Operation:
Column-mounted gear selector with overdrive lockout
Fluid:
Mercon automatic transmission fluid; check level via dipstick
Wheelbase:
Approximately 108.5 inches
Length:
Approximately 197.5 inches (sedan)
Body Styles:
4-door sedan; 4-door wagon
Curb Weight:
Approximately 3,300-3,500 lb depending on trim and body style
Cargo Volume:
Wagon offers expanded rear cargo area with rear seat folded
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags (second-generation, depowered)
Safety Belts:
Three-point outboard belts with adjustable shoulder height; center lap belt
Child Restraint:
Rear seat child tether anchors and locking clip provisions
Side-Impact Structure:
Reinforced door beams
Anti-Lock Brakes:
4-wheel ABS on most trims
Traction Control:
Available with LS trim
Daytime Running Lamps:
N/A - not standard on this model
Adjustable Pedals:
N/A - not offered for this model
Crash Test Ratings:
N/A - consult NHTSA archives for 1998 Sable ratings; ratings not published in this manual
Audio System:
AM/FM stereo with cassette; premium JBL-branded sound system available on LS trims
Antenna:
Integrated or mast antenna per trim
Steering Wheel Controls:
Available audio controls on some LS trims
Keyless Entry:
Remote keyless entry available; SecuriCode keypad available on LS
Driver Assistance:
N/A - modern ADAS features were not offered in 1998
Trip Computer:
Available electronic message center on LS trims
Oil and Filter:
Approximately every 5,000 km / 3,000 miles (severe) to 7,500 miles (normal), per interval chart
Tire Rotation:
Approximately every 5,000-7,500 miles
Spark Plugs:
Replace at approximately 100,000 miles (platinum plugs)
Coolant:
Replace at approximately 100,000 miles initially, then per chart
Engine Oil:
SAE 5W-30, API SH or better
Transmission Fluid:
Mercon automatic transmission fluid
Coolant:
Motorcraft greenethylene glycol coolant, 50/50 mix
Head Gaskets:
3.0L OHV Vulcan of this era is generally robust; monitor coolant condition
Common Wear Items:
Wiper blades, brake pads, ball joints, and intake gaskets on high-mileage units
ABS System:
Inspect wheel sensors if ABS lamp illuminates
Manufacturer:
Mercury, a division of Ford Motor Company
Model Introduction:
Sable introduced for 1986 as a technically advanced aerodynamic redesign of the mid-size segment
Generation:
Second generation (1996-1999), shared platform with Ford Taurus
1998 Changes:
Continuation of oval-themed second-generation design with minor trim and feature revisions
Body Styles:
Sedan and wagon carried through the generation
Production Location:
United States (Ford assembly plants); see vehicle certification label for plant code
Platform:
Ford DN101 front-wheel-drive platform