FORD MUSTANG 1998 4.G Owners Manual

The parking brake is not recommended to stop a
moving vehicle. However, if the normal brakes fail,
the parking brake can be used to stop your vehicle
in an emergency. Since the parking brake applies
only the rear brakes, the vehicle's stopping distance
will increase greatly and the handling of your vehicle
will be adversely affected.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First)
(manual transmission).
Your brake handle may
need to be pulled up
slightly to release
pressure before
pushing in the button.
Push the button on the
end of the parking
brake and push the handle down as far as possible
to release the brake. Driving with the parking brake
on will cause the brakes to wear out quickly and
reduce fuel economy.
TRACTION CONTROLY(IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional
Traction Controlysystem. This system helps you
maintain the stability and steerability of your
vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly
road surfaces. The system operates by detecting and
controlling wheel spin. The system borrows many of
the electronic and mechanical elements already
present in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess rear wheel spin to
be detected by the Traction Controlyportion of the
ABS computer. Any excessive wheel spin is
controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
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91

the fully electronic spark and fuel injection systems.
This process is very sensitive to driving conditions
and very fast acting. The rear wheels ªsearchº for
optimum traction several times a second and
adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your
vehicle to make better use of available traction on
slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid which
makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on
snow, ice covered and gravel roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, the traction
control active light will illuminate, you may hear an
electric motor type of sound coming from the engine
compartment and the engine will not ªrev-upº when
you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
The Traction Controlyon/off switch, located in front
of the gearshift, illuminates when the system is OFF.
The Traction Controlysystem will revert to the ON
position every time the ignition is turned OFF and
ON.
If you should become stuck in snow or ice or on a
very slippery road surface, try switching the Traction
Controlysystem off. This may allow excess wheel
spin to ªdigº the vehicle out and enable a successful
ªrockingº maneuver.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power
steering uses energy from the engine to help steer
the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme
right or the extreme left for more than a few
seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power
steering pump fluid level.
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92

If the power steering system breaks down (or if the
engine is turned off), you can steer the vehicle
manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, the condition could
be caused by any of the following:
²underinflated tire(s) on any wheel(s)
²high crown in center of road
²high crosswinds
²wheels out of alignment
²loose or worn components in steering linkage
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock
feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved
from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park)
with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to
LOCK, then remove the key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake
pedal and shift to N (Neutral).
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to
move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has
blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not operating
properly. Refer toFuses and relaysin theRoadside
emergencieschapter.
Do not drive your vehicle until you verify
that the brakelamps are working.
If your vehicle gets stuck in mud or snow it may be
rocked out by shifting from forward and reverse
gears, stopping between shifts, in a steady pattern.
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93

Press lightly on the accelerator in each gear.
Do not rock the vehicle for more than a few
minutes. The transmission and tires may be
damaged or the engine may overheat.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is latched in P (Park).
Turn off the ignition whenever you leave your
vehicle.
If the parking brake is fully released, but the
brake warning lamp remains illuminated, the
brakes may not be working properly. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician.
Driving with a 4±speed automatic transmission
(if equipped)
Understanding gearshift positions
Pull the gearshift lever towards you and downward
to move the automatic gearshift.
Hold the brake pedal down while you move
the gearshift lever from P (Park) to another
position. If you do not hold the brake pedal down,
your vehicle may move unexpectedly and injure
someone.
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94

P (Park)
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into P (Park).
Make sure the gearshift
is securely latched in P
(Park). This position
locks the transmission
and prevents the rear
wheels from turning.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure the gearshift is securely latched in P
(Park).
Never leave your vehicle unattended while it
is running.
R (Reverse)
With the gearshift in R
(Reverse), the vehicle
will move backward.
Always come to a
complete stop before
shifting into and out of
R (Reverse).
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95

