FORD MUSTANG 2021 Owners Manual

TOWING A TRAILER - MACH 1
WARNING: Your vehicle is
not approved for trailer towing.
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
TOWING A TRAILER WARNING:
Do not exceed
the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification
label. WARNING:
Towing trailers
beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of your
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and personal injury.
Note: There may be electrical
items such as fuses or relays that
can affect trailer towing operation.
See
Fuses (page 245).
The load capacity of your vehicle
is designated by weight not
volume. You may not necessarily
be able to use all available space
when loading your vehicle or
trailer. Towing a trailer places extra load
on the engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires, and suspension.
Inspect these components before,
during and after towing.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects the vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items in the
center of the left and right side
trailer tires.
• Load the heaviest items above
the trailer axles or just slightly
forward toward the trailer
tongue. Do not allow the final
trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the
loaded trailer weight.
• Select a ball mount with the
correct rise or drop. When both
the loaded vehicle and trailer
are connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward the
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
When driving with a trailer or
payload, a slight takeoff vibration
or shudder may be present due to
the increased payload weight.
Additional information regarding
proper trailer loading and setting
your vehicle up for towing is
located in the Load Carrying
chapter. See
Load Limit (page
213).
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You can also find information in
the RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.RV & Trailer Towing Guide Online
http://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/
Website
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer
weight for your vehicle
configuration listed in the chart
below.
Note: Be sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Do not exceed 12 feet 2
(1.11
meters 2
).
Note: For high altitude operation,
reduce the gross combined weight
by 2% per
1,000 ft (300 m)
starting at the 1,000 ft (300 m)
elevation point. Note:
Certain states require
separate trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. Be sure to
check state regulations for this
specified weight. The maximum
trailer weights listed may be limited
to this specified weight, as the
vehicle ’s electrical system may not
include the wiring connector
needed to activate electric trailer
brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for
your vehicle configuration on the
following chart. Maximum Trailer Weight
Powertrain
1,000 lb (454 kg)
2.3L GTDI
1,000 lb (454 kg)
5.0L TiVCT
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ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1,000 mi (1,600 km).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's
load in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit
(page 213).
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle load
when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes WARNING:
Do not connect a
trailer's hydraulic brake system directly
to your vehicle's brake system. Your
vehicle may not have enough braking
power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you
install them properly and adjust them to
the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps WARNING:
Never connect any
trailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail
lamp wiring; this may damage the
electrical system resulting in fire. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, direction indicators and hazard lights
are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
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When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not drive faster than 70 mph
(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi
(800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (P) or neutral (N)
to aid engine and transmission cooling
and to help air conditioning
performance.
• Switch off the speed control with
heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The
speed control may turn off
automatically when you are towing on
long, steep grades.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a slope. However, if
you must park on a slope:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the automatic transmission in park (P) or manual transmission in a
low gear. 4. Place wheel chocks in front and back
of the trailer wheels. Chocks are not
included with your vehicle.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before
backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after
removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher
than
6 in (15 cm) above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions, and
reliability.
Any time the rear axle submerges in water,
replace the rear axle lubricant. Water may
contaminate the rear axle lubricant, which
is not a normal maintenance inspection
item unless there is a possibility of a leak
or other axle repair is required.
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TRANSPORTING THE VEHICLE
- MACH 1 If you need to have your vehicle towed,
contact your roadside assistance center
or a professional towing service.
We recommend that your vehicle be towed
with flatbed equipment only. When towing
with a flatbed, race ramps or wood ramps
must be used when loading or unloading
your vehicle. Wheel baskets are required
when flatbed towing.
Your vehicle comes with a front recovery
hook to assist in vehicle recovery
situations. See Transporting the Vehicle
(page 237).
Perform the following when towing your
vehicle:
• Enable manual park override.
See
Automatic Transmission (page 165).
Note: Do not use the Stay in Neutral Mode
for towing.
Note: Do not tow with a slingbelt or wheel
lift equipment.
Note: If the vehicle is towed incorrectly or
by any other means, vehicle damage may
occur.
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Preferred Flatbed Method
Seven degrees maximum.
A
Tow vehicle ramp.
B
Race ramps.
C
30 inches (76 centimeters) minimum.
D
70 inches (178 centimeters) minimum.
E
Use race ramps to load the vehicle.
The diagram illustrates the maximum
ramp angle allowable to load your vehicle
on a flatbed. Vehicle damage may occur
with greater angles. Ramps must be used to achieve
appropriate undercarriage clearances.
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Alternate Flatbed Method
Tow vehicle ramp.
A
Wooden ramp.
