check engine FORD MUSTANG 2003 4.G Owner's Manual

Engine coolant refill procedure-4.6L V8 engine
The following procedure should be used when
refilling the cooling system of a 4.6L V8 engine after
it has been drained or become extremely low.
1. Remove the pressure relief cap from the engine
coolant reservoir as previously outlined.
2. Slowly add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant
and distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir
until the coolant level is at the“cold fill level”as
listed on the reservoir.
3. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
4. Start and idle the engine until the upper radiator
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is open
and coolant is flowing through the entire system).
5. Shut the engine off and let it cool.
6. Remove the pressure relief cap from the engine
coolant reservoir as previously outlined.
7. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the engine coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is at the“cold fill level”as listed on
the reservoir.
8. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.
9. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before
you drive your vehicle the next few times (with the
engine cool).
10. If necessary, add a50/50 mixtureof engine
coolant and distilled water to the engine coolant
reservoir until the coolant level is at the“cold fill
level”as listed on the reservoir.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant
concentration see Checking Engine Coolant section).
If the concentration is not 50/50 (protection to–34°
F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and
additions to obtain a 50/50 coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level
in the coolant reservoir should be checked the next
few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add
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211

enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper
level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of
engine coolant per month, have your dealer check
the engine cooling system. Your cooling system may
have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of
coolant can result in engine overheating and possible
engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company recommends the use of a
recycled engine coolant produced by Ford-approved
processes in vehicles originally equipped with
Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (green-colored).
However, not all coolant recycling processes produce
coolant that meets Ford specification
ESE-M97B44–A. Use of such coolant may harm the
engine and cooling system components.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use
of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally
equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine
Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is
not yet available.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in
an appropriate manner. Follow your community’s
regulations and standards for recycling and disposing
of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling
system can hold, refer toRefill capacitiesin this
chapter.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined in
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
–36°C[–34°F]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant
concentration above 50%.
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212

Usethe following guidelines to avoid static build-up
when filling an ungrounded fuel container:
•Place approved fuel container on the ground.
•DO NOT fill a fuel container while it is in the
vehicle (including the cargo area).
•Keep the fuel pump nozzle in contact with the
fuel container while filling.
•DO NOT use a device that would hold the fuel
pump handle in the fill position.
Fuel Filler Cap
Your fuel tank filler cap has an indexed design with
a 1/8 turn on/off feature.
When fueling your vehicle:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Carefully turn the filler cap counterclockwise 1/8
of a turn until it stops.
3. Pull to remove the cap from the fuel filler pipe.
4. To install the cap, align the tabs on the cap with
the notches on the filler pipe.
5. Turn the filler cap clockwise 1/8 of a turn until it
stops.
“Check Fuel Cap”illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position to ensure your bulb is
working. When this light turns on, check the fuel
filler cap. Continuing to operate the vehicle with the
Check Fuel Cap light on, can activate the Service
Engine Soon warning. When the fuel filler cap is
properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a
period of normal driving.It may take a long
period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
If you must replace the fuel filler cap, replace
it with a fuel filler cap that is designed for
your vehicle. The customer warranty may be
void for any damage to the fuel tank or fuel
system if the correct genuine Ford or
Motorcraft fuel filler cap is not used.
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216

•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce
fuel economy.
•You 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.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not
required and may reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving
may reduce fuel economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go
driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only
recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of
alignment will reduce fuel economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance
items. Follow the recommended maintenance
schedule and owner maintenance checks found in
your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may
reduce fuel economy at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel
economy (approximately 0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost
for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for
example bug deflectors, rollbars/light bars,
running boards, ski/luggage racks) may reduce
fuel economy.
•Using fuel blended with alcohol may lower fuel
economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower
temperatures during the first 12–16 km (8–10
miles) of driving.
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222

service of components affecting emission control,
such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and
durability.
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.
Illumination of the“Service Engine Soon”light,
charging system warning light or the temperature
warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the
emission control system is not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful
and potentially lethal fumes into the
passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your
vehicle or engine. By law, vehicle owners and anyone
who manufactures, repairs, services, sells, leases,
trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are
not permitted to intentionally remove an emission
control device or prevent it from working.
Information about your vehicle’s emission system is
on the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal
located on or near the engine. This decal identifies
engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete
emission warranty information.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to
pass an I/M test of the on-board diagnostics system.
If your“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light is
on, refer to the description in theWarning lights
and chimessection of theInstrument cluster
chapter. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test with
the“Check Engine/Service Engine Soon”light on.
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224

