There are 2, maybe 3 metal clips on the air filter housing - flip those up and tilt the end away from the top of the housing. The top will not move very far - that's okay as the filter is thin, so the small opening is enough to wriggle the old filter out, and new one in.
Note: see page 188 of the Owners Manual for a engine compartment diagram to identify the air filter housing
See "Related Questions" below for more
According to the 2008 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : For the 3.5 litre V6 engine : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil )
how do i change out a power steering switch on a 2001 mercury sable with a 3.0 engine?
According to the 2008 Mercury Sable owners manual : ( the Motorcraft FL-400-SB12 engine oil filter is used for the 3.5L V6 engine )
According to the 2004 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : For the 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine ( 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil ) For the 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine ( 6.0 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil )
According to the 1998 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 3.0 liter " Vulcan " V6 engine takes ( 4.5 quarts ) The 3.0 liter " Duratec " V6 engine takes ( 5.5 quarts )
According to the 1999 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : For the 3.0 litre , DOHC , " Duratec " V6 engine : With engine oil filter change : ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 engine oil )
According to the 1999 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 3.0 liter Duratec ( DOHC ) V6 engine takes : ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 )
According to the 1997 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : For the 3.0 liter " Vulcan " V6 engine ( Motorcraft FL-400-S engine oil filter ) For the 3.0 liter " Duratec " V6 engine ( Motorcraft FL-820-S engine oil filter )
According to the 1996 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : The 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine takes ( 4.25 litres of 5W-30 engine oil ) The 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine takes ( 5.2 litres of 5W-30 engine oil )
According to the 1997 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : ( the 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine takes 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 engine oil ) ( the 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine takes 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 engine oil )
According to the 1999 Mercury Sable Owner Guide ( 5W-30 ) With engine oil filter change For the 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine ( 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 engine oil ) For the 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 engine oil )
According to the 2003 Mercury Sable Owner Guide : With engine oil filter change : For the 3.0 litre " Vulcan " V6 engine ( 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil ) For the 3.0 litre " Duratec " V6 engine ( 5.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-20 engine oil )