fuel type FORD MUSTANG 2000 4.G Owners Manual

controlled by automatically applying and releasing
the rear brakes in conjunction with engine torque
reductions. Engine torque reduction is realized via
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 Controly
on/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.
If a system fault is detected the OFF indicator lamp
on the traction control switch will be illuminated and
your vehicle should be serviced.
TRAC
CTRL
OFF
Driving
99

chains. Use chains on the tires only in an emergency
or if the law requires them.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and
chains:
²Chains may damage aluminum wheels.
²Use only Cable Type chains with size P225/55R16
or 245/45ZR17 tires. Use of SAE Class S chains
may damage vehicle.
²SAE Class S chains may be used on P205/65R15
tires.
²Install chains securely, verifying that the chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the chains rub or
bang against your vehicle, stop and re-tighten the
chains. If this does not work, remove the chains
to prevent damage to your vehicle.
²If possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle.
²Remove the tire chains when they are no longer
needed. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
²The suspension insulation and bumpers will help
prevent vehicle damage. Do not remove these
components from your vehicle when using snow
tires and chains.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in
an overfilled tank may cause leakage and
lead to fuel spray and fire.
Maintenance and care
165

4. Subtract your initial odometer reading from the
current odometer reading.
5. Follow one of the simple calculations in order to
determine fuel economy:
Multiply liters used by 100, then divide by total
kilometers traveled.
Divide total miles traveled by total gallons
used.
Keep a record for at least one month and record the
type of driving (city or highway). This will provide
an accurate estimate of the vehicle's fuel economy
under current driving conditions. Additionally,
keeping records during summer and winter will show
how temperature impacts fuel economy. In general,
lower temperatures give lower fuel economy.
Driving style Ð good driving and fuel economy
habits
Give consideration to the lists that follow and you
may be able to change a number of variables and
improve your fuel economy.
Habits
²Smooth, moderate operation can yield up to 10%
savings in fuel.
²Steady speeds without stopping will usually give
the best fuel economy.
²Idling for long periods of time (greater than one
minute) may waste fuel.
²Anticipate stopping; slowing down may eliminate
the need to stop.
²Sudden or hard accelerations may reduce fuel
economy.
²Slow down gradually.
²Driving at reasonable speeds (traveling at 88 km/h
[55 mph] uses 15% less fuel than traveling at 105
km/h [65 mph]).
Maintenance and care
173

²Revving the engine before turning it off may
reduce fuel economy.
²Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
²You may want to turn off the speed control in
hilly terrain if unnecessary shifting between third
and fourth gear occurs. Unnecessary shifting of
this type could result in reduced fuel economy.
²Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
²Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
²Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
²Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
²Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
²Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
Specifications.
²Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle Scheduled Maintenance Guide.
Conditions
²Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
²Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
²Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollbars/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
Maintenance and care
174

Cleaning the wiper blades, windshield and rear
window
If the wiper blades do not wipe properly, clean the
wiper blade rubber element with undiluted
windshield washer solution or a mild detergent. To
avoid damaging the blades, do not use fuel,
kerosene, paint thinner or other solvents.
If the wiper still does not wipe properly, this could
be caused by substances on the windshield or rear
window such as tree sap and some hot wax
treatments used by commercial car washes. Clean
the outside of the windshield or rear window with a
non-abrasive cleaner such as Ford Ultra-Clear Spray
Glass Cleaner, (E4AZ-19C507±AA), available from
your Ford Dealer.Do notuse abrasive cleansers on
glass as they may cause scratches. The windshield or
rear window is clean if beads do not form when you
rinse it with water. The windshield, rear window and
wiper blades should be cleaned on a regular basis,
and blades or rubber elements replaced when worn.
Convertible top and padded molding care
To avoid damage to the vinyl top and moldings, use
only an approved Ford cleaner, or equivalent. Do not
use stiff bristle brushes or abrasive materials or
cleaners.
Hot waxes applied by commercial car washes can
affect the cleanability of vinyl material.
Using high water pressure or wand-type car washes
against the convertible top and windows may cause
water leaks and possible seal damage.
Cleaning the engine
Engines are more efficient when they are clean
because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine
warmer than normal. When washing:
²Take care when using a power washer to clean
the engine. The high pressure fluid could
penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.
Maintenance and care
187