B
Use 2 in (5 cm) by 8 in (20 cm) by 8 ft
(2.5 m) wooden ramps to load the vehicle.
The diagram illustrates the maximum
ramp angle allowable to load your vehicle
on a flatbed. Vehicle damage may occur
with greater angles.
Blocks must be used to achieve
appropriate undercarriage clearances.
Transporting or Trailering - Mach
1 Handling Package
(If Equipped)
Due to low ground clearance, your vehicle
is transported from the assembly plant to
the dealer with front suspension spacers
installed. These are removed by the dealer
prior to customer delivery and are provided
with the vehicle. If you plan to transport or
trailer your vehicle and need additional
clearance, the spacers may be reinstalled
for additional underbody clearance. Note:
Suspension spacers must be
removed before driving your vehicle. Failure
to remove the spacers may cause damage
to suspension components and degrade
vehicle performance.
Note: It is only possible for you to install or
remove the suspension spacers while the
vehicle is raised in the air. 224
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Front Suspension
Insert the top of the spring spacer onto the
spring first, then snap the bottom of the
spacer into place.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable without
access to wheel dollies or a vehicle
transport trailer, it can be flat-towed with
all wheels on the ground, regardless of the
powertrain and transmission configuration,
under the following conditions:
• Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
• Place the transmission in neutral (N).
If you cannot shift the transmission into
neutral (N), you may need to override
the gear shifter. See
Transmission
(page 164). Failing to do so may result
in damage to the transmission.
• Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
• Maximum distance is
50 mi (80 km).
Recreational Towing
You cannot recreational tow your vehicle
with all wheels on the ground because
vehicle or transmission damage could
occur. You must recreational tow your
vehicle with all four wheels off the ground
such as when using a car-hauling trailer.
Otherwise, you cannot recreational tow
your vehicle.
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OPENING THE CONVERTIBLE
TOP
When you use the top, you must first
unlatch it from the windshield and then
use the convertible top control.
Note:
The convertible top does not operate
unless the vehicle is stationary or traveling
under 3 mph (5 km/h). A chime sounds and
a warning message appears in the
instrument panel. When you slow down, the
top operates.
Note: When you latch or unlatch the
convertible top, the audio system mutes
briefly. This allows the vehicle to optimize
the cabin ’s sound quality depending on the
position of the convertible top.
To unlatch the convertible top:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The ignition must be on. We
recommend that the vehicle remains
running when you open the top to
prevent draining the battery.
2. Check the convertible top stowage compartment behind the rear seat to
be sure it is empty. Make sure the
convertible top outer surface is free of
debris.
3. Move the latch handle, above the interior mirror, down toward the
windshield and rotate the handle
clockwise to release the convertible
top. The windows open automatically when
you press the convertible top control.
To open the convertible top:
1. Press and hold the convertible top
control on the overhead console, until
the windows are completely down and
the top stores completely.
2. Release the convertible top control. Note:
Do not store articles behind the rear
seat. Articles in the convertible top stowage
compartment may break the rear glass
window when you open the top.
Note: Opening the convertible top when
the top material is wet may cause mold or
mildew.
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Using the Tonneau Caps
Your convertible top also includes two
tonneau caps, one for each side of the
vehicle. These caps stow inside the trunk.
Leading edge.
A.
Side edge.
B.
After opening your convertible top, place
the tonneau caps between the top and
your vehicle trim moulding:
1. Insert tab A under the trim.
2. When tab A is under the trim slot, angle
B down so the edges slide under the
surrounding moulding and secure into
place between the trim edges.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the opposite side of the vehicle to install the second
tonneau cap.
CLOSING THE CONVERTIBLE
TOP
Closing the convertible top is a three-step
process: Remove both of the tonneau
caps, press the convertible top control to
close the top, and then close the latch. To remove the tonneau caps:
1.
Slide B toward the center of the vehicle
to release the edges from the
surrounding trim.
2. Lift up on B, and then pull the piece back to release tab A from the trim.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the opposite side of the vehicle.
4. Make sure you stow both pieces in the trunk. Note:
The convertible top does not operate
unless the vehicle is stationary or traveling
under 3 mph (5 km/h). A chime sounds and
a warning message appears in the
instrument panel. When you slow down, the
top operates.
Note: You must remove the tonneau caps
before you are able to close the top or a
chime sounds and a warning message
appears in the instrument panel. Remove
and stow the caps in the trunk, and then
press the convertible top control again.
Note: When you latch or unlatch the
convertible top, the audio system mutes
briefly. This allows the vehicle to optimize
the cabin ’s sound quality depending on the
position of the convertible top.
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