maintenance FORD MUSTANG 1998 4.G Owners Manual

Before driving
Introduction 2
Instrumentation 4
Controls and features 16
Seating and safety restraints 63
Starting and driving
Starting 83
Driving 88
Roadside emergencies 108
Servicing
Maintenance and care 126
Capacities and specifications 177
Reporting safety defects 185
Index 186
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authorization from Ford Motor Company.
Copyright
r1998 Ford Motor Company
Contents
1

INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The information found in this guide was in effect at
the time of printing. Ford may change the contents
without notice and without incurring obligation.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Notice to owners of Cobra vehicles
Before you drive your vehicle, be sure to read the
ªSVT Cobra Owner's Guide Supplement.º This book
contains important operation and maintenance
information.
Introduction
3

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Base instrument cluster
Optional instrument cluster
Turn signal
Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal
or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or
both of the indicators stay on continuously or flash
faster, check for a burned-out turn signal bulb. Refer
toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
1204
5
6
7 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
P! BRAKE
L
0
00000 00
C
E
FH
LH
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
1504
5
6
7
8 3
2
1
H
THEFT
RPMX1000
FUEL DOORSELECT/RESET
LOW
FUELO/D
OFF AIR
BAGSERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
MPH km/h
ABS
.
Instrumentation
6

Check coolant
Illuminates when the
coolant level in the
coolant reservoir is low
and more needs to be
added. This lamp will also illuminate when the
ignition is turned to ON and the engine is off. For
more information on adding engine coolant, refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Safety belt warning chime
Chimes to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime,
refer to theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning
chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to
theSeating and safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the
OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver's door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are
on, the ignition is off (and the key is not in the
ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
Instrumentation
11

Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the
temperature of the
engine coolant. At
normal operating
temperature, the needle remains within the normal
area (the area between the ªHº and ªCº). If it enters
the red section, the engine is overheating. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible, switch off the
engine immediately and let the engine cool. Refer to
Engine coolantin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot.
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine
coolant, not the coolant level. If the coolant is not at
its proper level the gauge indication will not be
accurate.
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
²Base instrument
cluster
²Optional instrument
cluster
CH
10 203020 406080100
120
140
160
180
405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
120
FUEL DOOR MPH km/h
102040608020 40608010 012 0 14 0
160
180
200
220
240
100
120
140
305070 90
110
13 0
150
FUEL DOOR MPH km/h
Instrumentation
13

Trip odometer
Registers the
kilometers (miles) of
individual journeys.
Press the reset button
until a ªTº appears in
the display (this
represents the trip
mode). Press and hold
the button for
2.5 seconds to reset.
Battery voltage gauge
This gauge shows the
battery voltage when
the ignition is in the
ON position. If the
pointer moves and stays outside the normal
operating range (as indicated), have the vehicle's
electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine
oil pressure in the
system. Sufficient
pressure exists as long
as the needle remains in the normal range (the area
between the ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure, stop the vehicle
as soon as safely possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level. Add oil if needed
(refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle
checked at your dealership or by a qualified
technician.
0
00000 00
4
5
6
7
8 3
2
1RPMX1000
SELECT/RESET
.
LH
LH
Instrumentation
15

Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make
sure they work properly and are not damaged.
Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no
nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All
safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles,
front seat belt buckle assemblies (slide bar)(if
equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if
equipped), child safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware,
should be inspected after a collision. Ford
recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However,
if the collision was minor and a qualified technician
finds that the belts do not show damage and
continue to operate properly, they do not need to be
replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a
collision should also be inspected and replaced if
either damage or improper operation is noted.
Failure to inspect and if necessary replace
the safety belt assembly under the above
conditions could result in severe personal injuries
in the event of a collision.
Refer toCleaning and maintaining the safety
beltsin theMaintenance and caresection.
AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS)
Seating and safety restraints
71

there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as
fractures, facial and eye injuries or internal injuries,
particularly to occupants who are not properly
restrained or are otherwise out of position at the
time of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely
important that occupants be properly restrained as
far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot
after inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the air bag is deployed,the air bag will
not function again and must be replaced
immediately.If the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which
include the inflators and air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the
components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal
circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical
system warning (including the impact sensors), the
system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the
air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Determining if the system is operational
The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument
cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theAir bag readinesssection in
theInstrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance
of the air bag is not required.
Seating and safety restraints
75

BRAKES
Your service brakes are self-adjusting. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for scheduled
maintenance.
Occasional brake noise is normal and often does not
indicate a performance concern with the vehicle's
brake system. In normal operation, automotive brake
systems may emit occasional or intermittent squeal
or groan noises when the brakes are applied. Such
noises are usually heard during the first few brake
applications in the morning; however, they may be
heard at any time while braking and can be
aggravated by environmental conditions such as
cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
ªmetal-to-metal,º ªcontinuous grindingº or
ªcontinuous squealº sound is present while braking,
the brake linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking
system (ABS), a noise from the hydraulic pump
motor and pulsation in the pedal may be observed
during ABS braking events. Pedal pulsation coupled
with noise while braking under panic conditions or
on loose gravel, bumps, wet or snowy roads is
normal and indicates proper functioning of the
vehicle's anti-lock brake system. The ABS performs a
self-check at 17 km/h (10 mph) after you start the
engine and begin to drive away. A brief mechanical
noise may be heard during this test. This is normal.
If a malfunction is found, the ABS warning light will
come on. If the vehicle has continuous vibration or
shudder in the steering wheel while braking, the
vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service
technician.
Driving
88

Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle
will require more frequent service intervals. Refer to
your Scheduled Maintenance guide for more
information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area before starting on a trip to get the feel of the
vehicle trailer combination. When turning, make
wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs
and other obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer
attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10% of the
loaded trailer weight.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles),
thoroughly check your hitch, electrical
connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in
hot weather, place the gearshift in P (Park) and
increase idle speed. This aids engine cooling and
air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. If you must park on a grade, place wheel
chocks under the trailer's wheels.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Do not drive quickly through standing water,
especially if the depth is unknown. Traction or brake
capability may be limited and if the ignition system
gets wet, your engine may stall. Water may also
enter your engine's air intake and severely damage
your engine.
If driving through deep or standing water is
unavoidable, proceed very slowly. Never drive
through water that is higher than the bottom of the
hubs.
Driving
106