If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has
just been serviced, the on-board diagnostics system
is reset to a“not ready for I/M test”condition. To
ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M
testing, a minimum of 30 minutes of city and
highway driving is necessary as described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an
expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go,
city-type traffic with at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours
without starting the engine. Then, start the engine
and complete the above driving cycle. The engine
must warm up to its normal operating temperature.
Once started, do not turn off the engine until the
above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING
FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the
scheduled maintenance guide for the service interval
schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use only
MERCONAT F.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
3.8L V6 engine,check
the power steering
fluid level with the
engine at normal
operating temperature.
1. Start the engine and
let it run until it
reaches normal
operating temperature
(the engine coolant
temperature gauge
indicator will be near
the center of the
normal area between H
and C).
FILL
HOT
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225

2. While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel
left and right several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level on the dipstick. It should be
within the FULL HOT range. Do not add fluid if the
level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
If your vehicle is
equipped with a 4.6L
V8 engine,check the
power steering fluid
level with the engine at
ambient temperature.
Allow at least one-half
hour after driving for
the power steering
fluid to cool.
1. Start the engine and
allow the engine to
idle.
2. Turn the steering
wheel left and right
several times.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. It should be
between the MIN and MAX lines. Do not add fluid if
the level is within this range.
5. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts,
continuously checking the level until it reaches the
correct operating range. Be sure to put the cap back
on the reservoir.
BRAKE FLUID
Checking and adding brake fluid
Brake fluid should be checked and refilled as
needed. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide
for the service interval schedules.
MAXMIN
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226

If you use a brake fluid that is not DOT 3,
you will cause permanent damage to your
brakes.
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the brakes
to fail.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT (IF EQUIPPED)
Check the clutch
adjustment. Refer to
the scheduled
maintenance guide for
the service interval
schedules.
The clutch on your
vehicle is operated by a
cable. As necessary, adjust the clutch as described
below.
1. Turn the engine off and shift into 1 (First).
2. Put your foot under the clutch pedal and gently
pull it up until the pedal stops.
3. Push the clutch pedal down slowly. You will hear a
click as the clutch adjusts itself.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
(if equipped)
Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide for
scheduled intervals for fluid checks and changes.
Your transmission does not consume fluid. However,
the fluid level should be checked if the transmission
is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips
or shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid
leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed.
To obtain an accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle
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228

until it is at normal operating temperature
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has
been operated for an extended period at high
speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or pulling a
trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30
minutes to allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the
parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on
the brake pedal, start the engine and move the
gearshift lever through all of the gear ranges. Allow
sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the
engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean,
dry lint free rag. If necessary, refer toIdentifying
components in the engine compartmentin this
chapter for the location of the dipstick.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in
the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level.
The fluid should be in the designated area for
normal operating temperature or ambient
temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the
vehicle if the fluid level
is at the bottom of the
dipstick and the ambient temperature is above 10°C
(50°F).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal
operating temperature 66°C-77°C (150°F-170°F) on
a level surface. The normal operating temperature
can be reached after approximately 30 km (20
miles) of driving.
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229

Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Rear axle
lubricant
2Motorcraft
SAE 80W-90
Premium
Rear Axle
Lubricant7 .5 inch axle 1.5L (3.25
pints)
Motorcraft
SAE 75W-140
Synthetic
Rear Axle
Lubricant8.8 inch axle 2.0L (4.25
pints)
Fuel tank N/A All 59.4L (15.7
gallons)
Transmission
fluid
3Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAutomatic
with 3.8L
OHV V6
engine13.1L (13.9
quarts)4
Automatic
with 4.6L
SOHC V8
engine12.0L (12.8
quarts)4
Motorcraft
MERCON
AT FManual with
3.8L OHV V6
engine2.6L (5.6
pints)5
Synthetic
MERCON
AT FManual with
4.6L SOHC
V8 engine3.8L (8.0
pints)5
Windshield
washer fluidUltra-Clear
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 3.8L (4.0
quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your
vehicle.
2Rear axle lubricants do not need to be checked or
changed unless a leak is suspected, service is
required or the axle assembly has been submerged
in water. The axle lubricant should be changed any
time the rear axle has been submerged in water. Fill
6 mm to 14 mm (1/4 inch to 9/16 inch) below
bottom of fill hole. Add 118 ml (4 oz.) of Additive
Friction Modifier C8AZ-19B546-A or equivalent
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