N (Neutral)
With the gearshift in N
(Neutral), the vehicle
can be started and is
free to roll. Hold the
brake pedal down while
in this gear.
(Overdrive)
The normal driving
position for the best
fuel economy.
Transmission operates
in gears one through
four.
(Overdrive) can be
deactivated by pressing
the transmission
control switch on the
end of the gearshift
lever.
The transmission control
indicator light (TCIL)
will illuminate on the
instrument cluster.
Drive± Not shown on the display. Activate by
pressing the transmission control switch on the end
of the gearshift lever with the gearshift in the
position. The O/D OFF indicator will illuminate
on the instrument cluster. Transmission operates in
O/ D
OFF
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96

gears one through three.(Drive) provides more
engine braking than
(Overdrive) and is useful
when:
²driving with a heavy load
²towing a trailer up or down steep hills
²additional engine braking is desired. If towing a
trailer, refer toDriving while you towin the
Trailer Towingchapter.
To return to
(Overdrive) mode, press the
transmission control switch. The O/D OFF indicator
will no longer be illuminated.
Each time the vehicle is started, the transmission
will automatically return to normal overdrive mode.
Every time the vehicle is shut off and restarted, you
must press the transmission control switch to cancel
overdrive operation if driving in overdrive is not
desired.
2 (Second)
Use 2 (Second) to
start-up on slippery
roads or to provide
additional engine
braking on downgrades.
1 (First)
Use 1 (Low) to provide
maximum engine
braking on steep
downgrades. Upshifts
can be made by
shifting to 2 (Second)
or to
(Overdrive).
Selecting 1 (Low) at
higher speeds causes the transmission to shift to a
lower gear, and will shift to 1 (Low) after vehicle
decelerates to the proper speed.
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97

MANUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION
(IF EQUIPPED)
Using the clutch
Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission have a
starter interlock that prevents cranking the engine
unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
When starting a vehicle with a manual transmission,
you must:
1. Put gearshift in N
(Neutral).
2. Hold down brake
pedal.
3. Depress clutch
pedal.
4. Turn ignition to
position 5 (START) to
start the engine, let the
engine idle for a few
seconds, then shift into
gear.
5. Release the brake
pedal.
6. Release clutch slowly
while pressing down
slowly on the
accelerator pedal.
²Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch
pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your
vehicle at a standstill while waiting on a hill.
These actions will seriously reduce clutch life.
1
24R3
5
1
2
34
5
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Recommended shift speeds
Do not downshift into 1 (first) when your
vehicle is moving faster then 24 km/h (15 mph).
This will damage the clutch.
Upshift and downshift according to the following
chart:
Upshifts when accelerating
(recommended for best fuel economy)
Shift from:
1 - 2 18 km/h (11 mph)
2 - 3 31 km/h (19 mph)
3 - 4 48 km/h (30 mph)
4 - 5 64 km/h (40 mph)
Parking your vehicle
1. Disengage the
clutch, apply brake
and shift into N
(Neutral).
2. Set parking brake.
3. Shift into 1 (First).
1
24R3
5
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4. Turn the ignition key
to position 3 (OFF).
Do not park your vehicle in Neutral, it may
move unexpectedly and injure someone. Use
1 (First) gear and set the parking brake fully.
Reverse
You can shift into R (Reverse) only by moving the
gearshift to the right of 5 (Fifth) gear before you
shift into R (Reverse). This is a feature that protects
you from accidentally shifting into R (Reverse) when
you downshift from 5 (Fifth).
Make sure that your vehicle is at a complete
stop before you shift into R (Reverse). Failure
to do so may damage the transmission.
To shift into R
(Reverse):
1. Bring your vehicle to
a complete stop.
2. Push the clutch
pedal all the way to the
floor.
3. Move the gearshift
all the way to the right
and pull it back into R
( Reverse).
4. Slowly release the
clutch pedal.
If R (Reverse) is not
engaged, continue to
push the clutch pedal in while you put the
3
2
1
5
4
1
24R3
5
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