coolant level FORD MUSTANG 2003 4.G Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Interior Luggage
Compartment
Release Symbol
Panic Alarm
Engine OilEngine Coolant
Engine Coolant
TemperatureDo Not Open When
Hot
BatteryAvoid Smoking,
Flames, or Sparks
Battery AcidExplosive Gas
Fan WarningPower Steering
Fluid
Maintain Correct
Fluid LevelMAX
MINEmission System
Engine Air FilterPassenger
Compartment Air
Filter
JackCheck fuel cap
Low tire warning
Introduction
9

Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
while the engine is running or hot. Steam
and scalding liquid from a hot cooling system can
burn you badly.
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.
Engine oil pressure gauge
Indicates engine oil
pressure. At normal
operating temperature,
the needle will be in
the normal range (the area between the“L”and
“H”); if the needle goes below the normal range,
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 the
Maintenance and specificationschapter). If the oil
level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
Battery voltage gauge
Indicates battery
voltage. If the pointer
moves and stays
outside the normal
operating range, have the vehicle’s electrical system
checked as soon as possible.
Fuel gauge
Displays approximately
how much fuel is in the
fuel tank. The fuel
gauge may vary slightly
when the vehicle is in motion or on a grade.
LH
LH
F
Instrument Cluster
16

WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Check the washer fluid
whenever you stop for
fuel. The reservoir is
highlighted with a
symbol.
Add fluid to fill the
reservoir if the level is
low. In very cold
weather, do not fill the
reservoir completely.
Only use a washer fluid that meets Ford
specification ESR-M17P5–A . Refer toLubricant
specificationsin this chapter.
State or local regulations on volatile organic
compounds may restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer antifreeze additive.
Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold
weather protection without damaging the vehicle’s
paint finish, wiper blades or washer system.
Note:Do not put washer fluid in the engine coolant
reservoir. Washer fluid placed in the cooling system
may harm engine and cooling system components.
ENGINE OIL
Checking the engine oil
Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for the
appropriate intervals for checking the engine oil.
1. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 5 to 10 minutes for
the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Set the parking brake and ensure the gearshift is
securely latched in P (Park) (automatic
transmissions) or 1 (First) (manual transmissions).
4. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
Maintenance and Specifications
199

ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should
be checked at the mileage intervals in the scheduled
maintenance guide. The coolant concentration
should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water,
which equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F).
Coolant concentration testing is possible with a
hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060).
The level of coolant should be maintained at the
“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the coolant
reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the
instructions in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine
coolant and water concentration. If the
concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not
work properly.A50–50 mixture of coolant and
water provides the following:
•freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F)
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F)
•protection against rust and other forms of
corrosion
•enables calibrated gages to function properly
•3.8L OHV V6 engine
Maintenance and Specifications
206

•4.6L SOHC V8
engine
When the engine is cold, check the level of the
engine coolant in the reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the“cold fill
level”as listed on the engine coolant reservoir.
•Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
service interval schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions
when servicing your vehiclein this chapter.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the
recommended interval, the engine coolant reservoir
may become low or empty. If the reservoir is low or
empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer to
Adding engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do
not use engine coolant, antifreeze or windshield
washer fluid outside of its specified function and
vehicle location.
Adding engine coolant
When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water. Add
the mixture to the coolant reservoir,when the
engine is cool, until the appropriate fill level is
obtained.
Do not add engine coolant when the engine
is hot. Steam and scalding liquids released
from a hot cooling system can burn you badly.
Also, you can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts.
Maintenance and Specifications
207

The following procedure should be used when
refilling the cooling system of a 3.8L V6 engine after
it has been drained or become extremely low.
1. Remove the cap
from the engine
coolant reservoir.
2. Open the cooling
system vent plug.
3. Remove the radiator
cap as previously
outlined.
4. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the radiator until full.
5. 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.
6. Close the cooling system vent plug.
7. Reinstall the engine coolant reservoir cap.
8. Reinstall the radiator cap.
9. 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).
10. Immediately shut the engine off.
11. Wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap and
cautiously remove the radiator cap.
12. Add a50/50 mixtureof engine coolant and
distilled water to the radiator until full.
13. Reinstall the radiator cap.
14. Check the coolant level in the reservoir before
you drive your vehicle the next few times (with the
engine cool).
15. 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.
If you are unsure of how to operate the cooling
system vent plug when adding engine coolant to the
3.8L V6 engine, contact your dealer.
2
31
Maintenance and Specifications
210

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
Maintenance and Specifications
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%.
Maintenance and Specifications
212

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
Maintenance and Specifications
225