FORD MUSTANG 2003 4.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat
installation at the seating positions marked with the
child seat symbol.
The center of
the rear seat is
NOTdesigned as a
seating position. The
LATCH anchors were
not designed to be
used with a child
seat in the center
position and there is
no tether anchor
available at the
center. Putting a
child seat in the
center would also
block access to the
safety restraint
buckles. Use as a
seating position, with
or without a child
restraint, may
increase the risk of
injury or death.
Never attach two LATCH child safety seats
to the same anchor. In a crash, one anchor
may not be strong enough to hold two child safety
seat attachments and may break, causing serious
injury or death.
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131

The lower anchors for
child seat installation
are located at the rear
section of the rear seat
between the cushion
and seat back. The
LATCH anchors are
below the locator
symbols on the seat
back. One pair of
anchors are provided
for each rear designated seating position.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to
properly install a child seat with LATCH
attachments. Two plastic LATCH guides can be
obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln-
Mercury Dealer. They snap onto the LATCH lower
anchors in the seat to help attach a child seat with
rigid attachments. The guides hold the seat trim
away to expose the anchor and make it easier to
attach some child seats.
Attach LATCH lower attachments of the
child seat only to the anchors shown.
If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH
attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough
to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion
when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap
just snug without lifting the front of the child seat.
Keeping the child seat just touching the vehicle seat
gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Each time you use the safety seat, check that the
seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and
tether anchor. Try to tilt the child seat from side to
side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see
if the anchors hold the seat in place.
If the safety seat is not anchored properly,
the risk of a child being injured in a crash
greatly increases.
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132

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACCESSORY, allows
the electrical
accessories such as the
radio to operate while
the engine is not
running.
2. LOCK, locks the
steering wheel, automatic transmission gearshift
lever and allows key removal. For vehicle equipped
with a manual transmission, you must depress the
ignition release lever to release the key.
3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories
without locking the steering wheel. This position
also allows the automatic transmission shift lever to
be moved from the P (Park) position without the
brake pedal being depressed.
In the ignition OFF position, the automatic
transmission shift lever can be moved from
the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
depressed. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement,
always set the parking brake.
4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning
lights illuminated. Key position when driving.
5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as
soon as the engine starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain
control system. This system meets all Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field
strength of radio noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing
the accelerator before or during starting. Only use
3
1
2
5
4
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133

the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the
engine. For more information on starting the vehicle,
refer toStarting the enginein this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can
produce very high temperatures in the
engine and exhaust system, creating the risk of
fire or other damage.
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.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage
or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes
can be toxic. Always open the garage door before
you start the engine. SeeGuarding against
exhaust fumesin this chapter for more
instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your
vehicle, have your dealer inspect your
vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
A computer system controls the engine’sidle
revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine
starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in
order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed
does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more
than 10 minutes at high engine RPM.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled
their safety belts. For more information on safety
belts and their proper usage, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
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134

2.Makesure the headlamps and vehicle accessories
are off.
If starting a vehicle with an automatic transmission:
•Make sure the
parking brake is set.
•Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
If starting a vehicle with a manual transmission:
•Make sure the parking brake is set.
•Push the clutch
pedal to the floor.
3. Turn the key to 4
(ON) without turning
the key to 5 (START).
1
2
34
5
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135

Makesurethecorrespondinglights illuminate or
illuminate briefly. If a light fails to illuminate, have
the vehicle serviced.
•If the driver’s safety belt is fastened, the
light
may not illuminate.
Starting the engine
Note:Whenever you start your vehicle, release the
key as soon as the engine starts. Excessive cranking
could damage the starter.
1. Turn the key to 5
(START) without
pressing the
accelerator pedal and
release as soon as the
engine starts. The key
will return to 4 (ON).
2. If the temperature is
above–12°C (10°F) and the engine does not start
within five seconds on the first try, turn the key to
OFF, wait 10 seconds and try again. If the engine
does not start in two attempts, press the accelerator
all the way to the floor and hold. Turn the key to
the START position.
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
.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
3
2
1
5
4
Driving
136

3. If the temperature is below -12°C (10°F) and
the engine does not start in 15 seconds on the first
try, turn the key OFF and wait 10 seconds and try
again. If the engine does not start in two attempts,
press the accelerator pedal all the way to floor and
hold. Turn the key to START position.
4. When the engine starts, release the key, then
release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine
speeds up.
5. After idling for a few seconds, apply the brake,
shift into gear and drive.
Using the engine block heater (if equipped)
An engine block heater warms the engine coolant,
which improves starting, warms up the engine faster
and allows the heater-defroster system to respond
quickly. Use of an engine block heater is strongly
recommended if you live in a region where
temperatures reach -23°C (-10°F) or below.
For best results, plug the heater in at least three
hours before starting the vehicle. Using the heater
for longer than three hours will not harm the engine,
so the heater can be plugged in the night before
starting the vehicle.
To prevent electrical shock, do not use your
heater with ungrounded electrical systems
or two-pronged (cheater) adapters.
Guarding against exhaust fumes
Although odorless and colorless, carbon monoxide is
present in exhaust fumes. Take precautions to avoid
its dangerous effects.
If you ever smell exhaust fumes of any kind
inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect
and fix your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if
you smell exhaust fumes. These fumes are harmful
and could kill you.
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137

Have the exhaust and body ventilation systems
checked whenever:
•the vehicle is raised for service.
•the sound of the exhaust system changes.
•the vehicle has been damaged in a collision.
WARNING:Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Important ventilating information
If the engine is idling while the vehicle is stopped in
an open area for long periods of time, open the
windows at least 2.5 cm (one inch).
Adjust the heating or air conditioning (if equipped)
to bring in fresh air.
Improve vehicle ventilation by keeping all air inlet
vents clear of snow, leaves and other debris.
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
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138

cold, heat, moisture, road dust, salt or mud. If a
“metal-to-metal,”“continuous grinding”or
“continuous squeal”sound is present while braking,
the brake linings may be worn-out and should be
inspected by a qualified service technician.
If you are driving down a long or steep hill,
shift to a lower gear. Do not apply your
brakes continuously, as they may overheat and
become less effective.
Parking brake
Apply the parking
brake whenever the
vehicle is parked. To
set the parking brake,
apply the brake pedal
and pull the parking
brake handle up as far
as possible.
The BRAKE warning
lamp in the instrument
cluster illuminates and
remains illuminated
(when the ignition is turned ON) until the parking
brake is released.
Always set the parking brake fully and make
sure that the gearshift is securely latched in
P (Park) (automatic transmission) or in 1 (First
Gear) (manual transmission).
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.
P!
BRAKE
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139

To release the parking
brake, the 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 handle and push the handle down as far as
possible. Driving with the parking brake applied will
cause the brakes to wear out quickly and reduce fuel
economy.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
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 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.
The ABS operates by
detecting the onset of
wheel lockup during
brake applications and
compensates for this
tendency. The wheels
are prevented from
locking even when the brakes are firmly applied. The
accompanying illustration depicts the advantage of
an ABS equipped vehicle (on bottom) to a non-ABS
equipped vehicle (on top) during hard braking with
loss of front braking traction.
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140