With the increasing focus on energy efficiency, getting the most out of your fuel dollar is just good sense. The Mercury Sable is one of the more fuel efficient vehicles in Ford Motor Company’s fleet and, if properly maintained, can give you the best bang for your fuel buck for a long time. Do not buy into miracle fixes or silly gadgets touted to magically improve your Sable’s gas mileage. Instead, just adhere to the factory maintenance schedule and perform a few other simple tasks to keep your Sable performing to its full potential.
Check your tire pressure every two weeks with a digital tire pressure gauge. The gauges sell for around $10 at your local auto parts retailer. The tire pressure should be checked when the tires are cold (having driven less than one mile in the last twelve hours) and set to the tire pressure specification listed on the VIN sticker placed inside the driver’s door well. Use an air compressor to set the tires to the specified pressure if they need air. Low tire pressure is the number one cause of poor fuel economy.
Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. When doing so, use semi-synthetic oil and a professional grade oil filter such as a Motorcraft, Wix or Napa Gold Line. Dirty oil and cheap oil filters lead to undue engine wear, which decreases engine efficiency and fuel economy.
Inspect your air filter at every oil change interval and replace it if necessary. Hold the filter up to a light source and if you cannot see light through the filter medium, replace it immediately with a professional grade filter such as a Motorcraft, Wix or Napa Gold Line. A dirty air filter hampers air intake and passes dirt on to the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. A contaminated MAF will reduce fuel economy rapidly.
Replace the fuel filter with a professional grade filter such as a Motorcraft, Wix or Napa Gold Line every 15,000 miles. A plugged fuel filter reduces the efficiency of the fuel system, and by default, the fuel economy. The fuel filter is one of the most overlooked maintenance items on a vehicle, yet one of the most important when it comes to optimizing fuel economy.
