check engine light FORD MUSTANG 1996 4.G User Guide

200acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[RE01000( ALL)03/95]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[RE01100( ALL)03/95]
Preparing Your Vehicle
[RE01150( ALL)11/90]
NOTE: also see label on battery.
*
[RE01200( ALL)03/95]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[RE01300( ALL)03/95]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[RE01400( ALL)04/95]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
*
[RE01500( ALL)03/95]
4. Check all battery terminals and remove any
excessive corrosion before you attach the
jumper cables.
*
[RE01600( ALL)02/95]
5. Turn on the heater fan in both vehicles.
Turning on the fan helps protect the
electrical system from voltage surges. Turn
off all other switches and lights in both
vehicles to prevent possible damage to either
vehicle's electrical systems.
File:12rcrem.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:34:49 1996

235
Servicing Your Mustang
%*
[SV00300( ALL)03/95]
Service Made Easy
*
[SV00400( ALL)01/95]
Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
*
[SV00550( ALL)01/95]
1. When we can, we design parts that do not
need to be serviced.
*
[SV00600( ALL)01/95]
2. We want to make servicing your vehicle as
easy as possible. To help you:
*
[SV00700( ALL)01/95]
q
We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in
the engine compartment so that you can find
them easily.
*
[SV00800( ALL)01/95]
q
When possible, we design parts Ð such as
the headlamp bulbs Ð that can be replaced
without tools.
*
[SV00900( ALL)05/94]
q
We give you a Maintenance Schedule that
makes tracking routine service for your
vehicle easy. The maintenance schedule is
located in theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet.
*
[SV01000( ALL)01/95]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that
you need to check and service regularly.
*
[SV01100( ALL)02/95]
If your vehicle needs professional servicing, your
dealership can provide the parts and service
required. Check yourWarranty Information Booklet
to find out which parts and services are covered.
Also see theCustomer Assistancechapter of this
Owner Guide.
*
[SV01250( ALL)03/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that the
Owner Maintenance Checks listed in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet be
performed for the proper operation of your
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

248
*
[SV13510( ALL)02/95]
Self-Service Pointers
*
[SV13520( ALL)01/95]
If you choose to do your own fueling, you
should also perform a few simple maintenance
routines. This extra effort will save you
additional money and contribute to the driving
efficiency of your vehicle.
*
[SV13530( ALL)01/95]
The following procedures require only a tire
gauge, a rag, an oil can spout and windshield
washer fluid.
*
[SV13540( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the engine oil at every refueling stop
*
[SV13550( ALL)01/95]
q
Clean the windshield, outside mirrors and
headlights
*
[SV13560( ALL)01/95]
q
Check windshield washer fluid
*
[SV13570( ALL)02/95]
q
Check tires for excessive wear or worn edges
*
[SV13580( ALL)01/95]
q
Check the tire pressure at least monthly
%
*
[SV13600( ALL)02/95]
Engine Oil Recommendations
*
[SV13610( ALL)09/95]
We recommend using Motorcraft oil or an
equivalent oil meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M2C153-F and displaying the American
Petroleum Institute CERTIFICATION MARK on
the front of the container.
*
[SV13650( ALL)03/95]
one third page art:0060021-E
The API Certification Mark
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

249
*
[SV13670( ALL)01/95]
Neveruse:
*
[SV13680( ALL)01/95]
q
ªNon-Detergentº oils
*
[SV13690( ALL)04/95]
q
Oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG
%*
[SV13700( ALL)01/95]
q
Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments
or engine treatments
%*
[SV13702( ALL)03/95]
Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity are
PREFERREDfor your vehicle. They provide the
best engine performance, fuel economy and
engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-25ÊC).
%*
[SV13703( ALL)03/95]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and
of the preferred viscosity may be used in your
engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be
changed according to the maintenance schedule.
%*
[SV13775( ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
*
[SV13800( ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
%*
[SV13900( ALL)04/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
*
[SV14000( ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
*
[SV14050(M )03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure that the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park)
(automatic transmission) or 1 (First) (manual
transmission).
*
[SV14100( ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
*
[SV14200( ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

251
*
[SV14800( ALL)01/95]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[SV15000( ALL)03/95]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
%*
[SV16300( ALL)06/95]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[SV16400( ALL)04/95]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[SV16500( ALL)04/95]
one third page art:0060618-C
*
[SV16800( ALL)06/95]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedule and Record
booklet for additional information.
%*
[SV16900( ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

275
*
[SV35200( ALL)01/95]
2. While the engine idles, turn the steering
wheel back and forth several times. Make
sure that the cap assembly is installed at this
time.
*
[SV35300( ALL)05/95]
3. Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV35400(MBC )03/94]
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which
is highlighted in yellow in your vehicle). The
fluid level should be between the arrows in
the FULL HOT range, which is marked on
the side of the dipstick, opposite the side
marked FULL COLD. Do not add fluid if the
level is within the FULL HOT range.
*
[SV35500(MBC )07/94]
5. If the power steering fluid is low, add fluid
in small amounts, continuously checking the
level, until you reach the FULL HOT range.
Do not overfill.
*
[SV35600(MBC )03/95]
6. When you are finished, put the dipstick back
in and make sure that it fits snugly.
[SV35700(MBC )12/94]
half page art:0010485-C
The dipstick for power steering fluid
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

295
those which your vehicle or engine was
originally equipped.
*
[SV53150( ALL)05/95]
Ford strongly recommends the use of genuine
Ford replacement parts. If other than Ford or
Motorcraft parts or Ford authorized
remanufactured parts are used for maintenance
replacements or for the service of components
affecting emission control, such non-Ford parts
should be equivalent to genuine Ford Motor
Company parts in performance and durability. It
is the owner's responsibility to determine the
equivalency of such parts. Please consult your
warranty booklet for complete warranty
information.
*
[SV53175( ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in
dry grass or other dry ground cover. The
emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which
can start a fire.
*
[SV53200( ALL)05/95]
Watch for fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke, loss
of oil pressure, the charge warning light, the
check engine light, or the temperature warning
light. These sometimes indicate that the emission
system is not working properly.
*
[SV53300( ALL)01/95]
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. Changes that cause more
unburned fuel to reach the exhaust system can
increase the temperature of the engine or
exhaust system.
*
[SV53400( ALL)01/95]
By law, anyone who manufactures, repairs,
services, sells, leases, trades vehicles, or
supervises a fleet of vehicles is not permitted to
intentionally remove an emission control device
or prevent it from working. In some of the
United States and in Canada, vehicle owners
File:15rcsvm.ex
Update:Thu Mar 28 14:48:54 1996

322 Index
Controls
instrument panel............ 79
mirrors................ 125
steering column............. 91
Convertible
cleaning............... 138
installation of the boot......... 134
lowering the convertible top...... 132
raising the convertible top....... 137
Coolant (see Engine coolant)
checking and adding......... 252
drain and flush............ 257
preparing for storage......... 303
proper solution............ 255
refill capacities............ 298
specifications............. 300
temperature gauge........... 73
warnings............... 252
Cooling fan............... 236
Crankcase emission filter......... 299
Cruise control (see Speed control)...... 97
Customer Assistance Center, Ford (U.S.) . . 217
Customer Assistance Centre,
Ford of Canada..........217, 223
D
Dashboard (see Instrument panel)...... 79
Daytime running light system....... 84
Defects, reporting............ 222
Defrost
rear window.............. 83
windshield............... 82
Dipstick
automatic transmission fluid....269, 271
engine oil.............. 249
power steering fluid.......... 274
Disabled vehicle (see Towing)...... 213
Dispute Settlement Board........ 218
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:41:15 1996

Index 323
Doors................. 103
lubricant specifications........ 300
Driving under special conditions
bad weather............. 190
heavy load.............. 192
high water.............. 191
slippery roads............ 190
tips for safe driving.......... 190
towing a trailer............ 194
E
Electrical system
circuit breakers............ 287
fuses..............278, 286
operating when the engine is off..... 49
power point outlet.......... 130
Electronic sound system
radio reception............ 173
tuning the radio.........142, 163
warranty and service information . . . 175
Electronic stereo cassette radio
(see Electronic sound system)..... 142
Emergencies, roadside
assistance.............. 215
battery acid spills........... 199
fuel................. 245
jump-starting............. 199
towing................ 213
Emergency brake (parking brake) . . . 187±188
Emission control system
catalytic converter.......... 293
emissions warranty......... 4,293
Engine
check engine warning light....... 70
does not start........... 54,57
fuel injected engine, starting..... 51,53
fuel pump shut-off switch........ 57
preparing to start..........51±52
refill capacities............ 298
service points............ 239
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:41:15 1996

324 Index
Engine (continued)
starting............... 49,53
starting after a collision......... 57
storing your vehicle........301±302
Engine block heater............ 55
Engine coolant
checking and adding......... 252
checking hoses............ 254
disposal.........236, 251, 256, 271
drain and flush............ 257
low coolant warning light........ 68
preparing for storage......... 303
proper solution............ 255
recovery reservoir.........239, 252
refill capacities............ 298
specifications............. 300
temperature gauge........... 73
Engine coolant temperature gauge
description............... 73
mechanical.............73±74
Engine fan............... 236
Engine knocking............. 244
Engine oil
changing oil and oil filter.....249, 251
checking and adding......... 249
dipstick............... 249
disposal.........236, 251, 256, 271
engine oil pressure gauge........ 77
filter, specifications.......... 299
low oil warning light.......... 65
refill capacities............ 298
specifications...........248, 300
synthetic oil...........248±249
ªbreak-inº oils............. 5
viscosity.............248±249
Entry system, remote.......... 110
Exhaust fumes.............. 56
Extended Service Plan, Ford........ 4
File:rcixm.ex
Update:Wed Mar 27 09:41:15 1996